One particular highlight was the donation of a large number of handmade cards by a relative of one of the Company’s officers. These were sold at the display, raising over £80 towards the cost of Camp this year. We are very grateful for the time and effort that went into making these cards, and the funds raised as a result mean that we will now be able to offer an extra activity at camp!

2009-10 Company Newsletter – by Company Captain Dr. Robert Henderson.

Overview

The BB can often divide opinion within a church. “Why do we have to put up with the problems that come from letting these lads into our building” is often a heartfelt question. The Church has had its own youth organization in the BB recognized by the public as well as local and national government. It has been a way that they have been able, through ordinary people, engage the younger generation both within the church circles and also those in the community at large. Of course it is no quick fix but does provide a successful framework and programme for the members of a church to work with young people. If run properly it has a much greater effect and influence on young lives than one would imagine. The problem of the church and engaging with young people is getting much harder in what is becoming a more determinedly secular society. The BB provides a basis on which church members can build bridges into society, so that they can get to know us and see that Christians still exist and that it is a meaningful and living faith. Just opposite my son’s flat in Bristol is the 1st Bristol Muslim scout troop and I have found they are growing rapidly, so other faiths have recognized the value of their own organization. The question churches have to answer is do they want to have a visible presence reaching out to the community at large or just retreat behind the church walls?
Of course there is a trend towards paid youth workers and ministers the BB has proved that the trained amatuer can proved a very effect ministry with young people, providing a channel by which Christians can provide a outlet for Christian service.

Week By Week

Of course the BB is not just about special activities but is somewhere they can come down week by week and enjoy the activities and the company of their friends. Last year included sports, games, chess, crafts, model railway, computing, WarHammer, table top games and a whole lot more. There are frequent visits to the University Indoor Recreation centre for sports and swimming encouraging a healthy lifestyle after eating the tuck! The programme also progresses towards awards, and ultimately the Queen’s Badge and the Duke of Edinburgh award. We have two Queens men currently working towards their badge, taking part in leadership and community work. After having a number of boys reaching the age limit because of the new influx our weekly attendance is again rising to twenty and above. The great thing is the relationships we build and the link we forge week by week.

Sailing at Tower Wood

We visited Tower Wood twice this year, once on the open day and once as a full day visit. On the first occasion we had a great day trying out all the equipment they have on offer and on the second occasion we went kayaking. Its was a lovely day ion October but unfortunately no wind for sailing, so the instructors took them on a kayaking tour all the way down Widermere to Rio (sorry Swallows and Amazons) Bowness, where they prepared a great lunch and paddled back. It was great fun and everybody on the trip qualified for the British Canoe Union level1 certificate. These are expensive days out which we cannot pass on the full cost for so we are very grateful to the people and organizations that sponsor us with grants and donation. Such days are the things they will carry with them through life.

Competitions

We enter competitions not so that we can win trophies, if that were the case we would judge ourselves very unsuccessful, but so that we have a rich, varied and balanced programme to offer. This year we entered chess, badminton, table tennis, under 14 and over 14s 5-a-sdie football and Master team quiz. This year we have progressed to the dizzy heights of the second round of the Masterteam and the over 14 football. This is a great way for boys to get out beyond their normal horizons and meet other people and enjoy playing the game together. As well as these National competitions we also entered the local BB battalion and the North West district 5-a-side football competitions. The District 10 pin bowling has also become a firm favorite in January too.

Lakes Expedition

We ran two expeditions in parallel this last Easter. One at the D of E Bronze level and one at our Queen’s Badge level. They were required to do 15 miles over two days or 30 miles over 3 days respectively carrying all their required equipment and food with them. It is quite a challenge but I am glad to report that all boys completed the course and navigated exceptionally well, the best I have witness for a long time. The lower level course was in and around Silverdale and finished with a well deserved luxury ice cream on the pier at Arnside care of the captain expensive but its amazing how well it encourages them to finish. The senior group completed the advance course in on the South Lake Fells in the Winster Valley.
The boys really enjoy the challenge and it is a very worthwhile event which is only made possible because members of the staff are willing to take time off to supervise it.

Camp 2009 – Halwill Junction, Devon

This year we camped on the field of a very friendly farmer at Halwill Junction in Devon. He is the church secretary of Halwill Junction Baptist Church and we had a good time with the folks from Halwill Junction Baptist church. On Sunday we attended morning service and in the evening the boys chose to go along to their monthly youth service it was a great time. Later in the week 8 members of the church and their minister came along to see us in the field and share in on of Sheila’s fine meals. Two ex-members of the 1^st Morecambe are members there and they were delighted to pass on the very favourable report of the camp and the boys that they reported to the church meeting. It was told it quite brought a limp to their throats. Maybe you don’t get to see that side of the boys we work with in your company but I have received comments of how polite and appreciative our boys are when people meet them.

Despite this camp being wetter than any other in living memory (two inches of water in the staff tents for most of the week! Although the boy’s tents were fine!)

It did not spoil camp at all. In fact none of the special events were called off and we did something every day. It’s just that it did rain for long periods almost every day and this posed special challenges which everybody passed with flying colours. The first thing we did was to go and buy all the boys Wellington boots because although they are advised to bring them none did! What an optimistic lot!

As well as the daily routine of activities in camp we have special outings every day. Sunday to the beach at Bude, Monday cycling at Great Torrington, Tuesday surfing at the world famous Croyde Bay (this was the firm favourite of the week with the boys), Wednesday a visit to Plymouth and later the cinema where nearly everybody saw Harry Potter. Thursday was sailing and kayaking on the river Exe at Exeter, and Friday was sea fishing at Padstow and then archery in the evening.

One boy wrote “best camp ever” on face book and thanked the staff which is always great, despite the weather.

Camp is a great effort for a group of voluntary staff to put on for a week and is only possible because they work together as such a great team. Because of the weather this year it was especially so. It is a real privilege to be the CO of such a great team and I thank them unreservedly for all they did this year on your behalf as part of their annual leave. Thanks guys you were great and I know each boy had a great time. It would be wrong of me to single out individuals but I could not let this pass without thanking Sheila, who did a magnificent job in the cook’s tent despite the trying muddy conditions, especially in the cooks tent.

The devotions, morning and evening, went very well and we concentrated on the person and character of Christ. We were delighted that one boy asked to be baptized on return, an encouraging conclusion to a great camp.

Also, church parade for April is this coming Sunday.

The Company’s over 14 5-a-side team also managed third place in the latest round of the national competition, which means they progress to the next round. Well done lads!

Details of this and other upcoming events can be found on the events calendar on the right.

If attending the ice-skating, please bring money to pay for it, a warm coat, hat and gloves (mostly to protect you from bouncing off the ice, but its also likely to be quite nippy in there!) and meet at the church for the minibus ON TIME!

The Badminton and Table Tennis teams unfortunately did not make it through to the second round, with the Table Tennis side losing to last years champions at 1st Burton in Kendal. Both teams had a great deal of fun, however, and certainly enjoyed the consolatory food afterwards!