New year underway for Mid-Ulster Battalion of the Boys Brigade

The following officers were elected: President, Mr Jim Thornberry; Vice-President, Mr Barry Espie; Vice-President, Mr Trevor Stewart;

Secretary and Public Relations Officer, Mr Gareth Campbell; Treasurer: Mr James Thompson; Chaplain, Rev. John Mullan; Chairman of Christian Education Committee, Rev. Bill Atkins; Chairman of Training and Extension Committee, Mr Trevor Stewart; Chairman of Finance Committee, Mr James Thompson; Chairman of Camp Committee, Mr Gordon Watterson; Queen’s Badge Advisors, Mr Andrew Chambers and Mr Ian McCullough; Duke of Edinburgh Award Officer, Mr Gordon Auld; Anchor Boys Chairperson, Miss Anne Houston; Anchor Boys Secretary, Mrs Shirley Gilkinson; Junior Section Chairperson, Mr Robert Auld; Junior Section Secretary, Mr Thomas Maxwell; Company Section Chairperson/Secretary, Mr Barry Espie; Other members of Executive, Mr David Fulton, Mr Mervyn Hamilton, Mrs Zandra Bond, Mr Gareth Richardson, Miss Jennifer Park, Miss Doreen Bruce, Mr John Bruce, Mr Norman McMullan.

The Boys’ Brigade caters for all boys and young men from 5 years old (some Companies start at 4 years) to 18 years old and provides an opportunity to meet with boys of their own age, have fun, make friends, and achieve personal goals.

The sixteen Companies of The Mid-Ulster Battalion will recommence their programme of events and activities as they begin the new session over the coming weeks, and all Companies will welcome recruits in any of the Sections.

The Companies and contact numbers for Captains/Officers in Charge are as follows: 1st Armagh, Mr Gordon Auld, 3752 2732; 1st Aughnacloy and Ballymagrane, Mr Peter McConnell, 00353 866 000 599; 1st Bellaghy, Mr Willie Bruce, 7964 2782; 1st Caledon, Mr Mark Gillespie, 3833 3294; 1st Castlecaulfield, Mr Maxie Trimble, 8776 1540; 1st Castledawson, Mr David Fulton, 7964 2348; 1st Cookstown, Mr Robert Park, 8676 3649; 1st Culnady, Miss Anne Houston, 7964 2373; 1st Dungannon, Mr Jim Thornberry, 8676 5115; 1st Maghera, Mrs Betty Paul, 7964 3493; 1st Magherafelt, Mr Gordon Watterson, 7963 2260; 1st Moneymore, Mr Paul McMenemy, 8674 7096; 1st Moy, Mr Andrew Chambers, 8778 9457; 1st Newmills, Mr Paul Stewart, 8774 0511; 1st Stewartstown, Mr David Adams, 8634 0340; 1st Tobermore, Mr Trevor Stewart, 7964 2229.

The Battalion is also hosting a fund-raising event “Cash on Delivery”, a two act comedy by Michael Cooney to be performed by the Killylea Silver Players in Magherafelt High School on Saturday, October 22 at 7.30pm.

All proceeds from this event will go towards the Opening New Doors Appeal to extend and renovate the Boys’ Brigade Northern Ireland District Headquarters at Newport which is situated at Culcavey Road, Hillsborough. Admission is £7 with tickets available from Battalion and Company Officers or you can pay at the door.