Lots of activities at Spa BB

Lots of activities at Spa BB

17 August 2022

SPA Boys’ Brigade Company ended their year with an evening of sports at Ballynahinch Rugby Club last Thursday.

This concluded a busy year of activities for the boys, who were once again able to meet face-to-face in the Arnold Hall from last September.

In a fun and varied programme during 2021/2022 the boys enjoyed games and crafts, as well as learning about God.

The primary school boys enjoyed visits from Wee Critters Interactive Animal Education, and made Minions with Jumping Clay. They also raised money to support the work of Habitat for Humanity through a ‘Neon Night’.

Fitness instructor Ben Gadd delivered sessions with the junior and company sections. Boys across the company took part in the NI ‘Mission 22 Big Night In’, involving pizzas and cinema snacks in the Hall and lively, interactive videos sessions with Crown Jesus Ministries, Klass Kids and One Way Youth.

Trips this year included visits to Lisburn Bowl, Lyons Karting, We Are Vertigo and Montalto. The officers and company section boys also enjoyed a meal at the Primrose in Ballynahinch to celebrate the marriage of Company Section Officer-in-Charge, David Carlisle, and to thank Caroline Carlisle for almost 20 years of service to the Company before she stepped down as an officer in the Anchor Boys section. 

During the year senior boys of the company (aged 14+) worked towards their Duke of Edinburgh Awards, with Bronze expeditions completed in the Mournes in April and Silver expeditions completed in July.

Isaac Crane, Max Crainey, Rhodri Phillips and Ben Spiers all achieved their President’s Badge, the second highest award in the Boys’ Brigade. The highest award, the Queen’s Badge, was obtained by Jamie McNeill.

To mark the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, patron of the Boys’ Brigade, the company joined with the members of Magherahamlet Girls’ Brigade and Magherahamlet Presbyterian Sunday School for an afternoon of sports day races at Magherahamlet Presbyterian Church on Saturday, June 11. This was followed by a barbecue for the children and their families.

A spokesperson for Spa BB said: “The Boys’ Brigade provides opportunities for boys to learn, grow and discover in a safe, fun and caring environment. There’s opportunities to develop skills, build confidence, make friends, work towards awards, make a difference in the local community, and of course have fun.”

The next BB session will get underway at the Arnold Hall, Spa, on Thursday, September 8, when existing and new members will be very welcome.

Anchor Boys (P1-P4) will meet from 6.30-7.30pm, juniors (P5-P7) from 7.15-8.15pm and company and seniors (secondary school age) from 8.10-9.30pm.

Parents can register their boys online at: https://forms.gle/9SyVmffBoSmsENan9.