Boys’Brigade celebrates another successful year at awards night
A successful year was celebrated in style by the 8th Paisley Boys’Brigade.
Jamie Langfield, St Mirren’s goalkeeping coach, was this year’s inspecting officer and took time to speak to all members of the Anchor Boys, Junior Section and Company Section before acting as judge in the annual Best Drilled Recruit and Best Drilled Boy competitions.
The event was attended by parents and friends, and was held in the hall at Martyrs’ Sandyford Church, in King Street.
They enjoyed a wonderful evening of entertainment, which featured the drill squad marching to the sound of Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Anchor Boys getting the audience involved in their version of Britain’s Got Talent, while the Junior Section displayed their gymnastics skills with an impressive routine of forward rolls and diving, leaders said.
The Company Section also displayed their vaulting skills and took centre stage in a spoof fashion show.
Jamie Langfield presented prizes of Best Anchor Boy to Stephen Wilson, Best Junior Section Boy to Matthew Barron and Best All Round Boy to Matthew Gowans.
In addition, Joe Chivers was recognised for achieving eight years’ perfect attendance, while three boys — Matthew Gowans, Kieran Henderson and Adam Gordon — were presented with the second highest award in The Boys’ Brigade, The President’s Badge.
The evening also highlighted the activities undertaken by all sections throughout the year.
This included a visit by the Company Section to London in April, where they enjoyed a guided tour of Parliament, a walking tour of the city, a visit to the Olympic Aquatics Centre, a trip on the London Eye and a photo opportunity on the steps of Downing Street.
Just as busy, the Junior Section took part in a weekend residential camp in April and were challenged by an adventurous activity programme. They tried archery, mountain biking, a high ropes course and a gorge walk, while the Anchor Boys recently concluded their session with a day trip to Heads of Ayr.
A spokesman said: “The 8th Paisley Company has always sought to provide an exciting and interesting programme to each of the three sections.
“The 2016- 2017 has been no different and the regular attendance each week demonstrates that the Boys’ Brigade continues to provide relevant and engaging opportunities to young people.
“We were delighted with the success of the recent Company Section trip to London, our Junior Section Camp and our Anchor Boy day trip to Heads of Ayr — plans are already underway to make next session even better.”
The 8th Paisley Boys’ Brigade Company will restart on Friday, August 25.
New members will be made very welcome.
For more information, email 8paisley@boys-brigade.org.uk