WOOLSTON BOYS’ BRIGADE

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28321, 5 July 1957, Page 3

WOOLSTON BOYS’ BRIGADE

Lapsed Company Re-formed

After a lapse of 10 years, the Woolston Company of the Boys’ Brigade is being formed again. Much of the equipment of the old company will be used and materials from boys’ clubs which have been m operation in the intervening years will prove useful to the company. A strong committee has been formed and a recruiting campaign is now in progress, with posters and window displays. Officers of the company will be Mr J. Sellars (captain), Messrs W. L. Jenkin and K. S. Moore (lieutenants), and the .V- W. A. Chambers (chaplain). The company is attached to the Woolston Methodist Church, but is open to boys of all denominations between the ages of 12 and -u £ s - other companies in the brigade, the programme provides for the physical, social, mental, and spiritual needs of the boys.

With Bible Class and drill parades as a basis, there will be a wide field of activity such as first aid, signalling, athletics, gymnastics, camping, and wayfaring. As boys become proficient in these skills, they will earn certificates and cadges to be worn on uniforms.

The Boys’ Brigade movement began m 1883, and since its inception, some 2,000,000 boys have been through its ranks. Today the movement is established in Britain and 23 other countries and has kindred movements in others. In New Zealand there are 130 companies .representing a membership of 5000 boys. Over the Christmas-New Year period, a camp is held at Waipara each year where the Canterbury battalion nas a permanent camp site. At the end of this year, a Dominion camp will be held at the Ardmore Trailing College at which representatives from companies in the Pacific Islands, the South Sea Islands and Australia will be present. Approximately 1500 are expected to attend this camp.