Our 50th Celebrations
September 1960 saw a small group of boys and leaders meet to start their Company of the Boys’ Brigade in Redditch called the “1st Headless Cross” which later changed to the “1st Redditch”, from there it went from strength to strength.
Throughout the past twelve months we have been attempting to complete 50 activities culminating in our celebration weekend on the 18th & 19th September 2010. The activities have included; a midnight walk over the Malvern Hills in the snow and fog! Paint Ball, Morrison's Bag Pack, decorating the Church memorial hall and lots more. We have completed 46 out of the 50 and will complete the rest soon! Some of our events were sponsored so that we could put on our celebration events in September free of charge.
On Saturday 18th September at 4pm our distinguished guests the Mayor of Redditch Councillor Kath Banks and her Consort Councillor Juliet Brunner along with Mr James Haden-Walker the Vice President of the Worcester Battalion, Mrs Sue Haden-Walker Worcester Battalion Anchor Boys Secretary, Mr Loz Gazeley Worcester Battalion Secretary and over 150 members, ex-members their families and friends of the 1st Redditch Boys’ Brigade all came together in a large field in Astwood Bank near Redditch to celebrate the 50 years of Boys’ Brigade in Redditch.
We had lots of fun and games including a bouncy castle, large inflatable slide, gladiator jousts, super sumo suit battle, welly wanging, crockery smash and other field games in addition to the BBQ, Pig Roast and a time to look back at the 50 years with photos and some original members who were present on that first night back in 1960! The Mayor gave words of congratulations for our anniversary and the work of the Boys’ Brigade and encouragement for the future of both the Boys’ and Girls’ Brigades in Redditch.
With the start of the event came the inevitable showers of rain to which Jamie Haden-Walker commented with a large grin on his face, “Boys’ Brigade, a field, a marquee......rain!”, but in true BB spirit no one let the weather dampen the celebrations. The children wouldn’t give into the rain they carried on playing the games and enjoying the occasion, the adults took shelter in the marquees (thanks to 1st Halesowen for their large marquee!),
On Sunday 19th September at 3pm we had a Service of Celebration at our home Church; The Bridge, Headless Cross. Again the Mayor, her Consort along with Battalion Secretary were there to support us. Our Chaplain Rev Bob Thomas led the Service with testimonies from Mr Bert Harris 1st Redditch BB Captain for 46 years talking about the many camps he has been on, Malcolm Haden one of the founding member of 1st Redditch talking about the early days, Mr Adam Richards talking about current BB life and Mr Ben Phillips telling the large congregation of current members and their families, ex-members and friends of the 1st Redditch about his missionary trip last year to Cameroon where he and small group of young leaders from across BB nationally raised money to enable the BB in Cameroon to become self sufficient. During the Service Mr Harris was awarded a long service award by Mr Haden one of his co-founding members, it was a truly uplifting service of Celebration which will spur our 1st Redditch Company on towards it centenary in 2060!
Everyone at 1st Redditch Boys’ Brigade would like to say a big thank you to everybody who helped make these events possible!
With special Thanks to:
John & Judy Keight and family -
For letting use their home to hold the event and all their help over the weekend
Richard Keight -
For helping transport all of the equipment and all his hard work during the weekend
Helen Kimberley, Tracey Gration, Rachel Dingley, Aimee Bennett & Steph Westbury -
For help with food, fairy cakes & refreshments on Saturday
Sandra Sim -
For making the large Celebration Cakes on Sunday
Glenda Patrick -
For making the celebration cake on Saturday
Graham Bishop - Playing the organ at our Celebration Service
James Leeson - Photography
John Newey - For the loan of a Scaffolding Tower
Doreen Kimberley, Catherine Waddell, Pat Newey, Mark Waddell, Dean & Michelle Kimberley -
For helping with refreshments and cleaning up after Celebration Service
Ian Greenfield -
Carving the Pig Roast
Tony Cox & Dormer Plant Hire -
For essential equipment inc lights, toilets, generator etc...
Andy Crompton -
For providing the PA system & helping with the electrics
Woodfield Middle School -
For the regular loans of the school minibus over the year helping us to complete many of our 50 activities
St Thomas More Catholic First School -
For letting us use their premises for activities and loaning of equipment
Walkwood Middle School -
For the loan of their BBQ’s
1st Halesowen Boys’ Brigade Company -
For loaning us their large Marque and helping put it up
Chris Westbury -
For making the new Boys’ & Girls’ Brigade Colour Holders
Sandra Dingley -
For help with bar items
Harry & Sam Gardner -
Helping set up on Saturday
Congregation and Community of the Bridge Headless Cross - For their constant support and prayers in everything we do
Chris Burdett and Elysia - For the printed material
Parents and friends of the 1st Redditch Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade’s - For their continued support throughout the year
Matt, Ed & Andy at Halfords store Redditch -
Mountain bike
Headless Cross shops – Headless Cross Co-Op, Morris Mica, Rio Rocks, Butcher Boy, Mr Stopps... - For the kind donations of prizes for our raffle