Big thank you from Lisburn.com

Lisburn's oldest BB Company begins centenary celebrations

Geoff Baird (Captain) with his parents Jim and Joan, and Denise Baird (Junior Section Leader) with her parents Billy and Marlene Braithwaite at the '100 Year Party' on Sunday December 13. Both Jim and Billy are former BB members.
Geoff Baird (Captain) with his parents Jim and Joan, and Denise Baird (Junior Section Leader) with her parents Billy and Marlene Braithwaite at the '100 Year Party' on Sunday December 13. Both Jim and Billy are former BB members. At the 'Centenary Dinner' are L to R: (front) Jim McAlister and Verner Baird and (back) Paul Coulter, Richard Watson and David Glover.

LISBURN'S oldest BB Company begins its centenary celebrations WHILE Lisburn's 400th anniversary celebrations come to a conclusion this month, its oldest Boys' Brigade Company, affiliated with Railway Street Presbyterian Church, began its 100th anniversary celebrations.

On Saturday evening 12th December, 89 past and present members and guests packed Gowdy's restaurant when old friendships were renewed and many happy memories were shared over a 4-course Centenary Dinner.

The weekend of special events included a Christmas Sale on Saturday morning and a Service of Thanksgiving followed by a 100 Year Party on Sunday morning.

Lisburn Mayor, Councillor Allan Ewart, and his wife Denise were the special guests at the thanksgiving service.

The colours were paraded into the church accompanied by the drums and bugles of the BB band, with some members wearing old BB uniforms.

The chaplain, the Rev Brian Gibson, led the service: Stewart Bittle gave the children's address: Denise Baird read the Scripture lesson and the preacher was the Rev Leslie Addis, minister of Woodlands Presbyterian Church, Carrickfergus. Thomas McConaghie and the praise band led the lively worship, which included the BB hymn, Will your anchor hold?

During the service Joan Bradshaw presented a cup in memory of her late father Matthew Kearney and her late uncle Jack Kearney who were former BB captains. Also during the service, parents Euan McConaghie, John Nesbitt, Keith Bailie and Paul Conn presented President's Badges to their sons Robbie, Lewis, David and Ben. Following the service, many of the former members present joined with the entire BB Company led by the bugles and drums as they marched past the church watched by members of the congregation. When refreshments were served afterwards in the church hall, Geoff Baird (Captain) and George Toombs (Company President) cut a commemorative cake.

The celebrations, which continue next year, will include a 'Centenary Display' in the Island Hall at Lisburn Civic Centre on Saturday 17th April 2010 at 6.30pm.

Emily and Sophie Watson picked up a few bargains at the 'Centenary Sale'. Included are Geoff Baird (Captain) and his wife Denise. Lisburn Mayor Councillor Allan Ewart dons a pillbox hat to salute 100 years of BB work at Railway Street Presbyterian Church.
 BB Officials Jonathan Gracey (Regional Director NI) and Paul McCarroll (Senior Executive Officer - Belfast Battalion) at the 'Service of Thanksgiving' with guest speaker the Rev Leslie Addis (left) and Railway Street BB Chaplain, the Rev Brian Gibson (right).  At the 'Service of Thanksgiving are L to Ft: Councillor Allan Ewart (Lisburn Mayor), Gordon and Joan Bradshaw and Mrs Denise Ewart (Mayoress).
BB Officials Jonathan Gracey (Regional Director NI) and Paul McCarroll (Senior Executive Officer - Belfast Battalion) at the 'Service of Thanksgiving' with guest speaker the Rev Leslie Addis (left) and Railway Street BB Chaplain, the Rev Brian Gibson (right).  At the 'Service of Thanksgiving are L to Ft: Councillor Allan Ewart (Lisburn Mayor), Gordon and Joan Bradshaw and Mrs Denise Ewart (Mayoress). 
At the presentation of President's Badges during the 'Service of Thanksgiving' are L to R: Robbie and Euan McConaghie, Lewis and John Nesbitt, David and Keith Bailie and Ben and Paul Conn.   Mrs Denise Ewart (Mayoress) and Miss Jean Patterson (Former Life Boys' Leader) at the 'Service of Thanksgiving'. 
At the presentation of President's Badges during the 'Service of Thanksgiving' are L to R: Robbie and Euan McConaghie, Lewis and John Nesbitt, David and Keith Bailie and Ben and Paul Conn.  Mrs Denise Ewart (Mayoress) and Miss Jean Patterson (Former Life Boys' Leader) at the 'Service of Thanksgiving'.
At the 'Centenary Dinner' are former BB officers L to R: George Toombs, Aaron Curragh, Hilary Kyle, Tim Mitchell, Dorothy McClelland, Rev Andrew Thompson, Ruby Spence, Verner Baird, Norman Nortcliff, Hany Martin, Jim McAlister, Paul Coulter and Neville Lowry.   Railway Street Boys' Brigade Colour Party at the 'Service of Thanksgiving'. 
At the 'Centenary Dinner' are former BB officers L to R: George Toombs, Aaron Curragh, Hilary Kyle, Tim Mitchell, Dorothy McClelland, Rev Andrew Thompson, Ruby Spence, Verner Baird, Norman Nortcliff, Hany Martin, Jim McAlister, Paul Coulter and Neville Lowry.  Railway Street Boys' Brigade Colour Party at the 'Service of Thanksgiving'. 
Joan Bradshaw presenting a cup to George Toombs (Company President) in memory of her father Matthew Kearney and uncle Jack Kearney, who were former captains.   Harry Martin (Retired District Commander of the NI Fire & Rescue Service) with his wife Anna at the 'Centenary Dinner'. 
Joan Bradshaw presenting a cup to George Toombs (Company President) in memory of her father Matthew Kearney and uncle Jack Kearney, who were former captains.  Harry Martin (Retired District Commander of the NI Fire & Rescue Service) with his wife Anna at the 'Centenary Dinner'. 
Colin and Moya McLean with their son lain, daughter Alison and grandson Jack at the 'Centenary Sale'. Moya's father, the late Noel Magee, who was  BB Captain (1951-1961), later became Company President.   Julie Beattie (Former Anchor Boys' leader) with her son Cameron and daughter Lillie at the 'Centenary Sale'.
Colin and Moya McLean with their son lain, daughter Alison and grandson Jack at the 'Centenary Sale'. Moya's father, the late Noel Magee, who was  BB Captain (1951-1961), later became Company President. Julie Beattie (Former Anchor Boys' leader) with her son Cameron and daughter Lillie at the 'Centenary Sale'. 

Brief history of Lisburn's oldest BB Company

RAILWAY Street Boys' Brigade Company was formed on 9th December 1909 under the captaincy of David McKee. Previously called the 23rd Belfast Company, it became 1st Lisburn Company in 1930.

The first chaplain was the Rev Hugh Wilson, the then Assistant Minister and the succession of BB captains were: David McKee (1909-1920), Matthew Kearney (1921-1924), Jack Kearney (1925), J. R. Moore (1926), E Erwin and R McMaster (1927 Joint charge), Jack Kearney (19281930), W M Dunlop (1931), T. J. Riddell (1932), David McKee (1933-1945), James McKee (1946-1950), Noel Magee (19511961), David Hilditch (1962-1964), Allan Donald (1965-1969), Ian Cochrane (19701972), John Irwin (1973-1979), George Toombs (1980-1997) and Geoff Baird (1998 to present).

Ulster Star
01/01/2010