BB/GA Photo Gallery

It kicked off with a warm welcome from Ebi as Captain, who explained the vision, the mission and the values of the Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Association, followed by games and races (with the Anchors and Juniors competing against parents), band and table tennis.

Awards for service and attendance were then presented to the young people. Emory and Reiley were awarded the Jack Petchey Award, nominated by their peers, and Dave was awarded the leaders’ Jack Petchey Award. An honorable mention was given for Emmanuel' s attendance award.

Our thanks go to all who helped to make this a great and memorable open evening. We’re already looking forward to what’s in store next year!

Carrying the colours at the Sunday service

Four of our boys recently took part in the Battalion swimming competition at Eltham College Baths.

Dennis and Ken swam and Jaedon finished 4th in both the Junior Freestyle and Backstroke.
Charlie swam well to finish 4th in the Inter Freestyle but won the Backstroke event.
Our Company finished 4th overall.

What was also pleasing was the support we had from the parents and their families. Well done everyone!

Litter picking - 
a Small Thing to do to make a Big Difference
by Reiley
Every year, an estimated 8 million tonnes of litters enter the world’s oceans. We are informed by the media, scientists and planet saving activists that any litter removed from a natural ecosystem helps wildlife and creates a better space for humans too! So at BB/GA on 8 November, we decided to join others save our planet by being litter pickers.

We prepared ourselves by wearing high visibility jackets, gloves to protect our hands, enough bin bags, litter grabbers and head torches. We covered the neighbouring areas around the church. For every aluminium can we collected and recycled, enough energy is saved to run
your television for 3 hours.

It wasn’t just the environment that benefited; as participants, our mental and physical health also benefited. We were out and about in the fresh air getting exercise, all whilst connecting with our local community under the watchful eyes of Ebi and Dave, our leaders, and doing something that makes you feel good. We arrived back at the church, and Ebi made us lovely hot chocolate.

We made litter picking an event at BB/GA but actually, making our environment safe does not have to be some kind of big event. Simply picking up litter as you pass it and disposing of it responsibly does not take long at all, just a few extra seconds. Remember our planet needs us: throw recyclables into recycling bins and unrecyclable into normal bins, choose products with minimal or no packaging. It is waste in the wrong place which ruins the appearance of our cities, towns, villages and countryside.

BB/GA Kayaking Adventure
August Bank Holiday Monday saw a group of excited children and staff from BB/GA travel by minibus to the North West Kent Battalion Boat Centre in Tonbridge. Suitably dressed for the occasion, but still rather nervous, 10 of us got into the kayaks and a canoe before paddling down the river Medway, accompanied by two qualified instructors. Guess who was first to fall into the water?

On reaching Tonbridge Castle we managed to play
a ball game from the boats – and who do you think
was next to fall into the river attempting to stand up
in his kayak! After two hours all returned to the boat house very tired and then, once more, trying to get
out of his canoe, yet another toppled into the water!
Please note these were all adults falling in, not the
young people!! – Ed).

After getting changed into dry clothes and enjoying a welcome hot drink, we thanked our instructors for an enjoyable day before setting off to eat at the local McDonalds.

The young people who participated in this event will be presented with an award at the BB/GA enrolment service at the church on Sunday, 10 October.

Special summer event
On Monday, 12 July, the 7^th West Kent Boys’ Brigade/Girls’ Association held their end-of-year celebrations which included a presentation of awards to the children and young people for attendance and service.

Ebi (captain), the other leaders (John, Leena, Lucy and Dave) and Andy (chaplain) led the members in various games and activities, which included bell ringing and a tug of war (members against each other and then members versus parents). John led figure marching. Andy told a story from the Bible about two men who built a house on different foundations, as we are encouraged to put into practice the teachings of Jesus to have a strong foundation for our lives.

The whole event finished with a tasty BBQ in the church garden, which included friends and families. We thank God for favourable weather. Below are some pictures of the evening.

7^th West Kent are now on their summer break and plan to re-open in the autumn on
Monday, 6 September. If you are interested in joining/coming along, please contact us at 
7thwestkentbbga@gmail.com or telephone 07514 251582 or 07852 351406.
We would love to see you!

Sponsored Walk for Teenage Cancer Trust
The young people in all sections of the Boys’ Brigade/Girls’ Association, together with the leaders and some friends and family members, met together on May Bank Holiday Monday for a sponsored walk to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust.

The 5,000m circular route took them from Crayford Baptist Church through Shenstone Park to Hall Place, winding up at the church for some R&R before all of the hungry participants (18 members, six leaders and one parent) tucked into a delicious BBQ lunch prepared and served by others from the church and were greeted by family and friends.

Over £1,100 (and counting) was raised by the BB/GA through this event, and we would like to say a huge ‘Thank you’ to all those who sponsored them. The young people had chosen themselves to support this charity – Teenage Cancer Trust provides specialised nursing care for young people facing cancer and the unique emotional, physical and practical needs that come with a diagnosis.
Check out teenagecancertrust.org for more information.

A new Captain for 7^th West Kent
On Sunday, 28 March, as part of our Palm Sunday service, we said farewell to John Monk on his retirement as Captain of the 7^th West Kent Boys’ Brigade, as he handed over the captaincy.

A special presentation was made to John during the Sunday morning service, which was attended by a number of local BB leaders and boys from the Company Section (all keeping socially distanced).
Thanks were expressed to John for his many years of faithful and dedicated service, and prayer and tributes given by local Boys’ Brigade leaders.

Below are a few photos of the event.

                                                       Local Boys'       Brigade leaders and   members

                                                          John shared his cake with the boys
                                                          and girls at their Monday meeting
                                                          the following day

Fun in Shenstone Park at the BBGA sponsored walk, October 2020, to raise funds to purchase equipment for the Company

Additional activities

Easter stained glass windows

The Company section made stained glass windows at Easter out of card and tissue paper. The children picked their own design, cut the shape out of cardboard and then filled it with tissue paper. From left to right the designs are: a cross; a candle; and an Easter egg. The windows look lovely when held up to the light with the light shining through.

Christmas Fayre

These jars were hand-painted by the Anchor and Junior sections and were then filled with sweets and sold at our Christmas Fayre.

This one has painting of a flower on it and and looks lovely when it is dark with a tealight inside it.

                                   

                                                           This jar has a painting                                                                    of a cross on it.

This was one of the posters  created
by one of our members to try and attract                                                                          people to join the group.

                                                                                           This poster was also created                                                                                              by the Company Section to                                                                                                help attract new members.