This year, The 42nd Nottingham (Edwalton) Company, The Boys’ Brigade & Girls’ Association celebrates its 60th Anniversary. As part of the celebrations, it’s holding an open afternoon on Saturday 26th June, at the Edwalton Church Hall, Vicarage Green – Covid permitting – where people can drop by to see exhibits from years gone by. Refreshments will also be available.
In 1961, the new Vicar of The Church of the Holy Rood, Rev. Ernest Sheeran, was keen to form a church group for the boys of the parish, and sixty years later it is still going strong.
Albert Beardsley became its first Captain.
The Company flourished and within a year had 32 boys, aged from 12 to 18, in its ranks.
Current Company captain, Stefan Beck, feels a strong link to those early pioneers,
and is only the sixth company captain since its inception. In keeping with the times, the Company now welcomes girls too.
The brigade’s mission statement opens with its commitment to “the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among young people.”
It is a principle which Stefan holds dear. “We are doing something that gives them a decent push forward to their adult lives – something they wouldn’t get in any other capacity.”