Annual Report - Secretary's Report

37th ANNUAL REPORT (2002 - 2003)

In this report of the Executive we give thanks to Almighty God for His goodness to us through out the year. While we seek to bring young men to faith in our Lord we realise that we have to endeavour to keep pace with a secular world which does not stand still.

Our numbers remain fairly static. We were sorry that to report that 2 Captains have resigned, Mr. John McKittrick of 6th Carrickfergus and Mr Eric McMullan of 4th Carrickfergus. We wish them God's blessing in their well earned rest. 5th Carrickfergus have appointed Brian Black as Captain and we are pleased to welcome him. We have been encouraged by the number of officers who have been enrolled this session and we welcome them into the Battalion and hope they will make a significant contribution both to their Company and to the Battalion. During the session, a number of Companies were visited by Executive members and, generally, they were impressed by the work being carried out.

During the year we have discussed a document entitled 'Facing the Future' which set out a number of alternatives proposals for the future of the Brigade in Northern Ireland. We have submitted our thoughts on these to the N.I.D. President and await developments , hopefully at the N.I.D. Annual General Meeting in June.

The Roy McCune Cup winners were 2nd Carrickfergus with 6th Carrickfergus runners up. In the CS Christian Education examination, numbers showed a slight increase over the previous year and well over 90% passed. 5 Boys, D. Swann 1st Larne, M. Browne 8th Carrickfergus, J. Adams, S. Mulhearn and P. Mulhearn all 3rd Ballyclare, gained top place with a 100% mark and share the William Simms Memorial Shield. Stage 2, the Dorothy McAdoo Cup was won by P. Rea 6th Carrickfergus. R.Garrett, of 1st Larne, won the Stage 3 McKinley Family Cup and D. Leeman of 3rd Carrickfergus was first in the Dennis Cup in Stage 4. In the Fitzell Cup winners were 1st Larne with 3rd Ballyclare runners-up.

Company Section work continued with Officers organising the usual medley of activities. While 3rd Carrickfergus won the Squad drill and 1st Greenisland the Novice Drill, entries overall were disappointing. Several sporting events had to be cancelled due to lack of interest. This is very disappointing for the companies who offer to host these events and the Executive would encourage all Officers to try to get their boys to participate in as many events as possible. Again our Church Parade in Ballyclare Presbyterian Church, hosted by the 1st Kilbride Company was affected by the weather but the services, Company and Junior sections, were conducted in a reverent atmosphere with appropriate addresses to the Sections from invited speakers. In Northern Ireland Company Section sporting activities we would congratulate our Battalion Senior Football who won the NID competition beating Portadown Battalion 4-0 with our Junior team also reaching their final but unfortunately losing 3-1 to Portadown. 1st Whitehead were also successful in winning the NID Junior 7-a-side Rugby competition. Pride of place must go to 1st Ballyclare Company who won the Masterteam competitiuon and represented the NID in the Brigade Final.

Junior Section had its usual busy year. The local heat of the Quiz Kids was won by 6th Carrickfergus who went on to finish a very creditable 3rd in the N.I.D. Final. The N.I.D. competition heat was won by 8th Carrickfergus and 5-a-side soccer was won by 1st Greenisland. The Fitzell Cup was won by 6th Carrickfergus and the Figure Marching competition by 1st Greenisland. This year we hosted the Swimming Gala and to our delight 1st Raloo Company won the overall competition. This was a tremendous achievement for a small Junior Section.

The Anchor Boy Section congratulates Samuel Kennedy, 1st Ballynure and Robbie Burns, 1st Larne who were Battalion winners in the NI Region annual Anchor Boy competition. 2nd Ballyclare, represented the Battalion in the NI Final, as winners of the Fun & Games competition. The Anchor Boy project money is still being returned to the Treasurer and a figure can be submitted nearer to the AGM.

The joint AB and Junior Quiz Night was held in Carrickfergus with St nicholas and the Methodist churches well filled. The offering was forwarded to the Diabetic Association and the Scripture Union The age limit regulation are still under discussion at the Brigade Executive.

As you will hear from the Treasurer, it is good that our finances are in a healthy state. The large balance includes cash which is ring fenced for refurbishment of the Sandford Room at Rathmore and also donations and bequests from which only the interest may be used.. We still wait instructions from our National Director regarding the Sandford Room and understand that nothing can be done until plans for the future are finalised.

We are pleased that our new President, , has been able to attend most of our meetings. He continues to display the devotion he showed as Secretary in this new role.

Your Executive would thank all officers for their preparation and hard work during the session. Also, thanks are due to Church governing bodies, school principals and others who have made their premises available to us.

Throughout each year we all have our ups and downs. At some times we win and at others we can't seem to get the boys interested. We have to go forward into the unknown of next session placing our hand in the hand of the Man from Galilee. Placing our trust in Him will ensure that He will equip us for whatever He has planned. Let us all as Officers go forward boldly, as Paul did, and by our example set the standard of true Christian manliness before our Boys.

For and on behalf of the Executive

Frank Picton
Secretary.