Junior Section Council meeting held on Tuesday 16th February 2010 at 8.00p.m. in 1st Ballyclare Presbyterian Church halls.

The Battalion president welcomed everyone to 1st Ballyclare and the Battalion secretary led the opening devotions.

The guest speaker Adrian Horsman from Christian Aid then gave a very informative talk on the work being carried out in Haiti by Christian Aid.

The Councils then met to discuss and deal with their respective section business.

JUNIOR SECTION COUNCIL MEETING

PRESENT:-

H.Haggan 3rd Ballyclare Ian Heaney 3rd Ballyclare Neil McAdoo 1st Ballylinney Trevor Mills 1st Ballyeaston Derrick Murphy 1st Ballyeaston Greg Coates 7th Carrickfergus, Sally Picton 1st Whitehead Wesley Magill 1st Larne Gillian Armstrong 8th Carrickfergus.

APOLOGIES:- were received from the following,

Carol Bell 2nd Carrickfergus Gregory Moore 1st Carrickfergus Lorraine Bell 1st Raloo Roy Beggs 1st Raloo David Smith 3rd Carrickfergus Gavin Watt 1st Greenisland David Hoy 1st Kilbride Karen Miles 4th Carrickfergus Thomas Young 1st Ballyclare.

Gillian Armstrong asked if Wesley Magill would chair the meeting as neither of the two office bearers were in attendance. Everyone present agreed with this.

COMPETITION RESULTS:-

5-a-side Football was won by 1st Larne.

Young Musician of the Year:- 1st Place Joseph Parks 6th Carrickfergus 2nd Place Matthew Edgar 8th Carrickfergus.

Uni-hoc competition was won by 1st Ballyeaston.

MATTERS ARISING FROM COMPETITIONS

Gillian Armstrong then advised that there had been a problem at the Carrickfergus heat of the 5-a-side football. One company had arrived at the venue, with their boys in football kits, to take part in the event without any prior notice thus placing the organiser in an awkward position in that the playing order etc then had to be re-organised which was a time consuming exercise. On this occasion to avoid disappointing the boys the company were allowed to take part. There had also been two other companies who wanted to take part, but because they applied after the closing date they were advised they could not enter, which now proves to be totally unfair. This matter was raised at Battalion Executive level.

Closing dates are to help with organisation of numbers, refreshments; leagues etc. etc. and as such are there for a very valid reason. All BB Officers are busy people and time is a precious commodity and as such organisers do need time to organise and prepare these events, after all this is voluntary. The outcome of this matter is now that no company will be permitted to enter or take part in any event after the closing date.

Also it was suggested mobile telephone numbers of organisers should be exchanged with those taking part in any event, in the case of emergencies or last minute non attendances can be dealt with instead of waiting to see if companies actually turn up as had been the case at the recent uni-hoc competition in Ballyeaston.

Trevor Mills asked why medals were not presented to the boys at this competition. After discussion it was agreed that medals should have been presented and will be in the future. Gillian Armstrong to arrange for medals to be purchased and hopefully these can be presented to the boys at their display nights later this session.

FIGURE MARCHING COMPETITION

Will be held on Friday 26th February 2010 in 2nd Ballyclare. There will be five companies taking part.

SWIMMING GALA

Will be held on Saturday 27th February 2010 in Armagh, entry was via Rathmore and closed on 8th February 2010.

NID SPRING COMPETITION

The East Antrim Battalion heat will be held on Friday 12th March 2010 in 1st Larne at 7.00p.m. The competition will consist of indoor games and challenges. Team will be made up of 4 boys and 1 Officer. E-mail to be sent out and closing date for entry 5th March 2010. The NID Final will be held in Ballymena on Saturday 27th March 2010.

ANNUAL EAST ANTRIM BATTALION PARADE

Will be on Sunday 21st March 2010 in Carrickfergus. Everyone present was encouraged to attend. The parade will form up in the St Brides Street Car Park and walk to Joymount Presbyterian Church. 5th Carrickfergus will be hosting the service. Further details will be sent out to companies from the Battalion Secretary.

BOY ACTIVITY WEEKEND

This weekend is held in Rathmore. This year will be 7th - 9th May 2010. This topic had been discussed at previous meetings and it was hoped that someone from our Battalion would be able to attend with 4 boys. There has been no response to date.

Wesley Magill then provided details of forthcoming events for the 2010/2011 Session.

Quiz Kids area heat to be held on either Friday 8th or Saturday 9th October 2010. Entry will be via Rathmore before Monday 20th September 2010. The final will be held on Saturday 23rd October 2010, venue to be arranged.

It is hoped that the East Antrim Battalion heat can be held in the Ballyclare area next session.

Anyone in the Ballyclare area willing to host this event please get in touch with Gillian Armstrong.

Sally Picton requested that the Battalion heat be held on a Saturday as none of the officers from 1st Whitehead are available on Fridays. It was agreed that the event would most likely be on the Friday 8th October 2010 because a lot of boys have other activities to attend on Saturdays and also entry numbers had increased over the years due to the competition being held on a Friday night.

Junior Section Officer Conference

Saturday 13th November 2010 in Rathmore. Closing date for registration Monday 25th October 2010.

Young Musician of the Year 2011

Closing date for entry Monday 6th December 2010. The competition will be held on Saturday 15th January 2011 in Killead Presbyterian Church hall.

Swimming Gala 2011

Closing date for entry Monday 7th February 2011. Gala will be held on Saturday 26th February 2011, venue to be arranged.

NID Spring Competition 2011

Will be Stool Ball! Battalion heats to be held before Monday 14th March 2011. Final will be Saturday 26th March 2011, venue to be arranged.

Boy Activity weekend 2011

Closing date for registration Monday 18th April 2011. Weekend will be 6th - 8th May 2011.

There being no further business Wesley Magill thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting.

NEXT MEETING….. AGM 26th APRIL 2010 IN 1ST WHITEHEAD, COUNCILS TO MEET 7.30P.M SHARP FOLLOWED BY BATTALION AGM AT 8.00P.M. EXECUTIVE WILL PROVIDE 'DESSERT' SUPPER.