Many readers will have memories of taking part in or seeing events organised by members of the Boys’ Brigade.
It has been a prominent organisation for more than a century, giving boys a chance to enhance their skills in a variety of activities.
Picture 1 shows a group from Thame who were heading in 1985 to the Cook Islands in the South Pacific as the guests of the Cook Islands’ brigade.
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They flew from Gatwick, spent a few days in Los Angeles and continued their journey to Auckland in New Zealand before reaching their destination.
They spent 16 days on the islands helping the boys there celebrate their 50th anniversary.
Three of those who made the trip are seen in Picture 2 after returning home. Joe Leggard, 14, Adam Lazaruk and Robert Phillips, both 13, were happy to pose in the South Seas’ gear they brought back.
Brigade captain Andy Gunn said: “We are two communities at opposite ends of the earth, yet we have established a link of real friendship and respect. A link like this can do nothing but good.”
The 17 boys who travelled received generous support from people in Thame and according to brigade chairman, Hugh Bishop, were “a credit to the brigade, the country and the town”.
The mayor of Oxford, Alderman A H Kinchin, in Picture 3, welcomed brigade runners to his Parlour at Oxford Town Hall in 1961.
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An Appeal Run had been organised to raise £100,000 for new London headquarters. Relays of runners were taking messages of goodwill to the Lord Mayor of London from all corners of the country.
Three runners from the Cumnor brigade brought the message to Oxford Town Hall. The mayor signed a red-bound book and handed it to three members of the Oxford company who took it to Headington to hand it to the next group of runners.
Picture 4 dates from 2002 when members paraded behind their band at Witney, while the last two feature presentations of honours from the Queen.
John Evans, 18, of Moors Close, Ducklington, and a student at West Oxfordshire Technical College, receives his Queen’s Award in Picture 5 from the Rev John Platts in 1985, as Douglas Ramsay, captain of the 2nd Witney, looks on.
John won the award after taking part in a host of activities, including expeditions, sports, a church project and helping at a special school.
A further reward was to be promoted to staff sergeant with the company.
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The presentation was made during a service at the Methodist church in Davenport Road, Witney.
John Dawson, 18, of the 1st Didcot, in Picture 6, was the second person in his family to win the Queen’s Badge, following his uncle, David Williams.
John, of Brasenose Drive, Didcot, was a sergeant in the company attached to Didcot Baptist Church.
The award was the culmination of several years’ leadership, adventure and community activities, and work with the junior arm of the brigade, the Anchor Boys.
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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF
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