Boys’ Brigade bring Queen’s Baton to Coleraine

A sealed baton containing the message was brought to Coleraine Town Hall last weekend.

The baton was first used in 1935 when the Brigade conveyed a message to Her Majesty’s grandfather King George V on the occasion of his Silver Jubilee and later in 1951 to King George VI in celebration of the “Festival of Britain”.

Before reaching Coleraine, the baton travelled through Scotland. Evenutally it will end up at the annual Council Meeting of the BB in London on September 15.

The Royal Message was brought to Coleraine Town Hall by a group of Queensmen from the Coleraine and District Battalion and the Battalion’s football team who won the Northern Ireland District Shield in June.

David Gilmore, a Queensman from 1st Kilrea Company, arrived on bicycle with the baton, in recognition of the mayor, councillor Sam Cole’st past membership of 1st Kilrea and his late father’s cycle business in the town.

Battalion President, Rev Trevor McCormick introduced the Queensmen to the mayor and spoke of the contribution they had made to both the Brigade and community while achieving the highest award in BB.

Jonathan Gracey, Director of BBNI, and James Scott from 1st Boardmills Company who had been the BBNI representative at Balmoral Castle to receive the baton from Her Majesty, were also introduced.

Manager John McFadden gave a brief summary of the origin of the team and their success in the past season. David Gilmore then read the Message of Loyal Greeting to Her Majesty before presenting the baton to mayor Cole.

In response, the mayor, said that he was honoured and thrilled to be part of such an historic occasion, and he spoke of his appreciation and respect of the work by the Boys’ Brigade.

He encouraged all present to remember the fun and experiences had in the wide variety of activities but particularly the clear teaching of Christian principles and values which would be a compass for life.

The mayor was presented with an engraved paperweight to mark the occasion and The Baton continued on its journey to an event in Cookstown.