Boys’ Brigade parade in Woodley

BY NICK MARR

1st Woodley Boys’ Brigade is a uniformed group for boys aged 5 to 17 years who meet at Christ Church on Crockhamwell Rd on Wednesday nights. They are part of Mid Southern England Battalion that has seven companies from around the local area.

Lt. Craig Lunnon, 1st Woodley

“Every year we have an annual church parade which one of the companies hosts, this year was 1st Woodley’s turn. There were over 50 boys and officers from the seven companies represented on Sunday 21st May 2023. 3rd Reading Company had the honour of providing the colour party carrying the Battalion and King’s Colours. 2nd Alton Company provided the band. We marched from Beechwood School around local roads to Christ Church at 2.30pm where we had a church service and then marched back”

When and where do they meet?

Woodley Boys’ Brigade is made up of sections according to the following age groups:

Anchor Boys (Years 1-3) - 6pm-7pm

Junior Section (Years 4-6) - 6:30pm-

8pm

Company Section (Years 7-9)7:15pm-9:15pm

Senior Section (Years 10-13) - 7:15pm9:30pm What they do?

Activities vary according to age. Anchors enjoy plenty of games, stories, colouring and craft activities. For more detail see Anchors.

Juniors have sports, games and crafts, but some more adventurous sessions too, such as cooking and crate-stacking, and in the summer, outdoor games and boat trips! They gain various badges along the way to be worn with their uniform. For more detail see Juniors.

Company and Senior Sections also enjoy sports, games and badge-related activities - such as more adventurous cooking and crafts. There are opportuni- ties for “off-site” trips such as swimming, 10-pin bowling and golf. In the summer, there are expeditions, canoeing, boat trips and camps.