“We Have An
Anchor”
The full published history of the 1st
Kempston Company, 1959~2009
By D G Simms
With forward by Dennis Bellamy
And memories shared by many
NOW AVAILABLE!
Email 1kempston@boys-brigade.org.uk to
order your copy
“The Photo Archives”
Own your own copy on CD of the Company Photo Archives. Including previously publicly unseen pictures recently donated by friends of the Company. (Now on sale)
The 1st Kempston Company was founded in February 1959 by Mr Dennis
Bellamy and since then it has built up an extensive history. Members past
and present can often record there own personal favourite - perhaps you would
like to share yours, by signing the special old boys guestbook - (Accessed from
our home page, www.kbb.org.uk )
With 46 Camps
and foreign tours, One World Record, numerous Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award
holders, One 3 Peek Challenge race in 24 hours, one enormous 3000 piece Domino
topple, 5 times national table tennis finalists, National five a side football
finalists in 1993 and Best E flat trumpets in the Boys Brigades National
Marching Band Contest, the 1st Kempston has become a
legend in its own right.
Since its
formation there have been four company captains, Dennis the founder. Mr Brian Wallis, Mr David Baker and Mr Philip Timms,
who is captain today. The picture below shows the first Company
Annual Inspection and Display with 2nd Bedford Company at the Salvation Army
hall. (1959) This shows Kempston BB members of
the time, Terry Brinklow, David McCruer,
Melvin Darrington, Chris Bellamy, Pete Smith and Dave
Baker demonstrating their gymnastics skills.
Here also is an
early Photograph showing the 1st Kempston Company of
the time. This picture is believed to have been taken in the late 1950's
or early 1960's.
In 1963 Kempston saw the debut performance of the Boys Brigade
Company Band, something which has been a regular feature of the town ever
since. The photograph shows original band marching to a Parade service at
One of the
earlier photographed company camps is the Sidmouth
Camp of 1961, this shows Clive Titmus,
Graham Garrett, David Baker, John Whitlock and David Watt outside their squads
bell tent.
The Boys'
Brigade in Kempston was one of the first youth
organisations to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, since
then numerous company members have reached various levels, a large percentage
of which have collected the Gold Award from HRH The
Duke of Edinburgh. Photographed is His Royal Highness with P Harvey, M Copperwheat, K Willis, I Cole, D Baker, G
Barker in Ampthill at a Duke of Edinburgh's Award
demonstration. (1974)
Drill and
Deportment has also been a recognising feature of the Brigade, promoting
Discipline amongst its members. The photograph below shows the Drill Squad of
1976 at the Company Annual Inspection and Display. (Those visible, left to
right, Kevin Wallis, Chris Wallis, David Reid, David Simms, Andy Gray, Chris
Fox, Paul Cox, Neil Sampson, Paul Rawlins, Mark Summerfield and Mike Porter.)
In 1983 the Boys
Brigade nationally celebrated its Centenary Year, this
was marked with numerous events and celebrations. Photographed is the 1st
Kempston Company of that time, at the back of Kempston East Chruch.
The
Celebrations did not end the next year either, when the company notched up 25
Years in Kempston. The inspecting officer was the
then National Secretary of the Brigade Mr Don West.
Earlier that
same year Kempston BB members set up a mammoth 3000
Domino topple in the church hall at Kempston
East. This was a sponsored event which raised £500 to purchase tents and
camping equipment for the company.
Later in 1984
the 1st Kempston Company reached the Guinness Book of
Records whilst at the same time raising £100 for Charity. 15 of the companies lads smashed the World record by laying a
staggering 409 feet of baked beans in a line, beating the previous record by
350 feet!
In 1989 some of
the companies members and officers decided to embark
on another fundraising event in aid of a Heart Pulse Generator for
Photographed
are John Simms and Mick Wright at the top of
In 1989 the
company was very privileged to invite the Brigade President, The Rt Hon Viscount Thurso to be our
guest of honour. Photographed are company lads S Simpson, M Lal, M Murrel. With
officers Captain David Baker (hidden), Lt Alan Thompson and Lt Peter Smith.
In 1991 our
Table Tennis Team reached the finals of the National Brigade competition, this
achievement was repeated in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 & 1998. Photographed
below are the 1991 team Noel Hughes, David Waller, Mark Thompson and Mark Brinklow AND THE 1998 TEAM Matthew Simms, Neil Thompson,
Allan Thompson (officer) Michael Barone and Paul
Clooney.
Since 1985 Kempston BB & GB have also enjoyed a good partnership
with the Danish equivalent, the FDF, FPF. (Now just FDF) In 1987, 89, 93, 97
and 2000 our company has visited Tonder (Southern
Denmark) and Broderslev (Nothern
Photographed
are the 1993 BB Denmark Tour members, Back row -
Andrew Stephenson, Tim Lucas, Darren Riddy, Matthew
Usher, Paul Robinson, David Pledge, Philip Timms. 2nd Row - Russell Warren, Carl Simms, David Simms, James Stephenson,
Paul Wright, Paul Clooney, Andy Gray, James Housden.
Front row - Dominic Au, David Smith, Stuart Minty, Daniel Bradley & Russell
Riggs.
The Boys
Brigade in Kempston continues to provide many
opportunities for all of its members, but this is only possible while we have
dedicated leaders who are able to run and co-ordinate activities. If you
are an old member who would like to help your company, please get in touch - we
would love to hear from you.
Up to date
photos of our company can be found in our online photo album. The can be viewed
on our home page. (www.kbb.org.uk)
