Bygone boys in brigades' reunion time

GREENFIELD Boys Brigade in 1955

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A WEEKEND reunion is being organised to unite Oldham's Boys Brigades of bygone years.

The Boys' Brigade was the first voluntary uniformed youth movement in the world.

It was launched in Oldham in 1896 and grew in popularity until there were 36 companies of between 50 and 100 boys.

Today only two companies remain in Oldham ­- South Chadderton Methodist 24th and Mount Pleasant Mission 8th.

But vice president of the Oldham Battallion and captain of the 24th Boys' Brigade Barry Cooke along with Maggie Hurley of Age UK Oldham hope to bring the groups back together to reminisce.

The reunion of the Oldham Boys' Brigade Companies will be held at George Street Chapel on the weekend of September 29 and October 1 this year.

Organisers have called on people to send in their memorabilia and personal memories of each of the 36 companies to share during the reunion weekend.

Maggie said: "The Boys' Brigade movement in Oldham was huge and became an important part of growing up for all local boys.

Wonderful

"I often hear older men chatting of their days in the Brigade. It would be wonderful to get old friends together to chat about times gone by.

"George Street Chapel was the home of the 19th Company and we have had many visitors who tell us of their time in the Boys' Brigade at the chapel.

"Reminiscing about the good old days is great therapy and who doesn't like to catch up with old friends. That's why we decided to arrange this weekend and with the kind help of Barry we hope to find lots of Old Boys."

In 1960 there were approximately 1,700 boys regularly attending Oldham companies.

Hope Church, Oldham, was the largest company with 100 boys in attendance at any one time.

The Boys' Brigade remains one of the largest Christian youth groups in the UK, supporting 50,000 children and young leaders.

For information or to share a story contact Maggie on maggie.hurley@ageukoldham.org.uk or call 0161-633 0213.