THIS year marks the 30th anniversary of the reformation of the Malvern Company Boys’ Brigade.
And to celebrate the occasion a parade is being held on Sunday, February 4.
Starting at 10.30am from the post office in Great Malvern, it will travel through Church Street, Grange Road and Abbey Road before finishing at Malvern Baptist Church for a thanksgiving service at 11am.
Everybody is invited to attend and former members have been urged to come along.
A cake will also be cut to mark the celebrations.
The group was reformed by Paul Hern in 1988 and after retiring as the brigade’s captain in 2009, he remains on as secretary.
The First Malvern Company Boys’ Brigade’ name plate carries much history as it was first established 95 years ago at Malvern Baptist Church.
The baptist church restarted the Seventh Malvern Company Girls Brigade in spring 2009 after the earlier GB Company ceased operations in 2008 after 22 years.
Despite a dormant period in Malvern during the mid-20th century, the two companies have gone on to enjoy sustained success, currently boasting about 50 members and 22 active officers.
Mr Hern said: “In Malvern the Brigades’ heyday was really between the two world wars, when up to five Boys’ and six Girls’ companies operated throughout the town.
“With the onset of the Second World War only a few companies managed to carry on, but eventually all closed down, so until the mid-1980s there was no brigade activity in the town.”
He attributed the continued success of the BB and GB in Malvern to a ‘continued interest in providing meaningful activity for young people’.
Mr Hern added: “Uniformed organisations have always been classed as ‘militaristic’, but this is far from the truth.
“Since 1883 brigade work has provided a structured and safe environment for children and young people.
“The uniform provides a levelling influence and prevents social discrimination.”
The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, and brigade badge work both fully empower young people in helping to run the groups.
More than 57 young men have achieved their DoE Gold Award since 1992 and the Girls’ Brigade are hard on their heels with six gold awards.
There are seven more golds in the pipeline.
The BB Drum and Bugle Band has operated since 1991 and enjoyed huge success over the past 30 years, twice winning the National Class Championship and several individual awards.
The GB has a band too and the two brigade companies now perform together as the Drums & Bugles of the Malvern Hills Brigades, performing regularly in the town and Worcester.
Members have played in the London Massed Bugle Band and many have progressed to play with the national Bugles & Drums of the Stedfast Association.
The band provides buglers for Armistice & Remembrance Day.
For further information about the brigade and how to join, call 01684 562426.
