Sad day as Boys' Brigade closes in Long Sutton
A youth group in Long Sutton, which is estimated to have been formed shortly after the end of the First World War, has sadly closed.
The Long Sutton Baptist Church Boys’ Brigade formally closed on Sunday (November 25) where awards and gifts were presented to the last remaining boys and former officers.
It was a poignant day for all those involved with the brigade over the past years, including Rev Nic Hasnip from the church.
“The brigade has contributed enormously to the boys and their development of life skills,” he said.
The group closed due to no longer having the staff to run it. Captain Iris Foster had to step down after suffering a sudden illness and leader Sharon Kazombiaze was also unable to continue due to work commitments.
Over time, the brigade members had dwindled to just four boys aged 5-11. The Girls’ Brigade, however, continues with around 15-20 members.
“The brigade has contributed enormously to the boys and their development of life skills.”
Rev Hasnip wonders if, perhaps, modern life has contributed to falling numbers among the boys’ brigade.
“We are living in a computer age and they don’t want to do the crafts etc,” he added.
And while wearing the boys’ brigade uniform was once a proud moment, Rev Hasnip said: “Once they get to secondary school it is ‘not cool’ to be wearing the uniform, whereas perhaps 15 years ago that was not the case.”
Awards were also given out at the Sunday Service to members of the Girls’ Brigade, former 1962 ‘Life Boy’ Charlie Chaplin and former 2002 brigade member Simon Ashton.
The Boys’ Brigade was the first voluntary uniformed youth movement in the world. Many of today’s youth organisations can trace their roots back to the brigade.