In The Beginning By Ronnie Neill

In October ’59 Mr S. was dropped a line, we want to start a BB in our church
I’ll give a hand’ he said ‘just to get foundations laid’, For I wouldn’t want to leave you in the lurch!
Tom was joined by Dave McQ, Bob McDowell and Don Mayes too, and afterwards wee Arthur played his part
Though experience was lacking, they gave their total backing, enthusiasm stemmed right from the heart.

Of sport we had our fill though success was almost nil, few of us knew much about football
But the fervour of the game was anything but tame, and often ended in a free-for-all!
There’s much that I could say about the camp in ‘Ballintrae, it’s a miracle that anyone survived
Rain teemed, gales blew, we were often soaked right through, but that’s how our camping skills derived.

The Bann was in full spate but we had made a date, for a cruise in the Black Pig…to cancel – NEVER,
And later in canoes with our knees and elbows bruised, we paddled blue with cold along the river.
Looking back on that first year I must admit with fear, that things were not what they might seem to be,
To be kicked, submerged and frozen would not be often CHOSEN, did Captain want to kill the Company?

But through the thick and thin there shone the will to win, and it rarely crossed our minds we could be wrong,
For we’re led by our Creator and there’s no one could be greater, and to Him all our successes should belong.
Many boys have come and gone but their memory lingers on, they added melody to life’s dull song,
We remember most today those who lie beneath the clay, for in our thoughts they’ll evermore be young.

Now many years on we’re back where we begun, though hair has thinned and contours rounded grown,
Do you remember when?’ will rekindle scenes so plain, and for a while we’ll all be BOYS once again

Both Extracts From Parish News – December 1984