Company History - p7

From 2000 to current

The year 2000 came and numbers have further declined, the Company as a whole at one point consisted of less than 10 members. A recruitment drive in the early 2000's increased the numbers back up to around 30.

The staff team at 3rd Basingstoke has remained almost unchanged throughout the decade so far with the only notable change being Barry Precey stepping down from company Captain and Theresa Strachan taking on that position in the capacity of Acting Captain in 2007.

Early in the decade we welcomed Pastor Debbie Hodgson who dedicated a lot of time and support to our company when things were difficult with low membership. Debbie got very involved - even came camping with us! In 2002 she presided over the marriage ceremony of Barry and Skelly Precey at which the members of 3rd Basingstoke formed an honour guard for their Captain.

• Debbie left us in 2005 and we were in a worrying position because we thought she was irreplaceable. However Charlie Philip was appointed by the Basingstoke Methodist circuit as the Youth and Family Worker and a part of this role was to become our Chaplain and he has been an enthusiastic and positive supporter of our company ever since. Charlie is often present on our Friday evening meetings not only to lead prayers and provide spiritual advice but to join in the fun as well! He has even been camping with us and shared a tent with Mike!

40 years of 3rd Basingstoke

In 2006 we celebrated our 40th Anniversary with a special church service and many officers and members joined us at St Andrews' Church for a special reunion.

Goodbye St. Andrews', Hello Trinity Church

One era ends and a new one begins. 3rd Basingstoke Boys' Brigade had been meeting at St Andrews' Church for 44 years, but with the closure and demolition of the existing church at some point in late 2009/early 2010 the Company needed to find a temporary home for the next two years or so. Therefore from 4th September 2009 3rd Basingstoke Boys' Brigade Company began meeting at Trinity Church. A brand new St. Andrews' Church will be built on the old site together with a new Doctors and Dentists Surgery for South Ham. We will be back.

To commemorate the event the Company held a BBQ for members past and present on our last Friday evening meeting at St. Andrews on 28th August 2009. It was a great event and it was so good to see many of our old friends once again. Everything was going really well, everyone was enjoying the food and then it started to rain, but even that failed to dampen spirits. We worked quickly to put up the gazebo (that was standing by for such an emergency) to cover over the food tables, and then everyone helped to move the tables and chairs indoors, thanks to all the parents who stayed and helped.

We look forward to seeing what the future will bring us in our new home at Trinity Church.

• < Previous
• The 1990s

• Next >
• Public Photo Gallery