Returning from camp at Scalpsie Bay, 1956
Church Parade, Law 1959
History
1st Law Boys’ Brigade was inaugurated in the role of the Boys’ Brigade on the 7th October 1955.
The two men who started the company were Dr. P. Gordon Gaskell, the local GP and Mr W.S.B. Jenkins (Bill) both elders in Law Parish Church.
The initial idea was for boys aged 11+ (Company Section) and in September 1955 the newly formed 1st Law Company enrolled at the Church Hall on Station Road when 41 boys of that age group turned up.
But such was the interest that 30 younger boys turned up forcing them to immediately start up a Life Boys section under the leadership of Mary Mills, the Local headmaster’s daughter. Bill Jenkins took on the role of Company Captain. The company met on a Friday night, and still does to this day.
The two men who started the company were Dr. P. Gordon Gaskell, the local GP and Mr W.S.B. Jenkins (Bill) both elders in Law Parish Church.
The initial idea was for boys aged 11+ (Company Section) and in September 1955 the newly formed 1st Law Company enrolled at the Church Hall on Station Road when 41 boys of that age group turned up.
But such was the interest that 30 younger boys turned up forcing them to immediately start up a Life Boys section under the leadership of Mary Mills, the Local headmaster’s daughter. Bill Jenkins took on the role of Company Captain. The company met on a Friday night, and still does to this day.
By the end of the 1960s the Company was experiencing difficulties due to the lack of officers and it is noted in a session minute on 4th March 1970 that“the question of maintaining the BB’s was difficult due to the resignation of the BB Captain” and so in March 1970 the company went into limbo.
The Phoenix Arises
In 1976, Robert Young, an elder in the church, asked if he could resurrect a Junior Section of the Boys Brigade (the new name for the Life Boys) and in September of that year assisted by Jean McGhie and Elizabeth McGhie enrolled 31 boys into the section.
Shortly after this another “boy” from the earlier Company Shearer Kerr was recruited.
Unfortunately in 1978 due to work commitment Bob Young had to leave and Shearer Kerr assumed the roll of Officer in Charge.
During this time to meet the demand from even younger boys the Cabin Boys were introduced under the leadership of Marion Hood.
At the same time the boys who joined in 1976 “became of age”, and so there was an urgent need for a Company Section and in May 1980 Shearer Kerr was appointed Company Captain.
The 1st Law Company now comprised of a Company Section, Junior Section and Cabin Boys with the later subsequently becoming the Anchor Boys.
Shortly after this another “boy” from the earlier Company Shearer Kerr was recruited.
Unfortunately in 1978 due to work commitment Bob Young had to leave and Shearer Kerr assumed the roll of Officer in Charge.
During this time to meet the demand from even younger boys the Cabin Boys were introduced under the leadership of Marion Hood.
At the same time the boys who joined in 1976 “became of age”, and so there was an urgent need for a Company Section and in May 1980 Shearer Kerr was appointed Company Captain.
The 1st Law Company now comprised of a Company Section, Junior Section and Cabin Boys with the later subsequently becoming the Anchor Boys.
1st Law, 1983
In May 1985 due to family commitments Shearer Kerr and his wife Elspeth Kerr, who was running Junior Section, resigned.
Robert Ford was then appointed captain in September 1985 but unfortunately at the end of session 85-86 Robert had to give up the roll due to pressing work commitments.
The Company experienced an unsettling period with no Company Captain. Ken Caldwell assumed the role of officer in charge of Company Section.
The need for an experienced Captain was ever present and in December 1990 the Kirk Session appointed Campbell Thomson, who at the time was officer in charge of the Anchor Section at 1st Stonehouse Company into the role. Campbell accepted the role on a temporarily basis until a successor could be identified. That temporary appointment lasted 17 years.
In the late 1990s again the Company Section experienced some difficulties due to the lack of officers and again went into limbo for a few years.
In 2000 the Company Section was reformed with Matt Smith taking on the role as Officer in Charge.
Since then the Company have gone from strength to strength and in 2005 reached its Centenary year.
A special service was conducted, attended by many of the “old boys” as well as the present Company. Also a very special guest was there, Dr. P. Gordon Gaskell, one of the original founders of the Company, who gave a very special, and sometimes amusing, talk on the early years of the Company.
A special display was held, over a full week, in the Church Hall with memorabilia of 1st Law Boys Brigade from the early years through to the present.
The Company are now competing in all competitions within Wishaw Battalion and in our centenary year, 2005, won the Battalion Championship for the first time in the Company’s history.
Robert Ford was then appointed captain in September 1985 but unfortunately at the end of session 85-86 Robert had to give up the roll due to pressing work commitments.
The Company experienced an unsettling period with no Company Captain. Ken Caldwell assumed the role of officer in charge of Company Section.
The need for an experienced Captain was ever present and in December 1990 the Kirk Session appointed Campbell Thomson, who at the time was officer in charge of the Anchor Section at 1st Stonehouse Company into the role. Campbell accepted the role on a temporarily basis until a successor could be identified. That temporary appointment lasted 17 years.
In the late 1990s again the Company Section experienced some difficulties due to the lack of officers and again went into limbo for a few years.
In 2000 the Company Section was reformed with Matt Smith taking on the role as Officer in Charge.
Since then the Company have gone from strength to strength and in 2005 reached its Centenary year.
A special service was conducted, attended by many of the “old boys” as well as the present Company. Also a very special guest was there, Dr. P. Gordon Gaskell, one of the original founders of the Company, who gave a very special, and sometimes amusing, talk on the early years of the Company.
A special display was held, over a full week, in the Church Hall with memorabilia of 1st Law Boys Brigade from the early years through to the present.
The Company are now competing in all competitions within Wishaw Battalion and in our centenary year, 2005, won the Battalion Championship for the first time in the Company’s history.
Weekend Camp, Moffat, 2004
50th Anniversary Camp, Carronvale House, 2005
In 2007, Campbell Thomson resigned as Company Captain and in 2008 the Kirk Session appointed Matt Smith as the new Captain.
The Future
The Boys’ Brigade in Law have had a rocky time over the years and while it is always dangerous to be complacent, we seem to be in a more stable position with a good team of officers with Anchor Section being led by Hazel Robertson, Junior Section led by Andrew Horn and Company Section led by Andrew Smith but supported by a super team of Lieutenants and helpers all giving their commitment willingly and freely.
There are over 60 boys in the three sections all a fine group of boys who are a credit to the Boys’ Brigade. 1st Law is recognised within the Battalion – not for it ability to lift trophies -although we have had our fair share – but as a example of what the Boys’ Brigade should be all about.
To win is pleasant, but to take part in a spirit of competitive friendliness is even better.
God willing, 1st Law will be doing so for another 50 years and at the same time, is striving to obtain the object of the Boys’ Brigade:
There are over 60 boys in the three sections all a fine group of boys who are a credit to the Boys’ Brigade. 1st Law is recognised within the Battalion – not for it ability to lift trophies -although we have had our fair share – but as a example of what the Boys’ Brigade should be all about.
To win is pleasant, but to take part in a spirit of competitive friendliness is even better.
God willing, 1st Law will be doing so for another 50 years and at the same time, is striving to obtain the object of the Boys’ Brigade:
“The Advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among Boys and the Promotion of Habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-respect and all that tends towards a True Christian Manliness.”
