2nd Ahoghill Company Section took part in this year's battalion parade, which was hosted by First Ballymena Presbyterian church.
The battalion formed up in the carpark of the Northern Regional College’s Farm Lodge campus. The parade commenced at 3:00pm, exiting the carpark onto Granville Drive and turning left onto Broughshane Street. It continued past the Band Stand and along Church Street, before cutting across onto Meeting House Lane and into First Ballymena Presbyterian Church.
With everyone seated, the church service began as the colours were marched in by members of First Ballymena’s Company Section. After the singing of the opening praise the battalion Scripture awards were distributed.
Brookside had performed well in this year’s exam with two boys earning battalion awards. Peter Cahoon and William McCartney came 3rd and 1st respectively in their age group, with scores of 90% and 95%. Thanks to these high scores and good performances by the rest of the boys, 2nd Ahoghill Company came second overall in the battalion, missing out to first placed 1st Glenwherry.
After the award distribution, the service continued with more praise and a short bible message from Rev. William Sinclair. The service was concluded with the benediction and national anthem, after which the colours were marched off and the parade formed again on Meeting House Lane.
The return leg of the parade made its way back the NRC carpark via Carnduff Drive and Granville Drive, where the day’s events were brought to an end as the colours were marched off.
Many thanks to the boys who took part, and to the friends and family who showed support along the parade route.
