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Stedfast Camp - A Brief History

For many years before the birth of "Stedfast Camp", the 2nd Bath BB Company had been camping with some of the other Companies from the Bath & District Council (formerly the Bath Battalion) of The Boys' Brigade since the wartime years from 1941 until the 1959 when the above council closed and Companies were dispersed into Wiltshire and East Somerset in 1960.

In the very early 1960's the Wiltshire & East Somerset Group was formed comprising of Companies in the county of Wiltshire and Bath (East Somerset) who camped together until 1969 when the 2nd Bath Company transferred to the Avon County Battalion. This was when the newly created county of Avon encompassed the geographical boundaries of the two cities of Bath and Bristol.

During this time the 2nd Bath Company ran the Wilts & East Somerset Group Stedfast Camps, hiring it's site and equipment out to other BB Camps for seven weeks each year. The driving force behind this was Mr. Ted Flint of the 2nd Bath, assisted by his Officers and NCOs! This arrangement continued up until the early 1980's when the "2nd Bath Camping Ltd" was wound up. Following this, it was decided to hire campsites and equipment from other BB Companies for the one week's camp!

So, it was in 1970 that the 2nd Bath and 1st Chalford BB Companies and the 1st Bath and 1st Chalford Hill GB Companies formed Stedfast Camp under an agreement by former Captains G. E. (Ted) Flint (2nd Bath BB), J. E. (John) Evans (1st Chalford BB), Mrs. Brenda Evans (1st Chalford Hill GB) and Mrs. Heather Williams (1st Bath GB). Stedfast Camp was one of the first BB/GB Joint Camps and led the way for future joint activities between the two similar Christian youth organisations!

Junior Staff in the first year were: John Smart, Tony White, Peter Fitch, David Ward (who were the advance party) also Roland South, Sara-Jane Evans, Susan Young, Angela Pointing, Terry Bailey.
Senior Staff were: Gladys Flint, Rodney & Nita Slip, David & Pamela Dinsdale, Geoff and Valerie Humphreys, Heather and Vernon Williams and the Rev Bill Andrews (Chaplain).

Some of our Chalford Campers in the 1970's were:
1st Chalford GB: Angela Brooks, Kim Davis, Kathy Wagstaff, Jane Creed, Fiona Drury, Rachael Holmes, Sharon Martin and Denise Cornwell.
1st Chalford BB: Michael Gorny, Chris Conboy, Alan Butt, John Glissold, Michael Prosser, Brendan Conboy, Peter Minchin, David Rowles, Kevin Wyatt, Andrew Bennett, Richard Scales and Simon Weir.
Mr. Ted Flint (former Captain of 2nd Bath BB), the Organiser and "mastermind" of Stedfast Camp, sadly died in 1989 having faithfully served his Lord and Saviour through his work in The Boys' Brigade and the wider Church.

Mrs. Gladys Flint (Ted's wife) was the camp’s Medical Officer (being an RGN) for a great number of years and was, until 2001, the Stedfast Camp Secretary when she retired! Gladys was also a Lieutenant in the 2nd Bath Company in the Anchor and Junior Sections.

Mr. John Evans (former Captain of 1st Chalford BB), was the co-founder of Stedfast Camp and was the Chairman of the Stedfast Camp Council from 1970 until 2001 when he retired from that position.
If you (the reader) had the opportunity to be a Stedfast Camper in the 1970's, then you may remember those who, in the early years, helped organize Camp: Valerie & Geoff Humphries, Vernon Williams, Sue Young, Shirley Dinsdale, Angela Pointing, Terry Hefferman, Sarah-Jane Evans, Jackie Archer, Rob & Ted Archer, Rowland South, Dylan Ransom, Sheila Garvie, Hazel Williams, Mike Perkins, Carol Lowe, John & Alan Dinsdale, Carol & Rob Maule, Nicola & Diane Flint, Angela and Colin Humphries and many others!

Semi-official Stedfast Camp Reunions started in 1971 with the first being held at the HQ of 2nd Bath BB and 1st Bath GB Companies. The party was led by Ted Flint who got everyone in the party mood doing rather silly things - but everyone had a great time. The music and some entertainment was provided by Weston's very own accomplished musician - Mr Kenneth C. Brain - who was also the Weston Free Church's Organist until his passing in 2006. Reunions, since then were hosted alternatively at Camp Council Companies HQ's - usually over a school holiday weekend!

Other camps in the early years were held at - Charmouth, Lyme Regis, Bude, Bognor Regis, Croyde Bay, Watcombe Bay and Swanage.

Even after all of those years that have past, STEDFAST CAMP is still a living testament to good, healthy Brigades camping and is a firm legacy that is, this day, left in our trust and care!