IT was the year that brought a woman Prime Minister to Downing Street, Nottingham Forest to European glory, and music to the masses through the invention of the Sony Walkman.

But 1979 will be remembered for another reason altogether next week when one of York’s most successful youth organisations celebrates its 30th anniversary with a special reunion and party.

The 1st Acomb Boys’ Brigade was launched on April 28, 1979, only five days before Margaret Thatcher’s historic, first General Election victory.

Now, three decades on, company members past and present will get together to celebrate.

Company captain Lynn Davies has invited all who have been involved in the company or supported it as a member or helper to head along to Holy Redeemer Church Hall on Tuesday, from 6pm to 9pm.

Mrs Davies said: “We have managed to maintain a successful company over the past 30 years with the continued commitment of the boys that have been members of 1st Acomb, as well as having the support of their families and friends.”

She also praised the dedication, support and commitment of the officers and helpers who gave up their time to attend training courses and prepare, organise and lead sessions for the boys; and also the church and company chaplain the Rev Tony Hand.

The 1st Acomb started life with about 20 junior section members, before adding a company section and seniors in 1980 and an anchor boy section in 1984 for the youngest children. By the mid-1980s, the three sections were each averaging 20.

Although the company section closed in 1999 due to lack of numbers, it re-opened in 2003 and the company now has 62 members across all sections, as well as ten officers and seven helpers.

The Boys’ Brigade was founded in Glasgow in 1883, and aims to combine Christian teaching with the promotion of discipline, self-respect, reverence and obedience.

Boys take part in various activities, working towards badges and awards in adventure, community activities, interests, leadership & physical recreation.

They also take part in fundraising, trips and visits, camping, hiking and Battalion competitions such as drill, Bible knowledge, chess, table tennis, football and cross-country.

Mrs Davies said nine boys from the 1st Acomb had won the Brigade’s top award, the Queen’s Badge. The first was Rory Clarkson in 1990, followed by Ian Morley, Ben Deller and James Deller in 1992.

After a 16-year gap, five more achieved the award in 2008, when Tim Elsy, Richard Ellis, Tom Ashby, Mark Nelson and James Davies gained their badges.

In August 2007, six boys and three officers travelled to Ghana to visit the 1st Begoro BB Company. The Acomb boys are currently raising money to fund a return visit for the Ghanaian company to come to York.