THE 2nd Alton Boys' Brigade is celebrating this week following news that leaders David and Christine Allan have been named in the Queen's 80th birthday honours list. It is a remarkable, and possibly rare, achievement for a husband-and-wife team, both of whom will receive the MBE for services to young people. The Allans were instrumental in setting up a Boys' Brigade company linked to Alton Methodist Church more than 20 years ago and have been actively involved in its running ever since. Hundreds of local lads have enjoyed and benefited from the activities which being a member of the BB provides, and have appreciated the caring Christian ethos of the company. News of the honours came completely out of the blue for the Allans. Modest about their achievements, David and Christine see themselves as typical of the 10,000 active BB leaders around the country, who offer their time to help young people develop into responsible adulthood. They also recognise acutely that, although they have been singled out for this honour, the work of the Alton BB Company depends on a dedicated team of a dozen adult helpers, many of whom have been involved right from the start. For David, the Boys' Brigade is in his blood. His father and grandfather before him were both BB captains and David has followed in their footsteps. He joined the BB as a boy in 1955 and, apart from a break while working in the Middle East, has been an active leader since 1966. He served for 13 years as a lieutenant in the 130th Glasgow company and has acted as a voluntary expedition instructor for BB Scottish headquarters. He is the founder captain of the 2nd Alton company and is presently the president of mid-southern England battalion of the BB. He is particularly interested in outdoor activities and leads BB groups hill walking, cycling and orienteering. He regularly trains a variety of young people for the expedition section of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, is a registered DofE trainer and assessor with Hampshire County Council, and is currently the chairman of the East Hampshire local award committee. Each year, David acts as commanding officer at the summer camp which is attended by boys from the 2nd Alton, 1st Fleet and 2nd Fleet BB companies. Christine had been a Guide in her youth and vowed never again to go camping! Yet, having successfully established 2nd Alton's junior section (for boys aged nine to 11) in 1984, she found herself under canvas at the annual BB summer camp (for 11 to 17s) and since then has acted as cook every year, catering for groups of up to 60 people. Christine is currently officer in charge of the 2nd Alton junior section, and is battalion junior section secretary. She appreciates the spontaneity of the younger boys and their ability to develop and thrive in a caring environment. Craft, games, scripture and general knowledge are topics which she frequently leads. Christine and David each recognise that they could not have undertaken this work without the full support and encouragement of the other. Equally important to them has been the loyalty of BB staff and the firm backing of the church. They are both deeply moved by their honours and the level of recognition they imply - not just for themselves but for Boys' Brigade leaders across the UK. "We rejoice that there are many, many others up and down the land who offer committed service to young people - week in, week out. Their dedication is worthy of similar recognition." • Also featuring in the honours list are Angela Elmy, an usher at Alton Magistrates' Court who is to receive the MBE for "Her Majesty's Service". Television journalist and broadcaster Alastair Stewart, who lives at Bramdean, receives the OBE for service to broadcasting.