Our History
Our Founder
The founder of the Boys' Brigade movement was Sir William Alexander Smith. He was born on the 27th October 1854 at Pennyland House, Thurso, Caithness. He joined the volunteers and at the age of 19, while working in his uncle's business in Glasgow became Lance Corporal in the 1st Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers.
By 1883 William Smith had become a Lieutenant and was teaching in the North Woodside Mission Sunday School. The boys in his Sunday School class were a challenge and they had no discipline. He was open to suggestions. Someone suggested that the methods used in the volunteers may be appropriate. He took this idea further and the BB was formed.
The Boys' Brigade was officially formed on 4th October 1883 and was a tremendous success. Other youth organisations resulted from the formation Boys' Brigade, most notably the Scout movement in 1908.
In July 1909 William Smith was knighted by King Edward VII for his services to boys.
He died on May 10th 1914 after being taken ill at a Boys' Brigade meeting in London. |
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Our Motto
Sure & Steadfast
Hebrews Ch 6 v 19
Our Object
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.
Mission Statement
The Boys' Brigade will care for and challenge young people for life through a programme of informal education underpinned by the Christian faith.
This will be achieved by:
- delivering Christian teaching in partnership with the church in which the company is based and encouraging the development of a personal Christian faith.
- providing opportunities for leadership, decision making and skills training.
- empowering boys and young people by involving them in decision making at all levels of the organisation and giving responsibility appropriate to their age and aptitude.
- raising awareness of boys and young people to the needs of others (especially other young people) locally, nationally and globally and encouraging them to engage in activities and projects in which they can make a difference.
- being sensitive to the needs and aspirations of boys and young people of varying backgrounds, differing abilities and stages of development and providing appropriate support, advice and guidance.
- ensuring the safety of boys and young people through the implementation of suitable procedures for the selection, training and supervision of leaders.
- equipping leaders through the provision of high quality training and resources.
- providing a network of professional staff to support voluntary leaders.
- creating opportunities to develop partnerships with other appropriate organisations and agencies
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