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3RD BASINGSTOKE BOYS’ BRIGADE

History

The History of 3rd Basingstoke

Maybe some of you reading this remember the history because you were part of it or maybe you are in one of the photographs.

Company Captains

This is a history of 3rd Basingstoke Boys’ Brigade Company from its foundation in 1965 right up to the present day.

First off please accept our apologies if any detail is incorrect in this history. The dates were taken from the very confusing and occasionally incomplete archives of the company. We have made every effort to get the details correct and include every Captain throughout our history. If you do spot anything which is incorrect or something which should have been included then please contact us.

Where we came from

The Boys’ Brigade was founded in Glasgow on 4th October 1883 by Sir William Alexander Smith. From this one Company formed in Scotland, the BB has grown into a worldwide movement having worked with millions of children and young people for over a century and in 2008 we celebrated our 125th Anniversary.

A full and detailed history of The Boys’ Brigade called First For Boys written by Donald M. McFarlan can be found on the national Boys’ Brigade website.

Out Patron

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II served as the Boys’ Brigade Patron, from 1952 until her passing in September 2022.

Time Line

1854 – William Alexander Smith born (27th October)
1883 – BB Founded in Glasgow (4th October)
1886 – First BB Camp (Tignabruaich)
1908 – Scout Movement Formed (by Baden Powell, developed from the Boys’ Brigade)
1909 – William Alexander Smith knighted (July)
1914 – Sir William Alexander Smith died (10th May)
1933 – Jubilee Celebrations
1952 – The Boys’ Brigade was proud to have Queen Elizabeth II as its Patron
1955 – St Andrews’ Church built
1964 – 2nd Basingstoke Girls’ Brigade founded (December)
1965 – 3rd Basingstoke Life Boys’ founded (January)
1966 – 3rd Basingstoke Boys’ Brigade founded
1982 – Royal Mail issue 1st Class stamp celebrating The Boys’ Brigade
1983 – BB Centenary Celebrations
1993 – 2nd Basingstoke Girls’ Brigade closes (February)
1993 – Junior Section 75th Anniversary (previously called ‘Life Boys’)
2006 – 40th Anniversary celebration of 3rd Basingstoke
2008 – 125th Anniversary of The Boys’ Brigade
2009 – 3rd Basingstoke temporarily move to Trinity Church (September)
2011 – St. Andrews’ Church is demolished and construction of the new church begins
2012 – Construction of the brand new St. Andrews’ Church is completed
2012 – 3rd Basingstoke return to the brand new St. Andrews’ Church (November)
2015 – 50th Anniversary celebration of 3rd Basingstoke
2020 – BB Forced to meet virtually for almost a year due to global pandemic
2021 –  Face-to-face meetings gradually reintroduced as global restrictions are eased
2022 – Queens Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
2022 – Saddened by the death of our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen (8th September)

CONTACT US

01256 329616

ADDRESS

3rd Basingstoke Boys' Brigade
St Andrew's Methodist Church
Western Way,
Basingstoke,
RG22 6ER.

THE BB OBJECT

The object of the Boys Brigade is: "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"

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