Leaders

The Boys’ Brigade offers rewarding, challenging and fulfilling voluntary work to anyone that is interested in helping boys and young men achieve their goals.

Boys’ Brigade Companies would not be able to function without their team of dedicated voluntary leaders who organise activities, plan classes, events and trips away and ensure that everything runs smoothly. Leaders work hard to provide a fun and exciting range of activities throughout the year and their only reward is the satisfaction of watching the children and young men develop their confidence and skills, well OK we do get to join in and have some fun ourselves too.

Meet the Leaders of 3rd Basingstoke

Theresa Strachan

Rank: Captain
Qualifications:

• BB Officers’ Training
• BB Captains’ Training
• Camp & Holiday Leadership
• Camp Craft

Theresa has been a member of staff at the 3rd since 1981 working with the Anchor Boys and Junior Section. Theresa was the Leader in charge of the Anchor Boys for many years and in 2007 also took on the duties of the Captain of 3rd Basingstoke Boys’ Brigade company.

Iain Strachan

Rank: Lieutenant
Boys’ Brigade Awards: Presidents’ Badge – 1994 
Qualifications:

• First Aid
• BB Officers’ Training
• BB Captains’ Training
• Camp & Holiday Leadership
• Camp Craft
• Expedition

Iain joined 3rd Basingstoke at 5 years of age and grew up through all the sections achieving the Presidents’ Badge. Iain became a member of staff and is now the Leader in charge of the Junior Section and also works with the Anchor Boys. Iain is a fully qualified First Aid and Lifeguard Assessor and Training Instructor (IS+ Training).

Barry Precey

Rank: Lieutenant
Boys’ Brigade Awards: Presidents’ Badge – 1991
Qualifications:

• First Aid
• BB Officers’ Training
• BB Captains’ Training
• Camp & Holiday Leadership
• Camp Craft

Barry joined the company at 9 years of age and after achieving the Presidents’ Badge became a member of staff with the Company Section. In 1996 he took up the position of Captain and was the second longest serving Captain in the Company’s history. He stepped down from the role in 2007 and is now the Leader in charge of the Seniors which is part of the Company Section. Barry was the creator of the original 3rd Basingstoke website.

Michael (Sid) Payne

Rank: Warrant Officer
Boys’ Brigade Awards: Presidents’ Badge – 1984 
Qualifications:

• BB Officers’ Training

Michael is the longest serving member in the history of 3rd Basingstoke Company and has been a member since he was 8 years old. After achieving the Presidents’ Badge he has served as a member of staff for both the Anchor/Junior and the Company/Senior sections of 3rd Basingstoke. He is now the leader in charge of the Anchor Boys Section. Nicknamed Sid when he was a boy, he has a keen interest in photography and took many of the photos found on this website. 

Phillip Lowles

Rank: Warrant Officer
Boys’ Brigade Awards: Presidents’ Badge – 1994 
Qualifications:

• First Aid
• BB Youth Leaders Training
• Camp & Holiday Leadership
• Camp Craft
• Expedition

Phil joined the company at 7 years of age and after achieving the Presidents’ Badge became a member of staff with the Company section. He left the company for a short time in 1995 but rejoined the following year as a Helper. Phil has recently become an official Leader and is now in charge of the Company Section which incorporates the Seniors.

David Gary

Rank: Warrant Officer
Boys’ Brigade Awards: Presidents’ Badge – 2009 
Qualifications:

• BB Youth Leaders Training
• First Aid

David is our youngest member of staff and was one of two boys to achieve the Presidents’ Badge in 2009, a big achievement since the last time prior to this that our company awarded the badge was in 1994. David is now a Leader working with both the Anchor/Junior and the Company/Senior sections of 3rd Basingstoke.

* Note: The Presidents’ Badge that most of the Leaders have successfully achieved was the series 3 scheme which followed a different format to the current Discover scheme (series 4) as detailed on our Company Section page. The series 3 scheme required a complete three level achievement in Leadership, Interests, Physical, Community and Adventure as described on our Older Badge Layouts page. Michael Payne completed the Series 2 President’s Badge. David Gary completed the Series 4 Discover Presidents’ Badge scheme.

Volunteering

Most Leaders have been members of Boys’ Brigade since they were children, growing up in the organisation and upon reaching the age of 18 became Leaders themselves and started to help run the Company. However, we are always open to welcoming new volunteers into our Companies. Perhaps you are a parent of one of our members who would like to help out, or maybe you are just interested in working with young children. A volunteer with fresh and interesting ideas can help to reinvigorate a company and provide new experiences to its members.

Boys’ Brigade can offer training opportunities to build on your existing skills as well as support guidance in your role. These new skills and experiences could even be useful to you in your career. There are also opportunities to get involved in International work, community action projects and much more. BB can help take you as far as you want to go.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact us with some information about who you are, what age group you are interested in working with and why you are interested in volunteering. We will arrange for you to visit and meet the other Leaders of the Company and take things forward from there. Please be aware that all Leaders and volunteers are DBS checked to ensure the safety of our members.