Boys' Brigade Movement

The Boys' Brigade movement was first formed in Glasgow in 1883 by Sir William Alexander Smith as a method of training his Sunday School boys in their need of discipline, outlets for their abundant energy, personal challenges and opportunities to accept responsibility. The movement soon spread throughout the UK and the British Commonwealth but did not arrive in Hucclecote until 1972.

Read more about BB history at the official website, and the BB Virtual Museum.

Company Founding & Junior Section Formed

The Brigade in Hucclecote was formed by Mr David Gregory and his wife Rosemary who had moved to this area in 1971 and soon became members of Hucclecote Methodist Church. David and Rosemary had previous experience as officers in the 28^th Bristol Company & David had been a boy in the 5th Plymouth Company. There were well over 100 children already in Hucclecote Methodist Sunday School and David and Rosemary could see opportunities to recruit many boys into a BB company. With the support of the minister of the church (Rev. Roy Gillett), who had himself been a member of the 1^st Gloucester BB Company at Trinity Baptist Church, the decision was taken to form a Junior Section for boys aged 8 - 11 which first met on 13^th March 1972.

The section met with immediate success with between 40 and 50 boys in regular attendance. In the junior section emphasis is on fun and enjoyment including games and physical activities, together with music, a wide range of group activities, craft work and sometimes figure marching and always a short period of worship. The achievements scheme covers five headings - Adventure, Community, Interests, Physical & Spiritual and boys gain badges to show what they have done leading to the highest award - The Gold Badge.

Company Section, Senior Section & Band Formed

Twelve months later, on 15th March 1973, a company/senior section was formed for boys aged 11 - 18. This also met with great success and by the following September had a membership of over 40 boys. The work in the section builds on the program of the junior section with a whole range of activities encouraging the boys to work for the brigades premier awards, The President's Badge and The Queen's Badge as well as the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The Drum and Bugle Band was formed in 1974.

Anchor Section Formed, Departure of the First Captain

At National Level there was pressure for provision to be made for a younger age group and, following approval by the Brigade Council, a pre-Junior section (Anchor boys) was agreed for boys aged 6 - 7. The 5^th Gloucester Anchors first met on the 26th September 1977 under the control of Mrs. Rosemary Gregory & Mrs. Margaret Dodding. 12 months later their numbers had reached 36 boys. They took part in Anchor achievements, including music, singing, games and other physical activities, Bible teaching, craft work, drawing, colouring and crafts. Thus the whole company was catering for over 100 boys and this continued until both David and Rosemary left in September 1981 for David to begin training for the Methodist Church at Wesley college, Bristol. The remaining staff were determined that the brigade in Hucclecote should continue but with less staff we could not offer such a extensive program and boy membership drop to approximately 60 which number continues the present day.

Camping & Duke of Edinburgh's Award

From the very beginning we have had a strong camping tradition, with the Juniors spending a week each year in church halls at various locations throughout the south of England varying from Lyme Regis in 1973 to Deal in Kent in 1999. Company/Seniors have always camped under canvas, for the nearly 29 years as a company and for 11 years with other companies to form a large Gloucestershire Battalion camp. We have camped at sites in Blackpool, Ringwood, Haytor, Ilfracombe and even a year on a narrow boat.

The Duke of Edinburgh award has always been a staple part of our programme and over the years we have had numerous youngsters gain their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.

Highlights

We've done a lot over the years, here are a few highlights from our history.