The Boys’ Brigade in Jersey, Channel Islands

Introduction

Welcome to our site! We hope you enjoy your visit – do come and visit us again. If you would like further information about joining one of our companies or to use our camping facilities at our headquarters in Jersey then please use the links above.

History

Sir William Alexander Smith founded the Boys’ Brigade in Glasgow, Scotland in 1883; it was the first uniformed youth organization to be formed. Four years after it was founded in 1887 the Boys’ Brigade began in Jersey and has continued unbroken for the past 116 years.

Sir William visited Jersey on the 7^th May 1910, but sadly his visit coincided with all flags being flown at half-mast, to mark the death of King Edward VII. But his inspection of the parade assembled in his honour at Springfield, recorded over four hundred Officers and boys in attendance.

The Fortunes of the Boys’ Brigade has varied much since then, the Company that survived the longest was based at St. James Church and existed for over 60 years. Its finest moment was probably when its Old Boys Band led the parade to mark the liberation in 1945. During the Occupation of the island, six companies existed; the Bailiff declared that the work should carry on, providing nothing was done to provoke the occupying forces.

1973

A new chapter began, the BB was offered the use of the Les Freres Methodist Church premises in the parish of St John, these building dates back to 1821 and now the buildings have been transformed into a multi-purpose facility which is used by our local Companies, other groups and visiting Companies & Battalions enjoying the Jersey sunshine for camping holidays. More information on both the current Companies and the headquarters on the following pages.

Last revised: 14 April 2004