Queens Badges Presented by Brigade Secretary at District Centenary Display, Yeovil (4th October 2014)

Queens Badges Presented at the District Centenary Display at Yeovil by Steve Dickinson the Brigade Secretary

Margaret Pang (7th Gloucester) Mark Brooks (5th Gloucester) Chris Rawlings & Ethan Talbot (1st Tewkesbury)

Avon Battalion Baton day out at SS Great Britain

The Avon Battalion were joined by representatives from the Gloucestershire Battalion at an event on the SS Great Britain. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bristol were there to present the District Centenary Baton from the Avon Battalion over to the Gloucestershire Battalion for the final stage of the batons journey throughout the District. Following a short presentation, everyone enjoyed exploring the ship in the glorious sunshine. A great day was had by all. 

Buckingham Palace Garden Party & The Baton

On Tuesday 3rd June, four boys from the district went to the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace to represent the BB and act as Stewards.  They had a fantastic day and after lunch at the palace, set about their duties. As well as being able to walk around inside the Palace, they also got to be with the Royal Family - the Queen, Prince Phillip, Prince Charles & Camilla, Prince Edward & Sophie, the Duke of Kent & Princess Alexandra. Sadly the only photo we could take was outside the palace.  The boys had a FANTASTIC day though.  Our four lads from the District were immaculate and were a massive credit to their companies, the organisation and themselves. I'm sure they will remember the day for a long time to come..

Meanwhile, The Baton made its way over to No.10 where it was officially received by The Guardian of the Keys, who kindly allowed a photo.  After this I got to show the Prime Minister the Baton and had a good time talking about the BB with him.  He will be sending a letter shortly to be placed inside the Baton.  I also saw The Foreign Secretary for a minute, but after he admitted he was a scout man, I sent him packing! The biggest problem is security inside No.10 and cameras and phones are banned, so we will make the letter available as soon as possible.

That evening The Royal Marines were beating retreat on Horseguards Parade.  I got talking to a few of the drummers and they well remember BB bugle bands - lovely people and not half bad drummers either... 

Apologies for the lack of photo's but security, especially lots of people with machine guns, has to be respected.  Maybe next time...

          Andrew Howell
          2nd Camborne

West of England District Centenary Camp - 24th May to 26th May 2014

West of England District Centenary Camp - 24th May to 26th May 2014

Please be advised that we are still going ahead with the camp although we have changed the venue from Exmouth to Broadleas Camping & Training centre at Haytor TQ13 9XS. This was because the viability of getting the Marquees up with the numbers attending and with no contingency should the weather be wet for taking down and drying the Marquees.

The programme at the moment is just being tweaked and will be with you next week as we need to confirm a couple of new activities. We will be expecting companies to aim to arrive on the Saturday by 12.00pm and on the Monday we will be leaving after lunch.

The cost will still be £45.00 per person. This means that there are facilities for Juniors to now sleep indoors instead of under canvas. Please note we are still requiring companies to bring their own tents and would be grateful if you could re-confirm your number as soon as possible with a deposit of £15 made payable to 5th Gloucester Boys Brigade.

Please send your deposit to 12 Fosse Close, Abbeymead, Gloucester, GL4 5EF.

Please advise whether you are happy with the change of venue and please let me know the numbers of those requiring camping & indoor accommodation.

Also it would be helpful if you confirm if you will be bring a Minibus with you for the weekend in order to gauge the transport we will require for the activities.

Looking forward to your replies

Gordon Dale

District Centenary

It is now the start of a new Academic Year, and with that new year comes the knowledge that this is OUR Centenary Year. One Hundred years ago in January 1914 a few BB Officers got together and agreed to form the group that has become the West of England and Channel Islands District of the Boys' Brigade.

Now 100 years later we are still going strong with battalions and companies stretching from Malvern to Camborne and Bournmouth all the way down to Jersey and Guernsey.

With the new format website we hope to bring news of the activities across the district taking place throughout the coming year.

Dave Malpas

Webmaster

Welcome to the New Look Website

This blog is replacing the traditional website format and the traditional paper magazine with an updated information service bringing latest news from a variety of sources direct to members and Friends of the Boys' Brigade across the West of England and Channel Islands District (and further afield).

I hope you like the new format. The aim is to bring up-to date news direct to you regularily rather than in the traditional format 3-times a year. But for those of you who still like the paper magazine, we will still be producing an annual roundup once a year.

Dave Malpas, Webmaster