The Boys' Brigade in Somerset

The Somerset Battalion of The Boys' Brigade (The BB) is the 'family' of BB groups or Units (known as "Companies") in Somerset.

There are currently 15 Companies in the Somerset Battalion and you can find them on this site!

The BB is the foremost Christian Uniformed Youth Organisation for boys and teenagers aged 5+, with over half a million members world-wide.

Where Churches need a Christian Youth Organisation for Boys and Girls, The BB can cater for them through The Girls' Association which is integral as part of The BB Family.

AMICUS is available for Teenagers and young Adults aged 15+ in a mixed-sex environment providing self-run programmes of activities!

We provide a balanced programme of activities for the children and young people which is designed to be relevant, creative and enjoyable. We strive to make a positive contribution to members' lives and offer a wide range of activities including Adventure, Games, Art & Crafts, Sports, Christian Teaching, Citizenship, Life Skills, Music, Camps and Holidays, all with a Christian ethos.

The BB was founded on 4th October 1883 in Glasgow by Sir William Alexander Smith.

Lord Robert Baden-Powell was a Vice-President of the BB and "Scouting" started as an activity in the BB up until 1910 and the Fleur-de-Lyse was the adopted logo for the BB Scouting Badges.

The BB Scouting uniform (see photo left) was later adopted by the Boy Scout Association as their uniform

The object of the Brigade is "The Advancement of Christ's Kingdom among Boys and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-Respect and all that tents towards a true Christian manliness"

Our Motto is "SURE AND STEDFAST"

The BB is ecumenically interdenominational and operates within Churches, Schools, Halls and any safe environment that's under any Christian sponsorship. We also have BB in Catholic and Jewish Churches under slighly different names. We welcome all, irrespective of faith, colour or creed into the family of The Boys' Brigade!

Although times have changed since the 19th Century, we now allow girls into membership of the wider "BB Family" as members of The Girls' Association. Our Object remains Constitutionally unchanged.