Boys’ Brigade anniversary celebrated at St Giles

130th Anniversary commemorated at St Giles’ Cathedral

The United Kingdom’s longest-running voluntary youth organisation, The Boys’ Brigade (BB) is celebrating its 130th Anniversary today.

The occasion was marked with a service at St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh where BB members young and old laid flowers at the plaque in memory of the founder.

The Boys’ Brigade was founded by William Alexander Smith in Glasgow on 4th October 1883 and quickly spread across the United Kingdom before becoming a worldwide organisation by the early 1890s.

Events are being planned for the Brigade’s 130th Anniversary, including world record attempts, a giant sleepover and taking part in the Great Scottish Run.

Bill Stevenson, Director, Scotland, The Boys’ Brigade, said:-“Since The Boys’ Brigade’s inception, much has changed. We started just seven years after the invention of the telephone.

“I am sure if William Alexander Smith were around today, he would be proud of the thousands of BB members and volunteers who are not only true to the original values of the organisation, but have evolved and moved with the times, keeping the BB still relevant today.”