The 4th of October is very important day, not only in the 214th’s eyes but the whole of the BB organisation.

140 years ago today in 1883

The Boys Brigade was founded in Glasgow by Sir William Alexander Smith.

From this one Company formed in Scotland the BB has grown in to a worldwide movement.

99 years ago in 1924

In 6 days time (10th Oct 2023) it is the 99th Anniversary of the formation of the 214th Glasgow Company of the Boys Brigade.

In 1 years time from today in 2024

We will be celebrating our 100th Anniversary (4th October 2024) on founders day at our Centenary Civic Reception in Glasgow City Chambers.

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Where the Boys Brigade was founded

The first meeting took place in the Free Church Mission Hall on North Woodside Road, shown here. Only 28 boys attended. The movement expanded rapidly in the following decades, but Glasgow remained at its heart.

(This was also the building that our Treasurer (Stephen McQuillan) held his Company Offices, prior to them being turned into flats by The Woodside Club.)

In 1933 it celebrated its jubilee with an assembly at Hampden in front of 130,000 spectators. Members from across the globe again gathered in Glasgow to celebrate the Brigade’s centenary in 1983 with a series of events, including a service at Ibrox Park.

Key Timeline

1854 – William Alexander Smith born (27th October)

1883 – BB Founded in Glasgow (4th October)

1886 – First BB Camp (Tighnabruiach)

1897 – First Royal Patron, HRH The Duke of York

1908 – Scout Movement Formed (by Baden Powell, developed from the BB)

1909 – William Alexander Smith knighted (July)

1913 – The King’s Badge introduced

1914 – Sir William Alexander Smith died (10th May)

1917 – Boy Reserves started for 8 to 11 year olds

1924 – 214th GCBB founded -Whiteinch

1926 – Amalgamation of The Boys’ Brigade with The Boys’ Life Brigade

1933 – Jubilee Celebrations

1955 – BB involved in Duke of Edinburgh’s Award pilot scheme

1963 – World Conference (of The Boys’ Brigade) formed

1974 – 214th GCBB – Golden Jubilee, Glasgow City Halls

1977 – Pre-Junior Section formed (now known as Anchors)

1982 – Royal Mail issue 1st Class stamp celebrating The Boys’ Brigade

1983 – Centenary Celebrations

1985 – 214th GCBB merge with the 135th Glasgow Company

1993 – Junior Section 75th Anniversary (previously called ‘Life Boys’)

1994 – Royal Review by HM The Queen at Windsor Castle

214th GCBB Ex Members parade at 70th Anniversary Scotstoun Parish Church.

2002 – World Conference renamed Global Fellowship of Christian Youth

2008 – 125th Anniversary of The Boys’ Brigade

214th GCBB – Ex Members parade at Braehead Arena

2008 – Girls’ Association formed

2011 – 125th Anniversary of Camping

2012 – HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Baton Run

2017 – Centenary of Juniors age group

2022 – HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

2023 – Celebrations of the Coronation of King Charles III

2023 – 140th Anniversary of The Boys’ Brigade (Today)

Looking ahead……….

2024 – 214th GCBB – Centenary Civic Reception Glasgow City Chambers (4th Oct)

Sorry to intimate that another of our members John Fulton passed away last week on Wednesday 13th September 2023 aged 80.

Johnnie was a bit of a well known character in the 214 BB and also among the Bowling fraternity.

He was a member of Old Kilpatrick Bowling Club for 57 years and was presented with a medal by the club for 50 years membership in 2016.

As a boy he was a great footballer and played for Drumchapel Amateurs who produced many a great footballer.

I am led to believe that Johnnie still holds the record number of goals scored for the club in one game, a triple hat trick (9).

He then went on to play with Cambuslang Rangers and won the Scottish Junior Cup with them.

The Funeral will be held at :-

Dalnottar Crematorium on Tuesday 26th September at 2.30pm.

I’m sure all the Ex Members send their condolences to his wife Allison, daughter Karen and the family at this sad time.

Civic Reception to celebrate 100 years of the 214th GCBB

On the 1^st October 1924 the 214^th Glasgow Company of the Boys Brigade was formed at Gordon Park Church in Whiteinch, Glasgow.

Next year, during 2024 the Ex Members Association will be celebrating our 100 years with various projects throughout the year.

We are delighted to inform you that the Lord Provost of Glasgow’s office has approved our request to celebrate the Centenary of the founding of the 214^th GCBB.

This, the first fully confirmed project, will be held on:-

 Friday 4th October 2024

When there will be a Civic Reception at the City Chambers of Glasgow in our honour.

(At no cost to our Association)

The evening will start with a drinks reception at 7pm followed by a dinner.

We have only been allocated a total of 70 places for the occasion.

We would like as many of our ex Members who are able, to come and enjoy this celebration of 100 years of the 214.

(We will be looking at providing help for our members who may be infirm or in need of help to attend.)

This is not your official invitation.

That will arrive 6-8 weeks before the event if you have indicated you would like to attend.

It is important that we can get as many Ex Members as possible to attend, with this in mind we would like to see an indication of who is willing to come along on the evening. This will allow you and ourselves to plan ahead.

Ex members from all over the world will need time to organise their trip, if they are coming along.

To help with our planning YOUR ACTION IS REQUIRED.

Please respond to Alan the Secretary before Friday 7th July 2023.

Reply via this link to indicate your intentions.

We are looking forward to a great response from you all.

Sure & Stedfast ^{(as we used to spell it)}

The Ex Members Committee

You can now read Alex Robertson’s full article in the Memories section.

There are also links there to buy his book and see his YouTube channel.

Click here to read article

Once again another successful evening was had by all.

All feedback has as usual been very positive.

We are always on the look out for 214 boys stories of their time in the company and what impact that had on their lives.

This year we uncovered a non pipeband or football related success in the shape of published playwright and author….. Alexander Robertson.

Alex entertained the assembled ‘old boys’ to his 214 story and how the Gordon Park stage shows sparked something in him. He was hooked on theatre for the rest of his life.

He even managed to sell a few copies of his latest book.

Alex has given me details of his story which will appear here soon where I will put details of how you can purchase his book.

October next year is the Centenary of the formation of the 214th GCBB in 1924.

We have a number of exciting projects that we are actively managing, to help us all celebrate our Centenary year.

So watch this space, details to follow!

This years invites have just been sent out by email.

Please reply ASAP to allow us to plan for meal numbers.

If you reply now we wont need to send you an actual postage paid letter.

Help save your Associations funds.

Many thanks

The Secretary

A new page has been added to the website

click here to see or go to the new menu tab on the website.

Wishing you and yours all the best for 2023

I received an email from Jim’s wife thanking us for the Christmas card and letting me know that he passed away on 5th of June 2022.

Just prior to lockdown Jim had discovered the 214 website and was in regular contact, giving me details of his time in the 214. Even though in his eighties he had no problem with modern technology.

Jim’s memories can be read here or going to the Memories tab in the menu at the top of this page.

It’s always sad hearing of an ex member passing away, especially at this time of year.

We all send our condolences to Maureen his wife and all the family.