About us

For information on how the company operates today and how to join, see our Joining us page.

Company history

The Boys' Brigade in Lye has a very long history. The Present Company, at The United Church was formed in January 1982, but has connections going back as far as the First World War.

After the fighting had come to an end in 1918 a group of men who had been out in the battlefields of the Western Front had come to know the work of Talbot House (Toc H) and were greatly influenced by the Christian principles Toc H had placed within them. A branch of Toc H opened in Orchard Lane in Lye in 1919.

Later on in 1919 those Christian gentlemen saw a need to instil the same Christian influences upon boys and young men of Lye, so the began, what was then, a Boys' Life Brigade Company, whose motto was "To save life".

After a number of years the Boys' Life Brigade, 1^st. Lye Company was transferred to St. John's Wesleyan Methodist Church in Chapel Street, Lye. During their time at St. John's The BLB was amalgamated with The Boys' Brigade (1926) and eventually became The Boys' Brigade 3^rd. South Staffs Company (part of the Boys' Brigade South Staffs Battalion). It remained as part of St. John's Methodist Church until it's closure, due to lack of staff, some time in the 1950's. During the Company's time at St. John's a Life Boy Team was formed under the leadership of Miss Iris Hamblett, her brother, Kenneth being Captain of the Company for many years.

In the early 1980's a Girls' Brigade Company was formed at The United Church. By this time all the Methodist Churches and The United Reformed Church in Lye had come together as a Local Ecumenical Partnership, and were all worshipping together in one new building. It seemed that there was a need for The Boys' Brigade to be established alongside The Girls' Brigade, so a group of people got together and formed what we now know as The Boys' Brigade 1^st. Lye Company (part of the Worcestershire Battalion).

All our Trophies, Anchor Boys, Junior Section and Company Section have all been presented to the Company in memory of Mr. Kenneth Hamblett, former Captain of the old Company from St. John's Methodist Church. Our most prestigious Trophy was presented by and named The Iris Hamblett Trophy and is presented to those individuals who have done and achieved the most for the Company as a whole. Miss Iris Hamblett was the Life Boy Leader from the former 3^rd. South Staffs Company who dedicated her life to the work of young people in the Church. Both Boys' Brigade and Girls' Brigade mounted a 'Guard of Honour' at her funeral in recognition of her work among young people.

In 1996 as part of the 18^th. Birthday celebrations of the Company, new Company Colours were bought at a cost of £400 by fund raising and donations. In 1998 a Friends' Association was formed, which, by their efforts the Company was able to buy a much needed Minibus. The minibus was replaced by a much newer model in 2005. The Company celebrated it's 21^st. Birthday in January 2003 and hosted a party for boys and young men of the Company and former members which culminated in a Thanks Giving Service that was attended by so many people the Church was packed to capacity.

Parties, Church Services, Camps and Competitions alike, the work of The Boys' Brigade 1^st. Lye Company continues week by week with a group of dedicated Officers, staff, boys and young men, all learning from one another what the BB is all about. We aim to stick to the words of the BB object like glue, because the BB object is The Boys' Brigade.

Brigade history

The Boys' Brigade is oldest uniformed youth organisation in the world and was founded in Glasgow, Scotland by Sir William Smith in 1883. Please see the links below for a history of the Boys' Brigade within the United Kingdom and across the world.

• Click here for Wikipedia's International history
• Click here for BBUK's history page