Boys’ Brigade Celebrates 110th Anniversary This Year

The Boys’ Brigade of Jamaica, in celebration of its 110th anniversary this year, held a weekend of festivities in Brown’s Town, St. Ann from October 22 to 24.Activities started on Friday (Oct. 22) with an opening ceremony at the Brown’s Town car park. The boys were transported by bus from King’s House in Kingston and alighted from the vehicle on the edge of the town, then marched from there to the car park.
On arrival at the car park, the message proclaiming the weekend of activities was handed over to Radcliff Walters, Custos Rotulorum for the Parish and Past Brigader, who read it.
Mr. Walters also congratulated the Boys’ Brigade for its work over the years to provide young men with training in the religion skills, art and craft, music and first aid and imparting a high level of discipline.
“The object of the Boys’ Brigade is the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among boys and the promotion of habits of obedience, reverence, discipline, self respect and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness,” he stated.
He further noted that character building was the “heart beat” of the Boys’ Brigade adding that the organisation “afforded young men the opportunity to become role models with standards and traits that could be imitated.”
Mr. Walters also congratulated the officers on the work they had been doing with young boys in Jamaica and further encouraged the Brigaders to strive for excellence, as they were being empowered to become the future leaders of the country.
Other activities on the weekend included a camp at the Brown’s Town High School on Saturday (Oct. 23) where some 250 boys participated in sporting events and a talent concert.
On Sunday (Oct. 24), a special service was held at the Brown’s Town Baptist Church, after which there was a march through the town to end the weekend of celebrations.