Boys' Brigade

The Boys Brigade - 8th Ayr Company

The Company has been at St James since 1902 and to commemorate our Centenary in 2002, we marked the occasion with the dedication of our new Colours. The Company at present has good numbers of boys attending which indicates that we offer a good and varied programme for boys.   

The Company meets on Friday nights (September – April) at St James Church Hall. There are three sections – Anchor Boys, Junior Section and Company Section. Details of the three sections are as follows. 

ANCHOR BOYS (6pm – 7pm)

This is for boys in Primary One and Two (ages 6 – 8). The Programme for boys is based on fun activities and includes the Award programme, which if completed successfully, the boys receive a badge at the end of the session (first year – red, second year – blue). Their uniform consists of a Blue Polo Shirt and Red Sweatshirt. The leader of the Anchor boys is Miss Gillian Mackie who has over 20 years of experience working with boys. She is assisted by a number of experienced and younger members of staff. The highlight of the session is attending the Battalion Anchor Boys Games Afternoon, at which the boys take part in various fun activities. 

 JUNIOR SECTION (7pm – 8.15pm)

This is for boys in Primaries 4, 5 & 6 (ages 8 – 11). The Programme for the boys is based on a wide range of activities and includes the Award programme. A first year boy will gain 2 badges (target & bronze), second year (silver) and third year (gold). Their uniform consists of a Blue Polo Shirt and Royal Blue Sweatshirt. The Leader of the Junior Section is Mr Stuart Hyslop (Company Captain) who has over 20 years of experience working with boys. He is assisted by a number of other staff members. The Junior Section take part in many Battalion Competitions during the session. They are Bible Quiz, Safety Quiz, Swimming Gala, Figure Marching, Physical, Mime & Drama, 7-a-side Football and Outdoor Day. They also attend the annual Battalion Church Parade & Service. 

 COMPANY SECTION (8.15pm – 10pm)

 This is for boys in Primary 7 and secondary school (ages 11 – 18). The Programme is based on a wide range of activities and includes the Get the Credit Scheme. The first year boys complete their target handbook and receive the target badge. In second, third and fourth years they start their other badgework. In their fifth year they will complete the work for the President’s Badge and then ultimately work for the Queen’s Badge in their last two years. The Queen’s Badge is the highest honour in the Brigade and is a reward for all the hard work and dedication over a good number of years. Once the boys complete their Queen’s Badge they are then encouraged to become Young Leaders on the Company.  

 The Company Section uniform is a Blue Polo Shirt and Navy Blue Sweatshirt or a Blue Shirt and Tie. The Leader of the Company Section is Mr Andrew Gordon who has over 10 years of experience working with boys. They also enter Battalion Competitions which include Bible Quiz, Swimming Gala, Target Drill, Squad Drill, Gymnastics, Cross Country, 7-a-side Football, Basketball and Volleyball. They also attend the annual Battalion Church Parade & Service.