The Boys’ Brigade has been privileged to have Her Majesty as our Patron throughout her reign and it is fitting that in celebration of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee four young men, representing the four nations of the United Kingdom, will convey the loyal greetings of the Brigade to Her Majesty at Balmoral Castle.

Her Majesty’s reply will be sealed in a Baton and carried by BB members throughout the British Isles using a variety of means to reach London for the annual Council Meetings of the Brigade on 15^th September. The Baton was first used in 1935 when the Brigade conveyed it message to Her Majesty’s grandfather King George V on the occasion of his Silver Jubilee and later in 1951 to King George VI in celebration of the “Festival of Britain”.

The Baton will first travel through Scotland before being conveyed by Ferry to Northern Ireland. Having been carried throughout the Province it will cross into the Republic of Ireland and then fly to Newcastle to begin its journey through England and Wales.

The Baton was passed  through Halifax and handed to the Mayor of Calderdale on Saturday 1^st September who passed it to the members of the Halifax Boys’ Brigade at Carlton United Reformed Church.

From there, the Baton travelled on the 5^th Elland BB Mini bus to Uppermill where the Halifax lads handed it over to the Chairman of Saddleworth Parish Council Councillor Brian Lord and his Lady Councillor Pat Lord who then handed it to members of the Oldham Battalion.

The Baton Relay marks the start of the Boys’ Brigades’ Ten Percent in 2012 Campaign, a campaign to increase by 10% by the end of the year. You will be able to find pictures of the Baton Relay on www.halifaxbb.co.uk