On Monday 9^th May 2005 the Borders Battalion of the Boys’ Brigade were presented with new Colours in a special service in Old Parish and St. Paul’s Church, Galashiels. The guest of honour was John Neil OBE, who is the National President of the Boys’ Brigade. Over 400 boys, staff, parents and friends packed the Church for the colourful and moving ceremony, which began with a Bugle General Salute.

Battalion President, Rory Campbell, welcomed everyone, introducing Mr. Neil before the Battalion Chaplain Rev. Haisley Moore led the worship.

The old Colours were carried into the church by a Colour Party from 3^rd and 4^th Galashiels. These were accepted by Rev. Leslie Steel, Minister of Old Parish and St. Paul’s, who received them for safe custody.

The Battalion prizes for the year were presented by Mr. Neil including 9 President’s badge certificates. In Mr. Neil’s address he spoke of his time in the Boys’ Brigade and the work he now carried out.

The Colours were then presented to a Colour Party from 1^st and 2^nd Galashiels who paraded them round the Church and out into the BB chapel where they will be on permanent display.

The new Colours were then dedicated by Rev. Steel. The Queen’s Colour had been donated by the Hayward Trust of Galashiels and represented by Mr. A.P. Dorward.  The Battalion Colour had been donated by the John and Mary Elliot Memorial Trust and represented by Avril Brunton and Scott Elliot. These were received by a Colour Party from 1^st Langholm and 4^th Hawick Companies. After the National Anthem and the Benediction they were slow marched from the church to the tune “Highland Cathedral.”

As a reminder of the occasion every member of the Boys’ Brigade who attended was presented with a special badge commemorating the 150th year since our Founders birth.