About Us

We are a uniformed organisation for young people aged between 5 and 18. We belong to the Boys’ Brigade, which was the world’s first such organisation founded in 1883 some 25 years before the Scouts. The Boys’ Brigade is also one of the UK’s largest Christian youth organisation with over 60,000 members. It’s object 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”.

The 1st Cheam Company was founded in 1924 as a Boys’ Life Brigade company. It became part of The Boys’ Brigade when the two organisations amalgamated in 1926 . The company designation has changed three times over the years with the development of the Brigade in the area. It has been known as the 3rd Sutton and the 3rd Mid-Surrey Company at different times. It reassumed its original name when the Mid-Surrey Battalion merged with the Kingston & Merton Battalion to form the Kingston, Merton and Mid-Surrey Battalion in 1996.

Despite the changes of name (and even organisation), the Company has maintained its continuity and its association with Cheam Baptist Church throughout its history. It provides an interesting programme of activities for boys and over the last few years has included girls in all its activities.

Since 2010, the Company has run a non-uniformed Amicus group for young people aged 15-19, alongside its Senior Section, following a common programme with Seniors. This allows young people who have no Brigade background to enjoy all the activities the Brigade offers, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, without having to wear uniform.