Stedfast Associations operate across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and throughout the world. Their aims are: "to further the aims and object of The Boys' Brigade through a spirit of friendship amongst past and present members, sharing information on the present work at home and overseas, in addition to promoting the continuing effective work of the organisation to the general public."
Many 'old boys', especially those with certain skills acquired when they themselves were boys/officers, decided that they needed to get actively involved within various Stedfast Associations. A key activity for many was to play in a marching band.
The band inaugurated on the 1st July 2000 with former members and serving officers of The Boys' Brigade, in the lower grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, to help celebrate the Millennium and was previously known as the 'London Stedfast Association Bugle Band' or LSABB. They continued to practise and parade under this name until 2010. soon welcoming those with a Girls' Brigade connection and those fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to be closely associated with a member.
Photo credit: David Kemp from the 'Former BB Members website'
On 1st January 2010, the band changed the name to its current one, 'Bugles and Drums of the Stedfast Association' or BADOTSA, in recognition that band members, who all give their time freely, come from all over the United Kingdom and beyond; and they continue to practise and parade, becoming a well-respected marching band.
On the 11th November 2023, the band, sixty plus members strong, made its sixth appearance in the prestigious annual City of London, Lord Mayor's Parade, having previously featured in the same Parade in 2006, 2009, 2014, 2017 and 2021.
Most years the band arranges a short tour, which have taken place in Belgium at Ypres and France at the Somme Battlefield (in 2014), Edinburgh (2016 & 2019), Malta (2018), Guernsey (2015, 2022 and 2025) and parades in Belfast (2017), and Newport, Wales (2019). The band regularly asks members to support their local Girls' & Boys' Brigade bands at parades and events, providing occasional training sessions.
The Ypres Tour 2014 (Photo - B. Newman)
In 2019/20 the Band was formed into a Not for Profit Limited Company. There are currently four Directors, appointed annually. Other officers in the band, are members of the management committee, who help to support the work of BADOTSA.
If you require band/parade information please contact our Adjutant at adjutant@badotsa.co.uk, or for website contact please email info@badotsa.co.uk.