75-466: The Bristol Bus Boycott of 1963 arose from the refusal of the Bristol Omnibus Company to employ Black or Asian bus crews in the city of Bristol , England. In line with many other British cities at the time , there was widespread racial discrimination in housing and employment against so-called "Coloureds". An organisation founded by Roy Hackett and led by youth worker Paul Stephenson as
150-491: A colour bar , denying employment to non-white bus crews resulted in a 60-day boycott , led by youth worker Paul Stephenson . After a bitter campaign the company finally climbed down and started to employ black and Asian crews in September of that year. The 1960s and 1970s were years of declining bus usage, and the company struggled to make profits in the face of rising costs and falling revenues. Successive governments changed
225-618: A BB Company, but met at different times to train in scouting, who wore khaki or blue uniforms, neck scarves and the distinctive four dented broad brimmed fur felt hats. Boys of the Bournemouth & Poole Battalion of The Boys' Brigade participated in Baden-Powell's experimental camp on Brownsea Island in 1907. Baden-Powell did not originally intend to start a separate organisation. Many Boys' Brigade Scouts later made dual registration with The Boy Scouts Association . The 1st Bournemouth Scouts
300-503: A Company, Battalion, or Church event; and had good attendance for the session. The Discover programme includes the President's Badge, the requirements for which remain similar to those laid out in the 'Get the Credit' scheme. Including a 'Building Your Skills' Course See images and logos at boys-brigade.org.uk. The award scheme for Seniors (16- to 18-year-olds), is called Challenge Plus, and
375-472: A common series. In 1941, Bristol was heavily bombed in the blitz. Losses included the main power station resulting in the last of Bristol's trams ceasing operation, and from then on the company only operated buses and coaches – although it kept the Bristol Tramways name for some years. After World War II , the new Attlee government took steps to nationalise much of the country's transport industry. As
450-475: A hall. In later years they took to canvas camping on a site at Portavadie in the Kyles of Bute . The First Glasgow continued to attend summer camp at the same location until the summer of 1974 when Portavadie was selected as the location of a proposed yard for the construction of oil production platforms. However the new camp is located only 100 yards away at Stilliag farm. This camp site is now used by many companies of
525-404: A joint undertaking between the company and the corporation which controlled Bristol's city buses (and initially also its trams) until 1978. The difference between the two operations was not generally apparent to the public as the same livery was used, differing only in the fleetname detail. Furthermore, there were regular loans of vehicles between the two organisations, and the fleet was numbered in
600-588: A programme about the boycott. Unite , the successor to the Transport and General Workers Union, issued an apology in February 2013. Laurence Faircloth, the union's South West secretary said of the union's stance at the time, "It was completely unacceptable. I can well accept the sense of injustice and pain that has been felt because [of] what happened in Bristol all those years ago". In the 2009 New Year Honours , Stephenson
675-533: A protest march to the bus station and the local headquarters of the TGWU on 1 May, which attracted heckling from bus crews as they passed through the city centre, according to the local press. Local MP Tony Benn (Labour) contacted then Labour Opposition leader Harold Wilson , who spoke out against the colour bar at an Anti-Apartheid Movement rally in London. On 2 May, local Labour Party Alderman Henry Hennessey spoke of
750-689: A representative body. One of their foremost grievances was the colour bar operated by the Bristol Omnibus Company, which had been a nationalised company owned by the UK Government since 1950 and operated through the Transport Holding Company . Although there was a reported labour shortage on the buses, black prospective employees were refused employment offers as bus crews, although they were employed in lower paid positions in workshops and in canteens. The Bristol Evening Post and
825-598: A result, in 1948 the Tilling Group sold its bus interests to the government, and Bristol Tramways became a state-owned company, under the control of the British Transport Commission . Its chassis-building operation proved especially useful and, with the nationalisation of Eastern Coach Works of Lowestoft , enabled complete buses, coaches (and even some lorry tractor-units for British Road Services and two railbuses for British Railways ) to be built solely for
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#1732845019571900-586: A small group of West Indians professing to be representative. We also deplore the apparent fact that social and economic fears on the part of some white people should have placed the Bristol Bus Company in a position where it is most difficult to fulfil the Christian ideal of race relations. This in turn was criticised by Robert Davison, an official at the Jamaican High Commission, who stated that it
975-565: A variety of activities in the areas of Body, Mind, Spirit, Community, and Creativity. The Anchors award structure was revamped in 2020 and now have the following badges available: Anchors Membership Award, Core Awards of Yellow Award, Green Award, Blue Award and the Red Award. The Juniors award scheme was revised in 2004 and members of the section can now gain the Junior Target Award, followed by Bronze, Silver and Gold awards, by completing
1050-465: A variety of activities in the areas of Body, Mind, Spirit, Community, and Creativity. The Juniors award structure was revamped again in 2020 and now have the following badges available, Juniors Membership Award, Core awards of Bronze, Silver and Gold, and Project Awards of Get Active, Get Adventurous, Get Creative, Get Into The Bible, Get Involved and Get Learning. The Leading Boy/Girl Badges have also been replaced by Team Leader. This structure also sees
1125-416: 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." Except for the addition of the word "obedience" in 1893, the contents of the object has remained unchanged from the beginning. However, some countries, particularly those which permit girls on their membership roll, have re-worded
1200-679: Is slightly different from that of the normal boy or NCO, they will still wear a blue shirt. If caps are worn, the BB Anchor is used with no coloured surround. Their rank is denoted with an armband on the right forearm with four inverted chevrons (similar to the rank badge historically worn by senior grades of sergeant in the British Army). Each section within the Boys' Brigade has awards that can be gained by fulfilling achievements. The Anchors can gain three badges: Green, Red and Blue triangles by completing
1275-690: The Western Daily Press ran series on the colour bar, which was blamed by company management on the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU), which represented bus workers. Local union officials denied that there was any colour bar but in 1955 the Passenger Group of the TGWU had passed a resolution that "coloured" workers should not be employed as bus crews. Andrew Hake, curator of the Bristol Industrial Mission, recalled that "The TGWU in
1350-694: The British military during the Second World War and some who had emigrated to the UK more recently. A large number of West Indians lived in the area around City Road in St Pauls , suffered discrimination in housing and employment and some encountered violence from Teddy Boy gangs of white youths. The community set up their own churches and associations, including the West Indian Association, which began to act as
1425-693: The Church Lads' and Church Girls' Brigade ), the pacifist Boys' Life Brigade (formed 1899 by the National Sunday School Union with strongest support amongst non-conformist churches), the Girls' Brigade, the Girls' Life Brigade, Bolton Boys' Brigade, Catholic Boys' Brigade (1894), Baptist Boys' Brigade and the Jewish Lads' Brigade (1895), inspiring a whole brigade movement. The object of the Boys Brigade
1500-778: The City Line brand from 1985. In September 1987, the company was sold to Midland Red West , another privatised bus company which had been bought by its management the year before. In April 1988, Midland Red West was itself sold to Badgerline, returning the two parts of the former company to common ownership. Bristol Omnibus was included in the June 1995 merger of Badgerline with GRT Group to form FirstBus . The Bristol Omnibus name had fallen out of operational use for some time, as FirstBus rolled out its corporate identity to its subsidiaries. Bristol Omnibus Company eventually changed its legal name to First Bristol Buses Limited in 1999. The company
1575-593: The Forest of Dean . The 1950s were the peak years of the company's operations. It ran over 1,200 buses in an area stretching from Hereford to Salisbury and from Oxford to Bridgwater . From 1950 (when the company acquired the independent Dundry Pioneer), until 1966 (when the Severn Bridge opened and Red & White started routes to Bristol), the company had a total monopoly of bus operations in Bristol, Bath, North Somerset and much of Gloucestershire. On 1 January 1955,
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#17328450195711650-771: The Great Western Railway , but by 1932 the railway sold its interest to the Western National Omnibus Company , half owned by the GWR and half by the Tilling Group . In 1932, the railway transferred some of its bus services to the company, in the Swindon and Weston-super-Mare areas and the service between Cheltenham and Oxford . In 1930, the company sold its taxicab operations, which it had run since 1887, first with horses and from 1910 with motors. Outside Bristol
1725-558: The High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago . The Bristol Bus Boycott was considered by some to have been influential in the passing of the Race Relations Act 1965 which made "racial discrimination unlawful in public places" and the Race Relations Act 1968 , which extended the provisions to employment and housing. Bristol in the early 1960s had an estimated 3,000 residents of West Indian origin, some of whom had served in
1800-581: The United Kingdom , becoming a worldwide organisation by the early 1890s. As of 2018, the Boys' Brigade claimed 750,000 members in 60 countries. The BB inspired the formation of other similar brigade organisations serving particular denominations, regions, genders, ideals, other religions or even individual churches, such as the Church Lads' Brigade (1891), London Diocesan Lads' Brigade and Church Girls' Brigade (all Church of England and later amalgamated into
1875-536: The apartheid system in South Africa and asked what trade union leaders were doing to counteract racism in their own ranks. When reporters questioned the bus company about the boycott, the general manager, Ian Patey, said The advent of coloured crews would mean a gradual falling off of white staff. It is true that London Transport employ a large coloured staff. They even have recruiting offices in Jamaica and they subsidise
1950-723: The BB every summer for their camping trip. The initial reservations towards camping did not last. A tradition developed, where the boys who were marching home on the last day of camp would be greeted by cheers from residents and were each presented with a bouquet of flowers. Camps soon became one of the most anticipated events in the year and early publications of the Boys' Brigade Gazette contained many accounts of camping experiences. Sir William Smith's plans and notes for his first camps have been preserved, and have been used by many other campers. Age groups are typically based on school years, so boys in
2025-577: The Bristol Cab Company to form the Bristol Tramways & Carriage Company. In 1887, the company began a horse-bus service to Clifton , and later started several more horse-bus services to complement the tramways. In 1892, the Imperial Tramways Company moved its headquarters from London to Bristol. White and the senior management team of Bristol Tramways also ran Imperial Tramways, though they remained separate companies. In 1895,
2100-557: The Bristol Omnibus Company's parent, the Transport Holding Company and persuaded them to send officials to talk with the union. The company chairman told Constantine that racial discrimination was not company policy. Negotiations between the bus company and the union continued for several months until a mass meeting of 500 bus workers agreed on 27 August to end the colour bar. On 28 August 1963, Ian Patey announced that there would be no more discrimination in employing bus crews. It
2175-758: The British Empire and the United States, with 10,000 officers and 100,000 boys. Companies of The Boys' Brigade used manuals on scout training in their programmes. In May 1903, Robert Baden-Powell became a vice-president. Baden-Powell promoted the idea of scouting and outdoor pursuits in the Boys' Brigade and other boys' organisations and schools. The Boys' Brigade formally began its boy scout scheme in 1906. Scout badges (Silver second class & Gold first class) were awarded in The Boys' Brigade and there were specialised Boys' Brigade Scout sections, which operated as part of
2250-521: The Founder's Badge, although these countries are members of the Commonwealth. President's badge is the second highest award in the senior section, it is also a requirement for members before undertaking the highest award which is Founder's badge. The title of Founder's Man and President's Man are held for life, recognizing all rounds of excellence in their service. The Badge itself may be worn while serving as
2325-638: The National Bus Company split the operation in two, with the Cheltenham & Gloucester Omnibus Company taking the services in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud and Swindon. The remainder stayed with the existing Bristol Omnibus Company divided into two business units: Citybus services for services within Bristol, and Bristol Country Bus for services in Bath, Somerset and Wiltshire. In April 1985, Bristol Country Bus
Bristol Bus Boycott - Misplaced Pages Continue
2400-618: The State sector. The new regime resulted in some rationalisation of the company's area of operations. Two other companies, Red & White and Western National , both also now state-owned, ran buses in the Stroud area of Gloucestershire, and those operations were transferred to Bristol Tramways in 1950. The company was also given control of Cheltenham District Traction, originally a Red & White operation, which ran local bus services in Cheltenham. In return, Bristol Tramways gave up its bus operations in
2475-506: The action. The local branch of the TGWU refused to meet with a delegation from the West Indian Development Council and an increasingly bitter war of words was fought out in the local media. Ron Nethercott, South West Regional Secretary of the union, persuaded a local black TGWU member, Bill Smith, to sign a statement which called for quiet negotiation to solve the dispute. It condemned Stephenson for causing potential harm to
2550-472: The anchor to form the current emblem. The cross originally formed part of emblem of the Boys' Life Brigade. The BB Vesper is a prayer sung after every BB meeting. Every BB Boy and Officer is expected to know how to sing it. Lyrics: Great God who knowest all our need Bless Thou our watch and guard our sleep. Forgive our sins of thoughts and deed, And in Thy peace Thy servants keep. We thank Thee for
2625-439: The apparent collusion between bus company management and the TGWU over the colour bar. On 3 May, the ruling Labour Group on the city council threatened him with expulsion, despite his honourable service of over forty years. Tony Benn, Fenner Brockway and former cricketer Learie Constantine also condemned the bus company. Constantine was then serving as High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago . Constantine wrote letters to
2700-452: The articulate Stephenson would be their spokesman. Stephenson set up a test case to prove the colour bar existed by arranging an interview with the bus company for Guy Bailey, a young warehouseman and Boys' Brigade officer. When Stephenson told the company that Bailey was West Indian, the interview was cancelled. Inspired by the refusal of Rosa Parks to give up her seat on a bus in Alabama and
2775-725: The boys would have gained all five badges with both red and blue flashes. This enabled the boys to attend a Leadership Training Course and potentially attain the President's Badge. This is a necessary prerequisite for the Brigade's highest award – the King's Badge. The current award scheme for 11- to 15-year-olds, called Discover, was launched in August 2007. The award scheme is built around three 'zones': Community; Recreation; and Skills. Badges may be gained at four Levels in each zone, 1 through 4. Having spent two hours working on topics relevant to each of
2850-591: The building of Bristol Fighters at the Tramways Brislington Works during World War I. In 1928, the company acquired control of another Bristol company, Greyhound Motors , which had started the first long-distance coach service between Bristol and London in 1925. The company continued to operate its coach services under the Greyhound name until 1972. In 1929, the White family sold its controlling interest to
2925-651: The bus company and Stephenson and spoke out against the colour bar to reporters when he attended the cricket match between the West Indies and Gloucestershire at the County Ground , which took place from 4 to 7 May. The West Indies team refused to publicly support the boycott, saying that sport and politics did not mix. During the game, local members of the Campaign Against Racial Discrimination (CARD) distributed leaflets urging spectators to support
3000-624: The bus manufacturing operation was separated into another company, Bristol Commercial Vehicles Limited. In 1957, Bristol Tramways finally recognised reality and changed its name to the Bristol Omnibus Company Limited. The company opened Bristol bus station in Marlborough Street in 1958, and Bath bus station in Manvers Street in the same year. In 1963, the company attracted national attention when its operation of
3075-482: The city had said that if one black man steps on the platform as a conductor, every wheel will stop". Some white conductresses expressed concern for their safety if they were crewed with black men. Another of the bus workers' concerns, apart from racism , was that a new competitive source of labour could reduce their earnings. Pay was low and workers relied on overtime to get a good wage. One shop steward said, "people were fearful of an influx of people from elsewhere (on
Bristol Bus Boycott - Misplaced Pages Continue
3150-630: The city's Black and Asian population. Nethercott launched an attack on Stephenson in the Daily Herald newspaper, calling him dishonest and irresponsible. This led to a libel case in the High Court , which awarded Stephenson damages and costs in December 1963. The Bristol Council of Churches launched a mediation attempt, saying We seriously regret that what may prove an extended racial conflict arising from this issue has apparently been deliberately created by
3225-763: The company began to operate electric trams, and in 1906 introduced motor buses on the route between the Centre and Clifton. Rapid expansion of its bus services followed, in both Bristol and the surrounding country areas. The company opened branches in Bath in 1909, Weston-super-Mare in 1910, Cheltenham in 1912 and Gloucester in 1913. In 1912 the company also bought the Clifton Rocks Railway , which closed in 1934. After World War I more branches were opened in Swindon (1921), Wells (1922) and Coleford (1924). The company
3300-488: The company had operated a mostly rural bus network, but in 1936 the company took over the city bus services in Gloucester and later that year took over the two companies operating trams and buses in the city of Bath, including Bath Electric Tramways Company . In Bristol, the corporation had the power to purchase the Bristol tramways. The option was never exercised, but led in 1937 to the formation of Bristol Joint Services,
3375-575: The day that’s done, We trust Thee for the days to be. Thy love we learn in Christ Thy Son, O may we all His glory see. Amen. The Boys' Brigade was founded in Glasgow by Sir William Alexander Smith on 4 October 1883 to develop Christian manliness by the use of a semi-military discipline and order, gymnastics, summer camps and religious services and classes. By 1910, there were about 2200 companies connected with different churches throughout
3450-516: The ensuing Montgomery bus boycott in the United States in 1955, the activists decided on a bus boycott in Bristol. Their action was announced at a press conference on 29 April 1963. The following day, they claimed that none of the city's West Indians were using the buses and that many white people supported them. In an editorial, the Bristol Evening Post pointed out that the TGWU opposed
3525-524: The fares to Britain of their new coloured employees. As a result of this, the amount of white labour dwindles steadily on the London Underground. You won't get a white man in London to admit it, but which of them will join a service where they may find themselves working under a coloured foreman? ... I understand that in London, coloured men have become arrogant and rude, after they have been employed for some months. Students from Bristol University held
3600-452: The grounds it) would be reducing their earnings potential". Four young West Indian men, Roy Hackett, Owen Henry, Audley Evans and Prince Brown, formed an action group, later to be called the West Indian Development Council. They were unhappy with the lack of progress in fighting discrimination by the West Indian Association. Owen Henry had met Paul Stephenson, whose father was from West Africa, and who had been to college. The group decided that
3675-691: The introduction of a "Nights Away" badge and can be awarded at 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 75 & 100 nights. This continues from the Junior Section through to the Company and Senior Sections. Under the old 'Get the Credit' Scheme, Company Section members could gain one Target badge first (reduced from the required two in an award reorganisation a few years ago, though Target Two could still be completed as an optional extra), then five other badges (Interests, Adventure, Leadership, Physical and Community) with red and blue flashes around them. After about three years,
3750-487: The juniors were called 'The Life Boys'. The name came from the fact that the junior reserve of The Boys' Life Brigade had been known as 'Lifeboys' (all one word). The Life Boys remained as the 'Junior Reserve of the BB until 1966 when the name was changed to 'The Junior Section'. Drawing from his military experience, William Smith (Knighted in 1909) introduced the concept of camping into the Brigade to allow boys and officers to remain in contact when other activities ceased for
3825-415: The latter word. Today, some parts of the movement (only the UK and the Republic of Ireland ) have adopted the modern spelling of "steadfast", whilst all others continue to use the older spelling. The crest was originally a plain anchor, bearing the BB motto with a capital 'B' on either side. Upon the merger between the Boys' Brigade and the Boys' Life Brigade in 1926, the red Greek cross was placed behind
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#17328450195713900-432: The military and weapons drill used in the BB. The merger prompted the abandonment of weapons and dummy drill rifles that had been used in the BB, due to the Life Brigade's objections to use of weapons or their representations. The BB anchor badge was altered to include a red cross of the Boys' Life Brigade. Prior to the amalgamation in 1926, the junior organisation of the BB was called 'The Boy Reserves' but after amalgamation
3975-407: The next 12-month period. In subsequent 12-month periods, members will work to gain Levels 2, 3, and 4 of each badge. During a member's second year in Company Section they may gain the Discovery Badge, provided they have: gained a badge in all three zones within the last 12 months; completed an additional 6 hours work in any of the zones; taken part in a residential experience; played an active role in
4050-416: The object for gender neutrality. For example, in Malaysia, the word "manliness" has been changed to "character". When designing the Brigade's motto and crest, William Smith referred directly to Hebrews 6:19 in the King James Version of the Bible, "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast...". From this verse came the BB motto, "Sure and Stedfast", retaining the old spelling of
4125-441: The officers and other adult helpers with organising activities and awards classes, particular in the Anchors and Juniors sections. NCOs wear chevrons on their upper right arm. Staff Sergeants act within the company as officers and do not stand in the ranks; however as Staff Sergeants are boys of the Brigade, they can still partake in company activities and competitions, and still earn awards and badges. The uniform of Staff Sergeants
4200-434: The original Boys' Brigade Scout units continue as 1st Parkstone Scout Group and 1st Hamworthy Scout Group, both formerly sub units of the 1st Poole Boys Brigade. In October 1926, The BB united with The Boys' Life Brigade. The Boys' Life Brigade had been formed in 1899, as a pacifist alternative to the BB, by the National Sunday School Union and was strongest amongst non-conformist churches. It substituted first aid drill for
4275-402: The personal papers of George White (Ref. 35810) ( online catalogue ). Boys%27 Brigade The Boys' Brigade ( BB ) is an international interdenominational Christian youth organisation , conceived by the Scottish businessman Sir William Alexander Smith to combine drill and fun activities with Christian values. Following its inception in Glasgow in 1883 the BB quickly spread across
4350-480: The rank of Lieutenant only when having completed additional formal training in youth leadership. To avoid unnecessary leader hierarchy, all qualified officers are Lieutenants. The post of Captain of a company is a brevet rank with those in the position reverting to Lieutenant when they cease to be in the position; similarly, other positions such as the company Adjutant (second to the captain) are considered appointments rather than substantive ranks. Boys bearing
4425-399: The rank of Staff-Sergeant are non-commissioned officers but act within the company as Officers. An older boy can gain promotion from Private to become a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO). There are four NCO ranks available, each being awarded when a boy is of a certain minimum age and reaches a high enough standard of leadership: NCOs often play an important role in the Boys' Brigade, helping
4500-488: The same year group would be promoted to the next section together, regardless of the dates of individual boys' birthdays. In some companies, sections may merge or there may be minor variations to the normal age boundaries, to accommodate excessively large or small groups of boys or a lack of leaders. Boys might also move to their next section before the end of the year to allow a smoother transition. Officers company and over Leaders in training are Warrant Officers , attaining
4575-482: The spokesperson of the group which included Owen Henry, Audley Evans, Prince Brown and Guy Bailey and the West Indian Development Council, the boycott of the company's buses by Bristolians lasted for four months until the company backed down and overturned their discriminative colour bar policy. The boycott drew national attention to racial discrimination in Britain and the campaign was supported by national politicians, with interventions being made by church groups and
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#17328450195714650-434: The structure of the state-owned bus sector. On 1 January 1963, Bristol Omnibus Company was included in the transfer of the British Transport Commission's transport assets to the state-owned Transport Holding Company , which in turn passed to the state-owned National Bus Company on 1 January 1969. In 1970, the operations of Western National in the Trowbridge area were transferred to Bristol Omnibus. On 11 September 1983,
4725-444: The summer break. The notion was initially ill-received due to concerns for the boys' safety. A mother has been quoted saying, "Camp! My children have always had a roof over their heads, and as long as I live, always will!". They did have a roof over their heads because William Smith proceeded with the idea and 1st Glasgow Company held its inaugural one-week camp beginning on Friday, 16 July 1886, at Auchinlochan Hall, Tighnabruaich in
4800-427: The three zones (a total of six hours), the member is awarded the Compass Badge. The badge for a zone is gained when the required number of hours have been spent working on topics relevant to that zone (Community – seven hours; Recreation – 10 hours; Skills – 7 hours). A maximum of one badge per zone can be gained in a 12-month period (min 24 hours work). Any additional hours may not be carried over into
4875-446: The water and according to Roy Hackett, they may have feared victimisation. The dispute led to what has been described as one of the largest mailbags that the Bristol Evening Post had ever received, with contributors writing in support of both sides of the issue. The union, the city with his support for the campaign, meeting with the Lord Mayor of Bristol and Frank Cousins , leader of the Transport and General Workers Union. He went to
4950-423: Was "nonsense to describe a group of West Indians as unrepresentative when no representative West Indian body existed". At a May Day rally, held on Sunday 6 May in Eastville , Bristol Trades Council members publicly criticised the TGWU. On the same day Paul Stephenson had organised a demonstration march to St Mary Redcliffe church but there was a poor turnout. Some local West Indians said they should not ripple
5025-439: Was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), for his part in organising the bus boycott ("for services to Equal Opportunities and to Community Relations in Bristol.") Bailey and Hackett were also awarded OBEs. Roy Hackett died in 2022, at the age of 93, and Paul Stephenson died in 2024, aged 87. Bristol Omnibus Company The Bristol Omnibus Company was a dominant bus operator in Bristol , and
5100-534: Was followed by the Race Relations Act 1968 which extended the provisions to housing and employment. The enactment of this legislation has been cited by some as having been influenced by the Bristol bus boycott. Robert Verkaik, Legal Affairs Correspondent for The Independent newspaper, said "Few doubt that without Mr Stephenson's efforts it would have been difficult for Harold Wilson's Labour government to bring in Britain's first anti-discrimination laws." In 2003, as part of Black History Month , BBC Radio 4 broadcast
5175-410: Was launched in time for the start for the 2008/09 Session, and includes the King's Badge. King's Badge is the highest award in the senior section in the UK and the Commonwealth ; it is equivalent to a Founder's Badge. In non-Commonwealth countries, the Founder's Badge is used in place of the King's Badge. However, the Boys' Brigade in Malaysia and the Boys' Brigade in Singapore have chosen to use
5250-426: Was not satisfied with the performance of the first buses it bought, and in 1908 began the manufacture of its own buses. The company soon began to sell its buses to other operators. For 75 years, Bristol buses were widely used in the United Kingdom, and were also exported to many countries. The Bristol scroll logo was adopted from the Bristol Aeroplane Company (a company that had been set up by White) to commemorate
5325-435: Was on the same day that Martin Luther King made his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the March in Washington. On 17 September, Raghbir Singh, a Sikh , became Bristol's first non-White bus conductor. A few days later two Jamaican, one being Norman Samuels, and two Pakistani men joined him. In 1965, the United Kingdom Parliament passed a Race Relations Act , which made "racial discrimination unlawful in public places". This
5400-706: Was one of the oldest bus companies in the United Kingdom. It ran buses over a wide area of Gloucestershire , Somerset , Wiltshire and neighbouring counties. The Bristol Omnibus Company traces its origins to 1875, when George White formed the Bristol Tramways Company and began a horse drawn service in Bristol from Upper Maudlin Street to Blackboy Hill . In 1887 the Bristol Tramways Company merged with
5475-417: Was rebranded as Badgerline and in 1986 its assets were transferred to a separate legal entity and privatised in September 1986 in a management buyout . Also in 1986, the Cheltenham & Gloucester Omnibus Company was sold to its management, trading as Western Travel, who, in 1993, sold it to Stagecoach . The stub of the original company, now confined to city services in and around Bristol, traded under
5550-480: Was renamed again to First Somerset & Avon Limited in 2003, and to First West of England Limited in 2017. Under that name it is now the First company operating in Bristol, Bath, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and West Wiltshire, but it remains the same legal entity incorporated on 1 October 1887. The records of Bristol Omnibus Company are held by Bristol Archives (Ref. 39735) ( online catalogue ), along with
5625-612: Was run by the 1st Bournemouth Boys' Brigade as a 'BP' Scout group and never a 'BB Scout 'Section'. The Boys' Life Brigade, which merged with The Boys' Brigade in 1926, also operated its own boy scouts and was a member organization of the National Peace Scouts with the British Boy Scouts . The Boys' Brigade Scouts continued until 1927. Some former Boys' Brigade Scout units continued independently after 1927 or affiliated with The Boy Scouts' Association or British Boy Scouts. Two of
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