Groups
Girls Brigade
Contact details:
Sarah Marks, Captain
0121 246 7884 – Evenings
Web site http://www.girlsbrigadeew.org.uk
We are a uniformed, Christian organisation for girls. We meet on Thursdays at Lyndon Methodist Church, Solihull during term time at the following times
Explorers (ages 4-8) 5.45 – 7.00
Juniors (ages 8-11) 7.00 – 8.15
Seniors (ages 11-14) 7.30 – 9.00
Brigaders (ages 14+) 7.30 – 9.00
Our fees are £1.20 per week (free first week), which pays for insurance, badges and equipment.
We are very well supported by our Minister and Chaplain, Rev. Julia Monaghan who can often be seen popping into to say ‘hello.’ We have a uniformed Church Attendance on the second Sunday in the month and we actively encourage all girls to attend these. Julia ensures that these services are lively and always geared around children and young people.
Girls Brigade operates a badge system which consists of Spiritual, Physical, Educational and Service badges each year. A pin on badge is gained for each of these, then at the end of the year the pin badges are swapped for a woven badge to go on an armband. Subjects for theses include cookery, craft, Bible Drama, pets and many many more.
We have also just introdued a new programme to follow for the seniors and brigaders, this is very up-to-date with the now generation. We do lots of craft throughout the year to celebrate Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Easter, Christmas etc.
We plan lots of activities and events each year and these include events held on Thursdays such as bowling and fun evenings and also weekend events which include Drayton Manor, Swimming Galas, Indoor Camping weekends and Fun Days for Explorers. We also hold annual Awards evenings and a joint Girls Brigade/Boys Brigade Display at Lyndon School, in which everyone plays a very important part!
For girls approaching the age of 14, we run the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and we are proud to boast many Gold Award holders within our company. This scheme is run alongside our badge system on Thursdays and includes weekends away camping and days orienteering.
Our uniform is worn each Thursday evening and also at official Girls Brigade events. Uniform is ordered through ourselves from our Headquarters; however, we suggest girls settle in before purchasing one.
We have a total of 7 Officers and 2 auxiliaries within the company – all of whom give much of their spare time to help. Three of our Officers are newly qualified and have been members of the company since the Explorer section.
We are a friendly bunch – there is no waiting list, just pop down on any Thursday! We look forward to seeing you.
GB Gossip - The latest Girls Brigade Newsletter FEBRUARY 2011
Fundraising Evening
Once again, the animal man will be visiting us with another exciting selection of animals, however, to raise money we also will be holding a Coffee, Cake and Cards evening.
The Animal Man will be with us between 6.30 and 8pm and the charge will be £2 to anyone wishing to watch in the Hall. The Card Lady will be bringing an exceptional selection of beautiful cards from Phoenix Trading (starting at just £1) and will be with us from 6.30pm—8pm.
Coffee, cakes and biscuits will be served throughout this time.
Please, please come and support us—pop in while you’re dropping off or collecting
Subscriptions
Our annual returns (insurance) is nearly upon us and we are faced with having to pay approximately £1200 for our company. In order to try to build up money for next year’s fees and to pay towards the heating and lighting we use in the Church premises, we have no choice but to increase the subscriptions paid by each girl.
Therefore, as from Thursday 28th April, subs will increase to the following:
Explorers and Juniors—£1.50
Seniors and Brigaders—£2
We hope you will support us in this.
Uniform
A reminder!
Uniform should consist of the following
for all Sections:
Black Trousers (not grey or leggings)
GB Hoody
GB Section Tshirt
Please note that we will not come out of uniform for the summer but GB Tshirts may be worn with shorts in the hot weather.
dates for your diary
February
10th Fundraising Evening
13th Church Parade / D of E Training 1.30pm Lyndon
24th Half Term—No GB
March
10th Bible Reading Relay
13th Church Parade
18th JOINT GB / BB DISPLAY—all to take part!
7.15 Lyndon School
April
6th Battalion Band Competition
7th Company Easter Service in the Hall—all welcome!
9-11th Duke of Edinburgh TBC
10th Church Parade
14th Easter Break—No GB
21st Easter Break—No GB
28th Return to GB
May
7th West Midlands Band Competitions
June
25-26 Juniors Earlswood
July
Seniors and Brigaders Earlswood TBA
September
23-25 Company Earlswood
Bible Reading Relay
This will take place from the 10th to the 13th March and will be a continuous reading of the Bible. Our slot will be between 7.30 and 9pm and the Bible will be read in groups or by individuals. This will be a sponsored event in aid of Solihull Life Opportunities (people with learning difficulties). If you would like a 10 minute slot to read a part of the bible, please speak to Sarah.
CAPTAIN’S COMMENTS
Following our recent meeting, we’re starting to plan our activities—keep your eyes peeled on the dates above and get them in your diaries! Please do take note of the Annual Display as EVERY girl will be
taking part and I am sure they will appreciate you being there to watch them.
2nd Solihull Girls Brigade Company
Captain – Sarah Marks