15 October 2024
“When you get connected to Girls’ Brigade, you’re in!” says Joan McGregor who got roped into the organisation when her daughters joined. Decades later, she is still there volunteering and participating in empowering new generations of girls.
Fond memories of mischief, competitions, summer camps and laughter punctuated the service celebrating the 90th anniversary of Girls’ Brigade in the Leeds District and the 50th anniversary of Girls’ Brigade in Drighlington in the Drighlington Methodist Church with more than forty people of all ages in attendance.
Revd Gill Newton, Chair of the Sheffield Methodist District and National Chaplain for Girls’ Brigade England and Wales, joined Girls’ Brigade when she was twelve. After becoming a presbyter, she became chaplain to two local companies in the Barnsley Circuit and then to the Greater Manchester District before becoming a Girls’ Brigade trustee. Girls’ Brigade’s leadership then allowed her a short break before asking her to become their National Chaplain – that was about ten years ago.
At the service, Gill offered her reflections and said: “I like to imagine that Girls’ Brigade groups have punched holes in the darkness for many girls and young women. Girls’ Brigade has helped to push back the darkness and I pray that the organisation will continue in ways appropriate to our times.”
How Girls’ Brigades change lives
Enid Wood, Vice-President of the Girls’ Brigade in Leeds, has been involvedfor 64 years. She experienced the summer camps with paillasses and no tents and enjoys helping the girls. Society has changed and Enid believes that “Girls’ Brigade needs to move with the times and technology. We have to use these new tools and provide excellent guidance.”
Margaret Newton, whose family has been entangled with the history of Girls’ Brigade and Boys’ Brigade in the area is the local chaplain for Girls’ Brigade in Drighlington. “At the moment, we have about 19 to 22 girls, and 6 leaders. We're quite a big company and we meet together in the district and have competitions”.
For Julie Roper, District Team Leader and the event’s organiser, Girls’ Brigade bring “Life skills, friendship and an additional family.” Beverly, another Leader who joined with her daughter and never left, adds, “It's rewarding to see how the girls develop through their life in Girls’ Brigade.”
The young generation is as enthusiastic and committed to Girls’ Brigade – they also benefit from WIFI at the summer camps! For Jess, Girls’ Brigade is important because it’s a safe space. “We know we will have fun and won’t be judged. We are a family and it’s good to know we can be ourselves and not worry.”
Gabby adds, “Girls’ Brigade is particularly important in our society with social media. Girls’ Brigade teaches people valuable lessons and life stories that help young girls to be down to earth and grow up.”
Both teenagers are among the three teenagers in the Yorkshire West Methodist District working towards the Queens’ Award – a challenge for 15 to 23 years old to serve and grow in faith. They have also been chosen to receive an award at the Old Bailey in a few days for their volunteering for Coffee Pot Memory Café Drighlington and the Memusi Foundation in Kenya, where both families volunteered last summer.