CLCGB.org.uk - Brigade,

Brigade Council

The Brigade is a charity registered as a limited company. The governing body, which is drawn from within and without the Brigade, is the Brigade Council whose members are the trustees. It meets three times a year and is responsible for strategic planning, overseeing the Brigade's finances, appointing salaried staff and approving changes to the Brigade Rules. The Brigade Council is chaired by the Governor who is the de facto chair of the trustees.For more information on the Brigade's structure and organisation, please click on the following link: document Brigade Rules Revised 20 March 2012 .

Current members of the Brigade Council can be found below. Click on their names to find out more about them.

Position Name
Senior Team (Ex-Officio):
 
Governor Andrew Hayday
Deputy Governor Martyn Bedder
Deputy Governor Melvyn Lockhart
Deputy Governor Alan Carter
   
Hon. Treasurer John Smith
Staff Chaplain Father Chris Buckley
   
Regimental COs (Ex-Officio):
 
Durham Derick Jackson
Leicester John Johnson
Manchester Stephen Whitelegg
Ulster John Williams
National Safeguarding Officer Stephen Manning
   
Elected Members:
 
North East  
Elected Representative Derick Jackson
<25 Representative Vacant
   
North West  
Elected Representative Olivia Stewart
Elected Representative Janet Redding
 <25 Representative Nathan Storm
Midlands  
Elected Representative Suzanne Manning
<25 Representative Vacant
   
Wales and South
 
Elected Representative Joan Couzens
<25 Representative Vacanct
   
Ulster  
Elected Representative Thomas Ringland
<25 Representative Sarah Hewitt
   
Co-Opted Members:
 
Historical Group Alan Stewart
Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Richie Clarke
Brigade Clergy Representative Father Chris Buckley
FTOG Representative John Corbishley
Young Person's Representative Gareth Campbell
National Band Lionel Burdett
   
   
   


The Staff and Finance Committee advises the Brigade Council. There are no other standing committees. The Staff and Finance Committee is again chaired by the Governor and consists of the "Senior Team (Ex-Officio)" and a further two nominated members from the Brigade Council (currently Gareth Campbell and Derick Jackson).

Brigade Memorial Garden

The Church Lads' & Church Girls' Brigade Memorial Garden was a project undertaken by members of the Brigade Association. It is located next to the south wall of the Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Its whole aim is summed up in a few simple words which appear on the dedication plaque as follows:

The Brigade Memorial Garden was one of the first memorials to be created after the National Memorial Arboretum was itself opened to the general public. The Garden was dedicated on 22nd June 2002 by the Rt. Reverend Paul Barber, Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Bath and Wells (Bishop Barber is a Vice President of the Brigade Association). Also dedicated during the ceremony was the Lectern Bible which was donated by the Brigade Association for use in the Millennium Chapel in Advent 2001.

In Times of War

It is estimated that around 50,000 Brigade Lads served in the First World War during which, many honours and distinctions were awarded including 21 Victoria Crosses. The Brigade contributed two Service Battalions of the King's Royal Rifle Corps whose members were comprised entirely of past and present members of the Church Lads' Brigade. These were known as Pals Battalions. Sadly, many of these young men were never to return home.

It is not recorded how many Brigade personnel served in the Second World War, nor the honours awarded, but we are aware that an additional Brigade lad received the VC in 1945 posthumously.

Younger Brigade lads also served on the Home Front in both world wars. They worked closely with the Civil Defence organisation and the Fire Brigades while others would support the local authorities by providing bands for moral lifting civic events.

The Girls' side of the movement was also occupied on the Home Front in both world wars, particularly with First Aid, carrying messages and even guiding soldiers through the capital to various railway stations.

More information can be found out about the Brigade's history here.

In Times of Peace

The Brigade is undoubtedly a movement of the twentieth century. Many people have dedicated the whole of their lives to serving the work of the Brigade mainly in times of peace. The Brigade Memorial Garden is also dedicated to such people. It truly is a place to celebrate "the joy of knowing someone special."

Symbolism

Many of the memorials at the Arboretum have some degree of symbolism and the Brigade Memorial Garden is no exception. Its design is the idea of Avril Scott, Emmanuel Gorton CLCGB Company. Having been offered a very rough rectangular plot of land there was much work to be done but, with the help of contractors, the garden was leveled off and block paved pathways now take the form of a Christian cross. It is felt that our garden should represent the past, present and future and we sum it up like this:

  • The Twenty Two Berberis Shrubs - These have been selected to represent the Brigade's military past but more specifically, to represent our 22 Victoria Cross recipients. This is because they are purple and similar in colour to the medal ribbons awarded to most VC recipients. i.e. The colour of valour.
  • The Pathways form a Christian Cross - This represents the Brigade's present path through life. In a sense we all have to walk The Cross.
  • The Two Rowan Trees - These represent the Brigade's future because, as they grow, they will always be greater than the past.

The Two Benches

The garden originally had two rustic benches donated by the London Branch of the Brigade Association but after six years of valuable service these were replaced in 2008 by more modern benches with cast iron end frames complete with the Brigade logo on the end of each bench. The end frames are also painted green to commemorate the uniform worn by the King's Royal Rifle Corps.

It should be noted that the berberis plants are of a variety that will not grow higher than 18 inches. This is to ensure that people sitting on the benches have an unrestricted view over the plants to the rest of the Arboretum. Although the Brigade is a Church of England organisation its Memorial Garden is intended to be a place where people of other Christian denominations and other faiths will feel comfortable and welcome. We feel honoured to have been allocated such a wonderful location, which we see as an extension to the Chapel, effectively its churchyard, where people can sit to relax and contemplate in the normally peaceful surroundings.

The Brigade is grateful to its many sponsors without whom the Brigade Memorial Garden would never have been created.

In recent years, the Brigade has held its own annual Service of Remembrance in the Millennium Chapel and in the Brigade Memorial Garden where wreaths are laid to honour the fallen. Those members of the Brigade family who have passed away in the preceding twelve months are also remembered by the reading of names being added to the Roll of Remembrance. This service takes place on the nearest Saturday to 11th November, which is the anniversary of the opening of the first Brigade Company at St Andrew's Fulham in 1891.

The fun starts here

The Fun Starts Here

The CLCGB is split into 4 sections, the Martins, The Y Team, JTC and the Seniors.

The Martins (for 5-7 year olds)

The Martins is all about developing self-confidence, building friendships, learning new things and having fun. Get your hands dirty with arts and crafts and try out cooking. There are plenty of exciting things for you to do such as:

• Go on outings and visits

• Stories, games, activities, arts and crafts

• Earn badges and awards

• Overnight sleepovers

“We play games, we celebrate things, we write in our books, we play on the computer, we do painting…” Mathew, aged 6.

The Y Team (for 7-10 year olds)

In the Y Team you get new challenges through special events, day trips, camps and holidays. You learn new hobbies, explore other cultures and go on outdoor adventures. The Y Team are about Discovering, Exploring, Helping and Doing

You can earn new activity badges and experience new adventures such as:

• Go on camp with your friends

• Start to learn a musical instrument

• Go on trips such as rock climbing and kayaking

“It feels nice to be part of a group who help each other and are friendly. It makes me feel special.” Maddison, aged 10.

The JTC (for 10-13 year olds)

JTC stands for “Jump to the Challenge”. There are four different sections called Being, Building, Believing and Belonging. You and your friends have more choice in the activities you do. You can get involved in sports, adventures, trips out and helping others.

You can also now:

• Play and march with the National Band. (Most years the National Band play in concerts overseas!)

• Take part in other national events such football and netball competitions

What Is The CLCGB?

What is The Brigade?

The Church Lads' and Church Girls' Brigade (CLCGB), often referred to as 'The Brigade', is The Anglican Churches own uniformed youth organisation: welcoming children and young people of all faiths and none. This organisation has a lot of history and, for over 125 years, The Brigade has been fulfilling its object to extend the kingdom of Christ among lads and girls'.

What is the aim of The Brigade?

Throughout the country young people and children are continuing to enjoy fun, faith, fellowship and, through The Brigade, are learning to be better equipped to cope with the demands that society places upon them. The Brigade creates a caring and safe environment in which friendships between young people and children and adults can be established and helps young people and children to grow in confidence, develop their skills and abilities enabling them to work together and show care and concern for others. We encourage young people and children to explore their spirituality and respond to the Christian faith, and to develop their moral values and a respect for the environment. More details on our aims and objectives can be found here.

Who can join The Brigade?

The Brigade caters for many different age groups. These different age groups are known as 'Sections' and each has a different name. The Martins, named after St. Martin of Tours, is for children aged between 5 and 7 years. The Y Team is for children aged between 7 and 10 years and The JTC is for those aged between 10 and 13. From the age of 13 up until 21, members can join The Seniors.

Although The Brigade is a youth organisation, this does not excluded adults and those older than 21 from joining. Parents or volunteers wanting to become Leaders or Young leaders are always welcomed. We also have the Historical Group as well as National Band and National Choir.

How is The Brigade structured?

Groups within The Brigade are known as 'Companies'.  At least three (but no more than seven) Companies make up a 'Battalion' and multiple Battalions make up a 'Regiment'. Battalions and Regiments are associated with Dioceses. A Diocese is a geographical area over which a bishop has control. The Brigade is governed by The Brigade Council, who are responsible for the overall running of The Brigade. Members of The Brigade Council are often elected, although some are appointed. Staff of The Brigade National Headquarters are also members of The Brigade Council.

How do I join The Brigade?

Firstly, why not see if there is a Brigade Company in your area? Click here to Find A Company Near You. If there is not a Company near you, and you are interested in setting one up, then please contact one of our Development Workers.

 

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