The Queen’s Royal Garden Party

On Tuesday 16^th May, TWO members from Longridge’s Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade were honoured for their long service and fundraising efforts with invitations to a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace, hosted by Her Majesty The Queen.

Captain David Hartley and helper Jean Carlin joined around 8,000 other guests at the event – the first of three hosted by The Queen this year. Other guests included servicemen from the three armed forces, members of the clergy and those who have donated their time to, or raised money for, their local communities.

As well as The Queen, the garden party was also attended by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Edward, Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice, Prince and Princess Michael and the Duke of Kent.

David and Jean were joined by David’s wife Stella and Jean’s daughter Vicky Croasdale. They met with fellow Brigade officers from all over the country, who had also received invitations, for a quick photo outside the palace.

Jean said: “It was a real privilege and delight to be invited to Buckingham Palace. The afternoon was a wonderful experience and one that will be remembered for many years to come. We enjoyed seeing the fashion parade, people watching and listening to the military bands, not to mention the wonderful afternoon tea.” She added: We especially enjoyed seeing so many members of the Royal Family.”

Both David and Jean were nominated by Officer in Charge Janet Redding for their dedication to the Church Brigade over the last 30 years and as part of the Brigade’s national 125^th anniversary celebrations. The year will culminate in a special service of celebration at York Minster in November and the Brigade is busily raising funds to hire a coach to take as many members from Longridge as possible to the service.

Damaris are delighted to announce that their church discussion booklet for upcoming movie The Shack is now available. They also have seats available at a handful of previews for the film next week (see below for more info).

You can download the booklet from the film's official site (www.theshackmovieuk.com/resources), or you can reply to this email to order printed copies.

The Shack's powerful story has already transformed millions of lives around the world, and the film is set to ignite a fresh conversation around themes of faith and suffering.

There are still a few places at our special preview screenings of The Shack next week (details below) and we'd love you to attend one of them. Please email sophie@damaris.org to quickly reserve your place since spaces are filling up - and let us know how many seats you would like. 

• Monday 22^nd May, Birmingham 6.30pm screening followed by Q&A with director Stuart Hazeldine
• Tuesday 23^rd May, Manchester 6.30pm screening followed by Q&A with director Stuart Hazeldine
• Wednesday 24^th May, Edinburgh 6.30pm screening 
• Wednesday 24^th May, London 2.30pm drinks for 3pm screening followed by Q&A with author Wm Paul Young and director Stuart Hazeldine [spaces strictly limited].

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The British Youth Council have welcomed volunteers from the CLCGB to participate in their exciting liberation event in London on May 31^st. The aim of this event is to share experiences in safe spaces as well as create a charter for youth friendly reporting of hate crime. Equality 4 Us has been running now for 6 years and for the first time we are opening the event for non members of the British Youth Council.  Because of the work your organisation does with young people in this area, we would love see some of your youth representatives attend our event.

Equality 4 Us, is a chance for young people to explore five key liberation campaigns for groups within society that face discrimination. We will be looking at what equality is? how it affects young people as individuals? As well the reasons why the fight for equality goes on.

This year as well as providing a safe space for young people who identify as LGBT, BME, Young Women, Disabled and this year Young People of Faith to discuss issues that affect them, we will also be creating a charter for youth friendly hate crime reporting processes.

Last year's Youth Select Committee found that hate crime is under reported amongst young people. During this event we will be unpicking the barriers to young people reporting and creating a good practice charter to help services make sure their processes are young people friendly before sharing this with decision makers across the country.

This is a great chance to not only influence the policies of the British Youth Council but also meet with other youth organisations and young people to create a movement around these liberation campaigns.

Please register for this event via the Eventbrite link:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/equality-4-us-2017-tickets-34318126440

Deadline to register: May 23^rd, 1pm  - Travel bursaries available.