Friendship and fun at girls’ group

TODAY WE TALK TO 1ST GATESHEAD GIRLS’ BRIGADE

What will you do with this year’s Wish money?

The money will help to fund new equipment which is needed to properly carry out the badge work the girls do each week.

We would like to raise funds to purchase a tablet which the girls can use on a weekly basis.

Sports and craft materials always need updating and replenishing too.

Tell us about your group.

We are a Christian uniformed organisation meeting in the heart of Bensham, Gateshead, for all girls of school age. We meet every Tuesday during term time. Although we are a small group, we are always happy to welcome new members to join us for fun and friendship.

This year we celebrate our 110th anniversary making us the third oldest Girls’ Brigade in the world, something we are very proud of.

What kind of activities take place at your group?

A wide range of activities take place every week including games, crafts, bible stories, educational activities, singing and dancing.

Who is the longest serving member of your group?

Our team leader joined the group when she was five years old! So at 54 she is our longest serving member, being a leader for 36 years. Although another leader came from another group and she has been a leader for 37 years.

Tell us about the biggest or best activity or event your group has organised.

That would have to be all of our fundraising for charity over the years.

What is your group’s proudest moment to date?

When we celebrated our centenary. Thinking of all the girls and young women that have been brought to know Jesus as a friend over 100 years was most definitely our proudest moment.

The lady who started our group, Elsie Lynes, also started the 1st Singapore Girls’ Brigade. There are now 83 Girls’ Brigade groups in Singapore.