(1964-2011) girls' brigade

Upney Baptist Church, 11-13 Cavendish Gardens, Barking, Essex IG11 9DR

Girls’ (Life) Brigade of 81 David J Cairns, 8 September 2010

The Girls’ (Life) Brigade at Upney Baptist Church

Contents Links...............................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction....................................................................................................................................................2

Origins at Upney ............................................................................................................................................2

Miss E W Fitzjohn’s Captaincy (1943-48) .....................................................................................................2

Miss Lilian Gibbs’s Captaincy (1948-49).......................................................................................................7

Mrs Elsie Morfett’s Captaincy (1951-56).......................................................................................................8

Miss Norma Callcut’s Captaincy (1957-95) .................................................................................................11

Mrs Janet Caplin’s Captaincy (1996-2004)..................................................................................................59

The Company Continues (2004-)..................................................................................................................80

Links

Next Chapter Menu Youth Work

Boys’ Uniformed Movements

Lilian Gibbs



Introduction

The Girls’ Life Brigade (GLB) was formed in England in 1902 by the National Sunday School Union (now known as the National Christian Education Council). The motto was “To Save Life” and its aim “To help and encourage girls to become responsible, self-reliant and useful Christian women“. In 1964 the Girls’ Life Brigade amalgamated with the Girls’ Brigade of Ireland (founded in 1893 at

Sandymount, Ireland, by Miss Margaret Lyttle, with the aim of “the extension of Christ's Kingdom among girls”) and the Girls’ Guildry of Scotland (formed in Scotland in 1900 with the aim of helping girls to become mature Christian women) to form the Girls’ Brigade (GB), an international and interdenominational Christian youth organisation. In the centre of the Girls’ Brigade badge is a Cross, the symbol of Christ and his Church. Below it a Lamp, that our light may shine out upon the World. Above it a Crown, that we may own Christ as our King. Behind it all a Torch, the flame of Christ's living Spirit, and our devotion to Him.

Origins at Upney

By the summer of 1942 a Boys’ Brigade Company had been formed at Upney. It was announced in the Church Magazine for September 1942 that it was hoped to commence very shortly a GLB Company, further details to be given as and when plans matured. Miss Edith W Fitzjohn was appointed as leader, and by July 1943 was able to report that meetings were being held every Thursday at 6:45 pm in the School Hall, and that “The GLB continues to make progress, and thus far 36 girls are on the roll. It is hoped that very soon the official inspection will be held, thereby making us an enrolled Company. All girls of 10 years of age or over are welcome – a condition of membership being that a Sunday School is attended.”

Miss E W Fitzjohn’s Captaincy (1943-48)

By September Miss Fitzjohn was officially Captain and was able to report that “We are now able to announce our Company title and are very proud of it. It is the 1st Upney.” On Saturday 7 August sixteen of the girls together with their leader spent a very enjoyable day at the Zoo. On Sunday 5 September they had their Enrolment Service and were supported by uniformed members of other Companies forming the Dagenham Battalion, falling in at The Drive, headed by the band of the 5th West Essex Boys’ Brigade, and marching through the streets to the Church. 29 girls received Membership Cards after having repeated the GLB Law and Promise. Altogether some 150 members of the BB and GLB attended the service, which was most inspiring. “Now for some really serious work to earn those certificates and badges!” Joan Stoner and Jean Finch were the first two badge winners in the Company, having entered for their Swimming badge on 13 October and passed with well over the required percentage of marks.



The first meeting of the GLB Cadets took place on Monday 6 September. 39 girls between the ages of 6 and 9 came along, and all seemed very keen. The Enrolment Service of the Cadet Section took place 7 November at 3 pm under the leadership of Lieutenant G N Wheele. Just before the scheduled time, 45 of these “tinies” marched into their places, backed up by their “big sisters”, the Junior and Senior Sections of the Company, and also by a number of Upney’s own Company of the Boys’ Brigade. The afternoon was opened in the usual way with Hymn, Prayer, Bible Reading and Choruses. Then followed the actual enrolment of the Cadets by Mrs Prior, the OC Cadets, Ilford Battalion, and it was a real thrill to hear these “tinies” repeat their Cadet Law and Promise, and see them go up to receive their Membership Cards. Revd H J Vellacott, as Chaplain, gave the address, the proceedings finally terminating in prayer. Unfortunately, though, during the intense black-out months (December and January), the meetings of the Life Boys and GLB Cadets had to be suspended. The Girls’ Life Brigade held their first New Year Party on Saturday 8 January 1944, to which they invited members of the Boys’ Brigade. In the morning some half-a-dozen girls worked hard to get everything ready for tea. The party was timed to start at 4 pm, and there were very few late comers. Games were played, and at 5 pm 55 boys and girls sat down to a war-time tea of sandwiches, sausage rolls, cheese scones, bread and butter (and jam), and jam tarts and cakes. After tea more games were played, all present entering very thoroughly into the spirit of the thing, and a wonderful time passed all too quickly. At 9.15 a halt was called, and Captain S J Barnes of the Boys’ Brigade brought a happy evening to a close in prayer. On Saturday 5 February 1944 the Cadets opened their new session with a party. 39 children came punctually at 3.30 pm. Games were played and tea was served at 4.30 pm, and a very happy time was brought to an end when Lieutenant Wheele closed with prayer at about 7 pm. Out of the Junior and Senior sections of the GLB, the following passed their Elementary First Aid exam – 66 marks were required for a pass:

Doreen Rainbird, Joy White, Ivy Trumble – all with 85. Betty Boyens, Lilian Gibbs, Peggy Stoner, Pearl Nockles – all with 80. Mary Brown, Margaret Brown, Jean Fenner – all with 75. Daphne Spender, Phyllis Webb – both with 70.

Thanks and congratulations were due to Mrs Potton who trained the girls so well. The following passed their Elementary Needlecraft Exam:

Art Needlework – Mary Brown, Pearl Nockles, Lilian Gibbs – all with 90. Joceline Cooper – with 95. Knitting – Peggy Stoner, Pearl Nockles – both with 90.

On 20 May 1944, some 22 girls attended the GLB Rally and Display at the Albert Hall and enjoyed an afternoon of thrills as they watched with keen enjoyment the various items and noted the grace, precision and ease with which difficult movements were carried out. One of our “tinies” (Cadet Marion Nugent) took part in the Cadet item, and made a very successful “rabbit” with her “Bunny Jumps.” A great time was had by all and the girls journeyed back home determined that, what they had seen others do in such masterly fashion, they also could do.



In the Church Magazine for December 1944, Captain E W Fitzjohn wrote: “I would like to thank all those friends who gave so generously to the GLB during Brigade Week. The total amount raised was £10 4s 9½d, a really fine achievement for which we do praise the Lord. This year half the sum goes to Headquarters towards a new Holiday Home.” There was great excitement in the GLB on Saturday 6 January 1945, when the 1st Upney GLB Company gave their first Display. This proved to be a great success, the highlights of the evening being the Team Games and Pyramids. It was interesting to watch the faces in the Team Games (not only of the girls), for the parents seemed to go back a few years and were just as excited as the teams themselves. Captain Fitzjohn gave a very interesting report of the work since the formation of the Company. The Revd A Morgan Derham (the Company’s Chaplain) was the Chairman, and Mrs Derham very graciously presented the girls with the various badges they had won during the year. The evening was brought to a close at a rather late hour with a sketch (written by a GLB Officer, but not from the 1st Upney Company) entitled “A Happy Decision.” In the Church Magazine for June 1945 Captain E W Fitzjohn wrote: “Congratulations to the following girls, Lance-Corporal Lilian Gibbs and Privates Betty Boyens, Jean Carey, Doreen Rainbird, Sonia Southey, Ivy Trumble and Joy White, who passed their Elementary Home Nursing Association Exam. Thank you girls, and thank you Mrs Potton.” Subsequently in the Battalion Home Nursing Examinations, Lilian Gibbs, Betty Boyens, Jean Carey and Ivy Trumble were placed third, which entitled them to participate in the forthcoming Divisional Examinations. The second Annual Display, which was held in the School Hall on Saturday 29 September 1945, was a notable occasion. Captain Fitzjohn was able to report a considerable increase in numbers during the year, and the Display left the audience in no doubt as to the quality of the work being done. Signalling, Home Nursing, Physical Training, Pyramids and other items made up a programme of maintained interest, concluding with a delightful demonstration, “Glad Hearts Adventuring.” Awards and Badges were presented by Mrs Derham. The Visiting Officer, Major Cumming, had kind words to say about the development of the Company. On Sunday 14 October after the morning service a goodly number remained for a short service of Dedication of the new Colours which the parents of the girls have subscribed together to provide. They were presented by Mr Rainbird, and a dedicatory prayer was offered by the Pastor. Saturday 27 October 1945 was a great day; in their first Display the Cadets set a wonderfully high standard, and showed great enthusiasm in their various items, solo and united. Awards were presented by Mrs Derham, and the visiting Officer spoke highly of the work of the girls and their Officers and helpers. Other presentations were made to Lieutenant Howroyd, and to Lance-Corporals Doreen Rainbird and Betty Boynes for their service in this connection. A GLB Party (with BB guests) was held on Saturday 9 March 1946. The sacrifice of members and friends made possible a series of first-class teas etc, all the more remarkable in view of the extreme shortages of the time. In fact there had been some remarkable ‘spreads’ during the recent months, and congratulations and thanks were due to all those responsible. In the Church Magazine for June 1946 the GLB Cadets, Juniors and Pioneers were congratulated on securing high places in recent Battalion Competitions. In the August



Magazine it was announced that the GLB Company won its greatest success on Saturday 6 July 1946, when, at the Battalion Rally, it was announced that the 1st Upney Company had won the Battalion Cup for the highest aggregate marks in the Competitions for all three sections (Junior, Senior, and Pioneers). For so young a Company, this was an outstanding performance, and a large number of Upney folk made a very cheerful noise at the Battalion Display when the result was announced. This cup represents the award to the best all-round Company in the Battalion. Members of the teams for the Competitions were: Junior – Beryl Staerck, Sylvia Bond, Pat Beard, Pauline Turner, Rosemary Atkin, Mary Brazier, Beryl Daniels; Senior – Doreen Rainbird, Joy White, Jeannette Thorpe, Pearl Nockles, Olive Howard; Pioneers – Lilian Gibbs, Betty Boyens. Special thanks were due to Mrs Joyce for the way she trained the girls for the Scripture Competition. Captain Fitzjohn (shown with the teams in this photograph) and her helpers were indeed to be congratulated on this performance. Some 65 young people from Upney’s Brigades, Bible Classes and Senior Sunday School, together with about a dozen from two other churches, spent a week under canvas at Sidestrand, near Cromer, 8-15 August 1946. Further details are given in the Youth Work chapter. The GLB Cadets held their second Annual Display in Faircross School in the evening of Saturday 5 February 1946. A ‘full house’ witnessed a fascinatingly varied display of talents, both individual and collective, by these very junior members of the Brigade. The Chairman, Mr Rainbird, kept the proceedings moving as smoothly as the delightful vagaries of juvenile girlishness would allow, and the awards were presented by Mrs Derham. Lieutenant Howroyd and her ever-active assistants were to be congratulated on the painstaking work which the Display revealed. With the Cadets as strong as they were, there would be no fears for the future of the Company as a whole. The prize for the best all-round work of the year was presented to Cadet Eunice Twyman. A special gift was made to Corporal Doreen Rainbird for her service in training the cadets, under Lieutenant Howroyd. The Visiting Officer congratulated all concerned on their fine show. The third Annual Display of the main GLB Company took place on Saturday 2 November 1946 at the Manor School Gymnasium, Sandringham Road. The venture out into the larger hall was amply justified by the crowd of parents and friends who attended. The girls, under Captain E W Fitzjohn, gave a fine all-round display of talent, from country dancing to some excellent vaulting. On display during the evening was the Battalion Cup, which the Company had recently won. Many badges and awards had been gained during the year, and they were presented by Mrs K Wellby, who congratulated all concerned on the fine work which had been put in. Special congratulations were due to Joy White and Jeannette Thorpe, who had become Lance-Corporals, to Doreen Rainbird, who had become Corporal, and to Lilian Gibbs, who had become the first Sergeant of the Upney Company. The Pastor presided, and expressed the formal thanks of the Church and its Officers to those who were carrying on such splendid support through their work for the GLB. During the evening Mrs



V E Joyce was presented with the GLB Voluntary Helpers’ Badge as a token of gratitude for her help in training the girls in Scripture and Missionary knowledge. In the Church Magazine for April 1947 the GLB Captain requested that if any member had a clock they could spare, she would greatly appreciate it for use at their parades. The mind boggles … The Company entered for the battalion competitions again in 1947, the subjects being PT and Missionary for the Seniors and Pioneers, and PT and a small choir for the Juniors. The Senior team (Doreen Rainbird, Pat Andrews, Jeannette Thorpe and Joy White) were successful in securing 1st place. Congratulations were due to the team and to Mrs Joyce, who trained them. The Juniors also did exceedingly well in their singing and secured 3rd place. On Saturday 4 October 1947 the Cadet Section held their Display at Manor School. This was their third Annual Display, and right up to standard. A good company of the Church folk gathered to witness these little ones, and one could not help but sense the thrill all were experiencing at the keen and earnest manner with which these little girls tackled their various exercises and games. As one who had been present at all three, “Observer” was struck by the way these girls were growing up. Those, who at the first Display were the “tinies”, dependent upon the bigger ones for the lead, were now the bigger ones with other “tinies” dependent upon them for support and example, and not in vain. “Observer” thought of their spiritual growth, and prayed that those who were the bigger ones would not let down those who were the “tinies” in the Faith. Mr A T Wellby was the Chairman, and was accompanied by Mrs Wellby, who presented the badges and prizes. Mrs Paice was the visiting Officer and gave good words of advice and encouragement to the Company. To Corporal Rainbird and her helpers, all honour for the hard work put in to make the Display such a success. Mrs Wellby’s closing words to the girls are worth repeating as a motto for us all: “What is worth doing is worth doing well.” A most delightful evening. On Saturday 1 November 1947 the main section of the Company held their 4th Annual Display at Park Modern School Hall. Some 150 of our Church folk and friends gathered to witness what proved to be an inspiring exhibition of prowess and ability. Two items in particular stand out in the mind of “Observer” as being of special mention – “Rescued and Recruited”, and the Finale – although the whole of the programme was carried through with zest and keenness. The Chairman, the Revd A Morgan Derham, accompanied by his wife, admirably filled the role, giving a particularly appropriate word to the girls. It was indeed regrettable that the Inspecting Officer, Major Cummings, was unavoidably absent, a disappointment to our Captain, Miss Fitzjohn. Miss Fitzjohn however, had cause to be justly proud of her charges, and the affection in which she was held by them all was apparent, and indeed shown in a practical way by the presentation made to her on behalf of the Company by Lieutenant L Gibbs. Congratulations were due to all who took part, especially to Lieutenant Gibbs on her promotion and to Sergeant D Rainbird on winning high honours in the Missionary Examination. An evening well spent and thoroughly enjoyed! In the Church Newsletter for March-April 1948 Lieutenant L Gibbs reported that the GLB Cadet Section was progressing very well under the leadership of Sergeant D Rainbird. They had 34 girls aged 6-10, and these were all regular attenders. They were hoping to hold an Enrolment Service for the Cadets in the very near future. The Junior Section (10-13) was also flourishing, having 39 members, who were all very keen. They were divided into four Squads, each with its own leader. Each month a medal was awarded to the Squad with the



highest number of marks. Unfortunately, the numbers in the Senior & Pioneer Sections (13 and over) were very small, and any new members would be welcomed. They had been fortunate in securing the services of Miss D Martin as pianist for those sections. The Sunday morning Bible Class had grown and now had 15 regular members. On the 3rd Sunday in each month they had an outside speaker, and the girls had recently enjoyed a very interesting talk from Miss D Ives. At the time all sections were working for their Annual Competitions. Prayers were asked for this work, especially among the older girls, as it was at the age of 13 and over that they needed to be kept interested. By the Newsletter for May-June 1940 Lieutenant L Gibbs was pleased to report an increase in numbers to 51 Cadets, 41 Juniors and 14 Seniors, making a grand total of 106 girls. Congratulations were due to the Juniors and the Cadets on their successes in the Battalion Competitions, and especially to the Junior PT Team on gaining 2nd Place, only one mark behind the 1st Place, in the Divisional Competitions. Miss Gibbs asked for readers’ prayers for the Cadets as they entered for the Divisional Finals, and for the Juniors as they entered for the Regional Finals. In the event the Cadets obtained 1st Place in Scripture, 1st Place in Advanced PT, and were presented with the Picture for obtaining the highest aggregate marks in the Advanced Section. The Juniors took 2nd Place in the Divisional Competitions. There had been an increase in the numbers of the Seniors, but prayers were still needed for all sections of the work. The girls had been collecting money for the Missionaries, and had sent £2 to Miss Marjorie Wright, who was hoping to sail to Nigeria on 15 July 1948. By the Newsletter for September-October 1948 the work had been steadily progressing in all sections. On the 4 July they held their bi-monthly Church Parade, and this was a service especially for the young people. Mr Smith took as his text Revelation 3: 20, and, after a very simple but inspiring message, made an appeal to the young people to accept Christ as their Saviour. Since that date about 12 of the girls in the Brigade had taken this step, and Lieutenant Lilian Gibbs asked for prayers on their behalf. Later in 1948 Miss Fitzjohn retired from her Captaincy. Subsequently the Newsletter for January-February 1962 carried the following Obituary:

The announcement of Miss Edith Fitzjohn’s home-call on Sunday 26 November brought to the minds of those who remembered her at Upney memories of her devoted service. She started the GLB work here and was in charge of the Primary department in the earliest days of the Sunday School. She sang in the choir and embroidered the first two communion cloths. We thank God upon every remembrance of her and offer our Christian sympathy to the members of her family.

Miss Lilian Gibbs’s Captaincy (1948-49)

Miss Fitzjohn was succeeded by Miss Lilian Gibbs, pictured below, who was just 20. Her Captaincy was short-lived, however, as in September 1949 she entered Redcliffe Missionary Training College to train for overseas missionary work. Lilian’s dedication to the work of the GLB, however, remained undiminished. Soon after her arrival in Jos, Nigeria, she started a GLB Company among African girls which expanded into the surrounding district as fast as leaders could be found. Her own Company at Miango was



near the 50 mark. She made two recordings for broadcasting to Canada and USA, where the GLB was unknown, about the work of the GLB in Nigeria. Lilian’s service on the mission field was dogged by ill-health to such an extent that it was considered inadvisable for her to return from her first furlough. From 1962 to 1970 she served as Secretary of Christmas Letters to Prisoners based in South Norwood, and later worked for the Health Department of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, but had to take early retirement on health grounds in 1982. Her latter years were affected by the further deterioration of her health, but she was finally spared further suffering on 1 February 1998, when she was taken to be with the Lord at not quite 69½ years of age. After Lilian Gibbs’s resignation it took some while to find a successor, though the work continued under Lieutenant Doreen Rainbird, and in the Church Newsletter for July-August 1950 it was reported that the number of regular cadets was 30. Juniors was the largest section in the Company with about 40 on the roll; they were keen in every aspect of Brigade work, including the Bible Class on Sunday mornings, and their badge work and physical activities were outstanding for their age. The Seniors and Pioneers were to be thanked for their loyalty during the interim without a Captain, and the younger Seniors were to be congratulated for the way that they had adapted themselves to the Senior activities. Every Sunday morning at ten saw a grand crowd of girls attending Bible Class – they had several different speakers and the girls took part in various ways. There was no separate Cadet Display in 1950, but the Company’s Annual Display on Saturday 18 November 1950 at Manor School included all sections from Cadets to Seniors.

Mrs Elsie Morfett’s Captaincy (1951-56)

The following announcement appeared in the Church Newsletter for March-April 1951:

GIRLS’ LIFE BRIGADE We are very grateful to God for answered prayer in regard to the Captaincy, which has been vacant for so long. Mrs Morfett has been appointed by the Church to this important position, and we are confident that she is the one of God’s choice for our Company. We covet your prayers for her. It was with very real regret that we learned of the necessary resignation of Lieutenant Doreen Rainbird, though of course we had been warned well in advance that her forthcoming marriage would involve this. We appreciate tremendously all that she has done for the Company, especially during the time without a Captain. At our New Year Party an autograph album containing all the girls’ signatures was presented to Lieutenant as a small token of our great appreciation.

The vacancy caused by Doreen Rainbird’s impending marriage was filled immediately when Pat Andrews was promoted from Sergeant to Lieutenant in January 1951. Pat continued as Lieutenant until she entered the London Bible College in 1952. The Church Secretary’s report given at the 16th Church Anniversary in November 1951 included the following item on the GLB:



We are pleased to report that we are now getting down to routine work after much encouragement from the reports of the Display. Our numbers have increased in each section particularly in the Cadets, for which we thank God, for now we feel that our Company is well planted. We helpers pray for guidance to keep these little ones interested enough to be our future Seniors. Our numbers – Seniors 28, Juniors 30, Cadets 50, a grand Company totalling 108.

The Secretary commented:

This is the short report of our GLB Captain Mrs Morfett, and I am sure you will back her up in prayer in this new work (so far as she is concerned), for it is obvious that she is still feeling her way, and we hope next year she may be able ‘to let herself go’ and fill up a page in this report!

On the morning of Sunday 30 March a GLB Battalion Parade was held at Upney, when the Battalion Chaplain Revd C S Lower ministered the word. The Church Secretary’s Annual Report given at the 17th Church Anniversary in November 1952 included the following report by Mrs Morfett:

The Company now numbers just over 100 girls, 50 in Cadets, 32 Juniors and 24 Seniors and Pioneers. The past year has been a busy one and when the girls are busy they are happy. In March a Battalion Parade was held in our Church, and the Bible signifying 50 years of GLB work was signed by our Battalion Sergeant Major, and was then sent abroad for other Companies to sign. Our Lieutenant left us in October to enter the London Bible College for Missionary training and the Company remembers her in prayer. 8 of our girls were baptised this year, some of them taking up work in the Sunday School.

By 1953 the separate Cadet Display had been reinstated. It was held on Saturday 9 May at Manor School and was once again most interesting. The little folk did exceedingly well in all their items. Mrs Morfett and her colleagues [seen here with the Cadets] are to be congratulated on the grand work going on amongst these very young girls. Miss Olive Howard, leader of the Cabin Boys, presented the prizes, and the Inspecting Officer was Mr Bellis, the Life Boys Leader. Pastor was Chairman. Mrs Morfett reported as follows in the Church Newsletter for January-February 1954:

GIRLS LIFE BRIGADE Our GLB continues to carry on quite happily, showing a general increase in the Cadet section. The Junior section are in need of helpers, particularly a regular pianist, and any who could help in this direction would be a real boon to the Sergeant in charge. Our Senior Section has done well this year, coming 2nd in the PT competition and gained 1st place for Morse. They also took a parade Service on Sunday evening for the 2nd



Barking GLB Company – each girl and Officer taking some part in the Service. It was enjoyed by all, knowing that they were doing it for HIM who has done so much for them. Several of our Senior members have become Teachers in the Sunday School. Our Bible Class meets every Sunday morning under the leadership of Miss S. Bond. Our Brigade week, to which so many generously subscribed, realised £19 16s 10d, for which we sincerely thank all. We all work for the Glory of God.

1954 saw further successes for the girls. Trained by Miss O Howard, they attained first place in the Battalion singing contest. In the Battalion Competitions they gained Senior Skipping Award, the Junior Singing Award and the Netball Shield. Captain Morfett was congratulated on becoming Battalion Adjutant. On Sunday 3 October 1954 another GLB Battalion parade service was held at Upney, and a large portion of the Church was filled with contingents from several local Companies. Pastor (who was Battalion Chaplain that year) took the fullest advantage of the opportunity that this occasion afforded. In the Church Newsletter for January-February 1955 “Argus” (Mrs V E Joyce) reported as follows:

Quite a good company of parents and friends attended the GLB Display at Park Modern School on 13 November 1954. This time it was a united Display including the Cadet Section. Former Lieutenant Miss Pat Andrews, now a student at the London Bible College, was in the Chair, Major Rawson was Inspecting Officer, and Mrs E White presented the awards. As a whole the Display was well done – no time was wasted. One of the interesting novelty items was the “Miming” scene, which was highly amusing. Congratulations, girls, on your good achievement, your enthusiasm and the entertainment provided. Officers and NCOs are also to be congratulated on their hard work in training the girls. A number of awards were received, including two promotions from Lance-Corporal to Corporal for Miss V Clayden and Miss G Gibbs. Also congratulations to Miss N Callcut, now a Lieutenant. Presentations were made to the Platform Company including a gift to Captain Morfett from the girls. Pastor was unavoidably absent, but a recorded message was heard from him and much appreciated.

On Saturday 3 December 1955 a good company of parents and friends came to Park Modern School for the Company’s 12th Annual Display. There were Guest Colour Parties from the 1st Becontree and 3rd Dagenham Companies. The Battalion Chaplain, Upney’s own Pastor, was in the chair, and after receiving the colours opened the evening with a hymn, “Land of Hope and Glory”, and a prayer. The Inspecting Officer on this occasion was Miss E Monk, Captain of the 1st Becontree Company. After her inspection and a brief report of the work of the year by Captain Mrs E Morfett, the awards were presented by Mrs V E Joyce, who is an auxiliary worker in the Company. After the dismissal of the assembly, the Display itself began, introduced by a special welcome poem by the four Smith sisters – the daughters of the Pastor – who are all members of the GLB. The programme of various items: PT, Country Dancing and Skipping, was enthusiastically carried out by the girls. Outstanding items were Morris Dancing by Seniors, Safety First by Cadets and the final Team Game, when some of the spectators were invited to compete. At the close Miss Monk gave her comments on the activities, and gave a both encouraging and correcting word. The Chaplain then closed the evening with prayer. Guests on the platform included Captain Garner of 24th West Essex BB Company and Captain B Currell of Upney’s own BB Company, the 7th West Essex.



In the Church Secretary’s Report given at the 20th Anniversary Service he stated that the uniformed movements, the GLB and BB, continued to flourish, but here again the cry was for more helpers. In 1956 Upney’s GLB Cadets shared first place with the 3rd Becontree for Scripture in the Battalion Competitions (Joy Smith was second of all who entered), and they were the second best Company for total marks in all competitions. It was announced in the Church Newsletter September-October 1956 that:

Our GLB Captain Mrs Morfett has resigned. We know that it has not been easy for her to maintain this work with the full responsibilities of a housewife and several hours at business each day, especially as there were not sufficient helpers to cooperate with her. We have admired the way in which Mrs Morfett has given her time and energy to GLB work, in spite of the fact that she had had no previous experience in that movement, and we are grateful for all she has done for the girls. Lieutenant Norma Callcut is carrying on as Acting Captain, and this crisis has caused the senior girls to rally round her and there seems to be a determined effort on foot to keep GLB going.

In spite of this setback the 1956 GLB Display took place at Manor School on Saturday 17 November, and the hall was nicely filled with the parents and friends that attended. Lieutenant Norma Callcut and her fellow officers were to be commended on the quality and smooth running of the interesting programme of activities. Everyone entered with real enthusiasm into their part, and one of the great achievements of the evening was that there were no long waiting periods between items, so that the proceedings were over at a much earlier hour. Expressions of appreciation were heard on every hand, and this must have been a source of much encouragement to all concerned. The inspecting Officer was Major M Rawson, and Miss L Gibbs presented the many awards that were gained. Included in these were several promotions: Corporal G Gibbs to Sergeant, Lance-Corporal B Daniels to Corporal and Privates B Smith, P Smith and B Lodge to Lance-Corporal. An interesting feature of the evening was the presentation by the Company of the Colours to Miss Gibbs for the Company amongst whom she works at Miango. Pastor, who is Chaplain of the Company, was the chairman.

Miss Norma Callcut’s Captaincy (1957-95)

In 1957 the GLB Cadets were to be congratulated on being judged the second best Company in the Battalion for the second year running. A most enjoyable GLB Cadet Display was held at Manor Junior School on Saturday 8 June, and it must have encouraged the officers and helpers to see so many parents and friends attending. After Assembly and Reception of the Colours, followed by a hymn and prayer, a very interesting programme including PT, Team Games, a special May Day item, Figure Marching, Agility, and two solo items – Janet Lisk (poem) and Judith Metcalf (piano) – gained the applause of all who gathered. Sergeant G Gibbs gave a brief report of the work over the last six months. Sergeant and her helpers were to be congratulated on the good job she had done among those young girls. Incidentally Sergeant Gibbs was presented with her official Cadet Leader’s Badge, having recently entered and. passed the required test for this recognition. Afterwards the Inspecting Officer, Captain V Reynolds (Officer Commanding Cadets, Dagenham Battalion), gave her report on the Display and also gave a short helpful word to the Cadets themselves. The awards were then presented by Mrs F Head. Quite a number of Cadets had obviously been working very



hard to obtain such a number of awards. The special award for the best all-round Cadet that year went to Judith Metcalf. All too soon came the time for the Final Item, which demonstrated the essential spiritual basis of the movement. Everywhere one heard expressions of appreciation of the Display. The Cadets had not only thoroughly enjoyed every item themselves, but had given much enjoyment to us all. The main 1957 GLB Display was held at Manor School Saturday 5 October, and the seating capacity was almost taxed to the limit with the parents and friends that supported this important event in the life of the Company. The girls were to be congratulated on an excellent evening’s Display. Items were not too prolonged, and there were no long pauses between items. Highlights of the evening were:

1. Presentation and dedication of two colours by the Company to Miss L Gibbs to take back to two companies in Nigeria.

2. Special congratulations to Miss N Callcut for her official appointment as Captain of

the Company, and also to Staff Sergeant G Gibbs on her appointment as Battalion Sergeant Major.

The final item, entitled “Youth at your Service”, was very well presented and clearly portrayed every aspect of GLB life and service. Inspecting Officer on this occasion was Sister Kathleen of Harold Hill, and Mrs Lodge, mother of Barbara and Carol, who are workers in our Company, presented the awards. The 1958 Cadet Display was held on 17 May. A very good company of parents and friends came to Manor School for this eagerly awaited Display. The programme was varied, including team games between the 1st Becontree’s and Upney’s own Cadets, Figure Marching, Skipping, High Jump etc, and also verse speaking given by the team who had entered for the Battalion Competition, and come first! An interesting report was given by Staff Sergeant G Gibbs, and the awards were presented by Missionary Candidate Miss O Howard. The Inspecting Officer on this occasion was Lieutenant Rawson of the 1st Becontree Company, who also gave some helpful remarks on the Display. Pastor was in the chair, and the whole programme was a credit to the girls and the Officers and NCOs in charge of the work, for the smooth running of the whole evening, and the high standard of the items given. The Final Item, the building up of the Cadet Star, was a fitting culmination to a very entertaining and worthwhile evening. Two girls joined the Cadet movement after seeing this fine Display. It was good to see such a number of parents and friends present at the 1959 Cadet Display, although it was held on Whit Saturday, 16 May. Miss Carol Lodge and her helpers were to be congratulated on the grand programme given by such a small number of Cadets. They really did well in their PT, Miming, Singing, Games etc. What a change the Agility made, with the girls wearing coloured panties, and then following straight on with High Jumping. A number of badges were presented, and the best all round Cadet was Ann Steele. The presentations were made by Mrs Ida Cole, whose husband so ably chaired the proceedings. It was a special joy to have them performing these duties as both their daughters had been Cadets and were still keen members of the Company. Friends would be glad to know that numbers doubled since the Display.



The main 1959 Annual Display was held on Saturday 17 October, when a good number of parents and friends gathered at Manor School to watch the various items depicting the subjects taken during the year. These included national dancing, semaphore, and singing games by the Cadets. Revd P J Smith was the chairman, and Mrs McCalla from Southend the Inspecting Officer. The 263 badges and service stars which were gained during the year were presented by Mrs Joyce. It was a great joy to witness the promotion of Miss G J Gibbs to be Lieutenant of the Company. Some of the GLB girls went Carol singing just before Christmas 1959 and raised £3 10s 0d for the World Refugee Fund. The Captain and 15 of the senior girls, as shown by this photograph, went to a camp organized by the Worldwide Evangelization Crusade at Cromer for the first week in August 1960. An enjoyable time was had both physically and spiritually. A number of the girls came to know Him in a much more personal way during their time at camp. In the Church Newsletter for March-April 1960 Captain Callcut had reported, “At the moment we are in need of a pianist – can you help? If so, please come and see me as soon as possible”. This had been and would continue to be a recurring problem over the years, as in the Newsletter for May-June 1961 Captain had to write again: “We are in urgent need of a pianist for Wednesday evenings, 8.00-9.30 pm. Can you help?” The problem, however, was soon to mitigated to some extent by the arrival of the portable record player, then the tape recorder and eventually the CD player. Also in the Newsletter for May-June 1961 Captain reported that “Miss Grace Gibbs is no longer a Lieutenant and Miss Beryl Smith is working away, so with the extra work this entails I should be glad of your prayers, that I may be enabled to carry on.” A number of friends and parents gathered in Manor School, Sandringham Road, at 6.30 pm on Saturday 24 June 1961 for the annual Cadet Display, when 21 Cadets took part. Over 50 badges and 11 service stars were presented, and the best all-round Cadet for the past year was Hilary Brumwell. In reporting this, Captain added, “We are in need of recruits for all sections. Do you know any girls who could be helped through the Brigade?” The Company were to be congratulated on the excellent Display they gave on Saturday 28 October 1961 at 6.30 pm, which represented every aspect of Company work. The astonishing number of 214 badges had been earned during the year for proficiency in a variety of subjects, which included Astronomy, Physiology and Gardening. Miss Lilian Gibbs presented the awards and Major Rawson was the Inspecting Officer. Thanks were due to Miss Norma Callcut, whose untiring work was already bearing fruit in the lives of the girls. From time to time, friends have provided “odds and ends” for use in GLB work, and Miss Callcut said she would be glad to receive pictures of any subjects provided they are reasonably lifelike. GLB membership then was 15 Pioneers, 13 Seniors, 21 Juniors, and 28



Cadets, so there was room for a few more in each section. Recent promotions were Lance-Corporals Audrey Callcut and Margaret Walling to Corporal, and Privates Sybil Loveland, Patricia Saunders and Glenese Stammers to Lance-Corporal. Competition results for 1962 were quite good: Cadets, Miming, 2nd, PE, 5th; Juniors, Temperance, 2nd, PE 4th; Seniors, Stencilling 3rd, Skipping 2nd; Pioneers, Temperance 3rd, Skipping 2nd. Pat Saunders gained 1st place in her age group in the Battalion for Temperance. On Saturday 9 June 1962 a group of parents and friends met to wave off 14 of their girls on their way to join the rest of the Dagenham Battalion for a week’s holiday at Bexhill-on-Sea. They had a really wonderful time with three girls from Upney accepting Christ as their Saviour. Many girls made friends with members of other companies, which brought about a much happier atmosphere in the Battalion. In 1962 Upney Baptist Church was honoured to have the Pastor’s wife, Mrs E Davies, appointed as Girl’s Life Brigade Battalion President and to have the Pastor, Revd D Howard Davies, appointed as Battalion Chaplain. In the Church Newsletter for January-February 1964 the Captain was at last able to report that helpers had been forthcoming:

Friends will be pleased to know that Mrs Wilderspin, the mother of one of our Cadets, is now helping in both Cadet and Junior sections, and is settling in very well. Also Mrs Cole and Miss Southgate are each teaching a badge subject with the older girls, and Mrs Holder has agreed to play the piano for this section. Will you please pray that our work among the girls may not be hampered too much during the winter months by bad weather?

In the Church Newsletter for March-April 1964, the GLB news included:

We are now in the middle of competitions, the International Friendship one having already been completed and we now await the results. There are several more in the near future:

Juniors Speech 28 February “ Dancing 19 March

Pioneers Bible Knowledge 16 March Seniors Missionary. “

“ Skipping. 28 April Cadets Dancing. 25 March Pioneers PE 11 March

We also hope to enter a team for handiwork in the middle of March. You will see from the above that the subjects we cover are very varied.

To celebrate the 21st Birthday of the Company, a Reunion Party was held at the Church on Saturday 30 May 1964, attended by nearly 30 past and present officers, members and workers, and a similar number of husbands and other guests. Greetings by airmail were received from Olive Howard in Côte d’Ivoire. Captain and 16 of the girls left Upney on Saturday 29 August 1964 to spend a week at Clacton, staying with other companies of the Battalion at a girls’ boarding school.



In the 1964 competitions (two for each Juniors, Seniors and Pioneers) the Company as a whole gained 2nd place. During Brigade Week 1964 the Company collected £65 4s 0d, the highest amount in the Division. There were only a few companies throughout the world who collected a greater amount. 1964 also saw the formation of The Girls’ Brigade as the result of the merger of the Girls’ Brigade of Ireland, the Girls’ Guildry of Scotland, and the Girls’ Life Brigade of England. We had to get used to saying “GB” instead of “GLB”! There were some other name changes, too; “Cadets” became “Explorers” and “Pioneers” became “Brigaders”. Church member Mr Victor Cole made a new badge, possibly the only one in existence, for the Company’s colours. Captain, 32 girls and 3 helpers left for a week’s Camp at Littlehampton on Saturday morning, 5 June 1965, together with an assortment of tins, boxes and other baggage. On arrival the girls were despatched to the beach for a time – then it was “operation beds” for the adults. Thanks to the help of a father and his son this task was easier for us than it might have been. Out came brooms and brushes to make it as clean as possible for the girls to live in for a week, and when they arrived back at 5.30 all was ready including high tea. On the Sunday morning they went to the local Baptist Church, in the afternoon they had Bible searching, and their own service in the evening. On the Monday they had the pleasure of being joined by Upney’s Church outing and a number of parents. The Church had a long history of outings to and beach missions at Littlehampton. On the Tuesday it rained!!! This was overcome by preparations for a concert in the morning, and a visit to the covered fairground in the afternoon. On the Wednesday afternoon they had a river trip to Arundel, as illustrated in the accompanying photograph. On the Thursday they went out for the whole day travelling on an old-fashioned railway, and spending the afternoon at Eastbourne. Friday was for last-minute shopping and time on the beach. On the Saturday they were homeward bound, and maybe the remark of a nine-year-old sums it up – “I’m glad to see you, mummy, but I wish Camp hadn’t finished”. The most important side has been left till last. They had a Bible reading every morning, and a short service each evening. On the final night four girls desired to accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour. This surely made all the work worthwhile. The help given – those who



worked at Littlehampton, those who provided tins etc, those who cooked cakes or lent equipment – was all very much appreciated, and helped with the smooth running of the Camp. The Display on 30 October 1965 proved to be a very enjoyable evening. By then the Company had 100 girls on the roll, and it was a great pleasure when five Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Awards were presented on the Display evening. Another girl would receive her award at the next Parade Service. The girls who gained their section award for the best work during the past year were Cadet Christine Wilderspin, Junior Lynda Nicholls, Senior Margaret Cross and Pioneer Linda Bradley. In the Church Newsletter for January-March 1966 it was reported that work was continuing in all sections, with very regular attendance by most girls. The life-saving from water class was continuing, and a number had gained their preliminary certificate. Thanks were due to Mr K Luck for training them to this standard. During Brigade Week the sum of £89 was collected, the sixth highest amount in the country. Captain Callcut had been promoted to Commandant (which replaces the title of “Major”). She would, however, still be known as “Captain” within the Company. Iris Taylor (photograph opposite) received her Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award certificate at Buckingham Palace on 11 July 1966. What would you feel like if the Duke of Edinburgh were to ask you where you could put any more badges? That is just what happened to her. Iris had just left her typing job in the City to become an Assistant Housemother at Barnado’s in Barkingside. A further link with Ansgarsförbundet (the Swedish Boys’ Brigade) was forged in June 1967, when the Girls’ Brigade accepted an invitation for two Officers and five girls to join an International Camp at Ljungsboro. Iris, who was promoted to Lieutenant in 1968, was one of those who went from the UK. Twenty-three girls took the Temperance test in March 1966 and three girls gained honours. The Company was commended on the all-round standard. Thirty-three girls, two Officers and two cooks left Upney on 23 July 1966 for a week’s Camp at Clacton. Most of the girls who attended had a really enjoyable time. Thanks to the generosity of a number of the Women’s Own they had sufficient homemade cake to last the whole of the week. Thanks were also due to all who helped financially and in kind. Captain was able to speak to a number of girls, about three of whom accepted Christ as their Saviour. The 1967 Camp at Hastings was very successful, and thanks were due to all friends who helped to make it so – they had enough cakes to last the week. After the Camp Service the Officers were able to speak to a number of the girls about the real meaning of “being a Christian”. Since that time there was a marked change in some of the girls. A sum in the region of £54 was raised when about 30 members of the Brigades took part in a Sponsored walk in 1976, and this amount was forwarded to the Brigade House Appeal Fund.



In the Church Newsletter for March-April 1968 Captain Callcut reported that:

Members are working hard studying a number of subjects in preparation for this year’s competitions, which are:

Explorers Recite Psalm 100, and draw Bible stories. Juniors Scottish dancing and verse speaking. Seniors Verse speaking and rhythmic movement. Brigaders Child care and skipping.

Our Camp week, although not until August, is already fully booked.

In the following Newsletter, May-June 1968, Captain Callcut reported that:

There has been much activity in the past few weeks preparing for various competitions. Explorers gained 1st place for reciting Psalm 100 and then drawing a Bible story, which was told to them at the time of the test. Juniors gained 3rd place in verse speaking. Seniors came 2nd in Verse Speaking and 4th in Rhythmic Movement. Brigaders gained 3rd place in Skipping. We ask for your prayers as we plan for our Camp this year. We hope to go to Cliftonville, 24-31 August. Please keep 26 October free for our Display, further details at a later date.

The Newsletter for September-October 1968 reported on the first weekend of Camp in the following words:

Sausages, beans and. mash on Saturday, roast beef on Sunday, steak and kidney on Monday followed by the most delicious bread and butter pudding! How do we know it was delicious? Well, we shared it with them. Them? Who? The Girls’ Brigade, of course, who are away at Camp this week. They are staying in St Stephen’s Youth Centre, the large, well-equipped basement floor of the Cliftonville Methodist Church. A large hall serves as dormitory for the younger girls, a smaller one for the older ones (who, we were told, ended up one night by sleeping seven on a mattress), and a quite small room for the officers. With a modern kitchen and dining room and adequate cloakrooms this centre is ideal, and we found everybody quite happy and comfortable. Upstairs, in the church, a small chapel has been curtained off and set aside for the Company use, and it is there that, every evening, they meet for what is, in fact, the focal point of the Camp. When the busy-ness and the fun of the day are over, their thoughts are turned to, and. their hearts challenged by the claims of the Lord Jesus Christ on their young lives. The Officers need our prayers this week and every week. Before we left we said to the older girls; “Any fond messages to send home?” “Tell them”, they said nonchalantly, “that we’re not missing them!” But that was Monday. We suspect that by Saturday it will be a very different story!

Members of the Girls’ Brigade very much appreciated the support given at their annual Display on 26 October 1968. The best all-round prizes went to Explorer, Kerry Luck; Junior, Hilary Colmer; Senior, Sandra Seago; Brigader, Lynne Goodman. During the Display Miss Iris Taylor received her Lieutenant’s commission. Items of special interest were bamboo pipes which the Seniors had made themselves, and the Juniors’ “Youth Movement”, a



procession ending with the appearance of a pearly king and queen announcing the start of a fund to obtain a minibus for use by the Brigade. The GB announced that they would be pleased to deliver local Christmas cards and letters for a donation to the minibus fund, and that a box would be available for this purpose from 8 December onwards. It was felt that – at their ages, 8 to 10 years – a full week’s Camp would be too much for the Juniors, but in June 1969 a group of 15 of them went to the GB property in Edenbridge, Kent, for a weekend Camp. In July 24 of the older girls and 3 officers spent a week in Camp at Rye. On the Sunday four of the girls took part in the morning service at the Baptist Church, and in the afternoon they had an open-air scripture quiz. During the week they visited Camber Sands and Hastings. In their devotions they studied various aspects of the Lord as a Shepherd. The 1969 Display was on 18 October. Some members of the newly formed GB/BB Band took part, and there were also a Senior/Brigader mini-orchestra, part-singing by the Juniors, and a mime of the Sleeping Beauty by the Explorers. The Company entered the Barking Carnival procession with members of the 3rd Becontree Company as a junior uniformed contingent, and won 1st prize, also a cup, as the best marching contingent. Very little GB news was reported in the Church Newsletter over the period 1970-72, except that in 1971 Lynne Goodman gained the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, and the girls had a very enjoyable camp at Eastbourne – a week packed with interesting activities and outings. The 1971 and 1972 Displays were held on 12 November and 1 July respectively. The 1972 Display included an item, “Band Call”, by the recently-formed Upney GB Band. Inspecting Officer Commissioner Vera Reynolds commented “It was good to see the ‘little trumpeters’ doing their part.” In April 1973 16-year-old Christine Wilderspin (pictured below as part of the GB band at the 1971 Barking Carnival) gained the Queen’s Award. The value of the Award was emphasised in the Annual Report for 1972, which pointed out that although 100 Brigader Brooches and 90 Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards were won, only three people obtained the Queen’s Award. And what did Christine have to accomplish to win this coveted trophy? 1. Prove a minimum 3 year good service prior to taking the Award. 2. Be a current holder of the Brigader Brooch. 3. One year’s project: this consisted of Musical Appreciation and entailed writing the details

and comments on 50 hours’ listening.



4. Voluntary Service: this involved Christine’s presence at Hyleford Old People’s Home every Saturday morning for six months.

5. Attend Headquarters for an examination on the

Monarchy, Constitution and Local Government. 6. Two Initiative Tests: the first was to be responsible

for running a Company evening single-handed for a Dagenham Company; the second was to assume that all Company records had been destroyed by fire and she had to undertake their replacement.

7. A final visit to Headquarters for interviews and

inspection. General demeanour and smartness came under this heading and questions were posed for her to answer on many facets of life.

It is quite obvious from this programme that two attributes which Christine needed (and had) were Stickability and Dedication to the Task The Award consisted of a badge engraved with the name of the holder, and a certificate personally signed by the Queen Mother and Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. The Presentation took place at the Girls Brigade Annual Rally in the Royal Albert Hall on 5 May 1973. As the Brigade President, Lady Nicholson, was indisposed, Christine received her Award from the hands of Lady McDermott.

On 18 May 1973 Lady Nicholson, now recovered, presented Christine Wilderspin with the Queen’s Award at the National Display in the Royal Albert Hall. Upney GB’s 1973 Display was held on 30 June. On 23 March 1974 20 girls from the 1st Upney Company sang their way into first place at the Divisional Singing Competition. With 90 marks they were a clear 15 marks ahead of the runners up, and were worthy winners of the Shield. Some of the Senior girls took part in a cross-country race on 30 March as part of a combined GB team.



From the Church Newsletter for May-July 1975:

The Girls’ Brigade serves others On Saturday 8 February a company of senior members and friends gathered on the church premises to enjoy an evening of fellowship and fun organised by Captain Norma Callcut and a small group of lively teenagers from the Girls’ Brigade. For the girls the exercise counted as part of their training in Social Activities. It involved the making of cakes and pastries, the preparation of a splendid salad meal and the washing up of a pile of crocks. The tables were tastefully laid, and for all the effort put in to make the evening such a success the girls and their leader merit much credit. After eating we transferred to another room, where the entertainment began with the screening of three films. The first featured Miss Callcut visiting her relations in New Zealand; this was followed by a film of ‘slaves’ at work on an Upney Rend and Mend Day, and finally we saw members of the Cole family sampling the beauty spots of Scotland. In between games Miss Callcut read a story in which she contrived, by fair means or foul, to incorporate the name of every guest. Mr Staerck provided some humour, and Miss Olive Howard, accompanied by Dr Cairns, sang Love’s Old Sweet Song and Bless This House. There were further refreshments, and we all received a small but useful gift, before Miss Jessie Cross brought the evening to a close by expressing our gratitude for a very pleasant time.

In 1976 the Display was held on 2 July, when the items represented different countries from Iceland to Australia, Mexico to Egypt, Sweden to Canada, etc. Camp in Worthing was held 24-31 July, with visits to the Downs and other South Coast resorts. In 1977 attendance most weeks was about 65 girls. For the first time, that year the Company entered four Juniors and four Seniors for the nation Bible Study competition. The 1977 Display was on 2 July, and the 1977 Camp was held at Deal, 30 July - 6 August. On Sunday 25 September 1977 four girls and an officer took part in the Jubilee Youth Band Parade in the Mall. There were 85 bands and it took three hours to pass by. In May 1978 13 girls from the 1st Upney Company provided an item for the national Girls’ Brigade Display at the Royal Albert Hall, and the Company’s own Display on Saturday 10 June was much appreciated. Membership stood at 75, including 28 Explorers. The Church Newsletter for July-August 1978 carried the following tribute by Mr P J Nugent to one of the less well-known of the Company’s activities:

On 13 May, at the written invitation of the Girls’ Brigade, some 40 senior (in age) members of the Church and congregation met on the church premises for an evening of fellowship and entertainment. 4.30 pm was the gathering time, and we were welcomed by the GB Captain Miss N Callcut and seven of her girls. Shortly after our arrival we were ushered into No 2 Room, where high tea had been prepared. The tables were most attractively decorated for the occasion with flowers, and the tea itself consisted of meat salad with ‘all the trimmings’, a suitable sweet, together with home-made cakes and, of course, the essential cups of tea completed a most excellent meal. The girls themselves waited upon us in a most efficient and charming manner.



Back in the School Hall a programme of quiet games, quizzes etc had been prepared again by the girls themselves. There was plenty of time for talk for those who so preferred or who had been eliminated from the various games. Mrs Wilderspin, on her piano accordion (another of her accomplishments), led and accompanied a time of community singing to the enjoyment of everybody. All this was done under the direction of Miss Callcut, to whom, together with the seven girls and Mrs Wilderspin, go our grateful thanks. Pleasant though the whole evening was, more pleasing was the thought behind it all, and, as the Captain says in her Company Report, it is good that young people can realise how much pleasure one can get by giving pleasure to others. May God bless you all.

The Captain, Miss N Callcut, gave the following account of the Company Camp at Clacton in the Church Newsletter for September-October 1978:

9.15 on Saturday 29 July they started to arrive at the church. We duly reached our destination, when the girls were put into groups of five or six and given a floor area to make into their bedroom for the week. What a week it proved to be – thunder and lightning and then the rain, every day except for Tuesday, when the sun came out in full. This was also the day one girl decided to hit her head and finished up with three stitches, yet we can be grateful to God that there were no repercussions and that Elaine was able to enjoy the rest of the week. Thursday we went to Colchester, where we had an advantage in that it was tattoo week, so there were various interesting things some ventured to have a go on, such as having finger prints taken, partially driving a truck, etc. This was, of course, done in weather more suitable to April. However, the final summing up is that it was an enjoyable Camp with more unity than usual. After the final Camp service on the Friday night, without any pressure at all, three of the girls went up to one of the Officers and said “We want to become Christians”. Surely this makes all the work more than worthwhile. To those who gave gifts and. prayed for us, thank you – you were part of the team with us. We recommence during the week beginning 4 September, and we would be pleased to see new recruits in any of our sections. Girls can start from one month before their fifth birthday.

In the Newsletter for November-December 1978 the Captain, Miss N Callcut, reported:

Our numbers are gradually increasing, with an average of about two new girls each week. The Explorers really enjoy listening to Bible stories and often come up and say “Is it story time now?” We also play quite a few games and learn to skip arid do other similar things. We sometimes do craft as well. In Juniors we often have Bible quizzes, and this age group love singing choruses and hymns. They also do dancing and team games, and learn about a variety of subjects. Seniors and Brigaders, aged eleven plus, are mostly full of activity. We need your prayers that their energy may be channelled in the right direction, and that they will come to love the Lord Jesus and use this energy to serve Him.

Early in 1979 1st Upney Company members were working hard on articles to be entered in a GB District Craft Eisteddfod at Barking Tabernacle on Saturday 3 March. Some 150 to 200 items were entered by the 1st Upney Company alone, who received the most marks. Debra Hartwell’s toy rabbit was judged the best entry of the over 11s, and Karen Partlett’s peg dolls (bride and groom) were the best entry of the under 11s.



The 1979 Display was held on 7 July. In the Church Newsletter for September-October 1979 Captain Norma Callcut contributed the following report of their Camp in Suffolk, 28 July - 4 August:

How would you like to come to Camp? It starts twelve months in advance with booking a hall and a coach; then from January onwards we accept the girls’ bookings – more and more girls now pay weekly towards the cost. Next comes the checking that uniforms are correct, planning the programme for the week, also meals, and obtaining the necessary provisions. (Here we would say a big thank you to those who made cakes as also to those who passed gifts of money to us.) Saturday, 10 am, the coach duly arrived – all aboard, and we were off. After having answered the question “Is it much farther?” goodness knows how many times, we eventually reached Great Yarmouth, also landing ourselves in a plague of greenfly. Beds were the next problem – it takes years of practice to learn the knack of getting them together – and then you discover you’ve got the one where the legs don’t fit. However, after a good few hours of sorting out, we’re ready to begin in earnest. Saturday evening a trip to the front, where there was a convenient fun-fair, provided a good start as far as the girls were concerned, at cost of only 8p each. Sunday morning it was Church Parade; in the afternoon we did Bible-based craft and in the evening a visit to the Salvation Army service. Monday morning a visit to the shops, lunch on the beach, then joining the Church Army beach mission, where our girls won the two prizes offered; finishing with a fancy dress parade in the evening. Tuesday we went to Norwich for the day, with plaster model making in the evening. Wednesday afternoon we went to the circus, and then the model village to finish the day. Thursday we spent all day at the Suffolk wild life park, with a concert in the evening. Friday it was again shops and beach mission, with Camp service at night. Every morning and evening we had a devotional session, and also a group of some ten girls aged 9-11 years met on three nights for a prayer meeting. Please pray that we will be able to continue to help these young Christians to grow in their faith and eventually become members of Christ’s church.

Two of the girls organised a party for the older people in January 1980, and by the number who came and the comments passed it seemed that such an event was much appreciated. Some gave money towards the expenses; this, added to the money put in the Christmas card box, covered the costs, and in fact there was even some over ready for the next one. One of the guests reported their experience in the following words:

What a wonderful time we had at the Girls’ Brigade party for the senior citizens of Upney. No generation gap here! Sue and Debra made us all so welcome and, although they must have been nervous, did their job as little hostesses with quietness and politeness. The games we played were very fitting, and the game ‘Give us a Clue’ went very well, with everyone racking their brains to the extraordinary antics of the one giving the clue. Now food, plenty of it, I think everyone was in favour of, was set and charmingly served to us, and here we must spare a thank you to Rosalind, who was working well behind the scenes in the kitchen.



After tea we had a quiet time when Norma showed us some interesting film of other countries, Canada, Holland and New Zealand. Thank you, Norma, for the joys of holidays and the wonders of God’s Creation. We finished our very enjoyable evening with some very old favourite songs, sentimental perhaps, but the sentiment that draws us together, to finish our evening with ‘Blest be the tie that binds’; all played on the piano, with gusto, by Babs (Mrs Wilderspin). Thank you all, Girls’ Brigade, for a lovely evening.

In the Newsletter for July-August 1980 the Captain, Miss N Callcut, wrote:

We are pleased to report that Mrs J [Janet] Caplin is now a Lieutenant, and works in the Junior section. However, we have also had reluctantly to accept resignations from Mrs C [Christine] White (née Wilderspin) and Mrs I [Iris] Foster (née Taylor) both due to their moving from the district, which leaves us very much in need of helpers, particularly for the 11+ age groups, also someone who could guarantee to be at Explorers at 6 pm on Mondays, even if only to stay for about fifteen minutes. Now is the best time for new girls to start, and we could accept some in all sections.

The 1980 Display was held on 5 July, and Camp, 2-8 August at Gorleston, went extremely well, with less friction than usual. Early in the week two girls decided to become Christians, and another three were spoken to along this line; only God would know the outcome. There were now a number of Christians in the membership, and it was planned to hold occasional meetings to help them and for them to pray for their friends. In February 1981 Mrs “Babs” Wilderspin and her husband Geoff moved to Fleet in Hampshire, due to the relocation of Geoff’s work to Aldershot. This meant her having to resign from being a Lieutenant in the Company, a post she had held since 1966. The Company continued its usual programme of activities, including competitions, with the Juniors gaining first place in the District for country dancing and the Seniors coming first in the National first aid competition. The four girls who made up the latter team went to the Albert Hall Display on 2 May to receive their award, and there were also three Brigaders and six Explorers in one of the items. The Company’s own Display was on 4 July, when 37 girls received their Good Service Award, which requires 75% attendance at both Brigade and Sunday School/Church. The 1981 Camp was at Ramsgate, 25 July - 1 August, and Mrs Grace Klein (née Gibbs), who had been a Lieutenant in the Company, and had latterly returned as a ‘helper’, submitted the following extensive report in the Church Newsletter for September-October 1981:

Some months ago, when asked if I would go to Camp with the GB, I was happy to say ‘yes’, and even after a Camp Training Day organised by the Division my enthusiasm hadn’t waned. But, oh dear, as 25 July drew nearer, my eagerness disappeared and panic took its place. You see, even after spending 16 years of my young life in the then GLB, this was to be my first ever Camp. How on earth did one cook for 30 girls and four helpers! Fortunately for all concerned this was not my responsibility alone, but of course, I had to take my turn. Mind you, I believe Lieutenant (Mrs Janet Caplin) was just as doubtful. Poor Captain, here she was with one of



her largest Camps – and. two complete novices to help her. What a good thing that Elaine Davies, although a Brigader, had come to help for a few days. At least she ‘knew the ropes’! 25 July dawned warm and bright, and before long we were loading the coach, helped by parents and friends, with everything but the kitchen sink – though we did have plastic bowls. Then it was farewell, and off we went to arrive in record time, after an uneventful journey, at Cavendish Baptist Church, Ramsgate. This time there were no extra hands to help with the unloading, but everyone did their part – bedding and cases upstairs, kitchen equipment, food etc downstairs. So it went on until everything was sorted out. Those of you who were at the recent Display will know the drill – beds up, uniform on hangers, packed lunches, beach. My, you have to try it to understand the difficulties with the simple ‘beds up’! However, at last every one had their ‘room’ (with chairs or forms) with their friends in the large hall, the five older girls who were all squad leaders on the platform, and Captain, Lieutenant, Elaine and me in an adjoining room. It was a lovely afternoon so we all went to the beach and later, after tea, to a place near the sea for sports. Back to Camp, ‘chapel’, drinks and bed – but, oh no, not to sleep. In fact, I really began to wonder if sleep ever came to the excited youngsters, who were awake again at 6.30 am. However I can assure any anxious parents that this was not the normal pattern. In fact it was often difficult to wake the squad on duty at 8 am! I was assured by my daughter, Jennifer, that I wouldn’t have to do much as the girls do most of it! Well, I wouldn’t quite go along with that, but I must say how well they helped, and with very little grumbling. The girls helped prepare the food, made toast, set tables, washed and dried up, and kept the rooms clean and tidy as well as having their own beds and cases inspected. Those on duty in the morning found it hardest; in fact, one day I had to unzip one young lady from her sleeping bag as she’d conveniently hidden at the bottom of it, not wanting to get up! Each morning before breakfast we had ‘chapel’, and again in the evening. The theme for the week was ‘Marriages in the Bible’, it being a very important wedding week. We (Captain, Lieutenant and I) took it in turns to take prayers, and as each subject was taken so their names were put round a central picture of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. These included Adam & Eve, Abram & Sarai, Ruth & Boaz, and Samson & Delilah. Singing was enjoyed during these short services, and Elaine’s playing was much appreciated. Sunday, like every other day with the exception of Friday, was warm and sunny. The girls paraded in Church in the morning – they really did look smart – and the minister very kindly made it into a youth service. We managed a nice walk in the afternoon, and then visited the Salvation Army in the evening, where we received a very warm welcome and had a most enjoyable time. Norma, Janet and I were thrilled after ‘chapel’ that evening when Elaine told us that she had committed herself to the Lord. This seemed to set the pattern for the week as, with no appeals and no pressure, girls in ones or twos and at various times, even whilst preparing rolls for a picnic lunch, asked how to become a Christian. It was a joy to speak to them and share verses out of God’s Word with them, and we pray that some may have truly accepted Christ as their Saviour. Do pray for them, too, and especially one youngster who wants to be a Christian but finds it so difficult to take the first step. Many happy hours were spent on the beach and in the sea, both at Ramsgate and on a visit to Broadstairs (not unknown to many of us). We also had a very enjoyable day in Canterbury, with the girls doing a worksheet on the Cathedral. This was a Thursday, and the day finished after the evening meal with the girls all taking part in various plays – all of their own making and real fun. The snag was that at the end Janet and I were told that we were expected to choose the best, and they were all so good we were glad that Captain had the final say.



Mention must be made of the Wednesday. It was a great disappointment to me to miss watching the Royal Wedding, and so it was to my great delight that I heard the GB Captain from the Church asking if some of us would like to see it. The minister, too, opened his home, and another couple. Not only did these kind folk do this, but they also provided coffee, ‘coke’, biscuits and crisps, and, so that we could see the Royal couple on the balcony, also provided a lift back to Camp. Whilst 15 of us saw the wedding, the rest decorated the hall for a party in the evening – the girls hadn’t known about this – and then went to the beach. We had two visitors for lunch – Mr Caplin and his mother – they also spent time on the beach with us in the afternoon and enjoyed the special tea. We even had a ‘wedding’ cake which was provided by two of the girls whose Nan (I believe) works in a baker’s. Then, sadly, we had to say goodbye to Elaine, who went home with Mick Caplin, as her family were going on holiday the next day. Then it was clearing up, and then time for games, and what a noise! It was all great fun and enjoyed, as was a competition earlier in the day which was judged by Mick Caplin. Each squad was given an equal amount of red, white and blue crepe paper, and every girl made her own ‘fancy dress’ to wear for the tea. It was then time for prayers, and after a drink some of the youngsters still wanted their ‘Christian meeting’ which they had asked for. Captain took this, and it was a time when the girls could ask questions about the Bible and the Christian life. All too soon it was the final service, with everyone (except yours truly) in uniform. Four or five girls gave a short word of testimony – including two who’d come to the Lord that week – and Captain spoke on the subject ‘Christ and His Church’, continuing the theme of marriages. Next day everything was a hectic rush as we had to be ready by 11 am, and we actually just made it. Everywhere was made clean and tidy, and even sandwiches made for the journey. And so home. We arrived five minutes early! We do thank God for a happy week, only minor panics such as nothing for breakfast Thursday morning! However, that was soon rectified by a quick visit to the shops; you see, everywhere had been shut on Wednesday. We also thank God for a safe week and one free from illness, although Fiona was unwell the final evening but was much better after a week at home. Camp is really a culmination of a year’s hard work. Do pray for Captain and Lieutenant and the helpers who give up their time week by week, not just for the girls but also because they love the Lord and want to serve Him.

After Grace Klein’s report was received the Captain submitted the following, which formed a fitting postscript:

About a year ago the Boys’ Brigade closed down, and this made me wonder whether we should do likewise; however, I felt this was not the course we should take, and so the Girls’ Brigade carried on. Since that time God has confirmed this move. Mrs Whitear came to help with the Seniors, and this section has almost doubled in numbers instead of the usual drop-off. Then at Camp we saw true conversion, and now another person has come forward to help with Explorers. This, we believe, is the Lord confirming His Word with signs following. As Christians we believe God guides us – sometimes we have to make the first move, which God then confirms. This has been the case in Girls’ Brigade during the past year.



Captain and four of the oldest girls attended a Brigader weekend 3-4 October 1981, an opportunity for the girls to have fellowship with members of other companies. The Company took over the hospital chair-pushing rota which was left vacant when the BB disbanded, although this meant the girls being late for Church some Sunday mornings. The Upney girls joined with those of other Companies to sing Christmas carols at Barking Station on Friday 18 December. Among the National competitions the girls entered in 1982 was one for ‘International’, focussed on Africa. As a team they came fifth, but the embroidery of an African scene by Linda Martin was judged the best Senior entry, and she became part of the England and Wales first team to compete against other countries later in the year. The annual Display was held on 25 June, when 49 girls received their Good Service Awards and badges – each badge requiring success in at least four individual subjects. Elaine Davies and Ann Sutton both received the Queen’s Award at the Royal Albert Hall Rally. In the Church Newsletter for September-October 1982 Captain Callcut reported:

29 girls and three adults spent an enjoyable week at Camp in St Leonards, with dry weather, if not hot – at least that meant no sunburn for the girls. Possibly the highlight of the week was the day spent in Hastings, i.e. visit the cheese house, then the fishermen’s museum – a ride on the beach railway, then in the cliff lift to picnic lunch at the top – walk to the caves for a creepy visit down under – find our way to the beach for a chips and something tea, then the fairground, and finishing with an ice cream. For the officers it was a thrill when various girls asked about spiritual matters and how to become a Christian, and for me best of all was the comment from a ten-year-old girl – “It’s my birthday tomorrow”. My first reaction was “We’ve no birthdays this week”, and then I realised she had become a Christian at Camp the year before. Praise God!

In the following Newsletter Captain Callcut reported:

The weekend of 16-17 October was a very busy one for members of the Girls’ Brigade. On the Saturday a small group went to the hospital to decorate the chapel ready for the harvest service which we had agreed to organise the following day. It was a thrill when we arrived to



see an array of corn dollies loaned by Mrs Carter, a Nursing Officer at the hospital, and we would also like to thank those who provided produce for the display. On the Sunday we were again at the hospital at 9.30 to wheel the chair-bound patients to the chapel from their wards. We then conducted the service, with the Seniors singing one of the pieces from our last harvest cantata, a selected group singing the verses of ‘All things bright and beautiful’ with everyone joining in the choruses, and the talk was split into three small sections interspersed with singing. Afterwards each patient was given a gift from the display. Was it worth it!! On the way back to the ward one lady told her pusher she had been in the hospital for eleven years and it was the first harvest service she had been to. In the afternoon 30 members went to Dagenham for the annual Divisional Parade, and fortunately the rain held off just until we reached the Church — our God is in control.

In the Newsletter for January-February 1983 the Captain, Miss N Callcut, reported:

A number of new girls have joined us since September, mostly in the Junior Section. As usual, we are holding our Christmas parties in the New Year, so the girls have this to look forward to in the week commencing 10 January. Do you know any little girls aged 4 years 11 months, 5, 6 or 7 who might like to join our Explorers? – as we would like to increase our numbers in this section, and girls of this age would be welcome to start with the party on Monday 10 January from 5.30 to 7.30 pm. We have already started working for competitions, and the Bible Study is first, during the second week in February. Please pray that the girls will not only learn the stories involved but take in the implications behind the stories. Plans are in hand to hold, on 22 January, another party for older people who attend the main Church services. Invitations will be going out, but if you do not receive one or hear of anyone else who has not done so will you please let me know, as it is not our intention that anyone should be left out. During the December Parade Service Mrs Hawthorne was commissioned as a Lieutenant, and Julie Shirt, Janice Wear and Fiona McLaughlan were promoted to first grade Young Leaders. Unfortunately Fiona was not able to be at the service as her health has been causing some concern. We pray that shortly Fiona will be much better and able to resume helping with the Explorers.

In the Newsletter for March-April 1983, the Captain, Miss N Callcut, reported:

Girls’ Brigade Juniors gained second place, Seniors fourth and Brigaders seventh in the national physical work competition. We also entered the cookery and came fifteenth for Juniors and Seniors, and thirteenth for Brigaders – not such high placings but a lot of pleasure in doing the work, even for the girl whose job was to lay the table. Our numbers remain steady around the seventy mark, and most girls are there every week.

And Church member Mrs D Holder wrote:

It is my privilege to pen these few lines of appreciation on behalf of the ‘more mature’ (age-wise) friends of Upney for the happy time we had at the party held for us by the Girls’ Brigade on Saturday 22 January. We had a lovely time of fellowship and jollification, and greatly enjoyed the games and entertainment arranged by Fiona McLaughlan, Julie Shirt, Janice Wear and Carole Ferrari.



Halfway through the proceedings we retired to No 2 Room to partake of the delicious refreshments, which were all made by the girls themselves. Truly, the table was laden with goodies. Thank you, girls, for a lovely feast. Our thanks to Mr Staerck for the jokes and monologues given in his inimitable way. Thank you, girls, for all your hard work, and thanks must be given to Miss Norma Callcut and Mrs Anne Wear [Norma’s sister] for their help. I know I speak for everyone when I say “A good time was had by all”.

In the Newsletter for June-July 1983 Captain Norma Callcut reported:

The Girls’ Brigade Display [2 July] has now come and gone, although when writing this report we were still in the midst of hectic rehearsals with some girls really trying their hardest whilst others – well!! 50 members this year receive a good service award which entails a minimum 75% attendance at both Company and Sunday School or church. To gain a “worked for” badge, a girl needs to pass in at least one subject from each of the four sections of Brigade work, i.e. Spiritual, Physical, Educational and Service, and it is expected the same number will get one of these badges, but not all girls will receive both. Irrespective of my earlier comments it would be correct to say that almost all the girls enjoy taking part, and the final Display is an event worth putting on. How lovely it was to have a Chaplain [Revd David Hircock, who became Upney’s Pastor in February that year] and his wife with us this year. At the end of July over 30 girls plus officers and helpers will be leaving for a week in Bournemouth. Please pray not that we will have good weather, although this is an added advantage, but rather that God will pour out his blessing on us in the acknowledging of Jesus Christ as Saviour for some and a deepening of their Christian experience for others.

In the Newsletter for September-October 1983, one of the girls, Linda Martin, wrote:

This year was my very first Camp. I was really excited about it ever since I booked my place. Waiting for it to come seemed such a long time, but when the time finally did come, it was worth waiting for. The day arrived and much to our disgust, the coach to take us down broke down and we had to wait for ages. I got a bit worried, but to our rescue came a double-decker bus to take us to Bournemouth. During our stay we went on outings to various places – like Christchurch Priory and Tucktonia, to see a model Great Britain, and to Poole, where we went to the pottery. Some days we went down onto the beach (I think that was everyone’s favourite place). By the end of the week, I was exhausted, but myself and everybody else had had a great time, thanks to Captain and the rest of the officers who made it all possible. Captain – can I book my place for next year now, please?

The Captain added:

In the near future we plan to take part in the Divisional Parade service which is on Sunday afternoon, 16 October; and we have entered for a swimming competition at National level which is on 19 November, and the team will consist of Seniors and Juniors. We have just started a new session and would welcome new members in all age groups, so if you know any girls who might be interested, please introduce them to us.



1984 began with the usual round of Competitions, the girls achieving good, though not as spectacular, results as in some previous years. Mrs Pauline Martin contributed the following report of the Display on 6 July:

First of all I would like on behalf of us Parents to thank Captain Callcut, her officers and all her helpers for all they have done for our Girls not only at the Display but over the years. I know this task has not been an easy one at times and sometimes they must feel down. Thank God for Leaders whose main aim is to lead our Girls to the Lord. Please pray for them at all times. Well done, Girls, for a very enjoyable Display. I don’t know where to start; everything was beautifully done from the very smallest Explorer to the oldest Brigader. The Scottish Dancing by the Juniors was very impressive, as was Captain who did very well joining in in the place of a Girl who was ill. In Hazard House Julie Shirt made a very good worried Mum; what a real good sport she was, as were the rest of the Brigaders. Next time the Girls are on Parade they will have to ask the Explorers to lead them with their Band – they did do well. Thank you, Juniors, for “Peter and the Wolf” – it is a favourite of mine and I am sure everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. Although I have not mentioned every item in the Display, if I had there wouldn’t have been any room in the Newsletter for all the other items. It was a very good Display; you all worked hard..... Well Done! Those who missed this year’s Display missed a real treat. Please try and make the next one.

Janice Wear contributed the following report on the Camp, held 21-28 July, and the subsequent Company outing:

This year thirty-one girls and five adults went to Girls’ Brigade Camp at Lowestoft. A great time was had by all including visits to Pleasurewood Hills (an American theme park), Kessingland Animal Park and Great Yarmouth. The Camp concert also proved to be good fun, especially when some of the girls imitated the officers. In the mornings the girls learnt about the “Armour of God”, and in the evenings discussion groups were held on such topics as marriage and baptism. Some of the girls asked about next year’s Camp, but they will have to wait as Captain is still recovering from the effects of this Camp! On Saturday 8 September 48 people enjoyed a day’s outing to Chessington Zoo. The weather was fine as we strolled around the zoo looking at everything from the “Flea searching” apes to the otters and penguins. A funfair and a no-animal circus also added to the excitement of a nice day out.

In the Newsletter for November-December 1984 the Captain wrote:

Sunday 14 October was a very busy day for in the morning we were at the hospital for our regular ‘chair push’, and in addition we decorated the hospital chapel (on Saturday) for a Harvest Service during which some of the girls sang. Afterwards they distributed gift parcels to the patients present. There were about nine parcels over, and these were given to the first



older people to leave our morning service, so if you didn’t get one you weren’t left out but just not in the right place at the time for the gifts. In the afternoon we were pleased to be hosts to the Barking and Dagenham Division for their Annual Church Parade, and for me it was a great thrill to have a Brigade band leading a march in the area, which prompts me to say that we still have a number of instruments and I wonder if there is anyone now in the Church who could possibly restart our Company band.

In the Newsletter for March-April 1985 Captain reported:

There were altogether nineteen girls who entered for the Girls’ Brigade cross country race in fast falling snow, and they represented four different companies. Suzanne Servante came 1st, Jennifer Klein 2nd and Claire Shanahan 5th. These three made up our Company’s team, and we congratulate them on winning the cup and also the other five girls from Upney who took part. We are now in the middle of competition work having already done Bible Study (Juniors), International GB (Juniors, Seniors & Brigaders, one team from each age group), and drill. The one still to go is for Percussion with melody at the end of March. We have also entered a Junior team for Team Games which, if we were fortunate enough to win two preliminary rounds, would mean taking part in the Albert Hall Rally.

The Captain’s next report was in the Newsletter for July-August 1985:

Some friends may have noticed that our Girls’ Brigade have not had a Display. This has in fact been deferred to later in the year due to pressure of events around the normal Display time. We have just put up the girls into the sections for the new session and would very much like to increase the number of Explorers, as this section suffers most at promotion time. If you know any girls age 5, 6 or 7 (as on 1 September next) we would love to have them join with us on Monday between 6 and 7.30 pm. Please note all sections will be closed from 20 July until 9 September. Camp is now getting very close, and we plan to go to Felixstowe on 20 July for the week. We are very well off staff-wise, having six adults to thirty-three girls. Please pray that God’s presence will be felt. It has been suggested that some friends of the Company might like to have a special girl to pray for during this week, so if you are interested please let me know and I will furnish names.

In the Newsletter for November-December 1985 we read:

This summer we again had a happy Camp despite misgivings over the attitude of some of the older girls. Thank you to those who prayed specially for this problem. We stayed in Felixstowe, having outings to Easton Farm Park, where the girls could go in the pens and hold some of the animals, also feed them with special food pellets; and our other outing was to Aldeburgh and Thorpenese Mere, which was a shallow boating lake with islands where you could get out of the boats and explore.



Unfortunately, since our return, eight of the girls have left, only one because of moving out of the area. Please pray that what they have learnt in Brigade or Sunday School may one day bear fruit, and they will become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. This year we have been unable to hire the usual hall for a Display, so we have had a series of Parents’ Evenings instead. Forty girls gained good service awards, and the best girl in each section received a special award. These were:

Explorer Hazel Beerling Junior Naomi Caplin Senior Suzanne Servante

In the Newsletter for May-June 1986 the Captain reported:

Saturday 3 May was a very busy day for us, as it was the day for the Royal Albert Hall Rally, and this year we were taking part. Our item was entitled “Summer Holiday”, with a courier introducing various countries (Upney were Holland and Spain) and ending with Home, when all the girls who had danced for the countries plus some extra Juniors formed the Union Jack on the floor. Also during the Display we received a shield for gaining first place in the Junior skipping competition. An enjoyable but very tiring day.

This photograph shows Karen Parker receiving the trophy on behalf of the Junior skipping team. At the Company’s own Display on 28 June the “Summer Holiday” item was repeated, using Juniors to take the parts originally played by members of other Companies, and fifty girls received good service awards. From 16 to 23 August 33 girls plus four adults spent a very happy week camping in Ramsgate. On the Sunday it was an added surprise to see Revd & Mrs Davies at the parade service at the Church where they were staying, and also Mrs Brenda West. Alan, Valerie and Robert Parker joined them for lunch, it being the last day of their holiday. During the week they visited the Model Village, walked about half of the harbour trail, worshipped at the Salvation Army Sunday evening, also visiting the North Foreland Lighthouse (how many steps? – most girls had a different number) and a very interesting museum at Birchington. In addition to all this they entertained their chaplain [Revd David Hircock] and family to tea on the Wednesday, had a square dance, their own concert and a beach scavenger hunt. On the spiritual side they dressed a doll, with each item of clothing etc being linked to a Bible event. The gospel was made clear but there were no known conversions, so continued prayer was required, knowing that in His time God would answer. The new session started in September 1986, and recruits in all sections would be welcomed. In the Newsletter for May-June 1987 Captain Callcut reported:

Almost all competition results are now in, with the best results being:



Brigader Table Tennis 1st Junior Dancing 2nd Junior God’s Family (like missionary) 4th

Most of the girls seem to get a lot of pleasure taking part in competitions even when we don’t do well. This year we will be having parents’/friends’ evenings or departmental Displays held in the church hall, when awards gained during the past twelve months will be presented. We would be glad to welcome friends from the church to the Junior event, 1 July 6.30-8.00 pm or the Senior/Brigader event, 6 July 8.00-9.30 pm, but as we have so many Explorers it will be quite a squash to get in the parents and close friends of the girls in that section, which will be on Monday 22 June 6.30-8.30 pm. [During the Senior/Brigader event ex-member Rosalind Wear was presented with her Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.] 1st Upney Girls’ Brigade sent two teams to Parsons Green to compete in the annual National Girls’ Brigade Table Tennis competition. The senior team of Lisa Prigg (captain), Hazel Servante, Naomi Caplin and Kerry Wilson had three other companies in their section. One pulled out so they played two matches, winning one and losing the other to secure the runners up position in their group. They played a further match to determine the third and fourth positions. They lost the match so were fourth in their competition. The Brigader team of Janice Wear (captain), Jennifer Klein, Linda Martin and Suzanne Servante had four other companies in their section. They won their matches convincingly to secure a place in the final, against a very good team from Kidderminster. They won a close final to become the National Table Tennis Champions, and will receive their reward on 2 May 1987 at the Royal Albert Hall.

Then in the Newsletter for September-October 1987 the Captain reported:

Camp this year ran very smoothly with only one mishap, when a girl landed badly and damaged her hand, which meant two hours in Littlehampton hospital outpatients. However, the rest of the girls enjoyed that day’s outing. Our second outing was to Brighton where some of the girls went round the Pavilion, others on the pier and another group round a museum, the day ending with tea of their choice bought at a cafe on the promenade. We always have a packed lunch as there is not time to cope with going back lunch-time. Some days it is sandwiches, some days rolls, and one day hot dogs. The beach being very stony, on the last day we were able to afford an afternoon in the swimming pool. Spiritually – there seemed to be a real interest in these times when we used a road map on which we put signs at the various junctions all having a spiritual interpretation. We had a theme chorus:

There’s a grand highway that is free to all And it leads to the King’s abode. It starts at the cross where Jesus died, It is there you must join the road.....

Please pray with us that the girls who were at Camp and heard these messages and others as well will come to the cross and join the narrow road which leads to God.



All the Brigader section were able to go on a training course for the weekend 31 October - 1 November, and it was hoped they would all pass the test which would be in January. It was good for Upney’s girls to be able to mix with Brigaders from other Companies in the area. At the close one or two girls took leaflets explaining how to become a Christian, and prayer was asked that the leaflets would be used for the conversion of those girls. The Girls’ Brigade held their 1988 Display in the Church on Saturday 25 June, when an enjoyable time was had by all. During the evening various awards were presented covering the past year’s work, including the Queen’s Award gained by Linda Martin (with which she had previously been presented at the Royal Alber Hall Rally on 14 May). The prizes for the best girl each section went to Catherine Parry, Hazel Servante, Belinda Doherty and Sarah Nicholls, only one of whom had won it before. Revd David Hircock commented, “Several of those present thought that this year’s was the best Display that they had attended.” In her Newsletter report Captain added:

We now start a new session, hoping to gain recruits with special events the week following the Display. Our Camp this year is to Lowestoft 23-30 July, with 25 girls booked to attend. We are a Christian organisation, and to gain a service award entails regular attendance at Church and Company evenings. We therefore encourage girls to attend Sunday School – why? – that they may be involved in the life of the church and one day come to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

In December 1988 a Junior/young Senior weekend was held in Edenbridge, mainly with the younger girls in mind. In the Newsletter for April-May-June 1989 Captain was able to report: Our Girls’ Brigade have had good results in recent competitions, coming 2nd for Choir, and Juniors 1st and Seniors 2nd for Physical Work. Some may wonder why we enter for competitions; is it necessary? In my opinion

the answer is yes – mainly because it makes us tackle subjects we might otherwise pass by. It also encourages a higher standard of work, and what a thrill for the girls when we do well. An added bonus this year is that the first three teams in the Physical Work will be taking part in the Albert Hall Rally. The other subject we have covered this year is Bible Study, for which there are no results out yet. This is the 4th year we have taken girls to the Albert Hall for a 1st place award, which in itself creates a bond with parents who enjoy seeing their girls doing something important. We plan to hold our Display on 10 June at the church and do hope you will be able to come and enjoy this event with us.



In the Newsletter for July-August-September 1989 the Captain reported:

Having spent two weekends doing expeditions, four of our older girls were presented with their bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards at our Display on Saturday 10 June. Most members received a badge for completing the year’s work, and about thirty five received good service awards. Best girls were:

Explorer: Susannah Hircock Junior: Catherine Parker Senior: Alison Parry

only one of whom had won this award before. It might be possible for some other young people to work for the Duke of Edinburgh Award – if anyone (girl or boy) is interested, please see Captain, and I will decide if it is possible (age between 14 and 25). Our Camp is to Clacton, and we will be there for the week 29 July - 5 August.

Because of the Newsletter having become a quarterly, Captain had to begin her report for July-August-September 1990 with an apology:

Unfortunately for Girls’ Brigade, this News Letter is being published just after two events, so we can’t say come with us, because by the time you read this they will be over. On 30 June 50 parents and girls will be at Windsor Safari Park for a special Girls’ Brigade day. We expect to have a really enjoyable time. Then on 7 July we will be holding our Display. For me it was a great thrill to hear, only two weeks prior to this event, that all our Brigaders, except one, would be taking part and for some girls this means a dash to another event they are committed to take part in. On 29 July we will be off to Camp at Weymouth – a smaller group this year, but please pray God will make it a special blessing to at least one person.

By the following Newsletter a change of regime was announced. The Girls’ Brigade had appointed Mrs Vivien Davies to arrange reports for the News Letter, so there was expected to be an item in each future edition. This was her first contribution:

The summer months are certainly a very busy time of the year for the Brigade, so there is much to report. There have been the Annual Display, the Camp, an Expedition weekend, girls moving from one section to another, newcomers joining us, and others who have been members for many years sadly leaving us to go to College or University. The Display held on Saturday 7 July was enjoyed by all. Items from each section were performed in the church, and work done by the girls during the year was exhibited in the School Hall. It was a pleasure to have our missionaries with us this year, particularly as Miss Olive Howard was the guest speaker and Mrs Pat Hetherington presented the awards and prizes. Miss Joyce Field from Hendon was the Inspecting Officer.



Prizes given to the best girl in each section went to Andrea Hawthorne, Elizabeth Saunders, Catherine Parker and Vikki Neville. We congratulate Susannah Hircock on 100% attendance – a tremendous achievement! Mr Don Arfield has this to say about his very first visit to a Girls’ Brigade Display:

What impressed me most was the friendly, relaxed atmosphere that pervaded the whole proceedings. There had obviously been much careful planning of the programme and rehearsal of the various items, but there was a distinct absence of tension and fuss that is sometimes found in such events. Everyone taking part seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and that enjoyment passed over to the spectators. There is a fund of talent among the girls as was seen in many of the items. I thought the marching at the beginning of the programme was excellent as was the drumming by the Senior girls. For me “Oliver”, which produced its own “Star”, was the highlight of the evening. I left feeling how proud the Church should feel of the Officers and girls of this fine Company, and how deserving they are of our fullest support and prayers.

Our Camp this year was at Weymouth from 28 July to 4 August, and was attended by 23 girls and 4 helpers. This is Debbie Barden’s impression of her first Camp:

I was really looking forward to going to the Camp at Weymouth, but as I had never been before I was unusually nervous! When we got there everyone had to set up their camp beds, then my Squad were on tea duty. My favourite parts of the holiday were the Seniors’ midnight feast and when we were taken to Seaworld, which included a tropical jungle, a 3D cinema, a very mini-pool and lots of other things. I also enjoyed the lovely weather and going on the beach. It was brilliant. Before I went I didn’t know how good Camp was going to be, but now, I just can’t wait until next year.

In contrast Captain, Miss Norma Callcut, tells of her experience of the very first Camp she attended at Sidestrand, a seaside resort on the Norfolk coast, in 1946:

The Camp was organised by the Revd A Morgan Derham, our pastor at the time, and we combined with another church from Walthamstow. It was certainly a thrill to be going away to the seaside having spent most of my childhood in war conditions. When we arrived we filled palliasses with straw for beds. We slept in bell tents with an adult supervisor in each tent. It rained and rained – wellies were the order of the day! I cannot remember daily devotions but assume we did have them. On the Thursday there was a testimony evening when we were made aware of God’s love for us and our need of salvation. I came away from that Camp having decided to follow Jesus, accepting Him as my Saviour. Little did I realise then that the whole of my life would be tied up with leading girls to know Christ through Girls’ Brigade.

The Expedition on August Bank Holiday weekend was in connection with the Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The venue was Saxmundham in Suffolk, and Lieutenant Mrs Elaine Pitman and 4 girls were well looked after by chaperons Marc, Claire and Katie [Pitman]. Andrea Hawthorne and Catherine Parry will be very much missed by the Brigade, and we wish them every happiness in their new surroundings and every success in their careers, and we hope they soon find Christian friends and fellowship.

As promised, Vivien reported again in the Newsletter for January-February-March 1991:



I will start as I finished my last report with mention of the Brigaders who left us to further their studies at College and Universities. I want to give special mention this time to Andrea Hawthorne who is studying teacher training and biology at Homerton College in Cambridge. Andrea spent a weekend at home recently specifically to celebrate her nineteenth birthday. It so happened to be Parade on the Sunday morning, which Andrea attended attired in uniform. This supported a promise she made before leaving for Cambridge – “I will no longer be able to play an active part in Upney Girls’ Brigade. Even so, I won’t be hanging up my uniform quite yet, and will be attending Parade whenever I am able to do so. I have a wealth of happy memories which have amassed over the years in the Company, and have certainly valued the weeks spent at Camp – my tenth – at Weymouth this year!” Andrea was baptised on Sunday evening 8 December. It is a joy to witness members of the Girls’ Brigade taking this step, and we pray many more in the future will follow this path. Thank you, Andrea, for your example, support and loyalty to the Company, and for your help offered when home on vacation. The main event of this session has been the Bazaar held on Saturday afternoon 1 December. This was a most enjoyable occasion. There was no shortage of items to sell, nor helpers on the day – but where were the people? It is disappointing to realise that the profits could possibly have been doubled if just twice as many visitors had turned up. The quality of the goods made and contributed was excellent and those who did not come missed many bargains. Our thanks go to the girls who helped set up the stalls, served behind the tables, cleared up and supplied and made many of the items. To numerous mums who helped in so many ways and, of course, to all the buyers – a very big thank you. You may well ask, what was the purpose of it all? Naturally it was to raise money, but more than that. We feel it gives the girls so much pleasure and teaches them to help and cooperate, to care, to trust and be trusted. Karen Parker and Donna Pitman provided everything on their stall and collected over £40.00, a great sum considering £12.00 each was sufficient for them to pass their Fund-Raising badge. The overall sum was a pleasing £220.00, and added to this will be the profits made from the sale of Christmas goods within the Girls’ Brigade, from the Webb Ivory Catalogues. This could exceed another £100.00. It has been decided this year to split the total equally and send one half to the St Francis’ Hospice and the other to the Gospel Printing Mission, to enable tracts and literature to be printed and sent out specifically to Romania. This time of the year is the build up to the competitions which will take place in the early months of 1991. These are the subjects that the sections have been entered for:

EXPLORERS There are no competitions available this year.

JUNIORS Bible Study Toy Making Safety – Home and Garden Choral Speaking Team Games

SENIORS Bible Study Cake Decorating Pegs dressed as dolls



BRIGADERS Bible Study Cake Decorating

The next report will bring more detail of these competitions, with badge work involved and many good results – we hope! In the meantime we wish all the girls taking part much enjoyment and every success.

Vivien continued with this contribution to the Newsletter for April-May-June 1991:

The time for competitions has very quickly come and gone with only the Junior team games still to be completed. Unfortunately, though, there are many results still outstanding. I will, however, endeavour to fill you in with what information we have at the moment:

Since Christmas the BRIGADERS have taken part in two competitions. Firstly, a Bible Study competition which was all about the Ten Commandments, and we are still awaiting the results of this. Secondly, we took part in a Cake Decorating competition which we won by fifty marks. The four girls involved were Suzanne Servante, Linda Martin, Naomi Caplin and Karen Parker. They chose the theme of Nursery Rhymes, and with help from Julie Howard they all produced decorated cakes of a very high standard. They now have to go to the Albert Hall in May to receive their award.

Elaine Pitman The SENIORS have also been working very hard recently on competitions. They too entered one on Cake Decorating, and were placed sixth out of eleven. The results of the Bible Study competition on Miracles and the Dressed Peg Dolls have yet to be received. The four girls whose dolls were entered chose to dress them in clothes from different countries. As a helper myself in the JUNIOR section, I can give you first hand knowledge of the immense hard work and efforts that have gone into the five competitions they were entered for this year. The work produced by the girls had been very interesting and of a high standard. The Choral Speaking competition was on Saturday 23 February, and thirteen girls travelled to Orpington to take part. They recited two poems, a set piece called ‘Out of School’ by Hal Summers and a chosen one called ‘The Old Wife and the Ghost’ by James Reeves. The standard was extremely good and the results very close – our girls came sixth out of thirteen with only seven marks separating us from first place. Five girls volunteered to prepare work on various subjects related to the Safety in the Home and Garden competition. Work chosen from four of them was then collated to produce a written and illustrated log book, which was then sent away to be judged. An animal completed in any media was made by each member, and the four best were chosen for the Craft competition. It was an extremely difficult task, and finally a knitted elephant, a felt camel and kangaroo and a papier-mâché crocodile were entered. The Bible Study was in the form of a written test paper on the stories of the Promise Fulfilled from Abraham to Joshua, and again the best four were sent to Headquarters for entry. The results of these last three competitions have not come through yet.



All the work this term has been done not only with the competitions in mind but also for badge work to complete each girl’s individual annual circle. The awards for these will be received by the girls at the Display on Saturday 6 July in the church. Please put this date in your diary now. The hard work the girls have put in this year will be displayed or performed at this occasion and it will be a wonderful opportunity for you to see and hear it. Thank you, Julie Howard and Pauline Martin, for your much appreciated expertise and help, particularly in craft work. Miss Catherine Parry was a member of our Company for ten years, having moved into the area at the age of nine. Although we must congratulate her on gaining admission to University to further her education, it is with sadness we miss her lively and loyal contribution to the Brigade. However, it is clear she not only gave but gained much, too, from Girls’ Brigade. She writes:

Thinking back on my time in Girls’ Brigade at Upney, many good memories come flooding back. Our activities were varied and usually good fun (with some exceptions!) ranging from volleyball to Bible study, childcare and country dancing and, of course, riotous displays. There were many opportunities to try varied activities like the Queen’s Award, Duke of Edinburgh Scheme and community service in sheltered accommodation. Having left home now to study at the University of Warwick, I no longer regularly attend Girls’ Brigade, although I am still a member. The church I attend at Coventry does not have a Company, although my association with Girls’ Brigade has not ended. I am still continuing my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, for which I am visiting an elderly blind lady near university, and will be taking part on an expedition this summer. I still miss the friendships made and the experiences gained through Girls’ Brigade on a Company and Divisional level, and, of course, miss the responsibilities I had with the Explorers at Upney. I do hope one day to be able to give something back to an organisation that taught me so much about myself and the Lord Jesus Christ.’

Catherine In her next report Vivien wrote:

Much of my last report was concentrated on competition work that had to be completed at that time. However, there were very few results to print, so I feel it my duty and of interest to everyone to give them all now. As shown, the positions are excellent, bearing in mind they are National Competitions and the standard is always high.

BRIGADERS Adventures in Cooking 1st Bible Study 2nd SENIORS Bible Study 9th Dressing Peg Dolls 8th Adventures in Cooking 6th JUNIORS Bible Study 3rd Home & Garden Safety 3rd Choral Speaking 6th Craft Animals 5th

The Summer is one of the busiest times in Brigade for both leaders and members, but because the Newsletter is published just before our big events, there is not a lot to report.



Our annual Display is planned for Saturday 6 July at 6.30 pm in the Church. Final touches have been put to badge work recently, in preparation for the presentation of awards – which will be carried out by Miss Beryl Bond, whose help at Camp each year is much appreciated and valued. The Inspecting Officer this year will be Mrs Forster, who is Commissioner for the Redbridge Division. We do hope it will be well supported as it promises to be very enjoyable, with displays and demonstrations of work, showing the varied talents of members right across the age range of the Company. Camp, perhaps the biggest highlight of the year, is at Littlehampton, Sussex, from 27 July to 3 August. Twenty-four girls are being escorted by five adults. We often learn from testimonies at Baptismal Services that it is at Girls’ Brigade Camp that many girls first put their trust in the Lord Jesus, and we pray that this year someone will do the same. A good percentage of work in the Senior and Brigader Sections is centred around the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Many of you will not realise or understand the tremendous task ahead when one embarks on the Scheme, for the leaders as much as for those taking part. The Expedition is probably the most difficult to plan, and exceptional care, organisation and plenty of male chaperons are needed. Lieutenant Elaine Pitman spent a great deal of time arranging the last one, which was thankfully completed most successfully, as Hazel Servante writes:

The second weekend of May saw eleven brave Upneyites and one other travelling up to Potter Heigham in Norfolk to spend two sleepless nights under the stars on another Duke of Edinburgh Expedition. A pleasant trek alongside the River Thurne and across numerous fields was enjoyed by all eight Brigaders taking part, including Catherine Parry and Andrea Hawthorne, who came up from University, each practising for either their Silver or Gold Expedition. Fortunately, none struggled through the undergrowth quite as much as Robert Cain, who came with us to provide transport, when a game of cricket in the evening sent him repeatedly amongst the bushes to retrieve the ball! Elaine and Marc, Claire and Katie all joined in the fun of the weekend, although the comfort of their car between check points was envied by all of us having to walk!

Hazel To conclude: as another year comes to a close I asked Captain, Norma Callcut, if she would give an overall picture and opinion of how she felt Brigade had progressed over the last twelve months, emphasising satisfactions, disappointments, if any, and successes. This is how she feels:

We have had a very busy year in Girls’ Brigade, having gained good results in the National Competitions entered. Juniors also did sufficiently well in the local team game trials to get to the London races, but did not make it to the finals at the Albert Hall. The team also raced against 3rd Becontree Company at their Display, and we won. Most girls who have been with us for the whole year have earned a woven badge for work done within the Company. Thirty-six girls have also gained the good service award, which is for 75% attendance at both Brigade evenings and Sunday School or Church.



I would like to express my thanks to all those who have helped us especially those who come week by week as auxiliary workers – keep up the good work.

Norma Callcut This is perhaps an appropriate time to thank her for her hard work and devotion to the Upney Company. Norma has worked in Brigade for over forty years now, thirty-four of those as Captain. It is obvious that her desire is not only that the girls enjoy themselves and earn badges and awards, but that each will grow up to be good and responsible citizens and have a spiritual background few children can boast of today; and, above all, that many will continue through all sections of the Company, and one day accept Jesus as their very own personal Saviour – this is what Girls’ Brigade is all about.

In the Newsletter for October-November-December 1991, Vivien wrote:

It seems incredible to think that another Display, another Camp, another long summer vacation have come and gone yet again. A new term is already well under way, and we have had much encouragement with many newcomers, both as members and helpers. We are very pleased to welcome Mrs Valerie Parker in the Explorer Section, and also some Brigaders helping in the younger sections of the Brigade. Let us first of all go back nearly three months to our Annual Display. Before the proceedings began that evening, I asked the Inspecting Officer, Mrs Eileen Forster – Commissioner of Redbridge Division – if she would give her impressions for our next Newsletter. This is her contribution:

Looking back on the Girls’ Brigade Display, my memory of 6 July is of a very hot day, when I felt every sympathy for the Girls and Officers who, like myself, were in GB Uniform, but they must be complimented on the smartness of that uniform. The presentation of the awards gave a very good indication of how hard the Company had worked during the year, and indeed the whole of the Display showed the very good standard that had been achieved, thanks to the hard work of the Captain, Norma Callcut, and the Officers and Helpers of the Company. It is their Loyalty, Love and Devotion to Girls’ Brigade that shines out in the results we saw that evening. As the Explorers took us to the Circus, who could forget a Lion called Sausages, the Tightrope Walkers, Elephants, Clowns and Horses? The Juniors took us to Scotland for the Ceilidh, with Singing, Dancing and Recorders. The older girls transported us to Austria where we lived through scenes from The Sound of Music. Shall we ever forget those three demure Nuns? A special word too, for the two Dads conned into the Generation Game; I’m sure they quite enjoyed learning how to ice and decorate a cake. The Final Item, based on the Hymn ‘When The Lord in Glory Comes’, made us realise that all that is done in Girls’ Brigade does indeed lead to the Lord, and that the fun and games and the learning are preparing the girls for a future that we pray will lead them to accept the Lord as their Saviour and enable them to fulfil our motto ‘To Seek, Serve and Follow Christ’.

A Display would not be complete without the presentation of Awards of which there were a great many. I would like to single out just a few which I know you will agree deserve special mention.



100% attendance throughout the year: Catherine Parker Laura Nicholls Susannah Hircock

Best girls in each section:

Explorers Laura Nicholls Juniors Sarah Nicholls Seniors Jennifer Hill Brigaders. Naomi Caplin

As a reward for doing so well, Naomi was cajoled into telling us what Girls’ Brigade means to her:

This year is my fourteenth year in Girls’ Brigade, and I suppose I must know what goes on in the Company by now, but the competitions and badges are so varied everyone is always doing something new. Girls’ Brigade has provided me with so many useful skills, everything from cake decorating to aerobics, so I have to say that it has profited me a great deal. It has also equipped me to go to college or university in a year’s time, with the ability to communicate well and to be able to get along with anyone. Girls’ Brigade offers girls so many opportunities to learn that we should certainly thank all those who work so hard to prepare for Company evenings and indeed everyone who works for the good of the Company.

Mrs Valerie Parker has been a very much valued helper at Camp for a number of years now. It is clear from her report what a successful and enjoyable one it was too:

Littlehampton was the venue for Summer Camp this year, and so, from 27 July to 3 August, 27 girls and 5 helpers set up camp at Littlehampton Baptist Church. As usual it was a busy, but enjoyable time. Girls, whose ages ranged from eight to nineteen, had the opportunity of not only sharing with jobs such as washing and drying up, but also to have Christian fellowship with one another. We gathered together every morning and evening for Chapel. The theme for our Chapel services was “TRAVEL”. Various modes of travel as found in the Bible were used to illustrate:

GOD’S PROMISE (Noah and the Ark); CARE (Israelites – Pharoah’s Chariots); COMMAND (Jonah – Whale); GIFT (Wise Men – Camels); HELP (Jericho – Israelite Army Walked: Feet); WILL (Philip – Ethiopian Eunuch’s Chariot); PROVISION (Jesus’ Ascension – The provision He gives His people – Holy Spirit,

Comforter). A different memory verse was given each day to help the girls remember the main point of the story. The morning Chapel services were led by the older Brigaders. Their thoughtful and lively approach to these devotions helped and encouraged the younger girls to learn their memory verse for the day. A very big thank you to all those who participated in this way, it was greatly appreciated.



Throughout the week there was an interesting and varied programme. We were able to take advantage of the good weather and spend time on the beach. There was also the accustomed visit to the local shops!! One afternoon we went on a historical trail, which proved both exhilarating and exhausting. Two outings were organised: on the Tuesday the Juniors and Seniors went to Noah’s Farmyard whilst the Brigaders spent the day at Worthing, and on the Thursday an enjoyable day was spent by all at Butlin’s at Bognor Regis. The evenings were filled with entertainments, amongst which were a sports evening arranged by the Brigaders, a craft evening when the girls made jewellery, a concert evening and – the highlight of the week – a Birthday Party for Laura Nicholls. It was a real joy to see Mr and Mrs Howard Davies, who visited us for a short while one afternoon. I know that many people at Upney have been praying for Mr Davies, and it was good to see him looking so well. We praise God for Cassie Wilder, who gave her heart to the Lord; pray that she will continue to grow in her Saviour’s love. A couple of other girls were truly seeking and asking questions; please pray for these girls, as well as for all the others, that the Holy Spirit will work in their lives, so they may realise that only the Lord can completely satisfy their deepest needs, and everything else is just temporary.

There is much to pray for, but please pray that more girls will come to Brigade – although the Company is strong numerically there is always room for more. Pray particularly that those who do attend do not choose to leave part way through the year. There is so much to gain from each Section – and what an achievement and delight to reach Brigaders at the ripe old age of fourteen!

The report for the January-February-March 1992 Newsletter was written by the Captain, Norma Callcut:

We started our new Brigade year last September with a very small section in the Explorers, and yet, within a couple of weeks, there had been so many new faces we had great difficulty in putting names to faces. The present count is fourteen of these new girls still attending plus two new members in Juniors, four Seniors and one girl returned to Brigaders last July after a break of two years. We have already started work for our National Competitions which are held as follows:

10 February Senior – International Friendship (part 1) 29 February Junior/Senior/Brigader – Swimming 7 March Explorer Mime – The Good Samaritan 14 March Junior – My Church Senior – International Friendship (part 2) 21 March Senior – Flower Arranging.

Juniors are also entering for the Team Games, but we have no date fixed at present for the local trials, which will probably be next March. With all this activity going on is very easy to run out of time on a Company Night – please pray that we will keep our priorities right – as a Christian organisation we spend some time each evening teaching or encouraging girls in the Christian faith. It is a joy to see a number of our newer members in Church regularly on Sunday mornings; pray that the others will soon join them.

Mrs Vivien Davies was back for the Newsletter for April-May-June 1992 with the following report:



We are now already well into 1992, and the months are racing by. 4 July seems a long way off, but don’t worry, it will soon be here. What’s special about 4 July, you may well ask? The Girls’ Brigade Display, of course. Please mark the date in your diary or on your calendar – remember, it is a very enjoyable “not-to-be-missed” event. After much negotiating and waiting, a venue for this year’s Camp has at last been settled. Around twenty-five girls and helpers will set off for Milford-on-Sea on 25 July. Some eager campers, even now excited at the thought, have already paid their deposit to secure a place. We do pray that others, first timers as well as “oldies”, who may be undecided and dithering, will choose to join the Camp and enjoy themselves and receive a blessing as a result. In the last Newsletter, Captain detailed all the competitions entered for this year in the four sections of Brigade. It is hard to believe that most of these have come and gone, although some results are not yet available. EXPLORERS – in a very close finish the girls came 6th in their Mime competition – only three marks below the winners. JUNIORS competed in the Swimming Competition at Brixton on Saturday 9 March. We entered a team of four girls – Josie Plant, Vicky McClenaghan, Debbie Ross and Rebecca Beazeley. Particular mention must be made here that each girl who took part reached the final – in fact, we had a finalist in every event and came a well-earned 3rd overall. Well done. Over many weeks now on a Wednesday evening, the Juniors have worked very hard on their own ‘MY CHURCH’ project. They may not have known much about Upney Baptist before this, but all of them should know a great deal now. They have covered topics from where the church is, who runs it, people it supports, special services, money and flowers, to every activity from babies, mums, men, boys, girls, ladies and more. WOW! Four girls contributed the best part of their work to make just one complete project for entry into the National Competition. They were Emma Toop, Vicky McClenaghan, Sarah Cardy and Gayle Dyer. In the Team Games, our team have qualified from district level to the trials for the Albert Hall Display. These are to be held in London on Saturday 4 April. We wish them well. SENIORS came sixth in the Swimming and, although still awaiting other results, the report of the Flower Arranging Competition is that the girls thoroughly enjoyed the experience and produced arrangements of a very high standard. BRIGADERS – no competitions were entered for this year as the subjects were either not very appealing or to have taken part could have been quite expensive in providing materials. Tremendous time and efforts have been put into badge work and particularly in forthcoming expedition preparations. It is always a pleasure to welcome a new recruit but an even greater pleasure welcoming an older girl who came, left, then returned. Emma Tyler writes:

About one year after I moved up into the Senior section of GB I left because I didn’t really fit in or get to know the other girls and so was unhappy. After two years, during which time I moved church to Upney and got to know people who still went to GB, I decided to return. My main reason really for returning was to do my Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. I am very pleased now that I came back as I have made new friends there and am not just there now to do my D of E. I enjoy all aspects of GB and want to do well.



In Girls’ Brigade we do aim for all to work hard and play hard. Pray that each girl will love coming, bring others and keep coming and will develop a love and loyalty for their Company, their church and, above all, for the Lord who we hope will one day be their very own friend and Saviour.

In the Newsletter for July-August-September 1992, Vivien Davies reported:

I had to smile when I heard there had been an extension to the time limit for this Newsletter. A while ago I decided there would be no report from me with supposed lack of news at this time of year and the pressure of preparations for the Display. Well, there was no getting out of it, was there? – and here it is; maybe you are sad, but I hope will be glad! The Display, held on the 4 July in the church, is over, and the leaders and helpers have breathed a sigh of relief and now look forward to the summer rest they so much deserve. Our aim was to give everyone as full a picture as possible of just what does go on on Monday and Wednesday evenings at GB. We hope it was not only enjoyable and entertaining but also informative – that through it we can all learn even a little of the efforts and aims of the Upney Company. Incidentally we were thrilled, delighted and much encouraged by your attendance, support and response – judging by the turn-out, the Albert Hall may be the venue of this event one day!! I feel I must take this opportunity of thanking all those who helped to make it such a success – from those who moved chairs, made the welcome “cuppa” and washed up, helped with costumes and props (particularly Linda Martin who worked so hard in supplying the whale, masks and much more) to our Elder, Brian Parry, and Pastor for their contributions and Mrs Jan Allen for agreeing to attend as Inspecting Officer. Jan was once a helper in our Company, moved to Surrey and is now the Captain of the 1st Carshalton Beeches. It has been my custom the last two years to ask someone to write a short summary on the Display. This year, a very interested and supportive Dad has offered the following comments:

Dancing elephants, Humpty Dumpty, 76 trombones and grown men standing behind a ten foot cardboard whale, blowing bubbles – it could only be the annual Girls’ Brigade extravaganza! The young girls did really well. Moist-eyed parents flashed cameras as awards were handed out for service, team games, international friendship etc. The older “girls” did very well – a 10 year brooch for Mrs Caplin and a 30 year brooch for Captain! Congratulations to Linda Martin as she joined the “older” girls. Other highlights included a singing lesson in conservation and team games about as calm and safe as free-fall parachuting! “Jonah had a whale of a time” sang the girls – and so did the rest of us – well done. Everybody obviously put in a lot of hard work.

Thank you to Melvyn Cardy – Sarah and Anna’s daddy. Captain writes:

Our Display sees the end of a year in Brigade, and this year the report is one of very good attendances, with 7 girls achieving a fantastic 100%. They were Linda Martin, Emma Tyler, Catherine Parker, Susannah Hircock, Sarah Grainger, Laura Nicholls and Sarah Cardy. Of the remaining 48 girls gaining this award, only 2 were on the minimum rate, which is 75% of all possible attendances at Company and church.



For the past few months we have had a waiting list for girls wanting to join Explorers. I feel that 40 girls are enough to have in the group, taking into account the size of the church premises. After clearing this list, there will be room for just 4 more girls. Expected numbers in the New Year: 36 Explorers, 25 Juniors, 7 Seniors, 11 Brigaders. I would like to express my thanks to the 12 adult helpers who have been working in the various sections and also to those willing to come along to mark for badges.

Lieutenant Elaine Pitman, who is responsible for the Brigadier Section, has much to report on the hard work shown by her girls recently despite pressure of school work and examinations, with lots of badges completed and three summer expeditions for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – two already completed and one planned for August. However, we will leave news on all this until next time. The Company will miss Hazel Servante and Naomi Caplin very much as they go to University in September, and we wish them success and every happiness and God’s blessing in the future.

On to the Newsletter for October-November-December 1992, and we read:

Although Brigade closed for a few weeks during the schools’ summer holidays, work did not stop completely. There was, of course, the annual week’s Camp when 25 girls, ages ranging from 8 to18, and 4 helpers set off from Upney on Saturday 25 July in a very luxurious coach en route for Milford-on-Sea.

Milford on WHERE? I hear you say. That’s what we were all saying by the time we went, especially when Captain and Valerie Parker went to look the place over on a rather dreary day in May and reported back that it looked rather a dead-and-alive place, and if you blinked you would miss it. But, nothing daunted, we would make the most of it. So coaches were booked for outings; a day at Bournemouth, hardly quiet there; a half day at Buckler’s Hard which was very interesting; a day spent at a Pleasure Park, which always goes down well; a half day at the New Forest Museum, which was most enjoyable, learning about the history of the Forest, and seeing the beautiful surrounding countryside and lovely ponies roaming about everywhere. Other times were spent in the village area or on the local beach. Our evenings were full of activity – aerobics, craft, a camp party, a treasure trail, fancy dress (the girls were brilliant with their ideas) and Friday night saw us at a Tramps’ supper (saved us doing the washing up that night). But, of course, the most important part of the week was our Chapel time. The Theme was ‘GIFTS’ – one for each day, culminating on the Friday evening with the greatest Gift of all, the gift of Salvation. The girls listened well and a couple of the girls asked questions. The same girls, both nearly 11 years, have since attended our Sunday School for the first time. Pray for them. So God was with us. The weather was good and the whole week was a happy and an enjoyable time.

“Thank You” to Beryl Bond, a valuable Camp helper for many years, for this Report.

The Brigaders have also been very busy over the summer months – writes their leader Elaine Pitman – especially with the Duke of Edinburgh work. The expedition section involves the most preparation and hard work, and we have been on three this year! Our first one, in May, was for ‘first-timers’ Helen Carter, Elizabeth Saunders, Belinda Doherty, Emma Tyler and Alison Parry. They were really thrown in at the deep end as it rained, no, POURED, all weekend! Nevertheless, they survived to tell the tale, and actually went on the qualifying Bronze expedition only a month later. This was relatively easy in comparison due to the much more pleasant weather. The third one, in Suffolk, was actually an ‘exploration’. This means that there is not so much walking but, instead, the girls, Linda Martin, Lisa Prigg, Hazel Servante and Karen Parker,



had to study a topic which on this occasion was ‘Churches’. They successfully qualified for their Silver, helped by the lovely weather, and they all benefited from the knowledge and expertise of Paul Servante, whom they wish to thank very sincerely.

We have already met for three weeks into another new year for Brigade. Attendance is good, and the girls are as enthusiastic as ever. This year is going to be a particularly busy and exciting one, as many activities and festivities are planned from January 1993 to celebrate the “Centenary Year of the Girls’ Brigade”. We are confident that, when the time comes, everyone will support us in the efforts we are planning for Upney. We have much to praise God for in the numbers of girls coming along very regularly each week and a good majority of them now coming along to Church on Sunday mornings. This is obviously most encouraging. Please continue to pray for the very important work carried out and undertaken week after week by leaders and helpers, and in particular for the spiritual responsibility we have to all our girls.

Vivien Davies Another report appeared in the following quarter’s Newsletter:

Before Captain reports on the future and what 1993 holds in store, let us just briefly look back on the past year. 1992 is certainly to be remembered as enjoyable, encouraging and successful. Attendance was good and numbers remained constantly high. During the year, very few girls left Girls’ Brigade altogether. Badge work was completed with much hard work, effort and enjoyment and performance in competitions was high with many pleasing results. There was yet another extremely successful Display and Summer Camp. Thanks must be given to our leaders and helpers as well as to parents who faithfully transport the girls to and from meetings each week, turn them out so smartly in their uniform and attend parade services and special events. We are very proud of our Brigader Group, and other sections value the reliable and enthusiastic help given by members of this section. If you came along to the Church on Saturday afternoon, 5 December, most of you would agree you were glad you had done so. It was our Bazaar, and it certainly was a special event. Much of what was on sale had been made by the girls themselves. Well over £300 was taken during the afternoon and this, with money from Webb Ivory Christmas sales, will mean that £500 will be shared between the Gospel Printing Mission and the St Francis Hospice. Captain Norma Callcut reminds us that –

1993 is the centenary year of the Girls’ Brigade, and it is also the 50th anniversary of our own Company. There will be a number of events nationally and we will get the girls involved where possible. So far, these are: • one girl from each section to be in the opening assembly at the Albert Hall Rally • others to be in the 100-plus Eisteddfod at Battersea Park on 26 June, which is being held

instead of competitions this year. A new musical, “Jairus’ Daughter”, has been written for this celebration, and we plan to perform this as part of our Display on 3 July.



We would like to have a reunion of past members on Saturday 2 October (please advise Captain Callcut if you would like an invitation) followed by a Thanksgiving Service the following day at 3.00 pm, when we hope past and present members, friends and their families will come to the church to give God praise for all the achievements over the years.

Vivien Davis

An unattributed report appeared in the Newsletter for April-May-June 1993:

I’m sure you must all be fully aware by now that GB is 100 years old this year. We originated in Ireland in 1893 under the title “Girls’ Brigade of Ireland”. A similar organisation, the “Girls’ Guildry” was later formed and took place mainly in Scotland. In 1902, the “Girls’ Life Brigade” was set up throughout the British Isles – it was to this group that the 1st Upney Company was initially affiliated. They were all strong Christian movements; each group was connected to a Church, and all had the same principles and aims. In 1964, the three joined together to become “The Girls’ Brigade”. I read an interesting article recently in the last edition of the 1992 GB Gazette, and would like to share with you the following comments which are adapted from some, originally made by Joan Chenhalls, the then chairman of the executive committee. Although written a few years ago, I feel they are still relevant today:

Over the years, while there have been changes in Company programmes, there is no compromise with the aims of the GB. The movement is open to any girl but, having come, she must accept the disciplines of the Brigade. And the hope is that she will join the church to which the Company is attached. (Incidentally, the strongest Companies were always in the Methodist and Baptist churches, but there has been growing support in the Church of England for many years now – today, in our area, GB is much stronger in the Baptist Churches and there is none in the C of E). [There is] no weakening down of the fact that GB is a church-based organisation, existing to help girls to become followers of Jesus Christ, and “through self-control, reverence and a sense of responsibility, to find true enrichment of life”. From that there is never any retreat. We still have to justify why we are a uniformed girls’ organisation. We believe there is room for it in these days. The girls accept the discipline of uniform. It helps them to keep their standards, or to learn standards in other ways of life. Also it rules out any class distinction in the Companies. And we make no apology for keeping it a “girls only” organisation. At least once a week, the girls like to get away from the audience of boys. Though girls leave the Brigade at 21 – if GB has done nothing for them by then, we have failed – with many, their days with GB prove a strong influence through life.

There is so much to do and lots of fun and enjoyment in store for us all here at Upney because of the planned centenary celebrations. Girls are already working hard making articles and preparing singing and verse speaking items to be entered in the Eisteddfod in June. The list below gives dates of special events to take place during the next three months: 30 March Juniors are competing in the local heats of the Team Games 5 April Six representatives are going to Euston Station for the naming of a new

locomotive “The Girls’ Brigade”. Royalty will be in attendance 1 May Captain Callcut is attending a reception at the Guildhall 8 May Four girls are performing in the Assembly at the Royal Albert Hall Rally.

Congratulations to Lisa Prigg, who will be receiving her Queen’s Award at this Display

26 June 100-plus Eisteddfod in Battersea Park



3 July

Our own Display in the Church to celebrate 50 years of Brigade here at Upney, the whole Company will be performing for you the new musical “Jairus’ Daughter”

Vivienne Davies contributed the following article to the Newsletter for July-August-September 1993:

Wow, what a year! There is so much going on at the moment we can hardly keep pace, but must give full marks to leaders and helpers, parents and girls for their very hard work, patience, help and cooperation in this very important and busy year in the life of the Brigade. Please continue to pray that the remainder of our celebrations will be successful and to the glory of Christ, whom we endeavour to “Seek, Serve and Follow” in all things. By the time this Newsletter is released, the Display will be over. “Very different” you will say, but it was meant to be on this, the 50th year of Brigade at Upney and 100 years since the movement was founded. To mark its centenary, Roger Jones wrote and composed “Jairus’ Daughter”. You must agree it is an outstanding musical – we only hope our efforts did justice to its excellence and was enjoyed and appreciated by you all. Thank you for coming and supporting and encouraging us – yet again. We hope you enjoyed the change. Mrs Vivien Hircock kindly and graciously presented the awards, the most prominent being the following:

Winning Explorer – Victoria Oakley Junior – Sarah Cardy Senior – Sarah Nicholls Brigadier – Karen Parker 100 % attendance at both Company and Sunday School every week – Jennifer Hill,

Emma Tyler, Catherine Parker A number of girls missed this achievement by only one mark, and, out of a membership of 75 girls, 61 gained Service Awards for Company attendance and 40 for Sunday School attendance. Considering the requirement is 75% attendance for each award, it is quite clear that the girls coming regularly to both meetings each week is very high. Undoubtedly one of the highlights this year was the Annual Display at the Albert Hall on 8 May, and not least because our Junior Team Games team, who, by winning the District and national heats, qualified to play against three other teams at this Display. Never have we experienced such excitement. Our team’s performance was extremely impressive. They looked smart, and their team spirit and will-to-win was unbelievable. Upney have entered this competition for twenty years, and this is the first time they have reached the Albert Hall – and, of all the years, what an important year to WIN! Congratulations to them all. Sarah Cardy, the team captain, was presented with the National Team Games Trophy. As mentioned in the last Newsletter, there were other forthcoming events to look forward to. Captain and Lisa Prigg enjoyed a centenary reception at the Guildhall. Lieutenant Elaine Pitman took a small party of girls to Euston Station to see the Queen Mother name a new locomotive “The Girls’ Brigade”. Her Majesty made the day. She was wonderful and so lovely to all the girls, speaking to as many as time allowed her. Elaine was very proud of her girls, who looked immaculate and behaved impeccably all day. Another centenary event was the Eisteddfod in Battersea Park. Our girls have been working very hard on entries for the many competitions – toy making, quilling, art, verse speaking,



singing and dancing – to mention just a few. From the work shown and the results given at our Display, it was clear many of our girls achieved excellence. Please make a note and remember the following forth coming events and, in particular, our Annual Camp; 34 girls and 4 adults are leaving at 8.30 am on 24 July for Lowestoft. On 10 and 11 July is the Town Show; Linda Martin has done a lot of work for the Divisional Exhibition in the Youth and Community Tent. On 17 July is the Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church [event], and our girls are doing the drama and dancing at a performance of “Jairus”. Brigade members from all over London are singing, and Roger Jones, the composer, is conducting. During the summer break, Elaine is responsible for two Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions – pray for good weather, protection and success, and a happy time for everyone taking part. Finally, on 11 September, there is an outing to Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park near Lowestoft. The Brigade movement is taking the Centre over for the day. There is still plenty for everyone to look forward to.

Vivien Davies As Church Organist, I made the following invited contribution to the same Newsletter:

JAIRUS’ DAUGHTER As one who over the years has sung or played in, arranged and directed many cantatas and the like, I should like to express my unreserved appreciation of the performance of Jairus’ Daughter by Roger Jones, which comprised the major part of our Girls’ Brigade Display on Saturday 3 July 1993. Those who saw something of the preparation for this event are qualified to award them marks for effort; my marks are entirely for achievement, and they are 100%. Some may have found the use of a music tape instead of live musicians controversial, but we do not have the resources to capture the idiom which the composer had in mind in any other way. As an accompanist of over forty years’ standing who has constantly had to bail out singers, instrumentalists and conductors, I know it was no soft option, and a real challenge to conductor Janet Caplin who, rumour has it, would have preferred a live accompanist. We have come to expect a high standard from the lead singers Linda Martin, Karen Parker and Lisa Prigg, and they did not disappoint us, but the real star of the show was little Amy Tyler, the soloist for Jesus, friend of little children. Not only did she come in at just the right places (with a music tape you just have to) and give a fine account of a difficult rhythm, but she was a natural with the microphone. This brings me to the technical support team of Paul Davies and Robert Parker, both of whom at least have sisters in the Girls’ Brigade. They ensured that every word and every note were heard, not only those of the singers but of the narrators Norma Callcut, Vivien Davies, Kay Parry and Valerie Parker, even by those of us who were so far to the rear that we couldn’t see much of the supporting dancers. I hear they have been asked to perform it again, but I would strongly advise against it. It was perfect and just couldn’t be improved upon. Marc Pitman has captured it all on video, and those who want to see it again or who unfortunately missed it first time around should content themselves with that. [However, I was overruled in this respect – read on.]



The October-November-December 1993 edition of the Newsletter was delayed in its publication to enable the inclusion of the following extended report by Vivien Davies and others on the Girls’ Brigade and its 50th Anniversary Weekend celebrations and Thanksgiving:

After all the excitement of the Display before the summer recess, we were all looking forward to a well-earned rest in readiness for our reunion celebrations in October. However, there were Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions and, of course, Camp, but generally speaking the break was much valued and appreciated. Captain writes:

Camp at Lowestoft saw the start with rain, rain and still more rain. The girls, however, were quite happy swimming in the rain on our first evening there. During the week, there were visits to Great Yarmouth including a marina, Easton Farm Park where we fed and were able to handle the animals, and a bygone village showing life as it was fifty years ago. For us as officers, the best report we can give is that the older girls who led the morning devotions were able to talk to almost all of the younger ones on the way to become a Christian. As a result, ten girls made a profession of faith. Please pray that we may see God at work in these young lives, and that they truly become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This time last year I wrote of our confidence in everyone’s support for the extra activities and efforts planned for Brigade at Upney during 1993. It has certainly been a very, very busy year but a special one and extremely enjoyable and rewarding in so many ways. Those celebrations are all over now and we have much to be thankful for – the endless work of leaders and helpers, the continual enthusiasm and willingness of all the girls and the unceasing interest and support shown by parents, family, friends and all church members. We must not forget to thank our Heavenly Father for good health, strength and cooperation between us all, and [we] trust all we have endeavoured to do has been glorifying to Him. Captain sent out many invitations to our reunion, and it has been great to hear in letters of reply how many ex-members have since become Christians and are involved in churches all round the country. I am now going to leave the remainder of this report to Grace Klein, who attended the very first Cadet evening at Upney. She continued through all the ranks – even as a leader between 1981 and 1985 – and came to the Lord as a result of a parade service in July 1948.

[On Saturday 2] October, the noise from Number 2 Room was incredible! On entering, we were given a name sticker – for which I was really grateful, having a bad memory for names! “Lovely to see you ...” “... you haven’t changed a bit ...” “... where are you living ...?” were some of the comments as the 50th Anniversary of the GB at Upney got underway with friends and acquaintances meeting after, in some cases, many years. Soon it was time for Janet Caplin to give thanks for the lovely tea prepared for us in the School Hall, including a cake beautifully decorated with the GB badge by ex-Lieutenant Babs Wilderspin. Thank you to all who worked so hard to prepare the meal. A little later, when we went into the church, each person received a commemorative mug to mark the occasion.



What a treat we had as we listened and watched the girls of the present Company. We stood for the colour party – Elizabeth Saunders, Lisa Prigg (colour) and Cassie Wilder – and then sang the old GB hymn – which obviously had not been forgotten – ‘Our GLB shall ever for Christ and Service stand’. A Cadet flag was carried in together with two GLB flags. We were reminded of the laws, motto and promise of both sections. Emma Tyler then gave us the Aim of the GB – To seek, serve and follow Christ. Captain said she was glad so many ‘old girls’ were present, and hoped that all had enjoyed meeting each other and would enjoy the evening. How could we not! First the Seniors sang from Joseph ‘I closed my eyes’, followed by the Brigaders with a song about Camp based on the theme of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’. No ‘partridge in a pear tree’ but rather ‘their leader was a famous captain’. What about ‘three helpers dozing’ and ‘five navy knickers’! Next came Junior dancing. As the second dance started, a ripple of excitement went round. There couldn’t have been an ‘old girl’ present who hadn’t, at some time or another, done ‘sides together clap’ and ‘sides together point’! What option did Captain have than to re-run the tape for the ‘old girls’ to have a go, much, I am sure, to the amusement of the present Company. Back came the Seniors with a poem about the ‘poor old wife’, and then the Explorers played two well-known choruses with their percussion band – ‘Jesus’ love is very wonderful’ and ‘I’m special’ –they also sang the latter. Finally, the Brigaders recited ‘Tickled to life’ asking the question ‘Why did God make flies?’ We found out why one was made! At last it was time for Jairus’ Daughter – this was even better second time round. Many of you would have seen the performance in July. It was tremendous. Thank you, girls, officers and helpers. The evening was brought to a close by Mick Caplin. He reminded us that although it was fun to look back, we must not forget what we had learned. Just as Jesus was interested in Jairus, his daughter and the woman who was ‘unclean’, He wants to be part of our lives. A similar theme was presented by David Hircock as we came together the following morning to thank God for 50 years of GB at Upney. Before this, however, we sang the Brigade hymn after the flags had been carried in. David reminded us that whilst it was good to pray for the GB, we must not forget the terrible plight of those folk in India and the troubles in Russia. A little later, the ‘old girls’ present sang ‘Comrades are we in the Life Brigade’ – a song not too well known, and which hadn’t been sung for over 35 years! The old motto of the GLB was ‘To save life’, so it was lovely to hear in 1993 Naomi Caplin’s testimony, how she came to know the Lord at Camp in 1981 as a result of her mother’s testimony. Naomi told us how GB has helped her and that as she grew older she had to make the choice to continue to serve God. Sarah Blunden read the story of Jairus from Luke 8: 40-56, and the Explorers sang ‘Jesus, friend of little children’ from ‘Jairus’ Daughter’.



In the few minutes remaining, David reminded us that Luke wrote his Gospel so that Theophilus might know the certainty of what he had been taught. Through 50 years at GB girls had been taught about Jesus. Perhaps there are those who are not quite convinced. Not sure now – have been lured away by others, and things around are too difficult. Some continue to go on with Jesus. Some started bravely but haven’t continued. Some [were] instructed but not convinced. Luke, an intelligent doctor, wrote so that some could read and be persuaded. These were not fables or fairy stories but facts of history, real truths. The Disciples were frightened of the storm, the man [was] not a ‘nice’ person, the woman [was] ‘unclean’, Jairus [was] a ruler of the synagogue. All [these] had a need, also Jairus’ daughter. No-one is excluded from Jesus, we exclude ourselves by unbelief. Jesus cares for us all – don’t exclude yourself. Those who were excluded were those who laughed and mocked. Unbelief cuts us off from Jesus, not what you’ve been and are. Jesus does what He says He will, “I will not cast you out”. Weak faith needs to be strengthened. Jesus forced the woman to say what she had done. Why? He didn’t heal Jairus’ daughter immediately. Why? Both needed their faith strengthened. Perhaps some of you have weak faith – you need to ‘come out’ to ‘nail your colours to the mast’. Through Upney Baptist Church and Girls’ Brigade you have been taught; what have you done with it? Make it real. Perhaps you once believed and have backslid. Jesus was born, died and rose again and is alive. He is coming again in judgment. We don’t know what happened to Theophilus, but let us draw near to Jesus and ask His forgiveness. After the final hymn, ‘I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus’, and the Benediction, what a lovely way to bring this reunion and Thanksgiving to a close with the singing by the present 1st Upney Company of the song written for the GB Centenary year ‘Seek, Serve and Follow’ – the best way to enter the next fifty years.

In the Newsletter for January-February-March 1994, Vivien Davies wrote:

You have been reminded many times and in many ways that this year has been an important one – the centenary of the Girls’ Brigade movement and the 50th Anniversary of our own Company at Upney. Well, that is all over now. It has certainly been a “full” year – full of hard work, full of local, national and church events; and, as we look back, full of rewards and successes, enrichment, blessings, real enjoyment and happiness, the highlight, I know you will agree, being “Jairus”. The girls have been first class, and supported every thing so enthusiastically and wholeheartedly. We cannot promise you the same for 1994, but we start the new year with sectional parties, then straight on into badge and competition work. We will, of course, endeavour to make Brigade just as interesting and enjoyable, with special events to look forward to during the year. Three weeks ago, we held our Annual Bazaar – to raise money for charity. Although not too many of you visited our stalls, we are pleased to announce that the girls took £175 during the afternoon. The overall figure for fund-raising has topped a staggering £500 this year, which means that the Gospel Printing Mission and St Francis’ Hospice will each receive £250. We were concerned for Captain as she entered hospital in the summer, and we missed her at Brigade for a few weeks. Thankfully, however, she returned quickly – for a little while only



– for in January she is off to New Zealand for a well-earned break and rest. We wish you safe journeys and a wonderful time, Norma. Please pray for those who will be responsible for Brigade in her absence. We would like to take this opportunity for thanking you all – parents, church members and friends – for your very strong and consistent support and prayers, and we wish you good health, happiness and God’s blessing throughout 1994. Norma adds:

In the passing of Gladys Sheehan I, personally, have lost a very dear friend, and will miss her greatly. Gladys has been a great supporter and helper in Explorer Section for the past ten years. Please pray for the little girls as they hear sad news. Gladys is at rest now, but her friends mourn.

The next quarter’s Newsletter carried the following report by Vivien Davies:

Before we know where we are, Captain will be home from her family visit to New Zealand – if she has been worried about the Company, she really need not have been, as everyone has worked twice as hard so as not to let her down in her absence. We have tried to keep her high standards, and hope she will be pleased with our efforts. Each section has received a postcard from her indicating how much she is enjoying herself. We look forward to welcoming her back on Easter Sunday. At this time of the year work throughout the Company revolves around badge work and competitions. Being such a short term, it has been very difficult to squeeze everything in. Results of most competitions have not been issued yet, but on Saturday 19 March Senior and Junior Teams travelled to Northampton to compete in two National Competitions – “Movement with Hoops” and “Movement with Scarves” respectively. The Juniors and Seniors both came second, and both teams will be performing at the Royal Albert Hall Display on 7 May. The Junior Team Games team are also representing the District at the London Trials on Saturday 23 April. The Explorer section has also been busy concentrating on badge work, and on 14 March twenty-three girls passed their Physical badge. The next is Educational, and is well on the way to completion, and hopefully the girls will be ready to take this badge at the beginning of the next session. It is always a pleasure to welcome extra helpers in Brigade, and this year Ivy Prigg has joined the Senior Section and Ann Penn the Brigaders. Their presence and assistance is much valued and appreciated. The Brigaders are already planning their expeditions to take place during the summer for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. Helen, Emma and Karen have just completed the first stage of their Queen’s Award, and the girls are making good use of Ann Penn who, once a month, is organising “Adventures in Cookery” when they experiment with foreign recipes. After the Easter recess, practice will begin on items for our own Display. This is to be held on Saturday 2 July in the church. Please mark it on your calendar now!

Vivien Davies continued her reports in the Newsletter for July-August-September 1994:

It is hard to believe that another year has passed and (yet) another Display has come and gone already. Thank you to those who came on Saturday 2 July; we really appreciate your interest



and support and hope you enjoyed it as much as your comments suggest you did. Two of our Church Members and prospective Brigade parents wrote their impressions as follows:

Christine and I went along to the Display for two main reasons: – to support the leaders and girls – to see for ourselves the sort of work the Girls’ Brigade does, with a view to our daughter Anya one day becoming a member. The evening started with a presentation of awards to all the girls who had worked for their badges and attended both the Brigade evenings and Church services. There followed displays of musical instruments and singing (our favourite – “I’m special because Jesus loves me” – superb movement features – rather like a mixture of gymnastics and group dance with hoops and scarves, then songs from ‘Oklahoma’. There was also a lovely feature explaining the GB Badge. The team games demonstrated the skills and energy of all the girls. The grand finale was a very moving drama highlighting the truth of creation but extending the theme to the need for environmental protection – ending with a very clear message of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We left the Church thrilled, not only at the remarkable performance of all the girls but happy at the balance struck between children and young people enjoying themselves, and the teaching of the Christian gospel for personal salvation.

Christine and Roger Bowker Mrs Pauline Martin, who very often helps out in a variety of ways in Brigade, kindly agreed to present the awards and Mrs Frances Cook from the 1st Ilford Company was the Inspecting Officer.

Winning – Explorer Jennifer Storey Junior Laura Nicholls Senior Sarah Cardy Brigader Helen Carter

We congratulate Louisa Lawrence on being presented with the Endurance Award for perseverance over physical disability. You must have noticed the very special and informative programmes you received this year. We thank Robert Parker for his time and expertise in providing us with these. Our girls did extremely well in National Competitions this year, particularly in Bible Study, Hobbies and Movement, and many girls again took part in the Annual Display at the Albert Hall. Please pray for our Camp, when 22 girls and 4 adults, with two helpers are going to Deal, Kent for the week beginning 23 July; and on August Bank Holiday weekend the Brigaders are participating in a qualifying D of E Silver Expedition. Finally, pray that each girl’s regular attendance on Brigade evening will continue but that their attendance at morning church and Sunday School will be much, much more regular. Recruitment is needed as there is now room for new members in each Section.



Addition to the Ranks At the Parade Service on Sunday 26 June Mrs Valerie Parker was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Girls’ Brigade. Although having worked in GB for a number of years as a helper, Valerie felt led of the Lord to undertake this new responsibility in this official capacity. Preparation and training for leadership responsibilities including undertaking written test papers means a lot of hard work, and so we offer her our warmest congratulations and assure her of our support in a prayerful and practical way. In recognition of all the help offered to her, Valerie has made the following comments:

I thank Captain for all her guidance, practical support and patience in supporting me throughout my training. Similarly Lieutenants Janet Caplin and Elaine Pitman have been of invaluable help, and have always been willing to give me advice whenever necessary. However, I acknowledge that without God’s help to strengthen and guide me, I would not have achieved the commission.”

The Newsletter for October-November-December 1994 carried the following contribution from the Captain, Norma Callcut:

It seems hardly possible that just over two months ago the girls were enjoying themselves at Camp. This year’s venue was Deal, in Kent. From here we were able to spend a day at Dreamland in Margate with all the fun of the fair. The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway provided us with another enjoyable day’s outing, concluding with an evening meal at MacDonald’s in Dover. Our morning devotions were led by the older girls, under the direction of Karen Parker and the officers, ably assisted by Beryl Bond, took the evening sessions. At least two girls are known to have made their commitment to trust the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour during this time away. Please pray for them and also for those who were thinking seriously about such matters that they will come to trust the Lord too. We now start our new session working seriously for badges and competitions, and in this respect we would be grateful to receive any partly used bales of crochet cotton (preferably number 40) in any colours. Small amounts are acceptable as approximately 10 metres will be needed of any one colour. We are pleased to report that six new recruits have joined the Explorer Section since the beginning of September but there is always room for more. Similarly, any older girls are always welcome to join the appropriate age group. We value your prayers so that young lives may be won for the Lord.

In her final report for 1994, Vivien Davies wrote:

By the time this Report reaches you, Christmas will be over and the New Year begun. The Girls’ Brigade would like to thank you all for your willing and valuable support over the past twelve months and thank you in anticipation for your interest and prayers during 1995. Please pray especially for every young life represented in our Company. I feel very strongly about this after reading disturbing news in the recent GB Gazette following a church census. It mentioned that fewer and fewer young people, especially teenagers, are attending church; that between 7 and 8 hours daily are spent watching television and listening to music. Magazines form the majority of their reading material and more and more are turning to the occult for help.



Young people want some thing to DO, somewhere to GO and someone to CONFIDE IN. Pray that we in Brigade at Upney can fill this gap in the lives of many of the girls in our district. Our hope is that each member will be helped to become good daughters, students and citizens, and that many may come to know the Lord as their personal Friend and Saviour, and become witnesses in their own surroundings at home, school, college, or place of work. Money raised for charity this year has been even more staggering than the amazing amount of £500 last year. Profit on tuck, together with money taken at our Christmas sale, raised £400 and this, together with Webb Ivory profit of £250, makes a total of £650. This will be divided equally between the Gospel Printing Mission and the Falconer Home in Zambia. £325 will be sent to Miss Falconer to be spent as she feels best. Our new session at the start of a new year begins with the sectional parties, then straight into badge and competition work. Bible Study is the first competition, and the Brigaders and Seniors take their exam on January 30 based on the ‘Life of Peter’, and the Juniors on 1 February on ‘Stories by the Sea’. Officers and helpers are attending a Training Weekend at Edenbridge on 27-29 January. Pray that it may be a time of help, encouragement, friendship and blessing. A date for your diary – Saturday 1 July – Girls’ Brigade Display.

The Newsletter for April-May-June 1995 carried the following report from Vivien Davies:

The date was Saturday 4 February, and we woke to a lovely sunny winter’s day. This was the day arranged for our sponsored walk round the boating lake in Mayesbrook Park. It had rained almost non-stop for most of the previous week. Considering our membership, numbers were low, but for the nineteen girls who did participate, plus a few parents and friends, it proved to be a most enjoyable afternoon. This event was part of our Brigade Week effort, when we raise funds for our own use. Others, however, used their own initiative and raised money themselves in different ways. Some asked for donations, one Senior bravely organised her own sponsored silence, and an Explorer made and sold cakes. An officer and a helper did a sponsored swim. So far, the total collected is over £600 – well done everyone! As usual, badge work and competitions take priority at this time of year. [For the] Junior, Senior and Brigader Sections, the usual and ‘not-to-be-missed’ Bible study competitions. We feel this to be a very important competition because of the learning and knowledge of the Bible required for the test, and the teaching which many girls would never otherwise have. The Craft section has been of particular interest, and girls have worked with much enjoyment and enthusiasm on the tasks set. Juniors compete in Symnography, which is making pictures by sewing on card; Seniors make plastic canvas creatures, and Brigaders produced Calligraphy to a high standard – which can be described as fancy writing. The Explorers must not be left out, and the following paragraph reports on their unforgettable day competing in ‘Recitation and Song’. At nine o’clock on 18 March, eleven very excited Explorers boarded a coach to take them to Northampton. The journey was very good – thank you for your prayers. On arrival, uniforms were straightened and titivated until faultlessly smart, ready for inspection. A quick change into more suitable clothing then found our team waiting nervously for their turn to recite a poem and sing a song. Having performed beautifully, they changed back into their uniform and then had the chance to buy sweets in the tuck shop – a big event for 5- to 6-year-olds, and possibly the highlight of the day! After a picnic lunch, they joined with another Company to play games. It was then back on the coach for a somewhat expected sleepy journey home. We don’t know the results yet but we do know we had a good day out.



All results will be given and work will be on show at our Display on Saturday 1 July, in the Church.

July-August-September 1995 bore this further report from Vivien Davies:

July comes round again, the Display has taken place and my opening remark is as constant as ever – “where has this year gone to?” Time really does fly. We were very encouraged by the support of church members at our Display on 1 July, and would like to thank you for your presence, interest and support, and for your comments expressing pleasure and enjoyment of the sectional items and fellowship. The platform party included Mrs Gill Coombs, the Divisional Commissioner, who was the Inspecting Officer, Mr Michael Caplin, the Divisional Chaplain, who chaired the evening, and Mrs Betty Colmer who kindly agreed to present the awards. Congratulations are in order to the following girls:

Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Naomi Caplin Hazel Servante Queen’s Award Helen Carter Karen Parker Best Girl in each Section Explorers Amy Penn Juniors Victoria Oakley Seniors Rebecca Beazeley Brigaders Jennifer Hill 100% attendance at both Brigade and Sunday School

Explorers Lydia Davies Katie Pitman

Juniors Claire Pitman Seniors Sarah Cardy Best Brigade Week Collection Explorer Maria Tabor (£42)

and for [the] girls in both the Senior and Brigader teams who took first place in the National Bible Study Competitions. It is my custom each year to ask someone for a short summary of their impressions of the Display, and we thank Alan and Pam Hill for providing this year’s contribution.

Upney Displays have always been enjoyable and this year’s was no exception. The Company was extremely well turned out for the presentation of awards, which reflected the hard work by the girls and good teaching by the leaders over the past year. Singing music and movement items had been well-rehearsed, and the team games attracted a number of volunteers from the audience. Wartime memories were recalled through drama and song, and audience participation revealed considerable hidden talent. Preparation and ability were reflected in ‘Oliver’ and ‘Snow White’, and skill and careful practice in the ‘Red, White and Blue’ marching sequence. The Christian emphasis of the Girls’ Brigade was shown in the final ‘Transformation’ based on ‘The very hungry caterpillar’. It provided a reminder with its concluding song, ‘I am a new creation’, that the Lord Jesus Christ changes and enriches lives. Well done, girls and leaders – thank you for a super evening.



On Saturday 22 July 20 girls and 6 adults leave the church at 9 am for our annual Camp to Littlehampton. Please pray for safety, good weather, enjoyment, a happy atmosphere and, above all, much blessing during the week. As this year comes to a close and the weeks of holiday and relaxation pass, may the Girls’ Brigade Motto and Aim be very much in our minds as we prepare for a new term in September. Motto: Seek, Serve and Follow Christ Aim: To help Girls to become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ and through self-control,

reverence and a sense of responsibility to find true enrichment of life. Pray that as the leaders and helpers plan an up-to-date, imaginative programme for girls in all sections, activities chosen will be designed to help each one attain physical, mental and spiritual maturity and to express what they learn through practical service in their home, community and church.

Vivien Davies reported in the Newsletter for October-November-December 1995:

Since the last Newsletter things have been reasonably quiet on the GB front. Leaders, helpers and members are now, of course, feeling relaxed and refreshed after the break and are ‘ready to go.’ Bookings were slow and disappointing when plans were first made for our summer Camp. However, in the end, 21 girls and six adults left Upney for Littlehampton on 22 July. On the whole it was a very happy Camp, the young Juniors settling in very well indeed. We had a varied programme, including a visit to the Body Shop factory on the Monday, and to Butlin's at Bognor on Thursday. This trip unfortunately coincided with a train strike. A local taxi firm, however, offered us transport for this outing at a price less than we would have expected to pay for the coach. In view of the wonderful weather much time was spent on the beach – it was surprising how many of the older girls made use of our buckets and spades! On the spiritual side, we made use of the large flannelgraph for the evening Bible stories. The visual aid was of the Beehive, and each day a different Be(e) was the lesson – Be saved, Be wise, Be faithful, Be prayerful, Be obedient, culminating in Be an example, stressing the importance of Jesus being our own example. In the mornings, the devotions were led by Naomi Caplin, and included a quiz on the previous day’s lesson, a related memory verse and singing. Thank you to all those who helped and those who prayed. God was at work – a number of girls asked questions, some very definitely seeking and, maybe, some did find the Lord as their Saviour.



There were two other special events during Camp week. One was an expedition trip to Keswick for our three oldest girls, Karen Parker, Helen Carter and Jennifer Hill, towards their Duke of Edinburgh Gold level award. For two it is almost the finish of their work, which should be completed by the end of the year. The other – a very special event indeed – was a visit to Buckingham Palace for Naomi Caplin and Hazel Servante, accompanied by Mrs Caplin, to receive their Gold D of E award. This was followed by a garden party in the palace grounds. Congratulations to you both. For the future, as we begin a new session, we ask for your prayers. There have been new girls starting in each section – pray that we will keep them. For every member – pray that GB will be enjoyable and fulfilling in every way.

Mrs Janet Caplin’s Captaincy (1996-2004)

The Newsletter for January-February-March 1996 announced the end of an era:

From 1 January 1996 Mrs Janet Caplin has been appointed Captain of the Company to succeed Miss Norma Callcut, who has held this position for many years [39, in fact]. Mrs Caplin will be commissioned as Captain by Mrs Jill Coombes, District Commissioner, at the Youth Parade Service on 28 January 1996. Due to continuing health problems, Norma approached the Deacons, and it was felt that a change would be best at this time. She will still remain active in the Company as a Lieutenant during a prolonged change-over period.

Please pray the change-over will run smoothly, that the girls and helpers will accept the change, and that the Company will go from strength to strength under the new Captain, who will continue to uphold our aim which is to encourage girls to become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ and through self-control, reverence and a sense of responsibility, to find true enrichment of life. The first big event of the New Year is the Bible Study competition, which will be held on 29 and 31 January.

Vivien Davies continued her reports in the Newsletter, and in April-May-June 1996 informed readers that:

We are now well into 1996, numbers and attendances are steady in all sections, and the emphasis at this time of year is on badge work and competitions. The officers, helpers and girls are adjusting very well to the change in leadership, but please continue to pray for all concerned. Norma is still leading both the Explorer and Junior Sections, but a change in this respect is expected at the end of the current year. I would like to give you an update of all the various types of work being covered by each Section at present and outline certain and important and interesting events to take place in the not too distant future.



At the end of last term, the Explorers made mobiles incorporating the Christmas story. It was certainly a joy to see these little ones proudly clutching their own mobile as they left for home at the end of the last meeting before the holiday. At the moment, they are learning to make squash, sandwiches and instant whip, also laying a table and folding clothes – quite fun considering that some of the girls are only five years old! Juniors have been working hard on the Bible Study, and have also used the date boxes donated by various friends to make decoupage1 pencil boxes, which proved to be very successful. They are now practising extremely diligently in preparation for the Team Games competition – the local trials are on 18 April, and if they do well here they will go through to the national trials in London two days later. If they come in the first four on this occasion they will be sure of taking part in this item at the Royal Albert Hall Rally on 11 May. Juniors, Seniors, Brigaders and a couple of older Explorers will also be performing at the Albert Hall in a divisional item called “The Storyteller”. If anyone would like tickets for either the afternoon or the evening performance they should contact Captain. The Seniors entered competitions for Bible Study and Craft – 3D Greeting Cards – and the Brigadiers for Bible Study and Craft – a plate using dough moulding (what a job the leaders had persuading the work to dry without cracking!) Much of the girls’ work mentioned here will be on show at our Display on Saturday 2 June – surely no one has this date booked already. Please put this in your diary and on your calendar now to ensure a safe booking. Results of all competitions will be reported later. Thank you for supporting our fund-raising events. Our Christmas sale raised £442.65 and Webb Ivory £300 – together this is to be distributed for work amongst children and just over £800 has so far been collected for Brigade Week, which is for our own work.

Vivien Davies contributed the following report to the Newsletter for July-August-September 1996:

In 1992, a paragraph in the Girls’ Brigade Report began like this: ‘For the past few months, we have had a waiting list for girls wanting to join Explorers’. How things have changed! Although there are around sixty girls regularly attending Brigade each week, there is room for more in every Section. However old or young we are, I am sure we can help – Brigade members invite a friend; mums spread the word to friends who have young daughters; and church folk talk to neighbours with children of Brigade age. Let’s see, with effort on all our part, if we can greatly increase our numbers in September. On Saturday 27 July the population of Lyme Regis will grow by 29 when 25 girls and 4 leaders from Upney arrive to start a week’s holiday. Please pray often and earnestly that this Camp will be a successful one in every way and especially spiritually. Our Display was held in the Church on Saturday 29 June. Thank you to all those who came along and supported the leaders, helpers and girls and we hope it gave you yet again a clear insight into the sort of work we do and the aims and principles we endeavour to follow. The presentation of awards came in the centre of our programme this year. Congratulations to all the girls who received awards and particularly to the following: COMPETITIONS – The SENIOR Bible Study team performed brilliantly to take FIRST PLACE in this National Competition. Not only did they score something like 50 points more

1 Decoupage – the art or technique of decorating something with cut-outs of paper, linoleum, plastic, or other flat material over which varnish or lacquer is applied.



than the team which came second, but they only lost about 7 points altogether between them. The team was Laura Nicholls, Sarah Cardy, Sarah Grainger, and Rebecca Beazeley. The BRIGADERS came Third in Craft. I feel the JUNIOR Team Games deserve a mention too, as they came within a hair’s breadth of competing in the Albert Hall. After winning at District level, they then came fourth, equal with Minster Company, at the National heats in London, and lost by only one point in a play-off. Although bitterly disappointed, they gave their all, behaved impeccably and showed excellent sportsmanship.

SECTION PRIZES Best Explorer Lois McKenna Best Junior Laura Stubbington Best Senior Laura Nicholls Best Brigader Josie Plant BEST BRIGADE WEEK EFFORT Laura Stubbington DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S GOLD AWARD Helen Carter

Jennifer Hill Karen Parker

What an important platform party we had too! Mrs Vivienne Aitchison was the Inspecting Officer. We were very honoured and grateful to this very busy and gifted lady – a headmistress, Captain, Training Officer, Commissioner for Sutton District and member of our Headquarters Staff – for kindly agreeing to come to our Display. Mr Michael Caplin, our Divisional Chaplain, again acted as Chairman and, to our delight, Olive Howard, home from Ivory Coast, accepted without hesitation an invitation to present the awards. This is what she had to say:

The Display evening was a dot of colour, music and movement. In ‘Story Teller’ the whole Company acted out a selection of Hans Andersen’s tales in mime and song – straight from their successful performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Good team work made a billowing multi-coloured parachute into a choppy sea (with sharks lurking beneath!), a mushroom and a floating volleyball pitch. A troupe of kilted Explorers delighted us with lively percussion rhythms and later by their agility with hoops, balls and ropes. Blue, yellow and pink T-shirts went darting all over the hall in the Junior Team games, with an exciting ‘win by a whisker’ for the yellows. Everyone joined together for the impressive Finale, showing how the Girls’ Brigade trains and encourages girls to live out their motto: ‘Seek, Serve and Follow’ – Christ, their family and the Community. Captain’s Report and the many awards gave us a glimpse of the Lord’s work and the faithful service that goes on each year round in the GB. Special mention for Helen Carter, Jennifer Hill and Karen Parker who have gained the coveted Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award this year. Altogether a very special evening. Thank you Captain Caplin, officers, helpers and girls! If you weren’t there, you missed out!

Finally – for Captain – congratulations, Janet, on your very successful First Display; for leaders and helpers – have a good rest and a well-deserved break; for us all – keep praying because Prayer is powerful and Prayer does work.

Vivien kept up her faithful reporting for the Newsletter of October-November-December 1996:



“HELPING GIRLS TO FOLLOW JESUS” The biggest and most noticeable change since Janet became Captain has been the change of the Company meeting night. All sections now meet on a Wednesday starting with the youngest at 6 o’clock up to the Brigaders at 8 o’clock. Originally we were all a little apprehensive as to its success but we need not have doubted. We have lost ONE Explorer definitely! – but throughout the Company, numbers have increased beyond expectation. Thank you all for working hard and praying for new recruits as suggested in the last Newsletter. The change enables greater integration – of older members helping in younger groups, helpers and leaders crossing from one section to another – and it also gives the feeling of being one big happy family. At this time of the year the competition list for 1997 is circulated, and these seem very favourable and exciting. There is Bible Study, text illustration in crunch tissue, designing wrapping paper, potted sports, percussion, and preparing afternoon tea. Work has already started on some of these. You are all no doubt wondering and eagerly waiting to hear all about Camp 1996. I will leave that to Beryl Bond to tell you:

29 of us heading for Lyme Regis on 27 July – here we come! The coach was on time, and it was all hands on board to load it up. This year I really don’t think the kitchen sink got left out as every inch of the coach was crammed with the needs for the week, with the girls just about having a seat each. The journey was long with horrendous traffic jams in some parts, but we eventually arrived at our “hotel” for the week. There was no time to relax, as the street was so narrow we had to quickly alight from the coach and everyone had to help to empty the coach in record time so that it could move on. One small “hiccup” – it was realised on the coach that Saturday evening’s meal was still in the freezer back in Barking – never mind, we were expecting a visitor on Wednesday, she could bring it and we could have it then. Won’t hurt them to go without for one evening – only joking! The girls settled in well as soon as they had sorted out their bed space, which is very important to them. And so Camp 1996 began … The activities of the week were varied. An organised fossil hunt was greatly appreciated by the girls; in fact it took great persuasion to get one girl to leave a huge one behind. One day we went to a Country Life Park, which among other things depicted “Bygone Days”; the only thing about that was that some of us could remember those days!! On Wednesday, the visitor mentioned above had arrived (with Saturday’s tea). It was our own Miss Olive Howard, who, of course, we were thrilled to have with us; she immediately put her apron on and got stuck in. She was able to join us the next day on our trip to “Crinkly Bottom” of Mr Blobby fame. We all thoroughly enjoyed that day. Our evening activities consisted of games evenings, painting on T-shirts and the always popular concert night, which was excellent this year. The girls did extremely well, all using their talents to the full. Some of the adults did quite well too. Others, well! If you haven’t got talent – use what you have!!! The most important part of our week was our chapel time. We were grateful to Karen Parker and Jenny Hill for leading our chapel time each morning, making the Gospel message alive and challenging. The evening devotions were on a Missionary theme; although it was a mammoth task trying to give a Missionary’s life story in a short time, we believe the girls were challenged as they listened to how these “Heroes of Faith” served the Lord. Olive was also able to share with them her testimony. We know that one girl definitely gave her life to Christ during that week and also others were seeking; please pray that it will not stop there,



and that we will all do our part in helping our young people grow in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have already congratulated Karen Parker and Helen Carter on gaining their Gold D of E, but we would like to take this opportunity of wishing them a marvellous day on 19 November when they receive their awards from Prince Philip at St James’s Palace. Their mums and Lieutenant Elaine will be accompanying them. Thank you all for your prayers – for Camp and for the start of a new term and year – continue to pray that the girls will benefit in many ways by attending Brigade, and the leaders will be helped and encouraged in their important and responsible task. May the loyalty, love and devotion they have to the Brigade and the girls shine out in everything that is done – to the glory of God. Thank you to everyone who works so hard to prepare for Company evening, and indeed everyone who works for the good of the Company.

The first Newsletter of 1997 brought another extensive report from Vivien Davies:

We trust you all had a very happy Christmas, and hope 1997 will be not only a happy and healthy year but one of rich blessing to you all. How time flies! It is hard to believe that it is a year since Mrs Janet Caplin was appointed Captain of the Company. The changeover, as expected, went well and smoothly, and the year generally has been encouraging and successful. Numbers have been very promising and attendance good. There was yet another extremely successful Display and Summer Camp, a contribution to the Albert Hall Display, an unforgettable visit to St James’s Palace for two of our members, and, as most of you will have noticed, an important change in uniform style. Please pray for the Company as we approach a new year. None of the leaders and helpers underestimate the enormous and important task in hand, helping and guiding these young lives. The GB Annual Report for 1995-96 issued a disturbing statement – that 300 teenagers are leaving the church every week. Although we are encouraged by attendance on Brigade night and particularly so in the older sections, it is our aim and desire to see every girl in church on a Sunday morning. Pray for the girls as they meet each week for regular spiritual, moral, educational and physical training, as well as for the enjoyment of social and leisure activities and participation in community service projects. Let us remember that it is not just the girls that we reach but the families as well. Parties take up the first week of the new session; then, later in January, there are the Bible Study competitions. The officers and helpers also have a training weekend at Edenbridge at the end of the month. Saturday 7 December was the morning we held our Annual Bazaar. We were all thrilled and delighted with the support given, and a remarkable £510 was raised for charity. Congratulations for those who worked hard to make it such a success and many thanks to everyone who came and spent their money. Finally, Helen Carter has kindly written an account of the visit to St James’s Palace on 19 November. This is what she has to say:



Elaine Pitman, Valerie and Karen Parker, my mum and I set off from Barking Station on the morning of 19 November, having battled our way through wind, rain and heavy traffic to get there. As we sat on the train it started to snow! We reached St James’s Park Station, and decided that a hot drink was in order, to warm ourselves up. Feeling much warmer, we then got a taxi to St James’s Palace. At the palace we were able to shelter from wind and rain under cover in a huge queue before they finally let ‘Gate B’ people in. Coats, umbrellas etc, were left in the cloakrooms, and we then made our way to the presentation room, taking in all the paintings and decor as we went. Our group was in the picture gallery – graced by a famous painting of Henry VIII. Parents and organisers sat on one side and award winners on the other, in groups of about 20. There were four groups in our room, very ably organised by Gill Richards from GB HQ. After a brief practice session, we stood in our groups in a semicircle as the Duke of Edinburgh came in. Each group was presented to him in turn, and he asked a few general questions to award winners to which we all replied. Once he’d spoken to each group and their guests, he left the room and we all stood and waited for our certificates to be presented. The presentation was made by Frank Skinner, a comedian famous for the “Euro ’96” football song and fantasy football league (apparently!). He was very informal and put us all at ease straight away, commenting on my badges and asking if I worked for McDonald’s! After presenting the certificates individually, he made a very amusing speech to congratulate the award winners on their efforts. We then made our way out of the palace, passing through a few more treasure-filled rooms as we went back into the real world – wind and rain! Karen and I would like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to Girls’ Brigade, and especially Elaine, for all the encouragement and help we have received as we have worked for our D of E Awards.

Another report from Vivien Davies appeared in the Newsletter for April-May-June 1997:

The Company has entered a number of National Competitions recently. On Saturday 15 February a group of girls and leaders travelled to Hatfield to take part in three different competitions. The Explorers played Percussion; Juniors, Potted Sports; and two joint teams from Seniors and Brigaders prepared Afternoon Tea. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and exciting day. The girls, as usual, looked faultlessly smart in their uniform, put every possible effort into what they were doing, and, above all, were a credit to the Company. Unfortunately, we cannot give any results for these, or indeed any other competition entered so far this term, as they haven’t been issued yet. Other competitions have varied from the Upney favourite – Bible Study – to Scrunch Tissue Paper Picture, an Illustrated Text and Designing Wrapping Paper. We wait patiently and eagerly for the results but, whatever they are, everyone taking part has benefited enormously and has always given of their best with full enthusiasm, effort and sportsmanship. In one week’s time we are closing for a short break over the Easter Season but, before that, two events need special mention. On Saturday 15 March at Upney, five girls are attending a Young Leaders Course. This, of course, is extremely pleasing and promising, as it suggests we have a good number of girls keen and willing to train as leaders. Who knows, one day in the future, one or more of these girls may take some sort of leadership responsibility in our own or even another Company. The Team Games get underway this week with the District Trials. If successful, the team will compete at national level in London on April 12th. We wish them an enjoyable and very successful competition.



Looking ahead, there are a number of events to look forward to. Before we close for the summer, there will be two Youth Parade Services – 13 April and 22 June. The one in April is very important and special as officers and girls will be taking part, and the speaker will be Mr Michael Caplin, our GB District Chaplain. On Saturday 22 March there is to be a ‘Fun Day’ at the church to mark the beginning of Brigade Week. The main purpose of Brigade Week is to raise money to pay the Annual Fees to Headquarters for officers, auxiliaries and girls, which are £11.50 per officer, £3.50 per auxiliary and £6.00 per girl. We hope that this Fun Day will help to start the girls on a good fund-raising enterprise, and it would be much appreciated if each member raised enough money at least to cover the cost of her own fees. The date of our Annual Display this year is Saturday 28 June, at 6.30 pm. Please keep it free and come along, bringing family and friends. We do assure you of a good time of fun, entertainment and fellowship.

The report for the third quarter of 1997 concluded with some exciting news:

“What a fab evening”, “It would have been a pity to have missed it”, “Excellent evening”. These were just some of the comments made after our Annual Display held in the church on Saturday 28 June. For those of you who did attend, thank you for coming – we hope you all enjoyed yourselves. We always feel quite moved and touched by the packed audience when we march in for the Opening Assembly and really appreciate your interest and support, together with your regular prayers for leaders, helpers and all members throughout the year. Our guests this year included Miss Pamela Austin, captain of a local and rival Dagenham Company; our deacon, Mr Ken Colmer; our Divisional Chaplain and deacon, Mr Michael Caplin; and last, but by no means least, Mrs Betty Colmer, who presented all the awards. This is what the Chaplain had to say about the evening

When the Company assembled at shortly after 6.00 pm, the business of the annual Display had been going on for at least twelve hours on the day. Prior to this, an untold number of hours had been spent in planned practice and preparation for what was ‘quite a do’. From my own position, as I wasn’t called on to do much – just sit still and be good – I had the time to be impressed with the enjoyment that the girls of the Company, their officers and helpers were sharing in the occasion. This infectious spirit obviously communicated itself to the audience – I don’t think I’ve ever seen quite so many people volunteering to look ridiculous at a Display before as they did for the line-dancing sequence. I hope that parents and friends realise how much their presence at the Display and their continuing support is valued by every member of the Company.

Congratulations to all girls who received awards and particularly to the following:

Section Prizes Best

Explorer Charis McKenna

Best Junior Ashleigh McPherson Best Senior Laura Stubbington No individual award was given in Brigaders as Mrs Pitman

felt ALL the girls, without exception, deserved one! 100% Attendance on Sundays

Junior Lois McKenna

Brigader Catherine Parker



100% Attendance on Brigade night

Explorers Heidi Birch Charis McKenna Emma Patel Charlotte Miller

Senior Laura Stubbington Karen Parker Karen is going as a representative for Region 8 to ‘Fonomarae’ in Brisbane, Australia, from 7 to 17 July 1998. It involves Brigade members aged 16-25 from every Brigade country. Karen is one of only nine girls from England and Wales chosen to go. These young people will share their own cultures, spiritual and Brigade experiences, learn new skills and, of course, experience Australian life and culture. We congratulate her most sincerely and look forward to hearing much more on this later. Please support Karen in the excitement and preparations leading up to this wonderful opportunity and trip. Captain’s Report was full and informative, setting out the hard work, efforts and achievements shown over the past twelve months. We look forward to an equally happy, enthusiastic and successful year when we resume our meetings in September after the summer break. There is a great deal of ‘moving around’ at this time of year, when girls go up into older groups. Pray that each one will enjoy and settle into her new section, and that others will join to fill the gaps. “I really liked Camp and was never bored. I hope the leaders do another one...” Well, on Saturday 2 August, there is another Camp. Twenty four girls and six leaders are off to LAKE, between Sandown and Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. This promises to be another thoroughly enjoyable week, packed with fun, plenty of good food, adventure and fellowship. Have a happy, safe and wonderful time. We look forward to a full report on your return.

In the final Newsletter for 1977 Vivien Davies had to report on the loss to the Company through removal from the district of her own step-daughter and family:

At our Display at the end of June, it was a shock to many people to learn of the forthcoming departure of Lieutenant Elaine Pitman and, of course, Claire and Katie. It was very sad to have to say goodbye. Elaine has been in Brigade for a long time, and for the last ten years or so has done wonderful and invaluable work among the older girls, the Brigaders, working towards the Duke of Edinburgh’s and Queen’s Awards. A leader with many talents, she will be greatly missed, and we wish her and the family every happiness as they settle in their new home in Brentwood. Elaine wants to pass on a little of what Girls’ Brigade has meant to her, and our prayer is that many young people will be encouraged as they read it. She writes:

1st Upney Girls’ Brigade has been part of my life for almost 24 years, so it is now very strange not to be involved. After having worked my way up through Juniors, Seniors and Brigaders, and gained all the badges available, it was not until I went to Girls’ Brigade Camp as a helper when I was 17 that all the years of Christian teaching and witness by the leaders came to fruition when I gave my life to God. God obviously had this planned out, as I was only at the Camp for four days (due to going on holiday with my family) and I really didn’t want to go to Camp. In truth, I was scared of being confronted by God and having to make a decision. Thankfully, God enabled Jan Caplin to twist my arm and along I went! God didn’t waste any time and on the day after we arrived, He made me realise I was a sinner, and I asked Him to forgive me.



It has been good to be a leader and to teach girls about Christ, as others did to me. Girls’ Brigade has very high biblical standards, and I firmly believe that these help girls to grow up to be thoughtful of others and to know what God expects of them as they go through life. I shall miss 1st Upney and all those involved, whether girls, leaders or parents, and I thank everyone who has helped me and Claire and Katie over the many years. I am not sure whether I shall continue in Girls’ Brigade at another Company or do something else that God has planned. I am sure of one thing though – He won’t let me sit down for too long.

We are also very sorry to lose Kay Parry and Ann Penn owing to pressure of work and distance, and want to thank them, too, for their help and service to the Company. Although we have lost an officer and two helpers, we are very pleased to welcome Naomi Caplin, who will be leading the Senior Section. We are also very grateful to Linda Martin and Brenda Toft from the 1st Dagenham Company, who have offered us a helping hand – Brenda, an ex-Captain and District Commissioner, in a more advisory capacity. However, we are still in urgent need of someone to help in Brigade on Company evenings – Wednesday during school term time. If there is anyone who, after thought and prayer, feels they could assist in some way, please have a word with our Captain, Janet Caplin. During the year, the girls are encouraged to think of others less fortunate than themselves and there are fund-raising activities organised to raise money for charity. For the year just ended – September 1996 - July 1997 – our fund reached an amazing £840, and we have decided to split it three ways – The Gospel Printing Mission, Street Kids in South America, and Children’s work in Africa – each will receive £280. You will see as you read on that our timetable from now until the start of 1998 is incredibly full. Please support us whenever possible and, above all, PRAY. FORTHCOMING EVENTS On 4 October at Wanstead there is a Regional Training Day for Officers and Helpers. There are two Duke of Edinburgh Bronze level expedition weekends in October – 10-11 to Debden and 25-26 to Danbury. Please pray for safety and success. Our Annual Bazaar is on Saturday 29 November. Preparations are already being made for this event and it is always well worth a visit. It was mentioned in the last Newsletter about Karen Parker going to FONOMARAE in Australia next year. We have discussed and come up with the first two ideas to help Karen raise the money for this exciting trip. On Saturday morning 8 November we are having a Coffee Morning. Face-painting for the children and car-washing will also be available. On Saturday evening 17 January a Quiz Evening is planned. Just come along and have some fun. There will be no Christmas parties for each section this year; instead there will be a Company Outing in the New Year to the pantomime. We do earnestly pray God’s help, guidance and richest blessing as we start a new term and year in the life of the 1st Upney Girls’ Brigade Company, and we pray the reward of seeing girls won for the Lord.



The same Newsletter carried an unattributed report on the Girls’ Brigade Camp, 2-9 August 1997:

Looking back to our Summer Camp this year, we can be truly thankful to our Heavenly Father for all the blessings He showered upon us throughout the whole week. The sun shone as we waved goodbye to our friends and family, and headed towards Lake in the Isle of Wight. However, the sun was soon to hide itself from us, for most of the week anyhow (who wouldn’t hide itself from 30 Upneyites, do I hear you say?). Many a time the rain came down in torrents, and on several occasions we wondered if we were to experience for ourselves something of how Noah and his family must have felt when the heavens opened and it began to rain, especially as we had chosen Noah’s Ark as our theme for our week’s devotions. We arrived safely and soon settled into our new home. Saturday evening’s devotion was spent watching videos on The Flood and Creation. It brought home to us all in a real way just how devious the devil is, but it also showed us how more wonderful is God’s loving power. The morning devotions were ably led by Karen Parker and Jenny Hill. During this time the girls learned the Camp chorus (Rise, shine and give God the glory, glory), were taught memory verses, and took part in various quizzes all based on the previous night’s story. The evening devotions were shared by Captain Janet Caplin, Lieutenant Valerie Parker, Miss Beryl Bond and Miss Naomi Caplin. Each person based their talk on a different animal, e.g. sheep, lion, bear, raven, and finally on our last evening, centring our thoughts on God’s saving plan for Noah and his family, and pointing us to God’s saving plan for us through his Son, Jesus Christ, challenging the girls to the need of a Saviour and the hope of Heaven, God’s final and wonderful new creation. Although the weather was mainly wet, the girls’ spirits were never dampened. Even soaked right through to our skin, literally, there was always a sense of fun and oneness throughout the Camp. We visited Sandown Zoo in the rain, Robin Hill in the rain, Alum Bay in the dry and Blackgang Chine – yes, you’ve guessed correctly, in the rain! On many occasions the sky and the horizon became one, but everything comes to him, or, in our case, her, who waits, and on Friday the sun shone in all its splendour. This was indeed a new experience, and for most of us our lily-white bodies turned, in just an hour and a half, from white to various shades of pink, red, light brown, bronze or golden bronze. Our evenings were as varied as the girls’ sun-tans! We painted plaster-cast animals, had a games evening, one evening we ate out in a ‘ten-star’ restaurant along Shanklin sea-front, on another had our usual Camp Concert – at which the ‘Spice Girls’ found time from their busy schedule to perform, and three senior members of the staff acted a six-part Victorian melodrama (if you are a little confused, imagine how the girls felt!) – and for our final evening we had a Tramps’ Supper – suitably attired of course. For many of the girls it would have been a new experience to live in a Christian atmosphere for a week and to gather around God’s word twice a day to hear the truth faithfully proclaimed. These youngsters hear so much in today’s society that will lead to destruction, so



we would ask you to pray for them that what they heard will bring forth fruit, and that in God’s perfect timing they will be won for the Lord. Finally we, as helpers, could do nothing without the prayers of God’s people, and we would take this opportunity to thank all those who have laboured before the throne of grace to cover us with your prayers before, during and after our Camp. Thank you once again. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” – Ephesians 3: 20

Vivien Davies contributed an uncharacteristically short report to the first Newsletter of 1998:

This year has gone by so quickly, and we have much to thank and praise God for. As we go forward into a new term we pray that members, leaders and helpers will be strengthened and blessed, and that His Name may be glorified in all things. We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and wish you a very happy and healthy New Year. Parties are always on the agenda for the first meeting in January, but this year we thought it would be a good idea as well as a nice change to go out to a pantomime – Hansel and Gretel at the Theatre Royal, Stratford on Tuesday afternoon 30 December has been chosen, which we are sure will be a lovely show and lots of fun for the girls. Please pray for our officers as they attend a Training Weekend at Edenbridge on 30 January. You must have noticed recently and been pleased at the increased numbers of children going out to Sunday School on a Sunday morning. We have been tremendously encouraged by the response of the girls from Brigade attending church on a Sunday. However, for those who still don’t come, there are plenty of empty chairs waiting to be filled. Karen will be off to Australia later this year for her FONOMARAE. So far, with a coffee morning, a boot sale and donations, she has £440 towards the cost of the trip. There is still some way to go, but with your support on 17 January when a Quiz Evening is being arranged, we hope the funds will increase enormously! More details later. Lastly, an urgent plea once again for anyone willing to lend a hand in the older section of Brigade – please see Captain, Janet Caplin, without delay.

The Newsletter for April-May-June 1998 went to press early, but included a supplement of late news, so there were two Girls’ Brigade reports:

The Fonomarae will soon be here, and Karen will be off on her long-awaited journey to Australia. Karen has worked very hard to raise the £1,000 she has so far but, for such a trip, more money is still needed. In April, a Line Dancing/Country Dancing evening is being arranged at the church. This is planned not only to increase the fund but to encourage families and members from other local companies to come along and enjoy a ‘fun night’ together. Felicity, a Brigader from London, will be Karen’s travelling companion. They plan to stop off in Singapore on their way home, hoping to have the opportunity of visiting and forming a link with Girls’ Brigade there (and to meet up with and check out Paul Davies, of course!) It is anticipated that this connection with Brigade [there] could result in creating a pen-pal relationship with Brigade here at home. It certainly sounds very exciting, and we naturally



wish them every success in this enthusiastic venture. Karen asks for prayer, especially now, as final arrangements are being made, and also for unity on the team. You may recall that during the term preceding Christmas there were two Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. We are pleased to announce that the six girls involved all passed this section of the Bronze award, and take this opportunity to congratulate them on their success. Preparations and practice for the Junior Team Games Competition were coming along just fine until a surprise holiday and a broken foot (not a Brigade accident I might add!) unfortunately caused us to pull out at the last minute. We would like to congratulate the 1st Dagenham, however, who went on to win this National Competition, and, following their team’s magical win at our Quiz Evening recently as well, they seem to have a lot of talent over there! On 25 April at 2.00 pm at the John Perry School there is to be a district netball rally for senior girls. This is purely a ‘fun’ meeting to encourage older girls to meet and mix together and enjoy themselves. Our Display this year is on Saturday 20 June at the church. Please reserve this date now so you will be able to support us in your usual style. Although we could do with a few new Junior members (age 7-11), other sections are well attended. There is, in fact, quite a long waiting list for Explorers, and it is very, very pleasing and encouraging to know that almost 100% of the girls in this section come along to Sunday School. I am sure everyone will agree this is excellent news and pray it may continue. Girls’ Brigade has a place in the church, the community and the life of the country. Let us give thanks for all that GB has meant and continues to mean to so many people, but let us be aware that so many young people are searching for something. “We have nowhere to go, nothing to do. We need somewhere to meet” is their cry these days. Pray that girls around Upney will somehow hear, learn and understand there is a place to go, where people are eagerly waiting for them, care about them and have something to offer them. Please keep praying. While we are sustained with prayer the door is open for the Lord to do great things among us.

Vivien Davies

Part of the money raised for our 1996-97 fundraising events was sent via WEC International for work with street children in Cambodia. On Sunday 15 March 1998 we were introduced to a family of missionaries in training who plan to go to work in this very same place, thus allowing us to hear about the work we had already supported.

Norma Callcut

The Newsletter for July-August-September 1998 contained the following report by Vivien Davies:

Once again we have had a very busy year in Brigade. We always know when another year is ending – when our Display takes place. This has now come and gone and it was yet another very enjoyable evening, tremendously supported as always, by church members, parents and friends. We thank you all again for your keen interest and encouragement. Congratulations go to girls who won section prizes:

Best Explorer Charlotte Miller Best Junior Alison Goddard



Best Senior Amy Stubbington Best Brigader Sarah Cardy

and the best Brigade Week Effort – Laura Stubbington. Two of our church members, Julie and Andrew Howard, hopefully soon to become Explorer parents, had a few words to say about the Display:

Having arrived sufficiently early to gain front row seats, we were able to see everything perfectly. As one can imagine, there was lots to explain in answer to the many questions which flowed, especially from Naomi, age 4. We were able to join enthusiastically in the chorus – if not the verses – of the opening hymn ‘Jesus is Lord.’ The main focus of interest, as prospective members, was the Explorers’ programme. There were many friends from Sunday School taking part, and that proved quite an ‘eye-opener’ to Rebecca, age 6. It was with great interest that we scanned the display of Camp photographs and spotted Claire and Katie Pitman amongst the faces. The excerpts from Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat were thoroughly enjoyed by all of us, and the girls wanted to know more of the story as a result! Although we are not quite sure whether or not we want to join at this present time, we have witnessed certain patting rhythms, an urgent desire to master skipping and the parading of an umbrella in a most serious fashion up and down the hall – all in the last week – can this be a coincidence? As parents, it is our dearest wish that the girls will, in their own time, join the Girls’ Brigade and benefit from the spiritual, physical and social aspects which it offers.

We are very sorry to be losing Naomi Caplin in September after running the Senior Section over the past year. We wish her well as she returns to studying, this time at Imperial College School of Science, Technology and Medicine at Hammersmith Hospital. You have heard much about the Fonomarae during the last twelve months and, yes, it is almost here now. Karen is off to Australia on 7 July. We again congratulate her on being chosen as a representative for us, the district, the region and our country on this exciting trip, and hope she has a wonderful time and we look forward to hearing all about it on her return. Our Camp this year, although smaller than usual, is at Preston, near Paignton, from 1 to 8 August. Everyone is looking forward to a great time in this delightful part of Devon. At the time of writing this Report, Lieutenant Norma Callcut is in hospital having had her long-awaited hip replacement operation. We do pray that it has been a success, that recuperation will be bearable and not too long, and that she will soon be free from pain and have good mobility in her joint once again. Norma is hopeful and very determined to be back with us when Girls’ Brigade resumes in September, after the summer recess. Juniors, often the strongest section in Brigade, is suffering numerically at the moment. If you know of any girl aged between 8 and 11, please invite and encourage them, if you can, to come on a Wednesday evening 6.00-7.30. Explorers, on the other hand, have had a waiting list for most of the year, and have had an excellent improvement in Church and Sunday School attendance. Finally, thank you all once again for your prayers and continued support and special thanks to the girls who come so regularly, and who are a great credit both to us and to their families.



‘Thus far has the Lord helped us’ 1 Samuel 7: 12 – we commit the future, however uncertain, into the hands of our loving heavenly Father.

The report for October to December 1998, complete with its accompanying photograph, was contributed by Laura Stubbington, who wrote:

On 1 August we left for our 1998 Camp at Preston, Devon, which turned out to be a brilliant Camp.

We had chapel every morning and evening. Morning chapel was led by Jenny Hill, where we had quizzes, memory verses and things like that. The theme for the week was ‘trees’. We had a range of stories from Adam and Eve through to Zacchaeus. There were four trips, the first to Kents Cavern, where we went round some caves; Quay West – a water park; Woodlands Adventure Park; and Babbacombe model village. Every night we had an activity ranging from line dancing to fancy hats. We arrived home on 8 August, all of us thinking about what a good time we had all had.

Vivien Davies was back from a family trip to Singapore when she contributed the following report to the Newsletter for January to March 1999:

I wonder how many of you missed the GB Report in our last Newsletter – I would like to think most of you! Please accept my apology. Blame must go to Paul [her stepson] and Meng and our three-week trip to their wedding just prior to the entry deadline. We hope you have all had a very happy and enjoyable Christmas, and trust 1999 will be kind to you. May we know God’s blessing as we set out on the next stage of our GB programme for this year. The New Year finds us preparing and working hard for future events and competitions. Explorers have entered Explorer games, paper plate decorating; Juniors have entered Bible study, team, games and movement with scarves; Seniors have entered Bible study and candle making. We pray that the Lord will guide us and strengthen us and may we see the Lord at work in the young lives of our members. The aim of the Girls’ Brigade is to introduce our girls to a Living God and to lead them to find faith for themselves. Young people join organisations for the sports, camps, meeting new people and other activities. For us, these are very important aspects of Brigade life and the focus can drift into these things – we pray for help to stay focused on the Christian side of our work, after all, it is ‘what we’re about’. Last year, instead of Christmas parties, we went out to a pantomime. This change was such a success and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone that ‘Cinderella’ at the Theatre Royal, Stratford, on Wednesday 30 December, is on our agenda for this Christmas.



Now for another apology. Our Bazaar was held on Wednesday evening, 2 December and not on a Saturday morning as usual. This prevented some of our faithful supporters attending. However, it did enable girls and parents heavily committed on Saturdays to come along. It was an evening filled with buzz, fun and a very happy atmosphere. Everyone, whether setting up stalls, selling or buying, even cleaning up, truly enjoyed themselves and the £200 raised will go to help children’s work. By the way, it is good to see Norma coping more comfortably these days. We do thank her, and Valerie, even in times of great difficulty and pain, for their attendance, dedication and loyalty to the Company. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award continues from strength to strength, and Sarah Cardy reports as follows on a successful expedition undertaken recently:

Our two Bronze expeditions had been the wettest and coldest weekends of last year, so we thought we were well prepared for our Silver this October. Camping at Lambourne End, we put up our tents by the headlights of the mini-bus. Easy enough – until we discovered that the instructions were in a foreign language that none of us spoke. Our first hurdle was thankfully cleared without too much difficulty. Monday consisted of walking fifteen miles; however, with the recent flooding, the River Roding had swollen and the bridges were destroyed. We kept walking and eventually came to a bridge – two miles upstream! Even after a tiring day, we found a new lease of life to venture to the boating lake, where we enjoyed the best part of an hour. After a night of very little sleep, we woke up to gale force winds that would have made walking very dangerous, and so were forced to abandon camp. Although we were a little disappointed, our feet were eternally grateful! We are now planning the real Silver expedition for the coming spring when, hopefully, the weather won’t affect us. Josie, Rebecca, Philippa and I would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Janet and Mike Caplin for giving up their weekend to camp with us.

As we are now in 1999, we pray that God will bless our members, leaders and helpers in this New Year, and that His Name might be praised and glorified.

The Newsletter for April to June 1999 carried the following report from Vivien Davies:

We are already well into 1999, and badge and competition work is all going to schedule. The Explorers report that:

Since Christmas the Explorers have been very busy decorating their paper plates, four of which will be entered for the National Competition on 13 March. Preparing for the team games, to be held at Orpington on Saturday 17 April, has also kept us very active. We are hoping that two teams, plus reserves – 16 girls in all – will be going. Pray for travelling mercies, a day of fun, and a time when leaders and helpers can witness by our love and care to these young lives.

The Juniors took part in the Bible Study Competition recently. A tremendous amount of hard work was put into this and, although the exam paper was rather difficult, the girls, as always, did their very best. Nine girls spent a Saturday in January at the Latymer Upper School, Hammersmith, competing in the National Team Games. This is always a great favourite, and it was no disappointment this year. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the whole day and can’t



wait for next year. They have also done dough modelling, and have just started courses in First Aid and movement with scarves. During the half-term break, the Seniors completed their cookery badge. The external assessor was very impressed with not only their cooking, for which they were given very high marks, but also for their pleasant, well-mannered and impeccable behaviour. She described them as ‘lovely girls’ – thank you for representing us in this way, girls!

Please make a note of our Display in your calendars: Saturday 19 June at 6.30 pm

At the moment, our Explorer Section is by far the strongest numerically. Unfortunately, we have lost quite a few girls throughout other sections recently, for various good reasons. Many have written to Captain explaining their heavy commitments elsewhere, and expressing thanks for all that has been done for them through Brigade. We pray that all they have done and learned at Brigade over the years will not be wasted. We do ask for your continued prayerful support for this very important work with these young people – also for the staff, and for help, guidance and wisdom in our preparations and presentations, week by week.

The Newsletter for July to September 1999, as well as reporting on current events in the Company, marked the end of another era:

We hope you all enjoyed our Annual Display last night – Saturday 19 June – if you were not able to be there, we are very sorry you missed the fun and entertainment. Altogether, it was a very relaxed, enjoyable and successful evening. The girls, as usual, gave of their very best, showing the various talents we have in Brigade. Many were extremely nervous, and, for many, it is the first time they have performed in public. However, it was lovely to see their excitement and sense of achievement when it was all over and had gone SO well. Thank you all for your presence and for your continued help, support and encouragement – these are valued far more than you could ever imagine. The hard work and dedication was also shown in the vast number of awards this year: National Competitions Bible Study Sarah Cardy First Rebecca Beazeley Third Team Games Explorers Third Our Brigaders, Josie Plant, Sarah and Rebecca have completed their Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, also their Young Leaders, Grade 2 – and for Josie, her Brigader Brooch. Service Awards – to gain these awards, girls must attend over 75% GB night attendances and over 75% Sunday attendances – 40 girls gained GB Service Awards with Explorer Elizabeth Farress and Senior Emily Lester having 100%. 29 girls achieved Sunday Service Awards, with Junior Zara Goddard and Brigader Sarah Cardy having 100%. Section Awards Best Brigader Rebecca Beazeley Best Senior Emily Lester



Best Junior Lois McKenna Best Explorer Annemarie Goddard Many congratulations to them all. It was a pleasure to have Wendy Jones, Commissioner for Waltham Forest, with us as Inspecting Officer. In her remarks she commented on how all Sections of Brigade work – Physical, Educational, Spiritual and Service – were clearly noticeable in the Display, whether performed in the church or on display in the School Hall. In the final item, ‘The Prodigal Son’, the message came across distinctly that God loves us all, whoever we are and whatever our circumstances, and He wants to ‘FIND’ us if only we would let Him. Our own member, Jean Hubbard, graciously presented the awards. Jean helped in Explorers for many years but, sadly, had to give up owing to ill-health. There is to be a combined Camp this year with the 3rd Becontree Company. It is in Weymouth from 7-14 August, and 10 of our girls, together with 2 Officers, are going. This is a new venture – please pray for safety, a happy atmosphere and rich blessings. Finally, our thanks – but not our goodbyes – to Lieutenant Norma Callcut for her dedication, loyalty and exemplary leadership to Upney Girls’ Brigade over a period exceeding 45 years. Norma joined the Company the day it began, and she remembers sitting round the room on wooden chairs, waiting to be told what to do. The only time she has missed since that day was during evacuation in the war years. In September 1954 she became a Lieutenant, in July 1956, Captain – a big responsibility for one as young as 24 – and in July 1995, back to Lieutenant again. Norma has reached retirement age for Brigade, and will no longer wear uniform or be a Lieutenant. However, we are very pleased she has agreed to continue and serve as an Auxiliary. She says she has lots of pleasant memories, but the most prominent of all was meeting so many ‘old girls’ at the 50th anniversary celebrations, and discovering their strong faith in our Lord Jesus Christ – which is what Girls’ Brigade is all about.

The last Newsletter for 1999 carried the following report:

On Wednesday 6 September Captain, Lieutenant and four Auxiliaries met to discuss the programme for Brigade in the next few months. Janet opened the meeting with a reading from Colossians 3: 12-17 and a prayer. The reading emphasises our need for compassion, kindness, gentleness and patience and, above all, love – binding us together in unity as we seek to work well with one another and teach and help the girls in our care. Please pray for us all at the beginning of a new term and a new year, that whatever we do and say may be pleasing to our Heavenly Father. A brief Report was given on the recent Camp at Weymouth with the 3rd Becontree Company. There had been a good atmosphere and the girls from Upney and Becontree bonded very well together. Having a cook to prepare meals gave the other leaders more time to spend and talk with the girls. Squads were made up of girls from both Companies, and each one prepared a scrapbook of the week’s Camp. Fancy dress and a concert were two of the enjoyable evening activities. Captain said that if the opportunity arose to go to Camp with the 3rd Becontree another year, she would not hesitate to do so. Two [or, rather, three] of the girls write about Camp:



Before Camp this year, we were all a little worried about what it would be like, as we were going with the 3rd Becontree – another Company. However, once we’d had a chance to settle down, we began chatting to the other girls, and soon became friends.

Throughout the week we covered the life of Joseph in our chapel times and, during the day, we went on several visits. We spent a day at Sea-Life, we went swimming, and we had great fun at the outdoor pursuits centre, where we had to trust our friends to hold a rope which we were on the other end of

because we were climbing an oversized rock. On the Monday we had a barbecue – we went to a park for this. I think sausages would be better if they were square because then they wouldn’t roll off the disposable barbecues. Something to think about isn’t it? Overall Camp turned out to be a lot of fun, and we didn’t need to worry before, because it all turned out fine.

Jenny Storey & Alison Goddard Mrs Jean Hubbard submitted the following comment regarding the 1999 Display:

It was both a pleasure and a privilege to be asked to present the awards at this year’s Girls’ Brigade Display. A most enjoyable evening was had by all, audience and girls alike and the occasion reminded me how much I miss helping with the Explorers, which I did for a number of years. Thank you to Captain Janet Caplin, former Captain Norma Callcut and the leaders and helpers over these years. Last, and certainly not least, thank you Captain for the very beautiful flowers.

Vivien Davies began the year 2000 with a fairly brief report:

A big ‘Thank You’ is in order to all those who supported and encouraged us by their presence and generosity at our recent Fund-Raising Bazaar. It was held on Wednesday evening, 24 November, in place of the normal Girls’ Brigade meeting. There was such a lovely atmosphere of happiness and friendliness as children and adults sought and bought, and many mums and relatives relaxed and chatted over a ‘cuppa and a cake’. The girls, as always, thoroughly enjoyed preparing and setting up their stalls, and were well-rewarded when the bargain hunters started buying. The £270.00 raised that evening will be donated to children’s work in the local area. Thank you, again, everyone. If any readers have just even a few 2p pieces lying around we are collecting them in a ‘big, big’ jar. Our Company target is 2,000 and is in aid of the Oasis Trust. We are planning to celebrate the Millennium in some way, but as final decisions and arrangements still have to be completed, we shall inform you and give you details later. We hope that you have had a happy and blessed Christmas with family and friends, and wish you all good health and happiness in the year 2000.



Vivien Davies reported as follows in the Newsletter for April to June 2000:

Year 2000 is progressing rapidly and, before we know it, the summer will be here and that means Display time. The emphasis, as always at this time of year, is therefore on the hard work involved to complete all badge work in preparation for the award presentations on that day. The date for our Annual Display is Saturday 24 June. The performance is at 6.30 pm, and rehearsal times for the girls are yet to be arranged. This gives plenty of notice and NO excuses will be accepted for not being there! The following morning, Sunday 25 June, is a Parade Service, which gives the whole weekend quite a GB flavour. We have so many lovely youngsters in our care at a time when large numbers are at a loss what to do, and finish up in all sorts of trouble. Please pray for each one that she may really enjoy coming and finding Jesus as her personal Friend and Saviour. Other events coming up which need support and prayer are as follows: Parades for the rest of the year – 9 April; 25 June, 24 September (Harvest), 5 November. On 9 April it is our intention to make it a ‘Brigade Day’. The reason for this is that not only is it our own Parade Service in the morning, but also a District Parade Service in the afternoon at 3.00 pm. As this is to be held in our own church at Upney, we thought it would be a good idea to make a ‘day of it’ and join the two services with a picnic lunch. Girls, parents, families and anyone wishing to join us will be most welcome. Sadly, the number of girls at our parade services does not reflect the pleasing attendances on a Wednesday evening. There are so many other attractions for young people and families on Sundays now in the area that it is very difficult to encourage and ‘chivvy’ the children to come along. Some do go to other churches – but many don’t. We are praying for parental support in this matter. One of the highlights of the year is GB Camp. Girls are already asking “where are we going?” – “when are we going?” – “can I book now?” Comfort is definitely on the agenda this year as the venue, Holcot House in Edenbridge, Kent, has beds with duvets, showers and a large games hall in case of inclement weather! This is to take place from Monday to Friday, 24-29 July. It is already proving to be very popular – and not too far to travel, as an added bonus! 2p pieces are still being collected until Easter. Many thanks to those who have already contributed.

Another report, but this time by Norma Callcut, appeared in the Newsletter for July to September 2000:

Our usual reporter, Vivien Davies, has been unwell since the last Newsletter – please do get well quickly, Vivien, we all miss you – especially the Junior girls. The fund-raising effort of last Christmas has now been passed on and we were able to send £369.15 to Haven House, the children’s hospice in Woodford.



This has been a very busy time, working to complete badges, and, at the Display on Saturday 24 June, almost every girl received a badge. Also 42 girls gained good attendance awards and 29 for good Sunday attendance, at Upney or another church (75% is the pass mark). We would like to give a special Thank You to all those who helped in any way with the Display, including Linda Harrington (Music and training for one of the Junior items) and Janet Howard (Audio), both of whom helped with our practices over a number of weeks. The Display was a great success with Explorers ‘Movement to the Millennium Prayer’ and National Dancing, which was repeated to give some in the audience the chance to ‘have-a-go’. Junior team games were popular, as ever, with blue team winning by just one point from the other two teams, who managed to tie. The other Junior item was excerpts from ‘Mary Poppins’, where we had some lovely solo and group singing. The Seniors’ contribution, ‘Oklahoma’, included line dancing with ‘partners’ which they had made themselves, and what a surprise when the dummies’ heads came off at the end! The awards were presented by Miss Susan Christmas, Lieutenant, 1st Dagenham Company, and special mention was made of Rebecca and Naomi Howard, both gaining 100% attendance for Company and Sunday. The Best All-round Awards went to:

Explorer Rebecca Howard Junior Heidi Birch Senior Alison Goddard Brigader Rebecca Beazeley

Miss Callcut received an award for over 40 years officer service, and Revd Andy Porter a badge recognising his appointment as Company Chaplain. The final item depicted how others celebrated the Millennium and emphasised that we celebrate Christ’s Birthday. During the parade service the following day, the Explorers sang ‘Be the hands (feet, heart) of Jesus – we are his helpers in the world today’. At the April parade the Junior girls had sung the Millennium Prayer, learned as part of their Lord’s Prayer badge where the verse is mainly the traditional words, but here we quote the chorus which emphasises the need for Christ in the world.

Let all the people say amen In every tribe and tongue Let every heart’s desire be joined To see the kingdom come Let every hope and every dream Be born in love again Let all the world sing with one voice Let the people say, amen

Unfortunately, Vivien was still not well enough by the following Newsletter, and Norma had to step into the breach once more:



Much has happened since our report in the last Newsletter particularly regarding staff. We are pleased that Vivien Davies has now had her last treatment, and pray it will have been successful and that she will be able to return to helping in the Junior Section soon. We were very sorry to accept Valerie Parker’s resignation, as she feels she should give her time at the church where she now worships, so Beryl Bond will now be Explorer Leader with the help of Ivy Pngg, Anna Cardy and Emily Lester. The Junior Section has been pleased to have Ruth Cain starting to help, also Jennifer Strong and Alison Goddard. Naomi Caplin is now leading the Seniors with help from Captain. Please pray for all our workers, especially those who are new. Camp Early on Monday 24 July 19 girls and 6 adults left to visit Edenbridge in Kent, where we spent a really good time. On Monday afternoon, we had a treasure hunt and potted sports; Tuesday was an outing to the Hop Farm Country Park for ‘hands on’ pottery, farm animals, shire horses etc, and a quiz in the evening; Wednesday morning there was a ramble to collect grasses which were used in the afternoon to make pictures – after the girls had cooked their own barbecue lunch – and then there was a barn dance in the evening; Thursday we went to Hastings by train, visiting the Sea-Life Centre, the cliff railway, caves and McDonalds, arriving home after dark with the use of our torches; Friday was swimming at the local sports centre and then shopping – did it rain that day!? Camp concert was in the evening. And what of the spiritual side? Well, Naomi Caplin and Rebecca Beazeley led the morning devotions, which were linked with the previous evenings’ Bible stories covering our motto ‘Seek, serve and follow Christ’. Eyes – Blind Bartimaeus; Hands – Mary and Martha; Feet – Levi; Tongue – Zechariah; Heart – Jesus Christ. Lastly, we are saying farewell to Sarah Cardy and Rebecca Beazeley, who are going to universities. We hope to see them when their holidays differ from the girls’ one, and maybe they will come back to the Company when their student days are over.

Norma also contributed the following report to what proved to be the final Upney Baptist Church Newsletter, that for January to March 2001:

We are very grateful to God for providing people willing to help in our various sections and the way those coming weekly have fitted in. It was a tall order to train the girls for an Eisteddfod on the 4 November, but we managed to take part in seven of the nine competitions, the missing ones being Brigaders’ section where, at present, we have no members. The Explorers came 1st for Country Dancing, Juniors gained 1st, 2nd and 3rd for a millennium card made from broken eggshells, and the Seniors 1st and 3rd for symnography – the latter two being individual subjects. We also took part in Explorer collage, Junior line dancing and Senior Movement, and a joint sections choir where we sang “I am so glad that Jesus loves me”, which item was repeated during our parade service the next day. On 29 November we held our Christmas bazaar, where £286 was raised, and this year the proceeds are going to Richard House, which is a centre for terminally ill children in the East End of London.



This year we held a joint Christmas Party with the Sunday School, where some 40 boys and girls enjoyed games and had a parcel to take home. We have just started to hold workers’ prayer meetings about every six weeks; it’s another date for our diaries but surely the most worthwhile of all.

Further Displays were held on Saturdays 30 June 2001 and 29 June 2002, but I have no record of a Display held in 2003. However, on Saturday 15 November 2003 the 1st Upney Girls’ Brigade Company held their 60th Anniversary Reunion, when they were joined by former members over many years. On the Sunday morning there was a combined Parade and Thanksgiving service, conducted by Mr Michael Caplin, husband of Captain Mrs Janet Caplin and former District Chaplain. Mrs Vivien Davies was called home on 10 July 2004 after a long struggle with cancer.

The Company Continues (2004-)

At the Girls’ Brigade Display on Saturday 9 October 2004, Christina (Tina) Servante and Rebecca (Becky) Beazeley were commissioned as Girls’ Brigade Officers. Michael Caplin was the preacher at the services the next day, and again the following Sunday. Mr & Mrs Caplin moved to Suffolk on Wednesday 1 December 2004, leaving Tina and Becky with the responsibility of leading the Company, assisted by an able band of helpers. Another Display was held on Saturday 18 June 2005, Tina and Rebecca’s first Display in charge of the Company. A further Display was held on Saturday 15 July 2006, and the theme for the Display on Saturday 7 July 2007 was “Daniel – A Hard Act to Swallow”. The next year’s Display was on Saturday 12 July 2008, and the theme for the Display on Saturday 27 June 2009 was “Noah’s Incredible Cruise”. Meanwhile Tina married Paul Wenden on 5 August 2005, but they were fortunately able to live quite near the church, in Woodbridge Road, Barking. They were blessed with the arrival of Eva Christina on 28 July 2009. Rebecca married Mark Standing on Saturday 2 June 2007, but subsequently began to attend Mark’s church in Woodford. A few months later Rebecca lost her voice, and it was only many months and a course of speech therapy that she regained it. Meanwhile Mark was made redundant but was able to gain another job after a couple of months or so. Under these circumstances there were problems with the leadership of the Company and the range of activities it could offer. Brigaders, the section for school years 11 and upwards, had to be discontinued after March 2005. The younger sections (Explorers for school years 1-3, Juniors for school years 4-6, and Seniors for school years 7-9) continued to be listed separately in “In Touch” until February 2008, when the entry was changed to “Wednesdays, 6.15-7.45 pm, Girls’ Brigade: Ages 5-14+ yrs”. A replacement for Rebecca came when for Lisa Wilson was commissioned as a Lieutenant in June 2009, and Brigaders resumed in September of that year.



On Saturday 26 June 2010 the two officers, four auxiliaries and 22 girls provided the church with a further annual display of their usual high quality, during which it was announced that Paul & Tina Wenden would be moving to Upminster in the near future. Tina was nevertheless hoping to continue as a Lieutenant, although that would mean ever more pressure on her time.

(1964-2011) girls' brigade

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