History
Historical Group
Giving our past a place in the future
Formed in 1996, the Historical Group, part of the CLCGB family, is making a positive contribution within The Brigade. Our membership is varied, encompassing all ages and interests, from members throughout the UK. We have built up a friendly and constructive relationship with our counterparts the Historical Group of the Newfoundland Church Lads’ Brigade in Canada. We share a desire to learn about our heritage in a constructive way. We aim to educate members using attractive and interactive methods and a historical information sheet “Looking Back” has been produced along with numerous fact sheets. The cataloguing and conservation of our National archives along with the provision of a Reference Library have all now been in operation for more than twenty-five years. We have many more projects still to materialise, so watch this space!
The Historical Group have produced a set of very interesting factsheets. These can be viewed here.
The Historical Group also produces a regular magazine entitled “The Brigader,” which offers members an interesting look into the history of the Brigade. Click here to read two articles from previous editions of the magazine.
The Bugle magazine, which is produced by Newfoundland CLB, is also available free to members of the Historical Group.
For further information, please contact Alan Stewart, the Historical Group Secretary: Alan.stewart@clcgb.org.uk
A Brief History
The Church Lads’ Brigade was formed at St. Andrew’s Fulham on 11 November 1891 by Walter Gee and the Church Girls’ Brigade, then known as the Church Red Cross Brigade, by Reverend Thomas and Florence Milner in Tottenham in the summer of 1901. The Church Red Cross Brigade had a name change, around 1910, to the Church Nursing and Ambulance Brigade for Women and Girls and then in 1923 to the Church Girls’ Brigade.
On 15 November 1978, the Church Lads’ Brigade and the Church Girls’ Brigade amalgamated to become the Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade, the only uniformed children’s and youth organisation in the Anglican Church.
Walter Gee
Florence and Reverend Thomas Milner
Notable Dates since amalgamation (1978)
1978 – The Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade formed on 15 November with 15,000 members
1979 – National Band formed
1980 – Royal Review by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Great Park
1984 – The inaugural annual National Band concert commences in Leicester
1985 – National Band performed overseas for the first time touring West Germany
1987 – NHQ relocated to Wath-upon-Dearne, South Yorkshire from Finchley, London
1991 – Brigade’s Centenary Year – many local celebrations
‘Minor Corps’ (5-7 years) inaugurated – renamed ‘Martins’ in 1998
National Choir formed
1993 – Phase 1 of the National Training Centre opened at Wath-upon-Dearne
New Training Officer appointed
1994 – Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited NHQ
1995 – Phase 2 of the National Training Centre completed
1996 – Brigade President, Archbishop of Canterbury, Rt Rev George Carey, visited NHQ
Historical Group formed
2000 – National Band perform at Millennium Dome, London (Now the O2)
2002 – Rebranding of ‘YBYGC’ to ‘Y Team’ and ‘JTC’ to ‘Jump to the Challenge’
HQ buildings renamed ‘St. Martin’s House’
Brigade Memorial Garden dedicated at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA)
CLCGB contingent at Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee Parade in London
2006 – Annual Memorial service at NMA commences – National Band visit New York, USA
2011 – 120th anniversary celebration with national parade to and service at Manchester Cathedral
2016 – National Centenary visit to High Wood and the Somme battlefields – Newfoundland CLB ‘Tour of Honour’ visit to the UK
2017 – 125th Anniversary Parade and Service at York Minster
National member’s activity weekend at Kingswood Adventure Centre, South Yorkshire
2019 – National service to Denham, Buckinghamshire, to mark the Centenary the 16th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps (CLB) returning to the village
2021 – Events held throughout the country to mark the 130th anniversary of the CLB
2023 – Members represent the CLCGB at various events to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III
2024 – HRH The Princess Royal becomes Royal Patron of the CLCGB.
