CLCGB Calendar

CLCGB Calendar
2012-02-01 09:00: Item Title of Your event
: 2012-02-30 20:58

The St Martin’s Banner in Westminster Abbey

This week sees the Centenary of the dedication of the Church Lads’ Brigade’s international war memorial in Westminster Abbey, Rather than marking its significant contribution to the Great War with a plaque somewhere the CLB decided to offer a memorial banner to Westminster Abbey. Following discussion with the Abbey, the idea was to depict St Martin, the Brigade’s Patron Saint and the Banner was to be worked by the Royal School of Art Needlework at South Kensington. The cost of the Banner would be raised by a levy of one penny per member, past and present. The Brigade Magazine described the Banner: “… a real freewill gift to the glory of God. … So see to it that your penny sent at once entitles you to a share in this age long honour of a place in Westminster Abbey”.

The date of the Banner’s presentation and dedication in the Abbey was the 9th November 1921. There were between 2,000 and 3,000 members, past members, parents, veterans of numerous battles and theatres that evening. After singing the Brigade hymn, Field Marshal Lord Grenfell, Governor and Commandant, presented it to the Dean, The Right Reverend Herbert Ryle, who laid it upon the high altar and dedicated it:

“In the faith of Jesus Christ we dedicate this Banner to the glory of God and in memory of those members of the Church Lads’ Brigade who gave their lives for their King and Country in the Great War. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost - Amen”.

In silence the escort to the Banner presented arms and the Brigade Prayer resounded throughout. The Dean addressed the congregation recalling the 20,000 fallen, the Victoria Crosses and other distinctions. He pledged that the Banner would be kept in the Abbey in perpetuity and in remembrance of the service, discipline and devotion in ‘fighting the good fight’ as the motto demands.


The Banner was designed by the Reverend Edward Dorling, an authority on ecclesiastical heraldry. It was made from white silk brocade, embroidered in rich silks and measures six feet six inches by three feet. The Banner depicts St Martin parting his cloak to give to the beggar. It bears the legend ‘I am become the soldier of Christ’. Above the pictorial scene are the arms of the Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster and below is the CLB Badge with the motto Fight the Good Fight. Its background is a rich cream colour bordered with the coats of arms of England, Scotland, Ireland and HRH The Prince of Wales, along with those of St George, St Andrew, St Patrick, St Peter and St Martin. The arms are entwined with the Roses of England, Thistles of Scotland, Leeks of Wales and Shamrocks of Ireland.

In recent years, the Brigade has utilised the Banner for its own remembrance services. On 5th July 2016 an Anglo-Canadian memorial service entitled ‘Swift & Bold’ was held at the Church of St John the Baptist Hugglescote, Leicestershire. It was carried by Lance Sergeant Liam Warren (St Augustine’s Newfoundland) and Private Tilly Dale (Hugglescote UK). The Banner was again loaned for a commemorative service at St Mary’s Denham, Buckinghamshire in 2019 where it was carried by Lance Corporal Ellis Williams of St Michael’s Tintern Company.

The Abbey presently have six embroidered processional banners which are carried at church festivals and certain special services. At other times, they usually display them either side of the high altar and are kept in the Sacristy in the Chapter House Crypt, where they may be viewed by prior arrangement.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liz Butterfield MBE - RIP

It is with much sadness that we learnt of the loss of Liz Butterfield.

Liz had been a member of Brigade for 63 years, starting at St Nicholas Elstree in Hertfordshire and moving to Roxeth & Harrow, Middlesex in 1995. She served loyally for the remaining 26 years and became the longest serving Commanding Officer in Roxeth & Harrow’s history at 23 years. She also held staff positions with the London Regiment and received the Officers’ Service Medal and Brigade Cross. Harrow Council awarded her a Lifetime achievement award and made her a ‘Harrow Hero’ in 2018.

Liz joined the Brigade Council when she became a Deputy Governor in 2008 and in 2013, she became Governor. In 2020 Liz stepped back to Deputy Governor and served in this position until she passed away.

Liz has left behind a lasting legacy of love and service, and it was announced in June that she would be the proud recipient of an MBE.

At this time, we ask all of Brigade to hold Liz and her family in our prayers.


 

130th Celebration Weekend Announcement

As you are aware 2021 saw us reach our 130th year!!  It was hoped that we would have a celebratory activity weekend and review this year but with the ongoing pandemic it was decided to wait until 2022. 

So, we are now planning for July 2022.  Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to invite ALL members to attend a weekend of celebration.  The weekend will start on Friday the 22nd of July at the Blackwell Adventure Centre near Bromsgrove. This is a large site with many activities available and plenty of room for us to run an exciting and full programme of various activities.

Sunday the 24th will see us transfer to the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas for a review (VIP to be confirmed) and service of thanksgiving.

Monday will see another day of activities and departures. 

This is a great opportunity for our whole organisation to come together to celebrate the magnificent achievements of the last 130 years as well as launching ourselves into the future. One of the great things that we can offer our members is the opportunity to meet people from different companies, formations, regions and country’s. In recent years members of the  CLCGB from all over the UK have travelled to France and Denham for memorable times of fun, faith and friendship.  I would encourage all companies to start planning for this weekend and to offer all members an opportunity of a life long memory.

We will shortly be launching the 130 challenge! in order to raise funds for this celebration. This will enable all companies to contribute towards a memorable occasion as well as providing a platform for company fund raising – watch this space.

The 130th Committee always has room for people who want to help plan and offer their skills.  If you are interested please contact NHQ.  We will also need volunteers over the weekend both at the camp and the review to ensure the smooth running of the events. 

Now the big question – cost.  At present we are charging £80 pp for the full weekend.  We are looking at fund raising opportunities as well as the 130 challenge! and any funds that we raise will reduce the £80 cost.  So, look out for the 130 Challenge!

We look forward to welcoming you all at the 130th Celebration Weekend (22nd – 25th July 2022)


 

Roll of Honour - Remembrance Service 2021

Remembrancepicture We are currently compiling the Roll of Honour for this year’s Remembrance Service to be held at the National Memorial Arboretum on 13th November. If you wish to add any Brigade-related personnel to the roll then please advise NHQ with the relevant details (full name, date of death, Company/formation, next of kin name & address if known). Rest assured the latter will be treated with sensitivity. It will only be used to send them a personal invitation to the service as guests of the Brigade and the order of service.

Please note that names are accepted one year in retrospect to 1st September 2019.

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