Girls' Brigade members receive Queen's Awards

The delegation of Girls were among the 70 girls receiving the Award and came from, Kilfennan Presbyterian Church,Maghermason Presbyterian Church, Donemana Presbyterian Church, and Dungiven Presbyterian Church.

Among the dignitaries they met was Lynda Bryans, Patron of Girls' Brigade in Northern Ireland, who was also in attendance and interviewed a selection of girls during the ceremony about their experiences over the two years working for their individual Queen's Awards.

In her welcoming remarks the Lord Mayor made reference to the motto of the Girls' Brigade: "Seek, Serve and Follow Christ – girls there could be no more important goal for you. I commend and congratulate you all; I encourage you to continue to seek, serve and follow Christ, to serve others, and to become active citizens in our community. I wish each of you well and enjoy the celebrations this evening."

To gain the Queen's Award the girls completed a 2 year period of work including community service, two initiative tests, service within GB, a written test paper on Girls' Brigade knowledge and a final interview with GBNI officials.

Girls' Brigade Ireland caters for girls aged 3 – 18 years.

With 300 GB companies in Northern Ireland, boasting a total of 23,000 members, this makes the Girls' Brigade the largest uniformed organisation in the Province. Companies meet in churches and missions once a week from September to April or May and offer a wide and varied programme of Bible study, craft, sport and other challenges in community and church service.

To find your local company or to find out how to start a GB company check out the GBNI website at www.gbni.co.uk