400 Girls’ Brigade members parade through Saintfield

400 Girls’ Brigade members parade through Saintfield

4 April 2012

OVER 400 members of the Girls’ Brigade walked through Saintfield on Sunday for the annual parade and church service of the Strangford and Mourne District.

Hundreds of parents and friends watched the parade of 23 companies which this year was hosted by 87th NI Lissara Presbyterian, which is based in Crossgar.

Lieutenant Elizabeth Gibson conducted the choir made up of 31 girls and eight leaders, accompanied by Brigader Lois Abraham. A small group drama was also presented by three Brigaders — Hannah Lennon, Nicola McCullough and Jenna McKeown.

The praise items were accompanied by a small music group from Lissara GB — Rachel Nelson, Hannah Nelson, Alex Rea, Lindsey McConomy, Hannah Lennon, Anna Rea and Lieutenant Lindsey McConomy. Kate Beattie played the organ in the church for receiving and returning the colours and the National Anthem.

The service was conducted by Rev. Ian Abraham, Chaplain of Lissara GB. In his role as ure Convenor for the District, Rev. Abraham also presented the Scripture Shield to the captain of 136th NI Raffrey Presbyterian GB, Mrs. May Ross, and the Endeavour Shield to the captain of 157th Ballynahinch Congregational, Mrs. Joy Hall.

Certificates were presented to the 40 Juniors who gained 100% in the District Scripture Test held in February. They were:

38th Second Presbyterian, Comber — Brooke McKeag; 51st Newcastle Presbyterian — Rebecca Annett; 74th Killinchy — Georgia Gallen, Olivia Davidson, Olivia McCloskey, Olivia Hayes, Emma McClenaghan, Charlotte Keers, Erin Rice; 87th Lissara Presbyterian — Carly Cranston, Megan Crockard; 146th Mourne Presbyterian — Alex Annett, Kristen Annett, Ruth Annett, Danielle Irvine, Emily Hanna, Jayne Hanna;

157th Ballynahinch Congregational — Victoria Burtney, Lucy Hanna, Katy Lyons, Hannah Gilliland, Katie Hunter, Amy Turtle; 356th Magherahamlet — Kate Fitzsimons; 358th Loughaghery Presbyterian — Cherith Moffitt; 363rd Christ Church, Kilkeel — Molly Lorimer.

The offering was collected by members from 309th NI Downpatrick Baptist, 356th NI Magherahamlet Presbyterian and 363rd NI Christ Church Kilkeel companies.

The special speaker at the service was Doreen Draffin, the Chaplain to the Girls’ Brigade in Northern Ireland.

The Wellington Memorial Silver Band led the parade from 2nd Saintfield Presbyterian to 1st Saintfield Presbyterian, and again on the return route which went in a small circle via the New Line back to the assembly point. The supporting bands were Balliesmills Accordion Band, Upper Crossgare Pipe Band, Ballygowan Flute Band and Hollymount Pipe Band.

Mrs. Elizabeth Patterson, captain of Lissara, said she was delighted to see so many people in Saintfield to support the annual parade.