Published Date:
15 April 2009
By Tony Rice
GREENISLAND Girls' Brigade put on a golden show as they performed their 50th annual display at Monkstown Community School.
The 155th company, some as young as three-years-old, entertained a large crowd of parents, extended family, friends and special guests with a medley of their favourite items performed over the years.
A night of fun was the culmination of the year's work put in by the girls and officers and demonstrated why so many attend every Friday night from September to March.
The event also marked the end of an era with Mrs Moyra McCandless standing down as Captain after 16 years. Her successor Gillian Anderson will become the company's 5th Captain.
Mrs McCandless has been a GB Officer in Greenisland for 36 years and has seen numbers in the company more than double. She thought about retiring six years ago, but with membership growing she felt the time was not right.
She said: "At the time the company was growing and we needed all the help we could get."
Since then, the current number of officers and sub-officers has grown to be the largest the company has had. With the company totalling around 120, this strong group of leaders is well placed to carry on the company's success, according to Mrs McCandless.
Mrs Anderson echoed this sentiment: "I'm excited by the challenge I will have over the next few years, but I will depend on the team of officers and other helpers."
She added that her hope is for the girls to continue to have fun while at the same time living up to the GB's motto: "To seek, serve and follow Christ."
The new captain has been with the company since she was five years old and has been an officer for 30 years.
Mrs McCandless said the evening was very emotional for her and she could not speak at the end of the night. She conveyed huge thank you to all the officers and girls, as well as all the parents who bring the girls every week.
Greenisland GB reconvenes on Friday September 10 at the Methodist Church, Station Road. Girls from three-years-old upwards are welcome.
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Last Updated:
15 April 2009 10:44 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Larne