The 12^th Birmingham G.B. Company

The 12^th has had a long and varied history. It was formed in 1918 and was based at “The Friends Institute, Mosely Rd. It closed in 1947 but had reopened at the Methodist Central Hall by 1953. By 1970 the company had migrated to Ladywood and by 198? It had moved to it’s current home, St Boniface C of E, church in Quinton. Even then it was not plain sailing as the then captain; Jo Jones struggled to keep the company open due to loss of officers through ill health and moving away from the area. It closed again in 198?.

When we planned reopening again in 1995 Jo was very seriously ill and could only help with advice and enthusiasm, also producing much-needed colours and equipment from her loft. Sadly she died in the August before we opened in September.

The company has now been open, in its current incarnation for 11 years, this year and the Lord has been good, even though we lost an officer, Lyndsay LeFevre to Skin Cancer.

We currently have 5 commissioned officers and large Senior , Brigader and explorer sections though we are short of Juniors.

When we began we felt rather like an “add on” to the church but over the last 10 years we have become an integral part of the life of the church and a useful evangelical arm to the youth and children’s work. St Boniface has been an exciting place to be over the last 10 years as, with the leadership of Wallace Brown, the church has gone from strength to strength.

We have been involved in Youth and Children’s evangelism, missions to Poland, and holiday clubs. Six years ago we began organising a joint camp with the 8^th B.B., and the St B’s Brigade camps are happy and rewarding events,

In the Birmingham district we have enjoyed joining in The Big Events, swimming galas, Children’s Fun Days, quizzes and carol singing in the Bull Ring.

Centenary Company Photo

People in the above photo are:

Chaplain- Trish Ffrench, Captain-Lorraine Lampon, Lieutenants, Jo Overend and Margaret Knight and Brenda Haslam

Brigaders – Rachel Haslam and Louise Ali

Seniors – Kim Knight, Lindsey Broadfield, Bethany Grist, Kaila Whyte, La Shana Whyte, Rachel Goodall, Claire Overend and Chloe Burke

Juniors – Natalie Williams, Emma Grist, Emily Franklin, Kajaal Sharma,

Explorers – Charlotte Grist,

Sadly, Trish Ffrench has now moved on and we await a new company chaplain when our new vicar arrives. But the good news is our company has many new members.

Company Activities

2005 weekend at the Woodlands Outdoor centre, La Shana cheated outrageously!

Summer camp with the B.B. at Bockleton 2005

The Funday at Sheldon Park, Summer 2005

The company meets at St Boniface Church on Monday evenings.

Explorers and Juniors(under 11’s) at 5.45pm

Seniors and Brigaders 6.00pm

We play games, learn a variety of craft activities, sing songs, fund raise for good causes and learn more about Jesus. Do come and join us!