Chairman and Officers L to R: (seated) Latifa McCullagh (Captain), the Rev Angus McCullough (Chairman) and Joanne Moore (Guest of Honour). (back row) Officers - Evette Boyes, Alison Close, Elaine Henning, Karen McCoy, Madeline McCoy and Dorothy McCullough.

Magheragall Girls� Brigade 64th Annual Display was held last Friday and Saturday evening (14th and 15th March) in Magheragall Presbyterian Church. The chairman, the Rev Angus McCullough welcomed everyone to the display and gave a special welcome to the guest of honour who on Friday evening was Joanne Moore, a past officer of the company and on Saturday evening was Angie McKee who works with CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship). On Friday evening the Junior Section presented a cheque for �250 to Christine Murdock on behalf of Open Doors; the money was raised doing jobs round the home, baking, selling buns in school, and a group made craft items which they sold at their school sale

In her report, the Captain, Latifa McCullagh, recalled that in September they commenced the year with 69 girls and 10 officers and was delighted to welcome back previous members and also many new girls. In September, Jill Belshaw finished her officer training and Joanne Wallace, Rachel Greer and Louise McCullagh commenced their officer training. Nicola Mairs and Laura McFarland started working for their Sub Officer training and Nicola Mairs and Alison McCullough started to work for the Queen�s Award. During the year the girls entered a number of District competitions - the Juniors came second in Team Games and Junior Marching. In the District craft competition a number of girls gained certificates. Also, during the year the girls worked for a variety of badges - Juniors did cookery and fund raising for the charity �Open Doors�; Seniors and Brigaders painted a large wall hanging on �heroes� and looked into bullying and internet security, completed the GB scripture course and learnt dances from different countries. Latifa also reported that during the annual GB week collection, the girls raised �2,250 and that �300, was raised when the Juniors, Seniors and Brigaders went carol singing last Christmas, the money is being split between Action Cancer and Project Gateway in South Africa. She went on to thank all the officers for their help during the year, saying that without their time, dedication and commitment, there would be no Girls� Brigade company in Magheragall and concluded by giving a special thanks to the parents for sending the girls along so neat and tidy each week.

The theme for the display was �Heroes� and the excellent programme included: When I�m 64, Listen & play and Miniature Heroes - Tinies; Let�s follow the leader, Biblical heroes and Girl Power - Exploreres; A hero called Rahab, Superman and Marching - Juniors; PE Heroes, Villians & Heroes and PE so much love to give - Seniors; A question of sport and I�m holding out for a hero - Brigaders; Hospital Heroes - Officers. The seasonal finale entitled �He ROSE�, presented by the entire company, told the Palm Sunday story in song and drama; the pianist was Emma Collin.
 

Madeline McCoy (left) and Dorothy McCullough, joint winners of the Officer�s Cup.	Latifa McCullagh (Captain) pictured with Senior Minister, the Rev Robert Larmour.

15/03/2008