All the Queensladies and all the Queensmen...

THE first girls to receive Queensladies badges are pictured at the Chadderton Town Hall presentation. From left, Capt Barry Cooke, Cpl Rachael Smith, Lord Lt Warren J Smith, Mayoress Jean Jones. Front, Sgt Holly Parker, Sgt Stacey Lewis, Sgt Charlotte Greaves, Sgt Lee Ratcliffe and the Mayor, David Jones

Oldham hosted the first joint presentation to boys and girls who are members of the Boys’ Brigade.

The brigade in the Chadderton area has pioneered mixed membership, with the girls in a parallel group called the Girls’ Association, for the past two years, after the local Girls’ Brigade folded.

Now they can receive the same badges and honours as the boys.

Chadderton Town Hall was the setting for the presentation of Queen’s Badges, the highest award for the Boys’ Brigade, by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Warren J Smith.

The Brigade’s North West District event was also attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Oldham, David and Jean Jones.

Four Oldham girls, sergeants Charlotte Greaves, Stacey Lewis, Holly Parker, and Cpl Rachael Smith, were presented with the badges, and became Queensladies, as well as 27 boys who became Queensmen.

All are members of the South Chadderton Methodist Church 24th Oldham Brigade. Stacey also gave the vote of thanks.

Brigade members from Wigan, Liverpool, Lancashire, and Manchester also travelled to Chadderton for the presentation.