A Short Histroy of our Company

The company, originally formed as 1^st Totton Girls’ Life Brigade at the Congregational Church in Totton High Street with 1st Totton (14th Southampton) Boys' Brigade, relocated to the United Reformed Church in Bartrum Rd in the 1950’s under Mrs Pat Doswell as Captain.

Amalgamating with the Girls’ Guidry of Scotland and the Girls’ Brigade of Ireland in 1964 The Girls’ Life Brigade became the Girls’ Brigade. 1st Totton company went from strength to strength under the leadership of Mrs Glynis Arnold who encouraged girls and young women from all parts of the local community to get involved and use their talents in an award winning marching band and choir.

The company regularly appeared at both local and national events, being invited to sing and/or play at the Royal Albert Hall, The Royal Tournament, the Dell football ground and the Jersey Opera House as well as taking part in many competitions around the country.

Most Friday evenings and weekends were spent practicing and taking part in local fates, concerts, parades and carnivals, helping to raise money for various charities and promoting Girls Brigade.

In the early 80’s the company was asked to represent the youth of Totton as part of the twinning between Totton & Eling and Le Loroux Botteroux (later the CC Loire Divatte) in France coinciding with the 50th Golden Anniverary of the BB & GB companies.This resulted in a number of visits to France over many years, and on one occasion Germany, to play and sing as part of the twinning celebrations.

In 1991 the Company moved to West Totton, when the Untied Reformed Church merged with Totton Methodists and built Trinity Church on the newly developed housing estate at Hazel Farm, where the company still blossoms today. Jan McCarthy became Captain in 2002 and the company continued to work along side the Boys' Brigade company, joining together for band, camps, services, celebrations and DofE until the Boys' Brigade company closed in 2013, when the then Captain moved away for work. The GB company contuned with a good number of members although the marching band ended, and meet online during Covid in 2020 and resumed in person meetings in September 2021 when Louise Yates became Captain of the Company. The company celebrated it's 90th Anniverary in 2023 and look forward to planning centenary celebrations in 2033. 

Anyone who has information, stories and photo’s about any of the company events & activities they would like to share, please visit the 1st Totton Boys' and Girls' Brigade past and present face book page or add your comments to the visitors page.

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