St. James Church Lads Brigade
Haslingden Catholic Boys Brigade
Haslingden St. James Church Lads Brigade (1901 to 1996).
And also within Haslingden we were privileged to have the Haslingden Catholic Boys Brigade (1918-1925 approx)
It was in the 1950s that I wore my Young Boys Corps navy blue jumper with embroidered patch bearing the letters YBC (we used to nickname it the Young Bugg..s Club, and I suppose thats just what it was at times, but it was worn with such pride by the many young members. I was always envious of the older boys who where fully fledged JTC (Junior Training Corps) members and they got the chance to wear a proper uniform.. I remember our drill hall which was at the back of the Library, in Hindle Street (see photo below left), (prior to us having it, it had been the St. Andrews Mission also previously known as the Hindle Street Mission - see photo on right of when it was St. Andrews). It was here the CLB did our training and we would assemble one Sunday in every month to parade to our Church - St. James
Church Lads Brigade, Drill Hall on Hindle Street, (Behind Library)
Which was originally St. Andrews Mission.
St. Andrews Mission, Hindle Street,
later to become the Church Lads Brigade drill hall
When I was a member I can remember going to camp in the Isle of Man, and I got friendly with "Yapper Wilson" (Brian) and also "Yapper" Haworth (the late Brian) and there was also Alistair Chapello and probably other lads within our small group. I also have memories of other lads in the CLB - Tom Bond, Denis Baker, Peter Desforgis, Arthur Diggle, George Diggle, Brian Till, David & Peter White, Stanley Barlow, Bill Jennings, John Jennings, Bill Parkinson, Clive and Winston Beckett, Jack Pilling, Leslie Blunt, David Haworth, Brian Pickup, etc etc etc...
The band generally consisted of buglars, drummers and big drummer and there were some great buglars in our Company..
A CLB re-union
Up until more recently I used to see quite regular the main man who led the operation those days our Captain John Stanton, a remarkable man (now in his 90s) he would command the greatest of respect. I seem to remember from long ago reading that he was chosen to be one of the main men throughout the North of England representing the Church Lads Brigade and bore such a heavyweight title of Rank.. he was a fine man, and had great support from our other Officers, I can remember John's right hand man at that time Tom Riley.. (Sadly since writing this John has now passed and you can read his obituary further down the page)
Below is a old CLB reunion photo and below that is a photo of Captain John Stanton....
This brilliant photo, just below is of the CLB somewhere around the 1920s or 1930s and was kindly sent in by Fizle and shows her dad Sam Sagar who is walking directly in front of the Civilian, and the guy across from him with the beard also shows up in a previous blog photo (depicting Margerisons Garage). The photo was taken around the St James Lychgate on Blackburn Road.
This superb photo immediately below, was kindly sent in by Joan Merrill. The photo shows Sam Sagar.
My dad, Jack Mead, is the on middle row and is the middle one between the cup holder and Sam. John Stanton is on the front row to my dad's left( the middle one).
Here below, is some more photos kindly sent in by Fizle, of the brigade from as early as 1920s, some are group photos and some when on their Summer Camp.... (Click over photos to enlarge).. The top three of the group photos which are immediately below are from the 1920s and the next one is probably 20 years earlier, whilst the next down will be from the late 30s or early 1940s..John Stanton is on the right hand below photo and is next but one to the right of the vicar, also the late John Adams (of Hudrake) is in between the vicar and John Stanton... Fizle's father (Sam Sagar) is in both of the group photos - In the first photo immediately below he is on the left next but one to the vicar in uniform.
These next two photos below where kindly sent by Jackie Ramsbottom. The first one depicts the Brigade around 1956-1958 ish.. I can remember most of the guys, but I must have left just before this photo was taken and the second photo below is of a Summer Camp which would have been around the mid 50s... (Click over photos to enlarge)
additional names (above): front row kneeling: John Kay (between Peter White and Brian Till), I am almost sure thats Robert Stevens to the right of Jimmy Halstead. I also think that Ken Tattersall is between Brian Pickup and Brian Yap Wilson.
The undermentioned five photos were given to me by Capt John Stanton which are obviously some of the earliest photos available of the C.L.B.
And here below is a photo kindly sent in by Joyce Thorne and its from the Whitsun 1948 St. James Church of England Sunday School procession. Heading is the Church Lads Brigade and cant be sure but think maybe the leader on this photo is Major John Stanton.
(30th April 2012) Email from Graham Sumner
Dear Bryan,I have just come across your blog Haslingden Old and New. The part that interested me the most was the section about Haslingden St. James Church Lads’ Brigade. I can tell you that the Haslingden St. James Church Lads’ Brigade was started on the 20th December 1901. As a member of the Church Lads' and Church Girls' Brigade Historical Group, who is researching the Brigade in the Blackburn Diocese and Church Lads’ Brigade War Memorials, I would like to ask you for some assistance. I have a copy of a booklet about the St. James C.L.B. which was written by Jack Whittaker, and in this he mentions a Roll of Honour to members of the Company who served during the 1914 – 1918 war, which was in the Company Headquarters. Do you know if this Roll of Honour still exists or if there is a photograph of it of which I could obtain a copy?Also mentioned in the booklet is an Officer called J. T. Haworth who had been the Head teacher of St. James school, could you by any chance tell me what his names where. I would also be interested in any more information about St. James C.L.B. and or copies of any photographs. I also remember John Stanton, although I was a member of the Church Lads’ Brigade in Preston.Yours Faithfully,Graham Sumner.
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It was with much sadness that Major John Stanton died on Saturday August 20th 2011 at the age of 93, he will always be remembered with much fondness - (below is printed his obituary which appeared in the Rossendale Free Press)
Former cotton spinner Mr John Stanton, of Harcourt Road, Accrington and formerly of Haslingden died on Saturday, August 20 at Woodlands Nursing Home, aged 93.
He
leaves his wife Valerie, sister Marian, nephews and nieces.
He
served on Minesweepers during the war at Scapa Flow, Africa and Rosife.
He
worked as a footwear operative with Starline, Rawtenstall, as a cotton spinner
at Sykeside, Haslingden and Woodnook, Accrington before retiring from Nori
Brick of Accrington.
As
a young boy he joined St James Parish Church Lads and Girls Brigade where he
was a member for over 50 years and would be remembered as Major Stanton,
receiving the brigade bronze award in 1984. He was former worshipful master of
Rossendale Forest Masonic Lodge.
His
funeral was due to take place on Thursday, August 25 with service at St James
Parish Church, Haslingden followed by cremation at Accrington
Crematorium
officiated by Canon Roger Smith.
Donations
if desired in memory of John for the Alzheimers Association c/o funeral
director.
Funeral
arrangements: Josephine Durning for Johnson, Durning and Woods Funeral Service,
Haslingden
*********************************
27th December 2013 - Received Email from John Kay (ex pat France)
Bryan
We must have met.
I am the " unknown " in picture 16, between Peter
White who I remember and Brian Till. Third from last name. Peter was a good
harmonica player and used to perform at various concerts. Certainly remember
some of the guys in the photo. Was a good mate of Arthur Diggle. I was a lance
corporal in the JTC under Tom Riley.
Was in YBC from 1957 to 1960, then
JTC until 1963. In CLB proper for a couple of years until my family moved to
Horwich. Tried for the band with bugle and drum but not good enough before we
moved.
My family had the selling out shop at the top of Pleasant St until we
moved.
I had a successful academic career becoming a Professor and Dean
before retiring to France where I still live.
Went to camp in the Isle of
Man but not sure which year.
Keep up the good work. Enjoyed the
memories.
John Kay
 |
Below are a couple of photos (below) - kindly sent in by Myra Frohnapfel (20th Aug 2015)
CLB Members at Drill Hall
Photo: Myra Frohnapfel
L to R: Back Row: Peter White, Master Fitton, Jack Pilling, David White, Brian Till.
Middle Row: Clive Beckett, George Whittaker, David Siddall, Donald Henry, Roy Frohnapfel, Master Barlow, Roy Hindle.
Front Row: ?,Stuart Kay, Stewart Smith,?,?,?,?.
 |
| Church Lads Brigade Skiffle Group (click over to enlarge) features: Jack Pilling, Peter White, Brian Till (at the back), Roy Frohnapfel, David White |
(Below) Some photos kindly sent in by John McGuire showing his Uncles in CLB Uniform.
Photo from John McGuire - Uncle Bob Berry 1930s - Church Lads Brigade (uploaded 30th August 2015)
Photo from John McGuire - Uncle Arthur Berry in brigade uniform, Uncle Jimmy in army uniform and son Jimmy 1944 - Photo uploaded 30th August 2015
Photo from John McGuire - Uncle Jimmy in brigade uniform 1930's - Photo uploaded 30th August 2015
Photo from John McGuire - Uncle Arthur in brigade uniform with bass drum and me, Hilda and cousin Ernest (Uncle Bob's son) - (Photo uploaded 30th August 2015)
Photos 1,2 and 3 above were taken in the terraced row on Blackburn Road, opposite the lych gate and photo 4 was probably somewhere near the top Church.
********
Myra Frohnapfel has kindly sent in the following photos:
Church Lads Brigade marching up Higher Deardengate (Click over to enlarge)
Photo: kindly sent in by Myra Frohnapfel on 3rd September 2015
Church Lads Brigade marching up Higher Deardengate (Click over to enlarge)
Photo: kindly sent in by Myra Frohnapfel on 3rd September 2015
Church Lads Brigade (Click over to enlarge)
Jack Pilling, Clive Beckitt, Billy Metcalfe and Roy Frohnapfel
Photo: kindly sent in by Myra Frohnapfel on 3rd Sept 2015.
C.L.B. (Click over photo to enlarge)
Photo kindly sent in by Myra Frohnapfel on 2nd September 2015
C.L.B. Reunion (Click over photo to enlarge)
Photo kindly sent in by Myra Frohnapfel on 2nd September 2015)
C.L.B. Practice at Drill Hall, Hindle Street - mid 1950s
Click over photo to enlarge - Photo kindly sent in by Myra Frohnapfel on 2nd September 2015
C.L.B. (Click over photo to enlarge)
Photo kindly sent in by Myra Frohnapfel on 2nd September 2015
Haslingden Church Lads Brigade on Walking Day c1970s
(Photo: kindly contributed by Jeff Stevens on 5th October 2015
I think this must be a early photo of the St. James Church Lads Brigade (Click over to enlarge).
Plaque erected to St. James Church Lads and Church Girls Brigade.
1901 to 1996 - The plaque is situated on the West Wall of the St. James Parish Church - (Click over to enlarge)
Photo kindly supplied by John R. Edwards and archived and uploaded here on 24th February 2016.
Nurse McVell Memorial Service - Procession heading up Church Street
(Click over to enlarge)
Photo shows Church Street how it used to be with the "Bird In Hand", and the "Masons" on the left hand side and the "Bull's Head" on the right hand side as you look at the photo. Also the Church Lads Brigade are at the forefront of the photograph.
Photo: Uploaded here on 26th April 2016
Jim Camm on the centre left and the late John Stanton - centre right of the St. James Boys and Girls Brigade. (Click over to enlarge)
Other names offered L to R: ?, Alexander, Jim Camm, Ann Kershaw, John Stanton, Donald Valentine.
Photo: Kindly shared by Peter Fisher.
Church Lads Brigade Event (Click over to enlarge)
Names offered: Major John Stanton holding cup with John Durkin, Thomas Kay, Stephen Brown, Stephen Taylor, Gareth Camm, Ian Haworth, Mark, Frank, Gibby, Brian Nuttall
Thanks to Peter Fisher for sharing the photo
CLB inspection and open night at St. James Church
Names offered: Jim Camm sat to top left plus Brian Wellock, Kevin Rawcliffe, Neil Rowbotham, Duncan Edwards, Howard Rishton, Andrew Barge and David Camm.
Photo: thanks to Peter Fisher for sharing with us.
April 1982 and the team from St James Church Lads Brigade take part in the National Brigades five a side football tournament held in London.
Ian Haworth, Gareth Camm, Paul Vear, John Gibson, Paul Haworth,
Stephen Brown and Shane Thornton
St. James C of E - Church Lads Brigade (Click over to enlarge)
Buglers Jack Pilling and Clive Beckett
St. James C of E - Church Lads Brigade (Click over to enlarge)
Bugler Jack Pilling
St. James CLB band showing the old uniform and hats.
Showing CLB Band before entering a competition
Clive Becket receiving North of England Youth Silver Bugle 1962?
Five members went to Windsor Castle with other Youth organisations to meet the Queen and Prince Philip, they included: Denis Baker, Clive Beckett, Tom Bond, Nigel Fitton and David White.
Clive Beckett being congratulated from the Mayor, Bishop and Tory MP on playing Rememberance in Blackburn Cathedral.
Clive Beckett receiving the silver bugle, for regimental band competition,
from regimental Colonel.
Ref 7.
This shows Clive on the left and Winston on the right
in full CLB uniform
in front of their home on Vale Street in 1957.
Winston Beckett showing his new uniform and bugle
Winston Beckett, John Edwards, Lesley Blunt, in JTC, on parade in 1955
Band playing on Blackpool promenade, Clive Beckett in JTC playing with the senior band.
The above photos are from the Church Lads Brigade and feature Clive Beckett and many others of the CLB. Photos are thanks to both Clive and his wife Janet who nowadays live in Spain.
St. Johns Stonefold Church Lads Brigade
St. John's Stonefold CLB Mock Auction - March 1977
Haslingden Baptist Church 1st Company Boys Brigade
It is a Boys Brigade group. 1st Haslingden Company based at Haslingden Baptist Church. It was the annual display and award evening. Looking at some of the boys I suspect it was about 20 years ago. The male officer , back left is the late Jeremy Tomlinson. The lady front right is Margaret McQuilton-Morgan. I am the lady officer back right [ish]. The lady back left is Lena Warburton. (Thanks - Jennifer Rawlinson)
St. Peter's Church Lads Brigade
St. Peters Church Lads Brigade - Early 1930s
Photo: Kindly shared to us by Roger Roundell whos father was in the above group (Centre and next to the back row - to the front right of the gentleman wearing the sash
