Girls' Brigade is is a world-wide movement working in over 50 countries, with the aim to help girls to become followers of Jesus Christ and through self-control, reverence and a sense of responsibility to find true enrichment in life. Based at Ridgeway Methodist Church, 1st Plympton Company is one of several companies in the Plymouth area and was formed in 1977. The company includes a diverse group of girls - both those who are part of the church community along with their families and those who never hear of Jesus except at Girls' Brigade.

Our Company has grown over the last year due to a targetted recruitment drive in our Explorer section. We leafleted the local infant schools and arranged free taster evenings. As a result of this we now have twenty girls in the Explorer section, twelve Juniors, ten Seniors and four Brigaders. We were able to enrol all of these girls in a very full joint enrolment service with the Boys' Brigade in January 2007 when we explored the theme "Seek, Serve and Follow Christ" (the Girls' Brigade motto).

Over the last year we have held company camp jointly with the 1st Hooe Company when we spent an enjoyable week at Falmouth. We have joined in the national event called "Identity" where six of our Seniors made commitments to follow Jesus as their Saviour. With these girls we are following a discipling Bible study course each week. These times together are challenging and great fun as we explore what it means to be followers of Jesus in the 21st century. We also participated in the Boys' Brigade challenge Go4IT where we entered a team of Juniors in various challenges and competitions. We came in third - significantly higher than some of the boys teams we were pleased to note!

We have also taken part in the BT Giant Sleepover and are now word record holders! We plan to take part again this coming year. We raised sponsorship monies for Blythswood Care and Childline throughout the year, and we have once again participated in the National Young leaders training weekend and have three girls currently working in this scheme. We join with other Seniors and Brigaders across Plymouth as part of the New Generation initiative - girls get together to have fun, enjoy each others company and learn about Jesus together.

Our Explorers participated in a district fun event in February aroung the theme of "LOVE", and we are planning several other events for the coming year including a joint Boys' Brigade/Girls' Brigade worship experience for Seniors and Brigaders, a District outing, a sleepover at Ridgeway, a weekend "camp" at another church in the Plymouth area and a summer sports day.

During term-times the 1st Plympton Girls' Brigade company meets on a Thursday. For more information please contact the church. For more general information visit the official Girls' Brigade website.