Artcycle visits the Portsmouth 8th Girls Brigade

The Girls’ Brigade has such a rich history. It all began back in 1893 in Dublin, Ireland, when Miss Margaret Lyttle started the very first group to give girls a space for Christian teaching, friendship, and growth. Over 130 years later, that same spirit lives on in communities like ours.

At AFC Portchester, we run workshops designed for different age groups, and we’re always happy to take them into local schools too. In the summer, we move outside under our Star Tent – a lightweight but special space where creativity really comes alive. To make the activities meaningful, we prepare all the materials in advance and separate them into sacks, so children can see the process and understand the value of what they’re working with.

Last Monday, I had the joy of visiting St. Joseph’s in Baffins, Portsmouth, by invitation from Catherine Burt to spend some time with the leaders of the Portsmouth 8th Girls’ Brigade. It was one of those moments where I was instantly transported back to my own childhood. Orange squash in a plastic beaker, pink wafers and jammy dodger biscuits as we build a flower floor mosaic from plastic lids. There were no mobile phones in sight – just laughter, chatter, and the kind of joy that comes from simply being together.

The group has about 20 members, aged from 4 to 17. Each girl brings her own personality and abilities, and it’s beautiful to see how they all come together. That day’s activity was all about repurposing plastic. The girls transformed bottles into quirky little “Botfish” and even made earrings from recycled materials. Watching their creativity and care for the environment was inspiring.

The Girls’ Brigade celebrated 80 years in 2023, and moments like this show exactly why it has endured. It’s not just about crafts or activities – it’s about friendship, growth, and the memories that stay with you for life.