James Cleverly, the Mayor’s Youth Ambassador, helped celebrate 114 years of the Jewish Lads’ & Girls’ Brigade (JLGB) at its Annual London Regimental Parade and Presentation of Awards on Sunday 28th June at Horse Guards Parade. James Cleverly said: ”I hold uniformed groups like the Jewish Lads’ & Girls’ Brigade in the highest regard. Our newspapers are often dominated with stories of bad kids but it’s high time we focused on the thousands of talented, bright young Londoners who are doing fantastic things. I’m working with the Mayor on ways we can encourage more young people to join character building groups like the Jewish Lads’ & Girls’ Brigade throughout the year. The Jewish Lads’ & Girls’ Brigade promotes Jewish traditions with British values and makes a tremendous difference to young people in London. I’m honoured to be attending the parade and celebrations today.”

The Annual Parade and Presentation of Awards of the London Regiment of the Jewish Lads’ & Girls’ Brigade (JLGB) will be held on Sunday 28th June at Horse Guards Parade. This year we are delighted that our Guest of Honour will be James Cleverly, Ambassador For Youth, appointed in January 2009 by Boris Johnson, Mayor of London. Mr Cleverly will meet the JLGB members and volunteer leaders at what is one of the most prestigious events in the JLGB calendar.

65 members and 17 staff of the JLGB’s Lazarus (Essex) Battalion had a fantastic evening when bowling was on the agenda! Pins were being knocked down by the members at a frenetic rate and the overall winners were Woodford Juniors and Ilford Boys took the seniors title. The atmosphere was electric and a thoroughly good time was had by everyone, whether a strike or spare was scored, or the ball was rolling in the gutter at a snail’s pace! Debz Roos who organised the evening said: “It was good fun, everyone had a great time and thanks to all the staff who made sure that the members enjoyed every minute”.

21 young members of JLGB’s Manchester Band and Whitefield Seniors joined together to take part in a recent Samba dance workshop. The workshop was an outstanding success and members danced, learned new steps and played drums, bells and other musical instruments. A fantastic time was had by everyone! At first it was bedlam but it didn't take long before they were all ‘samba-ing away and sounding fab!’ This great activity is just one of many offered to Jewish young people who are members of JLGB.

“I was a trainee bugler in the Jewish Lads’ Brigade!” Sir Alan Sugar.
Forget Sandhurst – the Jewish Lads’ Brigade (JLB) was the place to be to gain life skills apprenticeships and, although computers were not around when Sir Alan Sugar was a member, he didn’t do too badly! “Don't start banging on about bloody Sandhurst again! I was a trainee bugler in the Jewish Lad's Brigade, Stamford Hill Division!” said Sir Alan, shortly before he fired Apprentice contestant Ben Clarke. Jewish Lads’ & Girls Brigade (JLGB) has been inundated with phone calls, e-mails, Facebook and twitter messages from young members, parents, former members who are delighted and proud to find out Sir Alan used to be in the Brigade. The JLGB has also been overwhelmed by the response from the general public and press who have become fascinated by Sir Alan’s time in the JLGB.

Students from Langdon College are learning horse riding skills as part of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Physical Section, through the Jewish Lads’ & Girls’ Brigade (JLGB). The challenge of horse riding gives the students the opportunity to develop self confidence, balance and an all round improvement in individual physical well-being. The students will be riding for 3 months and are also preparing for their Expedition in June in Kepplewray, Broughton in Furness, after which they will receive the full Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. They have already completed their Skills Section, a project about the History and Heritage of Manchester and are completing their Volunteering raising funds for Manchester Children’s Hospital, part of which was a Cake Sale in King David High School.