A JLGB contingent of over 280 members and leaders joined the Salute to Israel Parade in central London this Sunday. Fifty members of the London Massed Bands led the parade with the sound of Israeli and Jewish music, which they had been rehearsing for several months. Whilst on route, the JLGB contingent was joined by Brigade President, Lord Levy. Later, at the festive rally on Trafalgar Square at the Festival Rally, over 40 Junior members of the JLGB accompanied the Chief Rabbi in singing the new version of Oseh Shalom composed by Stephen Levey of the Shabbaton Choir. At the end of the event, the Massed Bands were invited onto the stage to perform the National Anthem, accompanied by over 30,000 enthusiastic spectators.

JLGB Juniors, aged 8 -11, are always guaranteed a great time at both their regular weekly parade nights and other JLGB events and activities – but especially camps! One of the highlights of the JLGB Junior calendar saw members from Junior units from all over the country attended the London and Provincial Regimental Junior Spring Camps. London Regimental Spring Camp, held from 2nd to 5th May and the Provincial Regimental Spring Camp, from 23rd to 26th May were so popular that places were snapped up like hot cakes!

The 2008 JLGB Walton Trophy Challenge was won by Glasgow for the second year running, and for the first time ever at a weekend camp arranged specifically for this competition. Cardiff were this year’s runners-up with Nottingham and Cheadle in third and fourth places. The Walton Trophy Challenge is contested by every senior company in the JLGB’s Provincial Regiment to find the best in Drill, Brigade Knowledge, Uniform Inspection and Physical Activity.

The JLGB’s 11th Annual Sir Peter E Lazarus Debating Competition took place this year on 9th March 2008 at Immanuel College in Bushey. The competition saw 32 participants from 7 schools and 2 synagogues across London take part. The JLGB was delighted that Philip Skelker, Head teacher of Immanuel College, was Guest of Honour. The winners of this year’s competition were Zak Levin and Ben Goldstein (pictured) from St Paul’s School and the runners-up were Ben Lewy and Scott McDonald from Haberdashers’ Aske’s School.

Over 230 members of the London Regiment of the Jewish Lads’ & Girls’ Brigade were present when a triumphant Redbridge Band, led by Brigade Staff Captain Linda Diamond, won The London Regimental Banner Competition 2008. The runners up were Borehamwood Seniors with Ilford Girls taking third place. These units were joined by others from Bushey, Edgware, Hendon Band, Kingston, and Woodford. Redbridge Band will now compete against the winners of the Provincial Walton Trophy for the National Ancill Trophy at Summer Camp 2008.

Following on from the successes in Manchester, North West London and Hertfordshire, the JLGB Regeneration Project moved to Redbridge and Essex. With over 40 people in attendance, the local community really came out to support the JLGB’s regeneration initiative. The JLGB has an esteemed history in Redbridge and Essex, with many stalwarts of the Brigade hailing from there. The Deputy Commandant, Edna Terret, was a former Ilford Company girl and JLGB Chief Executive Neil Martin was born and bred in Ilford and still lives there. JLGB National Headquarters can even be found in South Woodford.