The Ross Gazette recently printed ‘A look back at Ross-on-Wye 15 years ago,’ to see what was reported on in the winter of 2001.

One of the Gazette reporters, Catherine Barkley, identified herself in one of the photos; she was a member of the 1st Ross Girls’Brigade, and a photo was taken to accompany a piece about the group’s collection for Operation Christmas Child.

Since the photo was printed, Alison Sumner, who ran the group, got in contact with the Gazette.

Hello Catherine

It was a lovely surprise to see the photo of the girls in last weeks’ issue. Last year, I sent most of our company’s history to GB HQ Archives, but I have retained some of it.

Our company started in 1982 and was for girls aged 5 to 20 in four sections and age groups, Explorers, Juniors, Seniors, and Brigaders which included Young Leaders. We ran for 24 years until 2006 and during that time I had the pleasure of meeting over 250 girls and their families. I have many happy memories and photographs of those years. Sadly there is no longer any Girls Brigade in Herefordshire. The Malvern Company amalgamated with the Boy’s Brigade Company.

Your photograph is the Senior section and you are learning Scottish Country dancing for your Physical badge.

The girls wearing the kilts from the front, if I remember correctly, are: Sinead Wilkinson, Catherine Barkley, Sarah Wood, [??], and Zoe Powell. The girls wearing their uniform from the front are: Sarah Kyle, Anna Price, Kelsey Smith, Amy Fountain, [??]. I don’t remember the lady’s name but I think she came from the Scottish Dancing club which met at the Larruperz. I hope this is a help to you and perhaps some of the girls themselves contact you.

Thanks for the memory and jolting the old grey cells.

Alison Sumner

Ross-on-Wye