A FATHER from Brierfield is set to become the national chairman of the Church Lads' Brigade Association.

Ivan Eastwood, 51, takes up the office tomorrow at the association's annual meeting in Scunthorpe, and will be in the "hot seat" for three years.

Mr Eastwood, a father-of-three of Woodfield Terrace, joined the Church Lads' Brigade almost 40 years ago at the age of 13, at St Peter's Church in Burnley.

He became a member of the association - which provides financial support for the Church Lads' Brigade companies and meets at St John's Gate in London - about 10 years ago.

Mr Eastwood, a keen and well-known Freemason - a member of the 230-year-old Silent Temple Lodge in Burnley - said he felt honoured and privileged to be asked to become chairman.

Mr Eastwood, who was Commanding Officer of St Peter's Church Lads' Brigade, for about a decade 30 years ago - has two sons, neither of whom have followed in their father's footsteps into the brigade - and a daughter, who is a nurse.

He is also a new grandfather and finds time to dote on his new grandson between his many other commitments.

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