Announcements

Army People

MARRIAGES

Cadet Joel Watson to Cadet Emily Price at Sutton-in-Ashfield by Major Julie Johnson

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

Golden

Dep BM Jeffrey and CT Jenifer Layton, Ipswich Citadel (28 March)

Dennis and Barbara Short, Jersey (25 April)

RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations

Mrs Major Jean Harry (80 on 23 April)

Mrs Lieut-Colonel Elizabeth Richardson (90 on 21 April)

BEREAVED

Major Joy Caddy, Furze Hill, and Ruth Pope of their mother Olive Howard

Jean Hodson, Leicester South, of her husband Rtd SL John Hodson, David Hodson, Claire Hodson, Leicester South, and Major Christine Piper of their father

Lieut-Colonel Trevor Davis of his brother John

Beryl Furlong of her husband Peter, Captain Glenn Furlong, Bradford Orchard, of his father

S/Reservist Geraint Pelzer, Morriston, of his wife Songster Lilian Pelzer, Nicola Pelzer, Morriston, and Kerry Pelzer, Maesteg, of their mother

Freda Eldridge, Southampton Sholing, of her husband Maurice

PROMOTED TO GLORY

Major Joyce Howlett from Glebe Court care home, London, on 24 March

Major Violet Balkham from Ridgeway Court care home, Dudley, on 26 March

S/Reservist Yvonne Wood, Ipswich Citadel

S/Reservist Hazel Shreeve, Lurgan

Dora Harris, Dudley

OFFICIAL GAZETTE UKI TERRITORY

RETIREMENTS FROM ACTIVE SERVICE

Effective 1 April

Major Nigel Collins and Major Lynne Collins (née Atkins) out of Tavistock in 1979 and last appointment Merthyr Tydfil

Major Paul Conley and Major Rita Conley (née Burgess) out of Luton Citadel in 1981 and last appointment prison chaplains, North West England and North Wales

ANTHONY COTTERILL Commissioner Territorial Commander

TRIBUTES

NATHANIEL GRAHAM, NEWBIGGIN-BY-THE-SEA

BORN in 1929 Nat was one of five children. He grew up in the corps, becoming a member of the YP sections before transferring to the senior sections. He married Nan in 1948 and they had two daughters, Morag and Christine.

Nat was always willing to use his excellent musical talent in whatever way he could. He was deputy bandmaster for a short time before he served as songster organist, then as songster leader for 40 years.

Nat was appointed MBE by the Queen for his services to education, to which he dedicated his life. Another proud achievement was when Nat refereed at Wembley Stadium.

This lovely Christian gentleman influenced many in the community. In his final weeks, one could not help but admire the courage and fortitude he showed.

Nat is truly missed by all who loved and knew him. Servant of Christ, well done! – JS/LA

DENNIS WILKES, CANNOCK

BROUGHT up in Wednesbury, it was during National Service in Egypt that Dennis met Education Officer John Dangerfield, who led him to Jesus and became a lifelong friend.

From a picture John sent home, Kath met Dennis. They were married in 1958 and had three children. In 1968 Dennis founded a toolmaker’s, which attained the highest of reputations in the industry.

Dennis served as YPSM at Friar Park and Walsall. Moving to Cannock he became CSM.

His service in public and private was legendary. He delivered Bible classes and covered meetings, and also used his fitness regime for corps and friends through hiking and cycling events. A talented artist and woodworker, the Army hall and many homes showcase his handiwork.

Dennis would patiently smile and graciously help anyone, being described as ‘a generous gentleman and a good friend’.

A true Christian, his influence will remain with his family and all who knew him. – GS

Please note that soldiers’ and adherent members’ tributes submitted for publication should be no longer than 150 words. Good quality pictures will be included with tributes. Please do not send your copy to any individual’s email address as this could delay publication. Copy should be sent to salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

This update, issued by Secretary for Communications Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant, is correct as of 3 pm on 6 April

Significant work is under way across the territory to prioritise work with vulnerable people while following government health advice. We are finding new ways to mobilise and respond so that older people and rough sleepers in particular are kept safe during these unprecedented days.

FOOD BANKS

Fareshare is continuing to partner with supermarkets and suppliers to distribute food to organisations supporting their communities with food parcels. It has two schemes operating and corps are encouraged to consider signing up with one of these.

In addition, the Community Services and Procurement Units at THQ have been working closely with retailers, nationwide restaurants, hospitality chains and wholesale food distributors to secure large-scale donations and ensure food availability.

Where the Procurement Unit identifies food donations in specific regions, it is working closely with corps and Lifehouses. There are also opportunities for corps to use community relationships to access food supplies. Schools, cafés, hotels, sport clubs, restaurants and large offices may have food they no longer need and are looking to donate.

EMPLOYMENT UPDATE

Secretary for Personnel Lieut-Colonel Beverley McCombe has issued a letter to Salvation Army employees. It says: ‘Our ultimate aim through this global crisis is to resource the frontline critical mission and keep our vital services operational. However, some strands of our work will have to pause or even stop.’

She goes on to say that some employees will be able to work from home, but other options will need to be explored if this is not possible. Employees may be deployed elsewhere ‘to support mission critical roles’ or, if redeployment is not available or suitable, furlough will be offered under the government’s job retention scheme. This last option is funded by the government and keeps employees on the payroll without them working.

FUNDRAISING

The Army has launched a fundraising appeal on social media and in newspapers for its Covid-19 work. The response has exceeded expectations.

THQ’s Community and Events Fundraising Unit wants to enable corps and centres to raise funds for their coronavirus response by setting up a JustGiving page for the corps or centre’s exclusive use.

JustGiving pages let people easily make donations for work in their communities through a Salvation Army corps or centre safely via their credit or debit card. Corps and centres can also use this account to pay in any other income from fundraising.

All coronavirus response pages will be linked together at justgiving.com/campaign/TheSalvationArmyCoronavirusSupport.

Guidance on setting up your JustGiving page is available from the Community and Events Fundraising Unit or, if you have access to OurHub, at ourhub. salvationarmy.org.uk/coronavirus.

SUPPLIES OF PPE

The Procurement Unit is working hard to source stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks and shields, protective eyewear, disposable aprons and gloves, hand sanitisers and wipes.

Suppliers of PPE must prioritise the health and social care sectors. Many suppliers are now only able to provide products to our older people’s care homes and not to other areas of Army work.

Close personal contact may be unavoidable in other settings – particularly in Lifehouses and anti-trafficking safe houses. In these instances, the Procurement Unit is doing its best to source PPE on request.

Many corps and centres have sourced sanitiser and gloves locally. The Procurement Unit will do what it can to supply extra PPE to the frontline when stocks become available.

EVENT CANCELLATIONS AND POSTPONEMENTS

Community managers conference, 22–24 June – cancelled

Key information is available on the territorial website: salvationarmy.org.uk/coronavirus-and-internal-information