Feature I Band of the

ON HER MAJESTY’S MUSICAL SERVICE

A number of Salvationists at Regent Hall serve in the Band of the Coldstream Guards. Two of them – the longest serving and the newest – share their experiences

GLENN LITTLE (PERCUSSION) MY passion for military music started from an early age when my parents would take me to see the Royal Tournament at Earls Court, Changing the Guard and Trooping the Colour. I was in awe of the bands, their powerful sound, the uniforms and the pomp and ceremony – from then on I knew that was what I wanted to do.

I grew up in The Salvation Army, attending Felixstowe Corps. Music was a large part of my upbringing: playing in the YP band, senior band and Anglia Youth Band, as well as attending various music schools. I joined the military straight after my GCSEs at the age of 17 and am now coming up to 18 years of service.

Over my career I have been able to play at numerous state occasions, including The Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour), the Festival of Remembrance and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – and I have lost count of the number of Changing the Guard ceremonies I have taken part in. I have also been fortunate to travel all over the world to take part in military tattoos and concerts, including a three-month tour of the United States and Canada.

My faith plays a huge part in my job in the military. We are often pushed out of our mental and physical comfort zones

in order to progress, and I’ve always needed to rely on God in these situations. Early in my career I was also often pressured into situations that tested not only my faith but also the promises I had made in The Salvation Army’s soldier’s covenant. I soon learnt that if I trusted God and stayed true to the promises I had made I would be respected for my Christian faith.

Courage, discipline, respect for others, integrity, loyalty and selfless commitment are the values of the British Army, which reflect the values I try to implement in my Christian life. I hope that I show colleagues, through my acts, decisions and conversations, that my Christian faith can influence them to think about their own beliefs.

GREG WATERS (CORNET) IN September 2018 I was sent to the Band of the Coldstream Guards on completion of my initial trade training in the British Army. Since that date I have been in my dream job and have worked with some excellent musicians who I am glad to call friends.

Performing music every day is a privilege that is sometimes easy to take for granted, and having a Christian faith has helped me in all aspects of military life.

Basic training was tough, but not in the ways that I would have expected. It was physically demanding, and my mentality was tested daily, but the hardest aspect was living in a room with nine other men from different backgrounds.

As a troop we attended church during the working week for lessons on the values and standards of the British Army. The padre invited us to the Sunday morning service, which wasn’t compulsory. I’ve never been nervous about sharing my faith but on this occasion there was something holding me back. Perhaps it was the fear of being an outcast for 14 weeks. On the first Sunday I made it clear that I was going to attend the church service, and to my surprise I was joined by a handful of others from the troop. I really felt God’s presence with me at that moment, and it has helped me share my faith ever since.

There are plenty of mixed views about Christianity in the band. I love having conversations with some of the guys who are atheists or agnostics as it gives me a chance to explain my views, even though I don’t always act in a way that shows them. I have found some aspects of adjusting to a new workplace difficult, and it can be easy to do and say things that don’t align with my faith.

I’m glad that I have a long career in the military ahead of me. It will present me with plenty of opportunities for God-related conversations with lots of different people.

O The band will be presenting a St George’s Day concert at the Corn Exchange, Bedford, on 23 April at 7.30 pm. Tickets are available from bedfordcornexchange.co.uk or 01234 718044

A TIME TO ALLOW GOD TO SHAPE YOU

Captain Lynley Oliver looks ahead to this year’s Summer College

WHEN you contemplate booking a summer holiday, you could be forgiven for not immediately thinking about spending a week at Denmark Hill. It’s not a hill in Denmark, but rather the location of the William Booth College in Camberwell, London.

You may also be forgiven if a picture comes to mind of an old dilapidated building that is past its best. By contrast, WBC is a set of renovated buildings that houses the ‘modern’ while keeping the historical elements as a reminder of all the saints who have passed this way. It is a helpful environment in which to take time to commune with God.

Summer College has been running for a number of years, and it continues to attract more than 30 people each time. ‘I appreciated the availability of William Booth College staff and their warmth of fellowship,’ said one of last year’s delegates. ‘The teaching was pertinent and significant for me,’ said another. When asked, ‘What worked well for you

at Summer College?’ one delegate replied: ‘Everything!’

The theme of Summer School this year is Effectiveness, the final part of the territory’s TIDE strategy. This theme will help us explore how we can measure how fruitful we are, or even how fruitful we may become if we continue to obey Christ’s command to ‘remain in me’ (John 15:4).

We may feel that we’re effectively serving Jesus already, but this week promises to bring some fresh insights into how we might be even more fruitful for his purpose, glory and Kingdom right where he has placed us.

The Summer College will again be organised and facilitated by Learning and Development Officer Major Geoff Chape and Assistant Territorial Candidates Director Major Liz Chape. They will draw support for the teaching from staff based at WBC. As in previous years, officer staff will be on hand for pastoral support to all delegates if needed.

Special guests at Summer College will include Chief Secretary Colonel Lee Graves and Territorial Secretary for Leader Development Colonel Deborah Graves. It will be their first visit, and we anticipate a helpful and encouraging time with them. The very capable dining room staff at WBC will prepare all the food, and accommodation is of a good and comfortable standard. So please be assured that you will be well looked after during your stay at Summer College.

We guarantee you will be able to enjoy a safe space where you can participate with Bible teaching, worship, outings and fellowship with one another. It can be a time to allow God to continue to shape you – and when you allow God to do that, anything can happen! So, be prepared. Who can attend Summer College? You! Yes, you! There is no qualifier; you don’t have to wear Salvation Army uniform in order to attend and you don’t need to be able to recite chapters of the Bible. All are welcome!

SUMMER COLLEGE 2019 O Saturday 27 July to Friday 2 August O WBC, Champion Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8BQ O £265 O For more information email college@salvationarmy.org.uk or call 020 7326 2700

CAPTAIN OLIVER IS A TUTOR AT WILLIAM BOOTH COLLEGE