Letters

EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE

I AM a long-term Rotary member and, over the years, I have had connections with many charitable organisations, including The Salvation Army.

In earlier times, like many others, I knew of the Army only through collections made in a pub. However, when I came to work with the Army over Christmas a few years ago, I was mightily impressed. We helped put together parcels for people in need. Of course, lots of other organisations do similar work but the Army was so effective. There were a huge number of contributions from local supermarkets etc, but it was handled with smooth, quiet efficiency to the benefit of a lot of people in need in our community.

This I have found to be the hallmark of Salvation Army activities; quiet efficiency to benefit those in need. One may be assured that any funds contributed to the organisation will be used in the most effective way possible. I commend The Salvation Army to all.

Barry Tate Stockton-on-Tees

WATER GOOD OPPORTUNITY!

FOLLOWING the article on waterways chaplaincy (Salvationist 28 November) and the subsequent comment in the 12 December issue, readers may be interested to learn that the Churches Network for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma (CNGTR) is offering monthly online webinars for people interested in learning more about ministry to people with an itinerant heritage, commencing 15 January. This follows a commitment by the General Synod of the Church of England to appoint GTR chaplains in each diocese, but the webinars are open and free to Christians of any denomination. CNGTR does not itself appoint chaplains; the webinars are intended to equip individuals. To register your interest email CNGTR chair the Rev Martin Burrell at mburrell51@googlemail.com.

David Blowers Major Margate

A THEATRICAL RESOLUTION

UNDER normal circumstances the panto season turns the UK into a country of theatre lovers. The book Still Standing: The Savage Years by Paul O’Grady gives a useful backstage insight into pantomime culture. Another comedian, Bobby Ball, was no stranger to the panto stage. He came into a knowledge of the Lord through a theatre chaplain, and his conversion had a dramatic effect on his personal conduct.

The work of Theatre Chaplaincy UK is more important than ever in these difficult days for theatre. One part of the organisation’s litany reads: ‘Bless all who work in the sacred spaces of stage and studio.’

How can the stage be a sacred space? A play can tackle social issues more effectively than any lecture. The Sherman Theatre in Cardiff staged the Welsh language play Y Tad (The Father), which deals with elder abuse.

The theatre also tries to showcase new talent: it was a refreshing opportunity to watch a young cast present Blue Stockings, which deals with gender discrimination – historic and contemporary. One young actor told me it was a sobering experience to deliver demeaning and chauvinistic sentiments on stage.

On another occasion the final year students from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama presented an innovative production of The Magic Flute, set in 1950s automobile culture.

There are several areas of the brain responsible for creativity – it has surely been bestowed upon human beings by the Creator.

If you’ve never been to a live play, make it your resolution in 2021 to do so.

Kevin Chubb Barry

A WORD OF THANKS

FOR Salvationists, and all churchgoers, these past few months have been difficult. Our way of life has been affected and social activities have largely been cancelled. For many, the saddest thing has been the lack of opportunity for Sunday meetings.

Many corps have tried to find ways around this by meeting in small groups, restarting meetings when allowed, or having talks and meeting plans circulated on paper and online. Adaptation has been the order of the day.

Many have been impressed and blessed by YouTube and other web-based worship from Army corps and centres in Britain and overseas – Regent Hall, Liverpool Walton, Sale, Chelmsford and Norridge Citadel (USA Central Territory) to name just a few. Other corps have made innovative use of Zoom and similar platforms, and these have been very well received. The effort these corps have made in such difficult circumstances must be applauded.

Along with a number of our congregation – and members of other churches – who have not had the chance to meet for worship in person or virtually, we have found the Cambridge Corps weekly meeting (Camsa Connect) extremely encouraging; a real source of spiritual uplift. Some have watched on the internet, some via DVD. All have reported how beneficial these meetings are. With a clear Christian message and occasional sense of humour, Cambridge’s involvement of corps folk who are young and young at heart each Sunday morning has made us feel almost like being at an Army meeting.

A special thank you to all officers and soldiers who work tirelessly to provide online worship – your efforts are not in vain!

Garry and Yvonne Reed Barnstaple

ARMY PEOPLE

APPOINTED

Major Katrina Greetham, elected chair of Churches Together in Dorset

LOCAL OFFICERS APPOINTED

SL Sue Gray, Paignton

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

Diamond Audrey and Keith Barden, Clowne (7 January) Golden David and Joy Hallam, Stapleford (9 January)

PROMOTED TO GLORY

B/Reservist George Kirby, Snettisham Mary Georgina Carrolle, Thornaby Raymond Duquemin, Guernsey Roger Wharton, Diss Doreen Thomas, Staines Dietlind Welsh, Staines Ernest Harrison, Knottingley Muriel English, South Shields Beryl Walker, Burton-on-Trent Major Rodney Birch from his home in Hebburn on 20 December Major Dennis Roberts from St

Michael’s Hospice, Hereford, on 22 December Lieut-Colonel Geoff Perry from

Whipps Cross Hospital, London, on 24 December Major Dorothy Graham from Queen

Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, on 26 December Cyril Button on 29 December Janet Soal, Worthing, on 31 December

BEREAVED

Alison Kirby, Snettisham, of her husband B/Reservist George Kirby Songster Miriam Robson,

Sunderland Millfield, Ruth Hasney,

Deborah Rafter and Rachel Imeson of their mother Mary Georgina Carrolle Sheila Duquemin, Guernsey, of her husband Raymond

Please note that soldiers’ and adherent members’ tributes submitted for publication should be no longer than 150 words. Good quality pictures will be included. Copy should be sent to salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk

Jeannette Wharton, Diss, of her husband Roger, Rebecca Wharton,

Canterbury, and Adrian Wharton of their father Julia Oliver, Vincent Thomas and

Christine Thomas, all Staines, Sylvia

Fielding and David Thomas of their mother Doreen Thomas George Welsh, Staines, of his wife

Dietlind Major Ruth Roberts of her husband

Major Dennis Roberts Lieut-Colonel Joan Perry of her husband Lieut-Colonel Geoff Perry,

Gillian Pollock of her father Ralph Soal, Worthing, of his wife

Janet Soal, Major Joanna Justice,

Herts and Essex DHQ, and Andrew

Soal of their mother

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

UKI Territory

RETIREMENTS FROM ACTIVE SERVICE Effective 1 January Major Philip Nield out of Macclesfield in 1997 and last appointment Bury St

Edmunds and Lavenham

ANTHONY COTTERILL

Commissioner Territorial Commander

TRIBUTES

ROBERT BLANCHARD, PETERBOROUGH TEMPLE, ONTARIO

ROBERT was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on 15 December 1940.

He emigrated with his family to England in 1954 aged 15. He attended Mansfield Corps, Greenock Citadel, and Nottingham William Booth Memorial Halls.

Robert with his then wife, Mary, soldiered at Thornton Heath with their children Adele and Russell. He held the position of Band Colour Sergeant and became a programmer at International Headquarters.

In 1999 he returned to Canada and soldiered at Peterborough Temple Corps where again he was Colour Sergeant.

Robert is survived by his daughter Adele Thatcher, and granddaughters, Emily and Sophie, Russell Blanchard, and granddaughter Honor, sisters Keitha, Judy and Diana.

Robert was a lifelong Salvationist and committed Christian.

The family wish to extend their sincere gratitude to Extendicare Lakefield in Peterborough, Canada for the care and sensitivity shown to Robert in his final years. – AT/RB

ROBERT HUNT, NORTHAMPTON

ROBERT, known as ‘Bob’, married Pat in 1999. Pat had been a Salvationist for most of her life and Bob decided to join her at the Army, later wearing full uniform.

In his younger days he served with the Gordon Highlanders and worked in a local foundry before becoming a hospital porter.

Bob had multiple interests. He was a member of a railway club and a keen Scottish dancer and was known for his dry wit.

Bob and Pat’s joint aim was to be useful in the corps, and they were involved in fundraising and selling Army papers. Bob loved to engage with people through this avenue of service, and would be at his post whatever the weather. They would often accompany corps folk to SP&S in London and give them a guided tour of the city.

He is sadly missed by many people. – NR

MELVIN SOULSBY, CONSETT

MEL was a fourthgeneration Salvationist and soldiered at several corps over the years, including Newcastle City Temple, Felling-on-Tyne, Sunderland Millfield, Castleford and Consett.

From the age of 16 he held many local officer positions, including band secretary, singing company leader, YP band leader, assistant YPSM, songster leader, corps sergeant-major and chair of the Territorial Advisory Council, but his joy was always working with and teaching young people. He is remembered for his loyal and faithful service, strong faith and his sense of fun and humour.

Mel is greatly missed by his wife, Rose, his children, Martin and Lynne,