Changing vrooms
Drivers switch teams for start of Formula One season
Project helps bring food security to Africa
What is The Salvation Army?
The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity seeking to share the good news of Jesus and nurture committed followers of him. We also serve people without discrimination, care for creation and seek justice and reconciliation. We offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK. Go to salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church to find your nearest centre.
What is the War Cry?
The Salvation Army first published a newspaper called the War Cry in London in December 1879, and we have continued to appear every week since then. Our name refers to our battle for people’s hearts and souls as we promote the positive impact of the Christian faith and The Salvation Army’s fight for greater social justice.
From the editor’s desk
The Salvation Army is known for the support that it gives to people in communities across the UK and Republic of Ireland. The church and charity assists children and their parents, those looking for work or struggling to find somewhere to live and elderly people in need of care and company.
What may not be so well known is that The Salvation Army also supports people in other parts of the world. In this week’s War Cry, we report on food security programmes which are funded by Salvationists in the UK and Ireland but which help people in places such as Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe – specifically farmers who are enduring the effects of the climate crisis. By being trained in climate-smart agricultural practices, they are now better equipped to grow their crops.
One farmer, called Knowledge, who engaged in the Raising Champion Farmers programme in Zimbabwe, explains that the impact of The Salvation Army’s work is felt beyond those who it trains.
‘People are now admiring the way we are working,’ he says. ‘We are teaching them the skills we have learned.’
But why does The Salvation Army, which already helps so many people in Britain and Ireland, add to its work by offering support to other people in another continent? That question is answered by Violet Ruria, a programme adviser on food security.
Editor: Andrew Stone, Major
Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow
Staff Writer: Emily Bright
Staff Writer: Claire Brine
Staff Writer: Ewan Hall
Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk
Graphic Designer: Mark Knight
Graphic Designer: Natalie Adkins
Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk
The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory 1 Champion Park London SE5 8FJ
Tel: 0845 634 0101
Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org
Founders: William and Catherine Booth
International leaders: General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham Territorial leaders: Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main
Editor-in-Chief: Major Julian Watchorn
is a registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.
Printed by CKN Print, Northampton, on sustainably sourced paper
Your local Salvation Army centre
‘The Bible tells us to protect and work with nature, preserving the environment and ensuring we are good stewards of the environment,’ she says.
Christians believe that God has given humankind responsibility for the planet, and so feel a sense of duty to care for it. But they also believe that they have a duty to care for and assist those people who are struggling with life – whether those people are just around the corner or thousands of miles away.
When you’ve read the War Cry, why not pass it on
GEAR CHANGE
With drivers switching teams and new faces behind the wheel, the F1 grid has been shaken up
Feature by Ewan Hall
In the words of the commentator David Croft, ‘It’s lights out and away we go’ as the Formula One season starts this weekend at Albert Park, Melbourne. Arriving at the same time as the new episodes of Netiflix’s behind-the-scenes documentary series Drive to Survive, F1 will be drawing more eyes to it than ever before.
Last year’s season was a standout one. There were seven different winners, and the battles between the teams and drivers were closer than in previous years. Motor sport fans will be looking to
see if McLaren can repeat their success and retain the constructors’ championship or whether Red Bull – which dominated the 2022 and 2023 seasons – can find form again. Or perhaps Ferrari will be on track for victory after they enjoyed a resurgence at the end of last season.
For many fans, though, it’s the driver’s title that holds the most prestige, having been won by past sporting greats such as Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna. Last year the title went to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for the fourth time in a row. This year, spectators will be hoping for an exciting driver’s title fight between the Dutchman and rivals such as Lando Norris, George Russell and Charles Leclerc.
Unlike 2024, when the driver market remained relatively stable, 2025’s grid is a very different one from last year’s, with six rookies ready to prove themselves against the best.
However, the season is promising not only new faces but also familiar drivers in new colours. The most prominent driver move was that of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. After 12 seasons with Mercedes, he has left for rivals Ferrari, shocking fans and media alike, who had grown used to seeing him race for the Silver Arrows.
On Hamilton’s first day at Maranello, the Italian team’s headquarters, he told the press: ‘Today we start a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together.’
It must have been a tough decision for Lewis to leave behind the comfort and familiarity of Mercedes for somewhere new and to face a hungry team-mate in Charles Leclerc. There was also the small matter of a new language to learn.
Starting something new can be exciting, whether that’s changing jobs, pursuing a relationship or even moving somewhere different. But the prospect of change can also bring challenges, and we can struggle to know whether it is the right thing to do.
Deciding whether to make a change is not always easy. We may wonder what we should be doing. But during such times there is assistance available. If we ask him to guide us, God can help us to get things right.
The Bible records God telling people: ‘Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, “This is the road. Now follow it!”’ (Isaiah 30:21 Contemporary English Version).
God’s assurance is that, if we decide to follow him, we will experience his direction, steering us through even the trickiest of times.
Charles Leclerc at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2024
Lewis Hamilton
Shopping around for some personal connections
Sarah Olowofoyeku gives her take on a story that has caught the attention of War Cry reporters
There has been confusion online about whether there is going to be some change at the tills of a high street retailer. Social media posts said that ‘may take a little longer’ tills were being introduced for customers who wanted a chat. Thousands of people had left comments, praising the retailer for its new initiative, which they believed would help tackle loneliness.
As I looked to find more details on the company’s website, though, I couldn’t find anything. On further investigation, I found that this was a case of online misinformation. There weren’t any such plans.
However, it was interesting to see that many people had commented on how they personally appreciated the opportunities to chat with someone as they paid for their shopping.
Interactions with others are vital
talk talk Team talk Team talk
Others mentioned that sometimes the only conversations some people had in a day was with the assistants at the supermarket.
Misinformation woes aside, what those social media posts showed me was how much people valued even the idea of the opportunity to have more human interactions. While developments such as self-service checkout tills, apps for banking and customer service chatbots can be useful and time-saving, it seems that efficiency is no longer what people are craving.
Many of us know that real interactions with others are vital for our wellbeing – it was why the Covid-19 lockdowns were so challenging. But the technological advances in society seem to be pushing us in the opposite direction.
I do believe that God made us for human connection, but I also admit that I am someone who tends to head for the self-checkout tills when I do my shopping. I’m often in a rush and I can find small talk awkward, so I usually relish the chance to avoid it.
But looking into this topic has inspired me to seek out moments when I can push back against the direction of our culture and lean into God’s design for me – and the human beings I come into contact with. It may cost me more time, but who knows what I could gain.
Irish TV network RTÉ has highlighted the work of a Salvation Army hub in Dublin which provides accommodation to families experiencing homelessness.
Current affairs programme
Upfront with Katie Hannon featured three residents’ stories and an interview live from Houben House with service manager Anthony Byrne.
When visiting the centre, Katie explained that it is currently home to 67 families, including 220 children, and has a laundry, kitchen, study areas and a playground. Each family are allocated their own support worker who helps them to find long-term housing.
The episode highlighted the rising number of families who end up living at accommodation hubs for longer periods than expected because of a lack of available housing.
Katie explained that, while the centre was meant for short-term stays, families can remain there for up to four years.
Anthony said that the Houben House team works ‘365 days a year, 24-7’.
‘We’re here on site, delivering a trauma-informed approach,’ he said. ‘The staff are delivering workshops, activities, classes, employment education, everything we can to support the families get through it in the longer stays.’
WAR CRYWnRLD
Cynthia goes from Wicked to Jesus Exercise fights child knife crime
Cynthia Erivo – who starred as Elphaba in the 2024 musical film Wicked – is to play the role of Jesus in the rock opera Superstar when it is staged at the Hollywood Bowl in California this summer.
Though several news outlets reported that the casting had attracted much criticism on social media, the musical’s lyricist, Tim Rice, said that he supported the decision.
He told LBC presenter Nick Ferrari that casting Cynthia was ‘a bit of a stretch’, but ‘quite exciting’ because she is a ‘wonderful performer’.
Tim added: ‘Nobody knows exactly what Jesus looked like and probably the image of Jesus that a lot of people have is probably inaccurate... [In] a piece that is established, there’s no reason why it can’t be done in lots of forms, and I think Cynthia, who is one of the best singers on the planet, will do a great version.’
Cynthia Erivo has been cast in the title role of a forthcoming production of ‘Jesus
The Salvation Army in Huddersfield is supporting a knockout project to tackle child knife crime.
The eight-week youth course focuses on exercise, healthy eating and non-contact boxing while raising awareness about the dangers of knife crime.
The course, which takes place at the RABC Boxing Gym in Milnsbridge, is led by Mark Reynolds, who delivers school outreach programmes on knife crime.
Majors Ade and Chris Lee, who lead The Salvation Army’s Huddersfield church, are on hand during the sessions to support children and their parents. Most of the children are aged between 7 and 11, while some as young as 4 and 5 attend with their parents.
According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, there were 55,000 sharp knife crime incidents in England and Wales in the year ending September 2024, an increase of 4 per cent since 2023.
Cathedrals take account of climate
Four more Church of England cathedrals have started the process of moving away from holding accounts with banks that fund fossil fuel companies, says Christian Climate Action.
According to the campaign group, the cathedrals at Durham, Southwark, Truro and Worcester are joining those of Chelmsford, Derby and Sheffield in either having made a commitment to switch bank or are already banking with ‘fossil-free’ institutions.
Christian Climate Action has held prayerful protests at cathedrals, urging them to move accounts to banks that do not fund fossil fuels, which are contributing to climate change. The Dean of Worcester, the Very Rev Dr Stephen Edwards, said that the group had been helpful in the cathedral’s decision to switch banks.
nChristians donate five times more than average to charity, a survey by the charity Stewardship revealed.
The survey of 6,000 people found that 61 per cent of committed Christians give regularly to Christian causes, with more than 90 per cent of churchgoers giving to their church.
It was also found that Christians aged between 18 to 24 give the highest proportion of their income to charity, averaging 11 per cent per month.
Christ Superstar’
Majors Chris and Ade (right) are supporting course leader Mark Reynolds (centre)
UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE
Major ROBERT JEPSON, a Salvation Army chaplain at Nottingham University, explains how he provides mental health support to students in testing times
University years can be a time of unparalleled academic and personal freedom. But they can also be a time of huge pressure. One in four students has a diagnosed mental health issue, according to a 2023 report by the charity Student Minds. The report also highlights that 30 per cent of students thought that their mental health had deteriorated since starting their degrees.
To raise greater awareness of such challenges, Student Minds launched University Mental Health Day, which took place on Thursday (13 March).
The subject of student mental health is one close to Major Robert Jepson’s heart,
as he serves as a chaplain at Nottingham University.
Robert and his wife Major Julia Jepson began leading a Salvation Army church in the city in 2020, at a time of Covid lockdown. Once the pandemic subsided, the couple decided to establish a connection with the 69,000 students at the nearby Nottingham and Nottingham Trent universities.
‘I wanted to reach young adults, get involved in their educational journeys and be a relational guide,’ explains Robert.
He asked Nottingham University if he could put up a Salvation Army stall in its students’ union so that he could ask people what help was needed. Students
approached him with the idea of doing sponsored skydives to raise money for the church and charity, and the university’s lead chaplain came up to the stall and suggested that Robert join their team as an associate chaplain. After a successful interview, Robert began offering pastoral support.
At Nottingham University, students have access to a number of multifaith prayer rooms, as well as a chapel and chapel lounge in a support centre where they can go to escape the hubbub.
‘My job is to see if they’re OK,’ says Robert. ‘If students want to open up, they can. We see people from all walks of life. We are a chaplaincy for all, offering nonjudgemental support.’
While students can approach the chaplaincy team, Robert also organises a variety of outreach events, enabling the team to go out and meet the students.
‘The Salvation Army sponsored a breakfast club that we ran on campus for more than a year,’ he recalls, ‘and we had up to 130 students, predominantly international, attending.
‘We’ve moved that now to our Salvation Army halls in the centre of town, so we’re serving mainly Nottingham Trent students
Interview by Emily Bright
The Salvation Army sponsored a breakfast club for Nottingham University students
Major Robert Jepson
there. People have said: “I feel like this is my family. This breakfast club is where I can come and meet other people.”’
Robert and his fellow chaplains work hard to ensure that students feel at home while at university, helping new arrivals to settle in and successfully navigate academic and personal pressures.
‘We have something called “wobble week” in October,’ says Robert. ‘It is when all the fun of being a fresher stops, and there’s the sudden realisation, “Ah, I have to work.” University is a completely different environment from what they have been used to, and normally quite a few students drop out at this point.
‘At the Nottingham University chaplaincy, we do the Wobble Week Warmer. The Salvation Army pay for us to provide soup and rolls, and up to 30 or 40 students come to that during the week. We put on soup and rolls for exam times as well.
‘During the exam period, I also go into the library with a big bowl of sweets. People come up, they take a sweet and I
offer them a little prayer card that we’ve written out with The Salvation Army’s logo at the bottom.’
Robert explains that all year round, students face different kinds of pressures: needing to perform academically, living independently for the first time, supporting themselves financially and fostering friendships.
Students have loved the one-to-one approach
Students of all faiths and none – referred by the university’s wellbeing teams – can book an appointment online with Robert or one of the other 25 chaplains to discuss what’s troubling them. The team can also signpost students to other support services.
‘People talk to us about relationships, work, family, illness, mental health or even just share a joy or a happiness. My remit is to support the person as they work out
where to go next.
‘Sometimes I might say: “Would you like me to pray with you?” About 98 per cent of the time, people say yes, and you pray with them - which is an amazing joy. On several occasions, people have said: “I’d never heard anybody pray like that for me before.”
‘Students have loved the one-to-one approach that we take – the warmth of the friendship that we’ve offered, and the fact that we care for the individual.’
For Robert, supporting students’ mental health is a natural outworking of his faith. He wants the students to see their true value.
‘In the Bible, it says: “Whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”
‘If I can help students to realise how amazing they are to God and see all the wonderful aspects of themselves,’ says Robert, ‘it will go a long way to bringing peace to their minds.’
Robert built ties with students through outreach initiatives and Salvation Army fundraising
As farmers in many parts of the world battle to grow crops because of the climate crisis, The Salvation Army is working to help them overcome their problems
Feature
by Ewan Hall
A trainer teaches the farmers climate-smart ways
‘It’s a matter of life and death’, says Hayley Still, speaking about The Salvation Army’s work to bring food security to places around the world.
Hayley is the UK engagement co-ordinator for the church and charity, and she, along with Salvation Army international food security adviser Violet Ruria, took time out to talk to me about the importance of helping farmers in developing countries to adopt climatesmart agricultural practices.
Hayley and Violet explain that, since the Second World War, The Salvation Army has had a specific fundraising campaign in which the members of its churches in the UK and Republic of Ireland have supported work that is going on around the world. This year, all the money raised by the Helping-Hand Appeal will go to the organisation’s food security projects in Burkina Faso, Mali, Malawi and integrated projects in Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Tanzania.
The goal of The Salvation Army’s food security project is to teach farmers how to implement effective agricultural practices in the face of unpredictable rainfall, severe drought and extreme weather events so that they can become self-sufficient.
Hayley explains why she believes the work is a matter of life or death.
‘One of the women I met when I was out visiting a project in Zimbabwe said there had been weeks where she didn’t eat because the little she did have she gave to her children,’ she says.
Violet thinks it’s only natural that a church should be providing this vital support.
‘The Bible tells us to protect and work with nature, preserving the environment and ensuring we are good stewards of the environment,’ she says.
Hayley adds: ‘It’s the Church reaching out to their community. The people are journeying together, and they need to support themselves if they’re going to live.’
Finding ways to farm the land successfully, while being good stewards of the environment, is a challenge for the farmers. For them and their families, there is no safety net should their crops fail.
The good news is that, as a result of The Salvation Army’s fundraising, some 300 farmers are now taught climate-smart agricultural practices through the Raising Champion Farmers project in Zimbabwe.
‘We know that most of the farmers in
Africa are experiencing erratic rainfall patterns,’ says Violet. ‘And many are prone to suffer from drought. So they are taught how to mitigate the impact of drought by using agroecological techniques such as mulching.’
Mulching entails the farmers putting an additional layer of substances – such as leaves, bark, grass clippings or even rocks – on top of their crops. This allows the soils to retain moisture and protects the crops from drying winds and direct sun.
Climate change has caused an influx of pests
Mostfarmers use those substances to make compost or liquid fertiliser, which they apply to the soil to improve its health.
‘This is critical because most farmers in the past relied on synthetic fertilisers,’ Violet explains. ‘They would spend a lot of money to buy it.’
However, the synthetic fertiliser only worked in the short term, because it depleted the soil of its natural nutrients,
which meant the farmers had to buy more. Now that farmers are being taught how to create their own fertiliser, they are no longer dependent on the expensive synthetic kind.
Violet explains some of the other techniques the farmers are taught, one of which is crop rotation.
‘Because climate change has caused an influx of pests and diseases, the farmers need to grow different crops in different seasons so that the pests which affect one crop are reduced when another crop is grown.’
People are also being taught agroforestry techniques. Growing trees alongside crops can bring several benefits. They can protect the soil from the wind and from water erosion while conserving its moisture. Additionally, when a tree’s leaves fall on the ground, they produce a natural source of nutrients for the soil as they are broken down and pulled into the earth by worms.
Violet describes how the trainers teach
From page 9
such techniques to the farmers.
‘The trainers usually have a small demonstration plot where farmers come and learn in practical ways,’ she says. ‘The farmers then go home and replicate what they’ve seen.
‘They also learn how to predict when the rain will come, so that they know when is the right time to prepare their land and plant the crops. And they are taught how to care for the crops, what crops have better yields and, critically, how to preserve the harvested crops – harvest loss is a big contributor to food insecurity in Africa.’
Animals are also included in the Raising Champion Farmers project. Farmers learn that the waste produced by the animals can be used as a rich source of manure. Nothing is wasted.
‘It’s ensuring people are responding to the climate crisis,’ says Hayley, ‘nurturing and being in harmony with the land, as
God intended us to be.’
Hayley and Violet are delighted that The Salvation Army’s work is making a positive difference in farmers’ lives. One such farmer, called Knowledge, was initially reluctant to adopt the techniques he had been taught. But then he saw the difference they were making at the demonstration plot. So he put them into practice himself and soon saw the benefits.
Knowledge says: ‘We used to farm using synthetic fertilisers and chemicals. But through the project, we have learned different techniques that don’t use herbicides or chemicals. The plants grow better and are much tastier than before. Even though the rainfall is erratic, we have been getting good yields.’
Another farmer who has seen the benefits of the Raising Champion Farmers project is Memory. With hard work, she is now able to grow enough
food to support her family from her small plot of land.
‘My husband used to assist me in paying school fees and other things,’ she says. ‘But when he passed away, I had to stand up for myself. I was on my own. I was being the father and the mother, standing alone for my family.’
Before the project, climate change was dramatically affecting her farm, and Memory would struggle to grow enough food to feed her family. However, when she heard about the project being run by The Salvation Army, she signed up straight away.
Alongside a group of other farmers, Memory learnt about the different ways of using climate-smart agriculture.
‘These men and women’s lives have been transformed,’ Memory says. ‘We work together, giving each other ideas and helping each other in our work. Learning together.’
Farmers learn new practices
Since attending the project and applying the lessons she learnt to her own plot of land, Memory’s crops have been thriving, giving her renewed hope for the future.
‘It is my hope and prayer for my children and grandchildren to learn about this work. Working in the garden, working in the fields, learning about conservation and agriculture.’
Although Raising Champion Farmers specifically trains 300 people, it has a ripple effect that spreads even wider throughout the communities.
Violet explains: ‘The project supports 300 farmers, and then all of them go and replicate the methods on their farms. Very naturally, when other farmers see that the trained farmers’ crops are withstanding, for example, drought, they ask questions. Through those questions, they learn. They understand what the farmer did right so that their crops are surviving and thriving
despite the drought.’
The benefit of this ripple effect is something Knowledge has seen for himself.
‘People are now admiring the way we are working,’ he says. ‘We are teaching the skills we have learned.’
When there is no food, there is no hope
Having a better crop yield helps the farmers give their families a better standard of living.
‘It provides them with food to eat,’ says Violet, ‘and it enables them to afford other necessities, as they can sell any surplus in the local markets, which also makes more food accessible to other people.’
It is not just the local, rural communities
that benefit. Food is transported to the people who live in the cities.
And because the farmers have more income from the sale of their surplus crops and are no longer purchasing synthetic fertiliser, they have extra income, which can be spent on medical or school fees – essential when healthcare and education are not provided for free.
‘When there is no food, there is no hope in the communities,’ Violet asserts. ‘So when production is raised, there is hope.’
‘Food security is a justice issue,’ says Hayley. ‘For example, the synthetic fertilisers are so heavily promoted but giving people the tools to be able to create their own organic fertilisers gets them out of that rat race.’
Violet agrees: ‘Our work gives people a greater hope, and that is what our mission is about: to share the gospel and ensure that it creates hope in people’s lives.’
A class taking place in Zimbabwe
The War Cry invites readers to send in requests for prayer, including the first names of individuals and details of their circumstances, for publication. Send your Prayerlink requests to warcry@ salvationarmy.org.uk or to War Cry, 1 Champion Park, London SE5 8FJ. Mark your correspondence ‘Confidential’.
jBecoming a Christian
There is no set formula to becoming a Christian, but many people have found saying this prayer to be a helpful first step to a relationship with God
Browsing the Bible Nigel
Bovey gives chapter and verse on each book of the Scriptures
2 Samuel
Covering the years 1010–970BC, the exploits of Israel’s second king – the giant-killing David – fill the Second Book of Samuel.
After Saul’s death, David is anointed King of Judah, an area to the west of the Dead Sea that included Jerusalem (chapters 1 and 2).
Meanwhile, Saul’s former commander-in-chief, Abner, installs Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth as king in the northern area known as Israel, which included the west bank of the Sea of Galilee and the east bank of the Dead Sea.
After a war for supremacy ends with the murder of Ish-Bosheth, David is made King of Israel and takes Jerusalem (chapters 3 to 5). Through further military victories, he strengthens his standing in the region.
It is while at war with the Ammonites (in modern-day Jordan) that David gets Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah – one of his soldiers – pregnant. David attempts to make it look as though Uriah is the father, but when his plan fails, David orders his general to expose Uriah to the fiercest fighting. Uriah is duly killed and David marries Bathsheba (chapter 11).
The prophet Nathan confronts David. Although David repents, the child of the adultery dies but a second child, Solomon, is born (chapter 12).
Lord Jesus Christ, I am truly sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong.
Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free.
Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and the gift of your Holy Spirit. Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me for ever.
Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen
The sins of the father are visited upon his sons. Oldest son Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar. Another son Absalom then has Amnon killed in revenge before fleeing the kingdom. Eventually Absalom returns to Jerusalem and is reconciled with David (chapter 13 and 14).
Family unity is short-lived. Absalom plots to establish himself as King of Hebron. When David hears that he is gaining support, he flees Jerusalem. Absalom and his army pursue David east of the River Jordan. In the ensuing battle, Absalom is killed. David is heartbroken (chapters 15 to 18).
Established again in Jerusalem, David rules over a fractious kingdom. Sheba leads the army of Israel in revolt against David, only to be put down (chapter 20). There is further war with the Philistines (chapter 21) and Israel is hit by a plague (chapter 24). The book ends with David building an altar for a sacrifice, averting a second plague (24:25).
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QUICK QUIZ
1 2 3 4 5 6
In poetry, how many lines are in a quatrain?
Who wrote the children’s book The Smartest Giant in Town?
In which country is Ho Chi Minh City?
Who directed the 1982 film ET?
What was the name of the Russian chemist who invented the periodic table?
How many sides does a nonagon have?
The appliance of science
how the world has adapted
Feature by Claire Brine
It’stime to investigate British Science Week. Running until Sunday (16 March), the annual event aims to celebrate all matters relating to science, technology, engineering and maths – and spark enthusiasm for the subjects among people of all ages.
Schools, universities, libraries and museums are marking the week by holding workshops, talks, laboratory tours and exhibitions. In Hull, locals are invited to head to the Streetlife Museum this weekend, where they can compare Victorian chemist shops with the pharmacies of today, or test their engineering skills by making a model wind turbine.
In London, Tower Bridge has been opening its engine rooms, enabling visitors to discover Victorian steam engines and how the technology which powers the bridge has evolved over time.
This year, the theme of the nationwide event is Change and Adapt. It explores how the places in which we live have developed as the world’s population has grown. It highlights the ways in which plants and animals change and adapt to their surroundings to survive. And it demonstrates how technology has changed exponentially and been adapted to our new, busier lives.
Change is happening all the time. Perhaps there are some changes in life that we welcome – a new relationship, job or home. But there may be other changes that we struggle to cope with, such as a life-changing health diagnosis or the loss of a loved one.
While we adapt to an ever-changing world around us, many of us may also long for the comfort of something that we know to be stable and secure. Something that we can always rely on, no matter what happens.
We can find such constancy in God’s love.
One Bible passage observes that ‘his love endures for ever’ (Psalm 136:1 New International Version). It’s a love that doesn’t diminish with the passing of time or change according to our behaviour. It will never fail us – and it never ends.
Whatever the world may look like in the future, God’s love can always be discovered by those curious enough to seek it.
PUZZLES
Quick CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1. Fast train (7)
5. Student (5)
7. Dishonest (7)
8. Cook by dry heat (5)
10. Coarse file (4)
11. Introduction (8)
13. Edify (6)
14. Niche (6)
17. Banished (8)
19. Just (4)
21. Armistice (5)
22. Akin (7)
23. Dupe (5)
24. Attempted (7) DOWN
2. Sunshade (7)
3. Case for needles (4)
4. Lampoon (6)
5. Side by side (8)
6. Crash (5)
HONEYC
Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the number
1. Young child
2. Abdominal organ
3. List of items to be discussed
4. Upper bony part of the nose
5. Golfing term
6. Written communication
Cherished (9) 12. Wealthy (8) 15. Precisely (7) QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1. Express. 5. Pupil. 7. Corrupt. 8. Roast. 10. Rasp. 11. Prologue. 13. Uplift. 14. Recess. 17. Expelled. 19. Fair. 21. Truce. 22. Related. 23. Cheat. 24. Essayed. DOWN: 2. Parasol. 3. Etui. 4. Satire. 5. Parallel. 6. Prang. 7. Corpulent. 9. Treasured. 12. Affluent. 15. Exactly. 16. Hearse. 18. Plume. 20. Alas. HONEYCOMB 1. Nipper. 2. Spleen. 3. Agenda. 4. Bridge. 5. Birdie. 6. Letter.
Feather (5)
7. Fat (9) 16. Funeral car (6)
Alack (4)
Look up, down, forwards, backwards and diagonally on the grid to find these universities
Haddock florentine
INGREDIENTS
4 skinless haddock fillets
METHOD
4 tomatoes, halved
4 eggs
4 slices wholemeal bread
4tsp reduced-fat spread
300g spinach
Ground black pepper
Place the haddock fillets in a grill pan and cook with the tomatoes for 5-6 minutes until the fish is thoroughly cooked. Meanwhile, poach the eggs in gently simmering water for 4-5 minutes. Toast the bread slices and cover with the reduced-fat spread.
INGREDIENTS
250g easy-cook long grain white rice
1tsp vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 celery sticks, thickly sliced
1 green pepper, deseeded and chopped
2 handfuls button mushrooms, sliced
4 tomatoes, chopped
250g cooked peeled prawns
2tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
2tsp Cajun seasoning
½ tsp chilli powder, plus extra, to taste
Ground black pepper
Place the spinach in a large colander and slowly pour a kettleful of boiling water over to wilt it. Drain, then divide between 4 warm plates.
Arrange the fish fillets on the spinach and place the poached eggs on top. Sprinkle with pepper, then add the tomato halves on the side.
Serve with the toast.
Prawn jambalaya
METHOD
Cook the rice, according to the packet instructions. Drain well.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large non-stick pan and cook the onion and celery for 3-4 minutes, until softened.
Add the green pepper, mushrooms, tomatoes and prawns, then stir-fry for another 4 minutes.
Stir in the cooked rice, parsley, Cajun seasoning and chilli powder. Cook for 2 more minutes, stirring all the time until everything is heated through.
Check the seasoning and add some pepper and an extra pinch of chilli powder, to taste. Serve immediately.
Proverbs 4:23 (Good News Bible)