Gosport was very different to any other place where I had lived. It was not a seaside resort, it was not a valley, it was not inland and it was in the south coast! I loved the water, the ferry, the boats, the ships, Lee on the Solent, seeing the Isle of Wight and crossing over to the island occasionally for officers fellowship or days out.
The hall was (and still is) unfortunately in extremely poor condition yet it did not stop the people from organizing activities and getting on with things enthusiastically. The community work was extensive specially at Christmas thanks to the Community Care Leaders, and the toddlers which they also led, a joy to visit. The War Cry rounds undertaken were excellent making regular, faithful contacts.
The Alpha course was and I think still is a yearly event bringing lots of new people in. The monthly Jumble Sale brings some memories. I will never forget the electric buggy that went out of control during a sale, no one was hurt!
The people there were interested in us and our family, and that felt very good. People attended Roots and Butlins regularly, and the weekly prayer group which was often eventful, usually disturbed by sirens, meant we never had to raise our voices as the Lord could hear our prayers!
The Friday Club for children was a most interesting night. People took it in turns to help and the children though noisy and troublesome! were miraculously well behaved when with us and a joy to be with. So many children came that they had two sessions a night. Kids Alive were given as they went out. I helped with crafts or tuck shop - my favourite - specially when they wanted 50p worth of assorted penny sweets. Great Singing Company and Young People leading meetings. Though some have now moved on I hear that they are very involved in other Corps.
I could go on but I will get into trouble mentioning some things and not others, understandably!
Weddings, Funerals, Retirements and Enrolments, Transfers and Farewells, Parties, Celebrations, big New Years' Eve Parties... so many things happened whilst there but then that's the circle of life!
I recently heard that Gosport Corps is doing well so I am very pleased and Pray God's blessing over everyone there.
God is Good!
The house on the left with the green door is the one we lived in. It is a beautiful house with curved walls and unusual detail. Pondbury Village is different and we are not likely to ever live somewhere like it again! Prince Charles' Village! Oh Yes!
Gosport was very different to any other place where I had lived. It was not a seaside resort, it was not a valley, it was not inland and it was in the south coast! I loved the water, the ferry, the boats, the ships, Lee on the Solent, seeing the Isle of Wight and crossing over to the island occasionally for officers fellowship or days out.
Aerial view of Gelli, Ton Pentre, Pentre, Cwmparc, and Treorchy
I liked living in Bradford although it was only for two years. I liked the look of terraced housing, the smell coming from the chimneys, the washing hanging across the streets, people standing outside their doors and the accent in particular. The people were blunt - to the point - but I liked that as then I knew where things stood. The curry bars were great (no knife or fork just chapatis). The Salvation Army in Great Horton was a very old building (now in Wibsey) but we had wonderful times of worship and fellowship and very good attendance. The damp, wet walls, rats, etc...did not put these people off their focus for mission.
I lived in Hull for 4 years and worked in the Longhill estate building up a congregation. It was then a very rough estate but we felt very much welcomed and wanted. Whilst at Brownies one evening, my daughter walked for the first time. We worked very hard and was good to see a very good sized congregation emerge. The yearly Christmas Day Dinners were one of the many highlights. The people were very nice, the elderly, the families, the youngsters, the disabled and Down Syndrome group - everyone just loved to come to the various activities and worship and have fun. There was very little money, very little equipment, and very little support from anywhere yet we had four wonderful years in ministry and were sad to leave them all as we had seen such wonderful changes in people and seen them grow so much spiritually.
I lived in Filey for three years whilst working full time in the Salvation Army in Mitford Street. My daughter was born in Scarborough Hospital Maternity Unit. I knew this place very well as I had to stay there throughout my pregnancy. Sarah was 4.2lbs (Caesarean section)and came home a couple of weeks later. Again, no breasfeeding. So really it is no good asking me questions about giving birth, etc...as I did not really experience all the normal things. She was so healthy the unit let her come home before reaching the 5lbs.!
I lived in Keighley for three years, by a busy roundabout. Across the road there was a butcher who sold pork pies and people would have them hot with mushy peas...and a cup of tea! This was my second appointment with the Salvation Army. I think the town has changed a lot since then. Unfortunately I could not find good photos of the town on Google Image Search. Who will take some uptodate pictures? We used to like going to East Riddlesden Hall whenever we had an hour to spare and take the children round the corner to this National Trust Property to look around and feed the ducks, of course!
I lived and trained here for two years and became a Salvation Army Officer in 1980
This is the town I lived in when I first came to England from Chile in 1976.
This is not only a complete illustrated catalogue but also an expanded edition! Pure heaven for someone like me who gets excited about looking at paintings and finding all about them. As I cannot go to The National Gallery on a regular basis then this book is the next best thing. I bought it the last time I visited the gallery shop and on that day I was able to buy it - half price! I soon forget the time when I sit turning this books' pages. It has more than 800 pages of good quality paper and it is very easy to follow. I totally love it. I wish I had studied History of Art but you never know ...
