Places I have lived in the UK - Gosport

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!

Places I have lived in the UK - Hull

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.

The Ironies of Life! Here we were in Hull, but just before arriving, everything packed, we were told there was no house for us (we are still not sure what that was all about!) but anyway we were placed in the hostel for about six months whilst a house was sorted out. No health ans safety or safe and sound all those years ago!! We were in the family section but Philip would go up and down the lift on his own and wander all over the place and talk to all sorts of strangers and we never thought anything of it. We were very careful with him but nowadays it would be a very different thing I am sure. People did think it funny that we were in the Army and homeless!! For John it meant a lot of travelling or long days away but the children (and I) loved it. Fish tanks, lots of new people to talk with, meet and and listen to. Some wonderful stories, some tragic, some odd and some very funny. And...a huge toy store across the road opened at that time. The children loved to 'play' with toys since theirs were all packed except for teddy bears, a couple of Transformers and a Barbie doll.


Sadly, the Salvation Army as it was in Longhill no longer exists but I know that a group still meets in someones home and they recently wrote to me to say that a lot of money is being raised for the Helping Hand Projects. I thank the Lord for the priviledge I had to be there at that time. I learnt so much from them and from the experiences we all went through.

Hull is still enjoying a time of change and refurbishment throughout the town. It is about time!

God Bless Hull as it recovers from the floods.

Places I have lived in the UK - Filey

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 remember feeling rather annoyed because whilst in intensive care for three scary days (for John!) I was told that the catholic priest had given me the last rites...? That was not what upset me but the fact that I was not covered up whilst he was doing this!!! Whenever I saw him after that I would try to avoid him! hehehe!


We had a lovely time in Filey and found the people hard working and passionate about witnessing which they did particularly in the summer on the beach and with holiday makers. The food at the Salvation Army was always great and the volunteers and helpers wonderful people. The Singers which still sing now were rather special. One season the wind on the Country Park was so strong that my parents caravan nearly blew away! Filey was also gorgeous in the snow, specially down the ravine. Philip enjoyed walking to the Brigg!

It is good to hear that the Salvation Army there is still doing so well and thriving!

Places I have lived in the UK - Keighley

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!

The Corps was very active and hardworking. A medium size Corps, it had a very big OverSixties Club and Ethel was a marvellous money-raiser too. The Brownies was a busy group and lots of other good things took place and are still taking place! People were very caring.

We were asked to close down the Skipton Corps which we did...and a few years later were given a choice of re-opening Skipton, starting the Army in Beverley or developing the outpost in Longhill.

Where do you think we went?

God Bless the Spiritual ministry and the community work which has developed since then. Keighley Corps

Places I have lived in the UK - Bideford, Devon

I lived in Bideford for three years. This was my first appointment in the Salvation Army. It was a very small congregation of about 25 elderly people but gracious enough to accept our inexperience. They loved us as if we were their grandchildren, rather nice! My son, Philip, was born there. Unfortunately I spent most of my pregnancy in hospital but God was with me and my son was born weighing 3.8 lbs. He was very fragile at first and I could not breast feed him as he was born too early by Caesarean section. He was in an incubator for some months and was able to go home at 5lbs. He is now a very handsome junior doctor!

One winter the frost was so thick trees glistened for days. The people were very nice but it took me awhile to understand their accent. We enjoyed taking family and friends to nearby Clovelly. Members of the congregation would often bake for us specially cornish pasties which were as big as a dinner plate! The Salvation Army now meets in the Baptist Church in Mill Street and is run by local salvationists.

I pray God's Blessing on them as this is a demanding task.