the end of an era

After 34 years in their current building, the Salvation Army in Chelmsford have departed Baddow Road and landed at St Peter's College. This weekend the corps held their celebration and valedictory weekend.

The weekend got under way on Saturday evening with a cabaret featuring videos of previous cabaret evenings and reconstructions of some of the silliness, along with some new items. Mention should go to Daniel Schultz who organised the event and did a really good job of it.

Fortunately, or maybe not, my only cabaret appearance did not feature in the review, so the good people of Chelmsford were spared the sight of me, Mike McCredie, Mike Owen, Simon Hull and Jon Scott as the Village People. It was pointed out, however, that I was the policeman on the night and am a policeman now and Jon was the builder and went on to work for a building firm. Evidence has not yet presented itself that Mike McCredie ever became a cowboy though.

Sunday was a good day, with a really sensitive approach to Mothering Sunday and the family nature of the church in the morning. The evening service was a great opportunity to look back on all things gone at the corps and anticipation for all things to come. With an eye on the good old days, the Corps sang "Storm the Forts of Darkness", a traditional Army hymn with strong words even today, before the flags were marched out to "Emblem of the Army".

It was with a real sense of shock that I realised that it is nearly 7 years since I first arrived in Essex. Lots of things have changed in that time. People have met, married, had kids and moved on in that time. I can assure you that having a conversation with a child who was only just walking when I arrived and seeing kids that were born in this century doing their bit makes me feel old.

All in all, it was a great weekend and I am looking forward to returning in about a year's time to open the new suite of buildings with the same passion and enthusiasm as the old one was closed with.

Timmy "Reflecting and Rejoicing" Magic