2011
We started the new year by singing carols; the 'Carols by Candlelight' service was cancelled in December by snowy weather. Lisa King starts the year as acting YPSM after Libby Winton's retirement. Joining us is Josh Hunt, who will be completing his Essential Youth Worker placement with us; he will be assisting Simon Scott. January saw the launch of the E100 Bible Study and Major Colin Johnson (now Promoted to Glory) led the YP weekend. In February we enjoyed a musical Valentine's evening with Christopher Poffley and his talented friends and the Town Pastors led an evening service explaining the role they perform. March was a busy month with Major Dean Pallant leading our self-denial Sunday and several members of the corps undertaking a 24 hour fast. The inspirational Carl Finnan from UCB led an evening service and we were treated to the Riding Light Theatre's production of 'The Narrow Road'. The world famous Enfield Citadel Band also performed a concert for us. April brought us the launch of the first 'Alive' gig for the young people with a local and professional groups taking part. Easter saw the Band performing on the Triangle under the new 'gazebo'. Louise Brown organised a charity 'sleep out' at Great Eastern Square with several corps members taking part. In April we saw the early arrival of Regan Smith (parents Kirstie and Gavin) and in May arriving late was Oliver Beaumont (parents Charlotte and Dan). May saw the first of our 125 Anniversary celebrations with the Anglia Youth Band being with us for a weekend. Apart from a concert at the Hall and leading our worship, they performed under the 'gazebo' on the Saturday afternoon. June saw the '125' Celebration weekend (18th/19th) that started with a Saturday evening concert attended by the Mayor, Doreen Savage and with morning and afternoon events on the Sunday. Due to illness Majors Peter and Val Mylecreest were unable to lead the weekend. A'Celebration of Friendship' was led by Major Joy Allchin. In July 3 Bandsmen, John Cracknell, Dennis Versey and Clive Harrold celebrated 63 years of continuous service to the Band. The Ladies had a successful Retreat Day at the Hall and we celebrated Founders day with Band on the Triangle. As part of the '125' Celebration, a 'Praise in the Park' (Allenby Pk) was held on a very sunny afternoon where praise, food and games were enjoyed by all. In August the Young People entered the Felixstowe Carnival and were placed second in their class. September saw us celebrating Harvest Festival and the official launching of 'Munch and Lunch by the Mayor, Doreen Savage. In October Christopher Poffley, in a Cafe Style evening service, talked about Darwin's Theory of Evolution. As part of our '125' Celebrations, we had a visit by the Maidenhead Timbrelists (the assistant Timbrel leader being Lindsay Ablitt nee Cracknell). The month ended with a 'Light Party' for the Young People. The highlight of November was the Band/Songster Weekend of 5th/6th , conducted by Dean Jones, it being the final event of our '125'Celebration year. The weekend was led by Majors Richard and Sandra Welch from IHQ. We also held our 'Shoebox Service in partnership with Samaritans Purse (Operation Christmas Child) December was a very busy month beginning with the YP Carol Service and the Mayor's Civic Carol Concert coming early in the month. The second 'Alive' gig with 'Sounds of Salvation' was followed by the Charity Christmas Tree Festival, Carols by Candlelight and the Band carolling in town. We held a 'Crib Service' on Christmas Eve and we finished with a service on Christmas morning when the children showed us their presents. Arthur Parker and his team had 70+ sit down for their Christmas meal in the Community Hall. Commissioned during the year were Christopher and Rebekka Poffley (Adherents-Jan), Brian Betts (Adherent-Jan), Jess Ozanne (Junior Soldier-Jan), Anne Hall (Songster-March), Jackie Fincham (Corps Organising Secretary-May), John Pilborough (Corps Secretary-May), Jacob Morley, Tyler Harrold, Ella Harrold, Amy Versfeld (Junior Soldiers-June), Clare London (Adherent-June) and Louise Brown (Soldier-Oct) (Songster Commission-Nov) Retirements during the year included Stan Cracknell (Band-Feb), Ellie Salmon (Parent and Tots), Margaret Bale (Centre Manager), Trevor Baker (Corps Secretary), Simon Scott (Corps Youth Secretary), Andrew Gee (Small Groups Coordinator) and Jean Versey (Corps Treasurer) We celebrated the anniversaries of Bob and June George (Diamond-March), George andElsie Bewers (Diamond-March), Dennis and Marion Versey (Golden-April), Bernard and Kath Rayner (Diamond-November) and Violet and Wahl Thurston (Emerald-November). Celebrating birthdays were John Cates (70th-November) and Muriel Beavis (95th -December). Simon Little and Alicia Gray announced their engagement. Dedicated during the year were Reuben Jacobs (June), Regan Smith (August), Oliver Beaumont (Sept), Bradley Minter (Oct) and Katimai Leighton (Dec) Promoted to Glory were Mark Versey (March), Major Frances Lake (Sept) (former CO), Marjory Walters (Oct) and George Kettle (Dec) They will be sadly missed.
