Felixstowe Archive

January 1st saw the launch of the Digital Archive with Bernard Rayner and Jim Williams discussing the Archive on BBC Suffolk: it was also launched in the local media. By the end of the year the archive had 3100 images that had been viewed 56,000 times by people in 50 countries.   In January, Major Noel Wright led a Corps Retreat Day at the Hall and we also hosted the 'Week of Prayer' At the end of January,     DC Major David Jackson officially opened the newly    refurbished Hall after the initial date had been cancelled due to snow.    In February, Major Michelle Woodhouse led both services for the YP Annual Weekend.    March saw us 'Walk Thru' the New Testament with Kevin Baldwin, the Ladies attending their Retreat and the Town Pastors commissioned.    In July Major Susan Jones led us in the Home and Family weekend.     August saw the addition of an 'Audio Archive' to the Website. It has been launched with 'Sounds of the Seaside', a 1976 recording by the Band, to be followed by at least 6 more recordings once they have been converted and cleaned up digitally.     Commissioned during the year were Sheena Williams (Songster-Jan), John and Maggie Cheadle (Adherants-April), Pat Partridge (Soldier-May), Christine Gage (Soldier-May), Jane Hume (Soldier-May), Anne and Grahame Hall (Soldiers-May), Jacqueline Neil (Adherent-May), Doug and Lisa French (Adherants-May) , Sheila Harrold (Asst Corps Treasurer-June) and Andrew Gee as Small Groups Coordinator. Rebecca and Abigail French and Lauren Versfeld were made Junior Soldiers and were enrolled into the Singing Company.    At the end of the year saw the retirement of Libby Winton as YP Sergeant Major.    We celebrated the weddings of Dan and Charlotte Beaumont (June) and John and Angela Pilborough (July).     In August saw Bill and Jeanette Cracknell celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary and Joe and Ann Little their Ruby Anniversary.    Celebrating birthdays were George Kettle (90th) & Stan Cracknell (80th)     Dedicated during the year were Ashton Lamb (May), Connors Brothers-Lee (June) and Dawson Coldwell (July).    In August saw the arrival of Isabella Scott (Parents Simon and Annette Scott) who was dedicated in October and Reuben Jacobs (Parents Emily Talbot and Kevin Jacobs).    In September saw the Mebourne Singers join us for the weekend.    Our Harvest Festival service was led by Captains Carol and Alan Frederiksen.     October saw the ladies at a Retreat in Kirton and a visit by the Stowmarket Band.     We also undertook the MICAH Challenge and Hunger Lunch.    In December saw our first Charity Christmas Tree Festival and the cancellation of 'Carols by Candlelight' due to snowy conditions. (It would be re-scheduled for January)    Promoted to Glory were Inez Bloomfield (January), Lt Colonel Mrs Ivy Sharman (January) (Mother of Trish Binge), Audrey Versey (April), Joyce Scott(April), Ella Smith(April) and Dick Baker(May).    Social events included a Valentine's Evening, Car Treasure Hunt, a 'Football Night' watching England play !!!in the World Cup at the Hall and enjoying a thrilling Twenty20 match at Chelmsford watching Essex.    Our Outreach commitments included the Band appearing on Radio Suffolk (March) and the Songsters at Tunstall Church (April).    The Band and Songsters also had a very busy December.