Felixstowe Archive

We started the new year unaware of the changes that faced us at the end of the year.   February saw Ruth Beattie, Div. Youth Specialist, lead us over the YP Week-end.   Mothering Sunday was celebrated in March as well as Easter.    An Easter Contemplation was held in the hall.    John & Maggie decided on a gap year and we said a good-bye in April as they left for their narrow boat travelling the canals of the UK.    In June the Young Dreamers presented 'Railway Children'     We lost the Poffley family in July as they prepared to leave for a teaching position in India.    We also said a permanent good-bye to David & Mariola Thompson as they decided to move to Mildenhall.   Birmingham Citadel YP Band & Singing Company spent a week-end with us with a full and entertaining programme.      Dan Beaumont cycled from London to Paris for charity in September and we also welcomed Tom Elliott for a night of worship & comedy.    Harvest Festival was also celebrated.    In October the Band took part in the Poppy Appeal Launch by marching down Hamilton Rd and playing on the Triangle.    December was an especially busy month as we digested the news we were losing our officers at the end of the year.     The Band had a full program of carolling including Waitrose, Homebase and Hamilton Rd.   The YP Band also played in Hamilton Rd.   We also had the YP Carol Concert and our Carols by Candlelight.     An emotional Farewell Service was held for Richard & Nicky and on their last Christmas Day service,    Richard heard James Rutherford sing part of a carol and was encouraged by James to join him and John Ellitson.    Anne & John Ranner celebrated their Diamond Anniversary and Christine & John Hancock their Golden Anniversary. 90th birthdays were celebrated by Jack Lawrence & Roy Aldis.    Commissioned during the year were Ben Winton (YP Bandmaster), Kirsty Little (Singing Company Leader), Andy Cracknell (Band Secretary), Simon Scott (Bandmaster) and John Pilborough (Deputy Bandmaster).    Enrolled as a Soldier was Clare Jessup and several Junior Soldiers were also enrolled.    Shirley Hines retired from selling the Salvationist.       Retiring also was Jim Williams (Treasurer) and Sheila Harrold (Assistant Treasurer).    We had one dedication this year: Felicity Ann Little, daughter of Simon and Alicia Little.      Promoted to Glory this year was Jean (Jeanette) Cracknell.