Wales 150: A year in review

Salvationist charts a year of celebrating 150 years of The Salvation Army in Wales.

‘The approach of the Wales Division to celebrating such a significant milestone in our history focused on God’s story, our story, your story,’ says Divisional Ecumenical Officer Captain Kathryn Stowers (Newport Citadel). ‘Giving thanks for all that God has done through The Salvation Army in Wales both nationally and locally, and inspiring local expressions of mission. All celebrations needed to be outward-looking and forward-looking, not just revelling in our history, however rich and God-honouring it is. This has been a year of blessings and we look forward to seeing where God is at work into the next 150 years.'

March

Wales 150 begins!

Salvationists gathered at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells to launch the celebrations. Each of the five cynefin areas that make up the division was represented – ‘cynefin’ is a Welsh word meaning ‘place of belonging’, used to describe a group of corps.

The North and Mid-Wales Cynefin’s fellowship band premiered an arrangement of ‘Llef’ by Major Kingsley Layton (Risca), Carmarthen Contemporary Worship Group represented the West Cynefin, the Cardiff and Vale Cynefin and the Valleys Cynefin united as a chorus to premiere ‘Dyma Gariad’, written by Jonathan Mead (Morriston) for the anniversary. Youth from the East Cynefin shared a poem and children from the division performed ‘God’s Great Story’ by Dan Elson (Music and Creative Arts). During the afternoon, Lieut-Colonel Paul Kingscott (THQ) installed Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts as divisional commander.

At the Senedd

The earliest existing issue of Y Gad Lef, the Welsh-language War Cry, was among items gifted to the National Library of Wales by Territorial Leaders Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main at an international reception at the Senedd (the Welsh parliament) in Cardiff. Lieut-Colonel Jonathan and other divisional representatives also attended, with Risca Songsters and Cardiff Canton Band providing music. Special guests included the speaker of the Irish parliament, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

Cadets pay a visit

Then cadets Rachel and Luke Furlong, Amy Bayliss-Fox and Oliver Dobson visited Llanelli Corps for the Easter weekend, themed Dyma Gariad. They arrived on Thursday for a Maundy Thursday service and led a Good Friday meeting. On the Saturday they visited Tenby, where the community interacted with Messy Church, which was repeated in Llanelli on the Sunday. They also visited Moriah Chapel, the birthplace of the 1904 Welsh revival. It was a deeply joyous place to join together and proclaim that ‘thou thyself hast set me free’.

June

150 Days of Prayer: Day 1

The 150 Days of Prayer launched with a story from 1874, when The Salvation Army in Wales started in Cardiff. The 150 stories went on to include an incident from 1879, when 5,000 people gathered on the streets of Pentre to support Captain Louisa Lock and three members of the corps on their way to prison after being arrested while preaching in the town, and the experiences of Lieut-Colonel Agnes Swain who, in 1922, set up a home for women in Cardiff called Northlands.

July

Together 2024

The weekend at the ICC Wales began with prayer at Newport Citadel, before a prayer walk led by Major Stephen Wilson (Wales DHQ). The South and Mid Wales Fellowship Band played in the foyer and, in the marketplace, a Wales 150 craft display presented the history of the Army in Wales.

Commissioners Jenine and Paul were interviewed by junior soldiers Olivia and Owen (Newport Citadel). On Saturday evening, a new musical told the story of John Allen – The Salvationist Navvy, who was a pioneer in Wales. Young brass players from Wrexham played ‘La Bamba’, before the 130-strong multigenerational Wales Chorus sang ‘Here Is Love’ and ‘Dyma Gariad’. Major David Emery was presented with a certificate of exceptional service for dedicating his gifts and commitment to spreading the gospel in Wales.

Royal Welsh Show

The Wales 150 craft display was on show at the annual event in Builth Wells. Territorial Envoy Samantha Jones (Newtown) led a worship service at the Cytûn (Churches Together in Wales) stand and the South and Mid Wales Fellowship Band played. Read more about the display in the 16 November issue of Salvationist!

The Salvation Navy

A letter was unearthed from Bramwell Booth to William Booth highlighting the gift from John Cory – of the famous Cardiff shipping family the Cory Brothers – of a ‘three masted steam yacht’ to William Booth, which led to the formation of the Salvation Navy in 1885.

Bilingual War Cry

The first ever bilingual edition of War Cry was published, reading in Welsh front to back and then in English when flipped over and turned round. Captain Deryk Durrant (Wrexham) was charged with producing the special edition. ‘It was decided that something unique was needed,’ he said. ‘While editions of War Cry in English and in Welsh had been published previously, a bilingual edition had never been attempted. I was inspired to share the gospel in this wonderful ancient, yet very much living, language.'

August

National Eisteddfod

The Wales 150 craft display was on show at the National Eisteddfod in Pontypridd. The Salvation Army also hosted worship at St Catherine’s Church.

Songs of Praise

The Songs of Praise team filmed at Merthyr Tydfil, the longest-serving corps in Wales. Presenter Pam Rhodes discovered how two young women, Kate Watts and Harriet Parkin, were posted to the industrial town in 1878 to spread the gospel. Captain Kathryn Stowers (Wales DHQ) was interviewed for the show. The episode is available on BBC iPlayer until July 2025.

October

Wrexham anniversary

The corps celebrated the anniversary of its first ever meeting, which was held on 23 October 1881 at the Public Hall on Hemblas Street. Within two months, 300 people were regularly attending worship and meetings there. By 1884, the soldiers at Wrexham had been nicknamed the Praying Boys by the public, because of their enthusiastic prayers.

Aberfan anniversary

The South and Mid Wales Fellowship Band performed at the Big Pit Museum in Blaenavon on 21 October, the anniversary of the Aberfan disaster in 1966. A colliery spoil tip collapsed on the village, killing 116 schoolchildren and 28 adults. Salvationists were among the first on the scene working alongside the emergency services and other voluntary organisations.

The band played a special piece written for those who died that day. The performance also recognised the relationship between the Army and mining communities over the past 150 years. In that time, the Army has played a major role in responding to Welsh mining disasters, including at Senghenydd in 1913, Gresford Colliery in 1934, Six Bells Colliery in 1960 and the Cambrian Colliery in 1965.

Divisional service

The actual anniversary on Friday 15 November was marked with a short act of thanksgiving and worship, close to the site of the Gospel Hall in Cardiff, where Captain John Allen first held a meeting. There was also a prayer gathering and celebration at Merthyr Tydfil Corps, led by Secretary for Spiritual Life Development Lieut‑Colonel Jayne Roberts (THQ) and the territorial prayer team.

Still to come...

Senedd celebration

A special event will take place at the heart of Welsh government on Tuesday 19 November. Several hundred Salvationists will represent every corps and expression of the Army across Wales. It will celebrate all God has achieved through The Salvation Army in Wales over the past 150 years and what God will do in the future.

Carol concert

A concert will take place at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff at 7.30pm on Saturday 30 November. It will feature the South and Mid Wales Fellowship Band, Festive Chorus, Morriston Songsters and guests Rhys Durrant (euphonium) and Jemma Davies (vocal).

Carol service

A free carol service will take place at St Asaph Cathedral, Denbighshire, at 7pm on Saturday 7 December. It will feature Ewloe Green Primary School Choir as well as the North and Mid Wales Brass and Chorus.