Lower sixth former Harvey Olver writes about his work with the Salvation Army at Christmas:


Christmas is a busy time for all involved with the Salvation Army whether it is attending Christmas services or playing carols for the public on the streets of Bristol, December is never quiet for Salvationists!

	Major Tracey Mountford (Minister) giving out Christmas Meals

Every Saturday in December, Bristol Citadel Salvation Army Band goes to Broadmead in the city centre to provide a bit of Christmas joy for the busy Christmas shoppers. We play for just over two hours, which is a task for even the most experienced brass players, but is always good fun and the public always appreciate the music that is being played.

	Bristol Citadel Band carolling in Broadmead

The Salvation Army hall is always a busy building to be in around Christmas too. On top of our normal services on a Sunday morning we also have to put on two carol services: The Children’s Carol service and the main Carol Service. We also provide a Christmas Eve Candlelight service which is greatly supported and managed to fill the hall this year.

Bristol Citadel is famous within the Salvation Army for having an exceptional children’s programme, the group is called ‘Kids Alive’ but you’d be mistaken for thinking it was a production at the Bristol Hippodrome. We try to make it as entertaining for the children so we have a stage with a modern lighting rig and we put on a weekly pantomime for the kids that incorporate a Christian message.

	Kids Alive at the Citadel

Every Christmas we allow the parents to come and experience for themselves what ‘Kids Alive’ is all about. This year the hall was packed with over 200 people, songs, games and the nativity made it an entertaining evening for all involved. The evening was improved by the kind loan of some of the lighting from the Harry Crook Theatre here at Colston’s.

Christmas day itself is also busy, a full Christmas meal is put on for people who are alone at Christmas and this year over 50 meals were served. The meal is then followed by a light hearted Christmas service.

	ISB 120 concert at the Royal Albert Hall

The festive period doesn’t stop on Christmas day, the Citadel hosts a New Year’s Eve party which again was well attended, a roast dinner was served, games were played and of course the Countdown to 2012 took place.
The Salvation Army doesn’t finish after Christmas! Although the Salvation Army are mostly associated with the festive period, exciting things happen all year round. Last year the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army celebrated its 120th anniversary and marked this occasion with a remarkable weekend in London. The ISB were joined by seven other bands: New York Staff Band, Chicago Staff Band, Amsterdam Staff Band, Melbourne Staff Band, Berlin Staff Band, Japan Staff Band and the Canadian Staff Band to produce an amazing concert on the Saturday night at the Royal Albert Hall with all bands playing together to create one of the best nights of the year.

	March down The Mall

On the following Sunday morning a march took place down the Mall, a few weeks before featured the newlyweds Prince William and Kate Middleton. Police estimated that there were 10,000 people there for the March and it was a truly spectacular sight.

This year the Salvation Army celebrates another Milestone with its International Congress again hosted by the Royal Albert Hall, and I myself will be part of the choir that are performing, so I can say I have sung at the Royal Albert Hall!

The Salvation Army Bristol Citadel, Ashley Road, is open every Sunday for worship, services start at 10 o’clock on a Sunday morning and we are very welcoming towards new faces. We have a thriving youth section that meets after the service on a Sunday, and all are welcome to attend!

	Bristol Citadel Band in the Westbury on Trym Christmas Festival.

If you want any more information Harvey Olver (12AJW) will be happy to answer any other questions.