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Boscombe
Salvation Army Songsters 2007 Canadian Tour Blog
Toronto
WE MADE IT! Having left London Heathrow approximately 25 minutes late,
after an arduous journey of roughly 7 hours 40 minutes and lots of films,
games, sweets, sleep and chatter (I could hear you back there ladies!)
we landed at Toronto Lester Pearson Airport (Terminal 3). Only a couple
of glitch's to report: the flags have gone walkies, but we have been
informed that they may be following on a later flight... watch this
space! The 2nd oopsy being that we need to get one replacement suitcase
after some seemingly kamikaze luggage handling...
Having driven for 20 mins from the airport, we are staying overnight
in a B&B called "Bond Place Hotel". Quite amusing when we turned
up at the hotel 2 hours late! Some of the Songsters have gone for an
evening roam around Toronto to use up the extra hours in our 29hr day...
and yes 'The Tower' does look impressive, even in the dark!
Funny moment... After much waiting for a lift to take us
to our room (on floor 4), some of us decided we'd be a bit dense and
press a few buttons to make sure we got the right floor. It was only
after this that we found out (after we been right up to the 12th floor
and down to the basement level 2 with no stops), that we had to use
our door key to make the lift actually stop at our floor! Oh well, i'm
sure they'll be plenty more mishaps, marvels and maybe even miracles
along the way.
Congrats to Keith as well for getting us smoothly through both airports,
long may it continue! BRING ON THE TOUR!!!
CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES WE'VE TAKEN
London Citadel
London Citadel Corps, our first real port of call when we arrive here
in the afternoon. We are spending three nights here, Saturday night
to Tuesday morning. First up is our debut concert supported by London
Citadel Band on the Saturday night. The concert goes well as this is
actually being written. A great reception from the Corps here, not least
the lunch (feast!) supplied. It was much needed after the sight-seeing
in the morning in Toronto followed by the 2 hour coach journey (always
made more interesting when they neglect to give you a coach with enough
seats!).
After a superb start to the second half of the programme commencing
with Adiemus, we have been humbled by the tesimony of Songster Joy Whittingham
referring to the strength which God has provided their family with in
recent times because of their faith in Him.
London Band have also enriched the evening through their contributions,
not least the playing of Jubilation. This was promptly followed by the
showcase drama act, admirably displayed by all involved, even allowing
Niall to be funny!
We led the morning service with Major Val Mylechreest taking the lead.
The service was thought provoking through the message conveyed by the
Songsters in both song and testimony. In the afternoon we visited the
Parkwood Hospital and performed a few songs with a few requested congregational
songs. The audience was very receptive and appreciative of the Songsters
ministry to them, which was led by Dot Attiwell. As there is no evening
meeting we are sharing in a Corps BBQ (that's indoors). Prior to this
a few Songsters went to burn off some calories in advance by having
a walk at Springbank Park. At the meal the food was great (as always
seems to be the case, so far at least) and we also had the opportunity
to sing "Happy Birthday" to Colin Goodyer who celebrated his
40th Birthday today... "HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN!"
Monday morning's visit to The Salvation Army 'Centre of Hope' complex,
together with the short service and the guided tour, was awe inspiring
to say the least. The social work and ministry that they so diligently
pursue there is commendable. They cover so many different facets of
social work and provide a wide variety support services and we got to
see most of them first hand, from the basement food packing to the the
chapel ministry to the councilling services and financial assistance.
Atop this, we received a fantastic response to our ministry from the
residents and staff that came to listen to us, it was emotional and
the love and presence of God's Holy Spirit was truely there working
in the room as it is throughout the centre.
We also stopped at London's "Covent Garden" Market which was the most
tidy and organised market i've ever seen, yet superb in its variety
of stalls and merchandise. The chicken noodle soup from the soup bar
there was fantastic and some of the songsters can atest too!
We left London via the massive University of Western Ontario campus
& Grand Bend before we arrived at Sarnia Corps for a meal followed
by a concert. The concert was excellent and was gratefully received
by the folk at Sarnia. So many favourable comments and smiling faces
and the Songsters themselves had really got the first-night nerves out
of the way and it showed through a relaxed and obviously well enjoyed
evening. The timbrels and drama were also throughly enjoyed, even with
the impromtue adlibbing in the drama which was entertaining. The evening
also included a superb rendition of "Hannahs Song" by John
Starkes on the euphonium. The audience were so appreciative of the Songsters
that we received a standing ovation and they remained on their feet
as the Songsters sang moved into position around the hall and 'Lord,
Keep Us Safe'. All in all a soul-stirring day.
We returned to London for our final night's stay here. A massive thanks
to our billets for the last three nights, your generous hospitality
has been much appreciated.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES WE'VE TAKEN
Meadowlands
We departed London for the final time via Stratford with an en route
stop at St Jacobs before arriving at Meadowlands SA Hall, Hamilton.
St Jacobs is a very 'quaint' region and the buildings are very old in
style but with some very interesting places to eat in and visit including
a museum and shops dedicated to the resident menonite population. Some
of the Songsters ate at the renowned Stone Crock restaurant prior to
our evening concert supported by Meadowlands Band.
Meadowlands have a brand new hall which the Corps moved into on June
2nd 2007 and is really an tribute to the way the Salvation Army works
over here with plenty of social work rooms. The main hall is also very
impressive as is the building as a whole, it took many Songsters by
surprise and has been feeding our imaginations with ideas to use in
England.
The concert was very enjoyable and everybody is in the swing of things
now so are more relaxed. Sleep is definitely needed by some members
though but spirits are still high and everybody is having fun.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES WE'VE TAKEN
Niagara Falls
We departed from Hamilton & Stoney Creek with en route coffee stop
at Niagara on the Lake. A rather nice little village where many of of
us managed to pick a few souvenirs. Later on we arrived at Niagara Falls
for free time, staying at another B&B called "Holiday Inn by the
Falls" with an evening meal at Betty's Restaurant. It must be said that
it was very nice Hotel, with tremendously comfortable beds. At Betty's
we celebrated Darrens birthday as it had already become his birthday
back in England. After the meal some of us headed in to town for a 'wild
night' as Val put it, and it was indeed fun, especially going on the
Sky Wheel there!
CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES WE'VE TAKEN
Fenelon Falls
We departed from one 'Falls' to another as we left Niagara Falls behind
and head towards Fenelon Falls with a stop en route at another shoppping
mall to ease tensions within people who required some retail therapy.
Once we had arrived at Fenelon Falls, we went to the Fenelon Falls United
Church to unload the stage equipment and luggage etc before eating at
Fenelon Falls Corps prior to the evening concert.
The evening was a great success with the audience consisting of people
from many denominatios and from far afield. Being a small region, the
church in the area had combined their efforts to enable this evening
to be the success it turned out to be. Every person who left the church
had a massive smile on their face and couldn't wait to express their
thanks to us individually for the evening. It was obvious, not just
from the standing ovation at the end, but from the comments and general
attitude of the people there, that it had been far more than just a
concert. It truely was a time where God had been at work through the
Songsters.
One lady in the audience said on her way out that she wanted us all
to stay and another lady said she defintely wants to visit England now
just so she can come and sing with our Songsters. One gentleman who
has lived in Canada a number of years popped on the bus when we first
arrived and stated that he originated from Gosport, and that he'd made
a two hour detour just to hear us sing when he heard that we were coming
over. It seems to be a true saying that the Salvation Army really is
a "small world"!
CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES WE'VE TAKEN
Parry Sound / Jacksons Point Camp
A day with lots of travelling was in store on Friday as we commenced
our journey north towards Parry Sound School. Here we provided a 'concert'
at lunchtime in the school gymnasium to the High School music group.
Also resent were some students from the local elementary school who
come with their tutor. The reason this was called a 'concert' is because
of the multi-faith nature of the school, which didn't permit us to appear
to be preaching, hence the music did the talking again with Major Val
taking the lead.
In the hour we had at the school, we provided the kids and the staff
with a variety of musical experiences from classical to modern and even
the David and Goliath turned up which the audience lovd. A big response
was received when Darren performed 'You Raise Me Up' and 'Covenent/The
Vaults of Heaven'.
After this event we headed further afield to The Salvation Army's Jacksons
Point Camps. Here was a large camp complex consisting of a main cmp
area, a fresh air camp areacatering for up to 200 kids and students
in the Ontario division. The grouds were extensive and had excellent
facilities, even Ken wanted to use the side in the pool... though we
had to remind him that he still had his travel uniform on! The tour
by the camp director was very informative and made us all aware of the
work that was going on there and the plans they have for the future.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES WE'VE TAKEN
North York
We left Fenelon Falls early in the morning and make a couple of pit-stops
en route to North York Temple. The first stop was at Parry Sound High
School where we presented an afternoon concert to their music group
and a group from the local elementary school. The feedback from the
kids and staff was very positive. The second stop was at The Salvation
Army "Jacksons Point" Camps complex which will included a
tour around the sight with and outline to their current operations there
and their future plans, all of which was followed by an evening meal.
We arrived at North York Temple in the evening before leaving with our
billets.
Saturday morning we visited and presented a programme at Arthur Meighan
Lodge for the retired. The residents were evidently delighted for us
to be there. Many of then sharing stories with member of the Songsters.
In the afternoon we had a massed rehearsal at the Centre of Performing
Arts, Toronto. Following this was lunch at North York Temple prior to
the concert in the evening. The 'Fall Festival' as it's known, was a
great success and the audience were very receptive and thoroughly enjoyed
the Songsters style of presentation.
Sunday morning worship will be lead by Major Val Mylechreest. There
will also be Corps lnch at North York "Mandarin" restaurant "all you
can eat buffet" (excellent!!!). The evening will see us depart Toronto
itself and arrive at the airport in time for our 7.55pm flight from
Terminal 3 bound for London Heathrow.
Monday morning will see us arrive at London Heathrow Terminal 4, arrival
due at Boscombe SA Hall, Bournemouth at approximately 11.30am. That's
all folks... for now at least, don't forget to keep checking
for updates even after we've returned to England!
CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES WE'VE TAKEN
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Schedule:
Friday 28 September
Travel to Toronto
Saturday 29 September
Evening concert at London Citadel supported by London Citadel Band
Sunday 30 September
Morning service at London Citadel / Visit Parkwood Hospital
Monday 1 October
Visit The Salvation Army Centre of Hope complex / Evening concert at Sarnia Corps
Tuesday 2 October
Evening concert at Meadowlands Corps supported by Meadowlands Band
Wednesday 3 October
Free day - Visit Niagra Falls
Thursday 4 October
Evening concert at Fenelon Falls Corps
Friday 5 October
Visit The Salvation Army Jacksons Point complex
Saturday 6 October
Concert at Toronto Centre for the Arts, George Western Recital Hall with North York Temple Band
Sunday 7 October
Morning service at North York Temple / Evening depart Toronto
Monday 8 October
Return to England
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