Over 180 Years’ Service

In worship on Sunday, Sheffield Citadel recognised the service of three Sheffield Citadel Bandsmen who were retiring from the Band after a combined 180 years’ service!

Bandmaster Keith Wileman thanked Royston Hartley, Keith Leek and Brian Huggins on behalf of not only himself and Sheffield Citadel Band today, but on behalf of the 9 bandmasters and multiple officers with whom they have served.  He also paid tribute to their wives, Betty, Margaret and Ruth for the support which they have also provided over those years.

Royston Hartley received his Bandsman’s commission in 1960 and was Band Secretary for many years, arranging away weekends and overseas tours, always ensuring that everything ran smoothly and efficiently for the Bandmaster and the Band.

Keith Leek transferred along with his family, to Sheffield from Bradford in the 1970s.  He was Band Sergeant for several years and Bandmaster Keith Wileman spoke of his encouragement to him personally as well as to those Bandmasters before him.

Brian Huggins moved to Sheffield as a young man and served as a Bandsman at the Sheffield Woodhouse and Sheffield Citadel Corps where he has always been a spiritual support and influence to others.

On presenting them with their retirement certificates, Major Jim Duff thanked the Bandsmen for the commitment they have made to their music ministry and how they have consistently used that ministry to share the gospel and the good news of Jesus for God.

We thank God for the witness they have made to so many and for their dedication to God through their music ministry.

180 years of dedicating talents to God through music in The Salvation Army, encouragers and witnesses for Christ.

Goodbye

Today we said farewell to Bandsmen Alistair Mann and his family as they move to Maltby.  We thank Alistair for his service with SCB over these past few years and we wish him every blessing for the future.

Tribute: Ken Mountain

Ken was born in December 1920 and would have celebrated his 100^th birthday this December. In recent months Ken was well looked after by John and his family; Ken was married to Carol, John’s mum.

Ken loved his music and when he came to our house for his Sunday lunch, Ken would always bring different records and conduct to them whilst lunch was being served and eaten.  He was  quick to give advice about the speeds and dynamics of music, particularly when the Band was rehearsing music that Ken was familiar with.

When Norman Short retired as Sheffield Citadel Bandmaster, he eventually took responsibility for the Divisional Fellowship Band, and this was just the boost Ken needed at that time. Bandmaster Norman was brilliant with Ken, taking him to rehearsals and festivals, and then later going to collect Ken and take him to the Sunday morning meeting at The Citadel.

Ken finished his banding career as a second trombone player but his main love was the extensive time when he was the Citadel Band’s bass trombone player.  As Ken often said, “Yer can’t beat G trom.  Best instrument in the band.”  You could certainly hear Ken.  It became obvious to a young bandsman such as myself who sat and marched next to Ken, how much he enjoyed his service in the Citadel Band as the “Bass trom” player.  Ken’s brother Wilf was a very fine euphonium player, moving to Canada, doing a lot of solo work, and becoming the corps bandmaster at Hamilton.  Ken was very proud of Wilf.

Ken loved to march, especially when the band was playing 6/8 marches, and he was in his own little world when marching from Fitzalan Square to the old Citadel on Cross Burgess Street.  The pride he had in playing his part well, and loudly, was evident, and he would frequently give advice about how 6/8 marches should be played on “The March”.  Ken had been a soldier in the regular Army and brought his love of marching with him when he returned to civilian life.

There are many stories one could recount when thinking of Ken but my remaining memory of him will be in the high standards he set himself, and expected of other people.  One of his favourite congregational songs was “What a Friend We Have In Jesus”.  He knew his Saviour well and was proud to serve his Lord, as a Citadel bandsman.

It was a pleasure to sit beside Ken when I joined the band; a tremendous character, he provided many humorous moments, but above all, he clearly was a bandsman for the best of reasons: he was playing for the Lord he knew and was delighted to serve.

Ian Wileman

Christmas Carol Playing

We had a busy December, caroling out on the streets of Sheffield.  We hope that all those who heard our Christmas music were able to share in the true meaning of Christmas.

Why not have a look at the photos on our Facebook page, there’s some great pictures there!

Click here to go to the photos of SCB Caroling

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1754966774577115.1073741837.192665274140614&type=1&l=06d03bd85b

Remembrance Sunday 2017

We were honoured and privileged to be able to take part in the Remembrance Sunday Service in Sheffield this year.  Here are some photos which Lawrence Broom captured on the day.

View the photos here

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1680231672050626.1073741835.192665274140614&type=1&l=f8920b98c1

New Bandsman

SCB are delighted to welcome Stuart Chapman back into the Band where he will be taking his place on the bass section.  We look forward to sharing with him in worship, fellowship and music in the days ahead.

SCB play at opening of Barton-upon-Humber new hall

SCB was pleased to be invited to take part in the first festival at Barton-upon-Humber after the official opening of their new Corps building by the TC, Commissioner Clive Adams.  It was a great evening of praise and fellowship and the Band enjoyed sharing with our friends in East Yorkshire.  Here are some photos taken during the evening by Lawrence Broom.

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Proms Celebration

Celebrate the Last Night of the Proms at The Citadel and share in a free evening of music.

Open Band Practice, July 2017

We had a great evening again at this year’s Open Band Practice when approximately 60 players shared in music making together and another 30 people joined us & listened.  All the items we played had been requested and so there there was a wide range of music from the more modern Glorifico Aternum to the classic Divine Communion.  As is usual in all of our programmes, we ended the evening with our signature march, Sheffield Citadel by former Bandmaster Herbert Mountain, which sent everyone home with their feet tapping.  It was good to catch up with old friends and to welcome new friends into our fellowship as well and we trust that everyone who attended was blessed being there.

Here are a selection of photos which Lawrence Broom took during the evening.

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The play list for the evening was as follows:
Spirit of Praise
They shall come from the East
Divine Communion
Glorifico Aternum
Knottingley
St Clements
Fighting for the Lord
In the love of Jesus
Procession to covenant
Sheffield Citadel.

Nether Edge Farmers’ Market

SCB regularly attend both the Nether Edge and Sharrowvale Farmers’ Markets in Sheffield where we are able to present our message within our local community.  Here are some photos of the Band last month – thanks to Lawrence Broom for taking them.

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