Editorial

Dear friends, thank you for you support in the starting of this tremendous venture. We are a worldwide family with a host of different interests in the history and philately of the Salvation Army. We have old and young members, those interested in bands, postcards (sometimes just in set geographical areas), books, music, poetry, stamps, social work, red shield, salvation navy and buildings to name just some of the areas listed among our members. It is a great delight to have such diverse interests. The SAHPA is here to help people, heritage centres and museums in their reading, understanding, enjoyment and collecting. 

The SAHPA is unique in being the only international group devoted to Army history and philately. It has a world-wide perspective and although totally independent of the Salvation Army, the Association will report on the work of the various heritage centres. It will also bring news of new developments in Army history and philately. Membership of the Association runs from Easter to Easter with two newsletters and a Journal. The newsletter, called Booth’s Drum, will be sent out electronically where possible but also in hard copy where we do not have an email address. The second newsletter will be sent in the Spring of next year. The Journal, which bears the title Blood and Fire, will be a hard copy only and will be with members before Christmas.

One of the unexpected pleasures of preparing for the launch of the SAHPA was the discovery that more heritage centres than expected produced newsletters. These are often excellent sources of information and news and we will also be bringing you excerpts from the best articles. Most surprising perhaps was the satirical The Salvation Army 614 People’s Voice, a Salvation Army’s version of Private Eye. We will have details of several of these publications later in this newsletter. In the meantime, thank you again for your interest and enjoy the read.