Editorial

Welcome to Issue 5 of Booth’s Drum. This newsletter has a range of material which we hope you will find informative and enjoyable. Our first article is of serious concern to collectors and those thinking of producing collectables. Please feel free to contact us about it if you wish. Also do write, telephone or email with any news, requests or simply to keep in touch. Please note that our contact address has changed although the telephone number and email address remain the same.

Earlier this year saw the Promotion to Glory of my mother, Charlotte and more will be said about her in the Journal. She died in her sleep, after a lifetime devoted to the work of the Salvation Army. She was a staunch supporter of the SAHPA and its forerunner, the CMHA and is sadly missed although we know, as General Burrows kindly said, “she is in a place of joy and blessing beyond measure. She has lived a full and glorious life of service to her Master and Lord, and it was her time to go to her heavenly reward”.

The Association has continued to answer queries, give advice and encourage corps and individuals where possible. As I write this in early May I have four requests for help on my desk from recent days, ranging from a Corps needing help in setting up a display at the entrance to its hall, to advice on how to publish diaries of a leading Salvationist. We are also always willing to give advice on Salvation Army objects. This can range from storage and protection to possible prices for items. 

Several people contacted us about the William Booth Locomotive featured in the last newsletter and the article was reprinted in Europe and in the USA. We can confirm that The William Booth Locomotive is still in service and that models of this train were made in the late 1980s and do occasionally come up for sale.

For those who wish to review our past publications, please do visit our section at sacollectables which now also has the most recent Journal. Do also visit the online Salvation Army encyclopedia on the sister site http://www.sawiki.net for well over 3,000 pages of information and history about the Salvation Army.