THE BIG DAY OUT: Bringing People Together

Graham’s retrospective evaluation as a participant at the Hadleigh Farm event.
The first of our visits into the community and local churches was on the 1st June when the Archive Group, as part of ‘All Our Stories’ programme, visited the Salvation Army Training Centre in Hadleigh for their fun-packed day combining all the elements of a country fair.
Their aim of the day was to bring together people from all the Salvation Army centres in this east London division and to engage with the local community. Whether it was Messy Church amongst the livestock, a tractor ride to view the Olympic Mountain Bike track, a wander round the fair trade and craft stall, getting involved in races or competitions or simply enjoying the various live music from the band stands, there was something for everyone.

Graham minds the display

No hiding place

There is room in the barn

graham cook, betty sadler, bradley craddock: principal; neville andrews: chaplain

The archive group was given a very generous space in the barn along with other craft stalls and were able to put on a good display of the Farm Colony history, local history with posters, using material prepared by Chis Worpole, one of the editorial team and erecting the Team Hadleigh banners which were produced for the Olympics in 2012. Our Community Archive banner was used to good effect too and we took the opportunity to launch our History Map and to take advance orders for our first publication ‘HADLEIGH Postcard Memories’ by Robert Nichols.
Highlight of the day included the birth of a goat, duly named ‘Titus’ after the Salvation Army Territorial Leader, Commissioner Clive Adams, who was visiting Hadleigh for the first time with his wife Marianne. Rare Breeds Centre Manager Emma Sayer introduced Guernsey goat kid ‘Titus’ to the leader – this being his middle name.
The weather was kind and a good day of celebration ended with a BBQ.
Graham Cook