The following day, Cradley Heath Songsters began a series of four carol services taking place at The Salvation Army in Cradley Heath on each Sunday in December with their Annual Candle-lit Festival of Lessons and Carols.

The service is similar to that which takes place in Kings College, Cambridge every year as the congregation followed the Christmas story from Man's fall in the Garden of Eden to the birth of Jesus Christ.

In between the congregation sang a number of traditional Christmas carols including arrangements by David Willcocks.

The songsters provided different styles of music, including Bethlehem Joy!, Mary, Did You Know? and Norman Bearcroft's Reflections.

To see more photos of the evening, please click here.

On Saturday 2 December 2006 Cradley Heath Corps of The Salvation Army staged its Annual Christmas Carol Concert at Halesowen Cornbow Hall. The event was in aid of autism.westmidlands.

Cradley Heath Band and Songsters took part, contributing items such as Away in a Manger (Normandy Carol), Who is He?, Go Tell! and Glory, Glory!

But our special guests, Lutley Primary School Choir stole the show with a number of items from their Christmas musical, Ned & Ted's Christmas Journey. They also helped the band on percussion in A Christmas Mambo!

The programme was chaired by Graham Day, a member of Droitwich Salvation Army and News Editor for BBC Radio Gloucester.

You can see more photos of the evening here.

Cradley Heath Corps entered it's new suite of buildings on Sunday 13 August 2006, over two years after its halls in Newtown Lane were compulsorily purchased by Sandwell Council. The day began with a march of witness followed by a flag ceremony as Retired Band Sergeant, Norman Coley, raised the flag outside the building in memory of his wife, Brigadier Nellie Coley MBE.

The songsters sang Holy Ground in the Holiness Meeting which saw many people re-dedicate their lives to Jesus and then contributed The Lord Bless You and Keep You (Rutter) as a benediction. In the afternoon, they presented a new work, There's Never Been a Mountain.

More pictures of the new hall can be found here and photos of the opening day can be seen here.

Enfield Citadel Band joined with Cradley Heath Corps to help it celebrate its 125th Corps Anniversary with a concert in Holy Trinity Church, Old Hill.

A congregation of around 200 people enjoyed diverse musical items from the opening Fanfare of Praise to the traditional end of programme March: The Red Shield.

Deputy Bandmaster Andrew Justice and Bandsmen Maurice Patterson and Keith Loxley provided solos.

Perhaps the highlight of the evening for most was Glorifico Aeternum which seemed fitting for such a special event.

More photos of the evening can be found here.

Pictures of the songsters taking part in the Public Awareness event in West Bromwich Town Centre can be viewed here.

Update on New Building:

We are delighted to announce the first Sunday meetings in our new hall will take place on Sunday 13 August 2006 at 10.30am and 3.00pm. The morning meeting will be preceded by a march of witness from our temporary home for the past two years, Cradley Heath Baptist Church in Corngreaves Road and a dedication service outside the new building.

The official opening of the new hall will take place on Saturday 9 September 2006, in the presence of our local Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon Sylvia Heal MP and other distinguished guests. As well as a Dedication Meeting at 2.30pm and a Celebration Concert at 7.00pm, the day will include an Open Day for members of the public featuring a bouncy castle, craft stalls and music from Cradley Heath Band and Songsters. The day will end with a firework display.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The songsters are supporting Cradley Heath Salvation Army's Public Awareness Event in West Bromwich Town Centre. The songsters will be singing in the Queen's Shopping Centre between 12.30pm and 1.45pm on Saturday 1 July 2006. Details of the music they will play can be found on the repertoire page.

Tickets are still available for you to join with Cradley Heath Corps as it celebrates its 125th Corps Anniversary Weekend with a visit by Enfield Citadel Band. The band has long been established as one of The Salvation Army's most prolific musical groups. The band is conducted by Andrew Blyth, The Salvation Army's Assistant Territorial Music Director in the UK.

Tickets cost £5.00. Please telephone Bandmaster Rob Westwood-Payne on 01384 254541 or email him at cradleyheath-band@resurgam.freeserve.co.uk to reserve your tickets for collection on the evening, or they will also be available on the door.

The evening promises to be an inspirational time of praise and worship and we look forward to meeting many people there.

Ann Hickman, a member of our middle section, has faithfully served on The Salvation Army West Midlands Divisional Headquarters for over fifty years. Ann retires later this year, and the Songsters have been invited to sing at her Retirement Celebration Meeting on Saturday 16 September 2006 at The Salvation Army Hall, Meredith Street, Cradley Heath. We are delighted to salute Ann's matchless service.

Update on new building :

Cradley Heath Corps' new building is taking shape. The building is complete and work is now in progress on the internal decoration and on external areas such as the car park. It is estimated the building will be handed over by the contractors in July and the first meetings will take place during August. The official opening is on Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 October 2006. Meetings will be led by Major John Wainwright, Territorial Secretary for Business Administration and Executive Officer of The International Staff Band.

Enfield Band and their new Bandmaster, Andrew Blyth will help Cradley Heath Corps celebrate its 125th Corps Anniversary later this year. They will present a concert at Holy Trinity Church, Halesowen Road, Old Hill, Cradley Heath on Saturday 8 July 2006. Please click here for a poster and further details.

Cradley Heath Corps is delighted to announce the visit of the Household Troops Band on Saturday 25 February 2006. They will be taking part in our Corps Proms Night at Dudley Town Hall (7.30pm) with Hilary Barratt (vocal), a number of local Male Voice Choirs and Guest Compere. Click here for the poster and more details.

On 15 January 2006, our Songster Leader Rob Westwood-Payne and Songster John Shepherd were commissioned as Bandmaster and Deputy Bandmaster respectively. Rob has served as Songster Leader for over eight years. John is the band's principal cornet player and a member of our tenor section. Rob retains his responsibilities as Songster Leader.

Picture: Captain Gordon Roberts (CO), Bandmaster Rob Westwood-Payne and Deputy Bandmaster John Shepherd.

04.01.06 Repertoire updated.

www.resurgam.freeserve.co.uk has been updated for 2006. It now includes pages for Cradley Heath Band of The Salvation Army. Watch here for further updates in the future.