High Sheriff award for retired Salvation Army officers

The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire has acknowledged retired Salvation Army Officers, Majors David and Ann Radford for volunteering to take on the leadership of Boston corps (church) as well as running vital community support services in Lincolnshire during the pandemic.

Majors David and Ann Radford were commended for working tirelessly, ‘providing pastoral and support care to both the corps folk and the wider community… overseeing the distribution of Christmas food hampers and children’s toys for those in need’.

East Midlands Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army, Major Brian Slinn said: “David and Ann are highly respected officers who in the pandemic have given good leadership to the corps and have also ensured the Army’s ministry to the most vulnerable in the community. Majors David and Ann represent the best of Salvation Army Officership in their spiritual ministry and practical care – heart to God, hand to man”.

The couple were Salvation Army officers at Boston Corps between 1997 – 2003 and returned to lead the centre through the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the second time they have returned to the frontline after retiring in 2014 they also took on Skegness corps in 2017.

They will now oversee bringing the corps back into operation as the coronavirus lockdown measures ease and preparing to handover leadership to Major Michelle Woodhouse who moves from Wellingborough in July.

The High Sheriff award was presented to the retired officers on 19 March at the corps hall by the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Mr Michael Scott.