Local community are invited to join in Salvation Army band 135 year celebration

A reunion festival is being held this weekend (24th and 25th of September) to celebrate 135 years of the Salvation Army Sheffield Citadel Band.

Part of a calendar of special events being held this year to celebrate 135 years of music ministry in Sheffield, the local community are invited to come along this weekend to mark this significant milestone and share in a time of fellowship and music.

From humble beginnings making music using one large bell and an old drum, the band quickly became the highly regarded and accomplished music group that it is today. Members of the community are encouraged to come along and find out more about the rich history of the band within the city of Sheffield. Visitors and former band members from as far afield as Northern Ireland and Holland are expected to join in the celebrations.

On Sunday, the celebrations will be led by Lt Col Trevor Davis, notable Salvation Army composer. Lt Col Davis said: “I am very much looking forward to visiting Sheffield next weekend and meeting up with many colleagues and friends at the reunion weekend".

Sheffield Citadel Bandmaster, Keith Wileman said: "Our band has a long history within the city and we're looking forward to celebrating our 135th Anniversary by reuniting past and present members of the band together in a weekend of music, fellowship and memories.  We really hope that people who have been connected with our band and our church in the past will come and share in this special weekend with us".

The festival commences with an evening event this Saturday at 7pm. The celebrations will continue on Sunday during worship at 10.30am and 5.30pm. All events are free of charge and will be held at the Sheffield Citadel Corps, 12, Psalter Lane, Sheffield, S11 8YN. No advance booking is required and all are welcome. For more information please call 01142 668127 or email : sheffieldcitadelband@hotmail.co.uk

For more than 150 years The Salvation Army has been transforming lives and continues to do so today in communities across the UK and throughout the world.