New podcast travels in time to explore 150 years in Wales
published on 23 Dec 2024
An end of year episode of a podcast by The Salvation Army is being described as an ‘exciting walk-through history and time in Wales’.
Guests on the ‘All Terrain Podcast’ are invited on a virtual hike and for this show, available on 27 December and thereafter, Director of The Salvation Army’s International Heritage Centre, Steven Spencer, takes listeners on an imaginary journey landing on significant points in The Salvation Army’s 150-year history in Wales.
Host Jo Taylor says the show, recorded at a special anniversary reception in The Senedd – the Welsh Parliament - in Cardiff on 19 November, is very different to previous episodes.
“This is a walk we did geographically, but not chronologically, which meant we were leaping through time,” said Jo. “It was one of the most exciting walks we have done on the podcast. Steven told so many fascinating stories, with his meticulous research bringing so many people and places to life. These stories will help us reflect on who we are as a movement and a church.”
Steven’s hypothetical journey begins in the south Wales Valleys and ended where The Salvation Army’s story began, at the site of the first ever meeting in Wales in 1874 at the former Gospel Hall in Bute Street in Cardiff
Steven Spencer said:
“I was thrilled to take part in this special episode of the podcast recorded in The Senedd. It was a great way to bring the work of the Heritage Centre to a wider audience. Structuring the podcast around a walk provided a unique opportunity to explore key moments in our history, such as the Welsh Revival of 1904/05 and the disaster at Aberfan as well as sharing the story of John Cory, The Welsh entrepreneur who gifted The Salvation Army a yacht to launch a Salvation Navy in the late 1880s.”
The International Heritage Centre houses the archive story of The Salvation Army in two museums, one in London and another in Nottingham at the birthplace of William Booth.
The Salvation Army Children and Youth Department created the podcast as a ‘Special’ to celebrate the 150th anniversary year.
