Newcastle City Temple leader recognised at Buckingham Palace

A Salvation Army church leader visited Buckingham Palace to be recognised for her work with The Salvation Army and the Royal Air Force Air Cadets.

Major Liz Hancock, who leads Newcastle City Temple Corps, was nominated in 2020 by the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham in recognition of her commitment to The Salvation Army and the Air Cadets, where she is Chaplain for the Durham and Northumberland Wing.

The Royal Garden Party was postponed due to Covid with Liz attending earlier this month with her mother Heather Solity.

Liz said: “What a privilege it was to represent The Salvation Army and Air Cadets at the palace! I was honoured to have been nominated.

“Unfortunately it rained, but that didn’t stop the enjoyment. The gardens were beautiful and I had the joy of briefly meeting the Duchess of Cornwall.

“It was a memorable occasion that I won’t forget.”

As corps officer of Newcastle Temple Corps, Major Liz will lead the new Salvation Army Worship and Community Centre based on the site of the former Methodist Church in Stamfordham Road in the Cowgate area of Newcastle, which is expected to open later this year.

Major Liz added: “It’s fantastic to see the building now starting to take shape. As well as being a place of worship, the centre will serve the community with a programme of activities and support services for those in need, with a Christian ethos behind it.

“I have had really positive conversations with residents and businesses in Cowgate about what they would like to see from The Salvation Army. This new hall will provide us with some wonderful opportunities to serve the needs of those within the local community and wider city of Newcastle even more effectively.”

Members of the public can also contribute to the project by pledging to ‘buy a brick’ to help in the building of the temple. Those who donate can do so in loving memory of someone special and have their tribute included in special Book of Remembrance in the new hall.  

To donate visit Justgiving.