Penrith community invited to watch historic festive moment
published on 7 Dec 2022
The Salvation Army to open its doors for people to enjoy first King’s Christmas Message in 70 years
The Salvation Army in Penrith will be opening its doors on Christmas Day so people can collectively enjoy the first King’s Christmas Message in 70 years.
The church and charity, located on Hunters Lane, will open for its Christmas Day worship at 10:30 am leading into a three-course turkey and all the trimmings lunch concluding in watching the first Christmas Day message from King Charles III.
Places for the Christmas Day lunch are to be booked in advance for a suggested donation of £10 per person by calling the corps (church) directly on 01768 866 732. For those wishing to just watch the Kings Christmas Message, this will be on a drop in basis with all welcome. Although the King’s speech is yet to be confirmed, the reigning Monarch’s Christmas Message typically takes place at 3:00 pm on Christmas Day.
The 25th December will mark the first Christmas address to the nation by King Charles III and The Salvation Army in Penrith is keen for everyone to join together in witnessing a part of history. Major Carole Donaldson, church leader at The Salvation Army in Penrith said: “We wanted to provide a space for the community to gather and watch this momentous occasion in our country’s timeline, a chance to see a part of history being made; not only is this the first King’s speech in nearly 70 years, it will also be the first King’s speech televised as all previous Kings have only had their speech broadcast on radio.
“The wider offering of our Christmas Day event is also a time for people to come together and feel a sense of community when they otherwise might not. Sadly, for all too many people across Penrith, these are troubling and worrying times. We wanted to ensure everyone has somewhere to go and people to be with on Christmas Day whilst also keeping warm and fed as the cost of living crisis continues to rage on.”
Along with the Christmas Day lunch provision, The Salvation Army in Penrith is also supporting the local community via its Christmas Present Appeal which runs until Friday, December 23. The appeal works to ensure that no child wakes up without a present on Christmas Day and for anyone wishing to donate, new and unwrapped gifts for children from newborn to 16 years old, they can be dropped off at the either the corps (church), Morrisons supermarket or HSBC within the town.
