Salvation Army Summer Arts School Celebrates 30 Years at National Star College Cheltenham

30th of July to the 6th of August over 80 delegates and assistants from across the United Kingdom attended the summer school at National Star College in Cheltenham. The week offered workshops in choral music, drama, dance and craft, ending with a final festival of worship for friends and family, showcasing what the school had achieved together throughout the week.

Olwen Anderson, 61,attended the summer school for the first time this year, supporting her daughter Rachel and her daughter’s friend Mary. Summing up the week, Olwen said: “This has been a very active and busy week but a very happy place. We have been welcomed and included. The highlight of the week was the final showcase festival as it was all about the delegates showing their talent and their courage”.

Gemma Price, 22, attended SAFE for the first time this year, and organised art workshops.  “The SAFE Summer School is like a community; you learn from others and share experiences”, Gemma said. “The week has been wonderful. I have learnt what it is to live in a community of people who are all different individuals able to learn from one another. To someone thinking of coming to the Summer School next year, I would say just do it, come and enjoy the experience, it is not like anything else. You cannot put into words the things that God does during this week”.

Chris Stringer, who organised the Summer School this year for the first time, said: “Thanks to the commitment of the leadership team and assistants along with the active participation of the delegates the week was a great success, indeed it is considered as being amongst the best SAFE weeks. We have been coming to National Star College for 30 years not only for the excellent facilities they provide but also the fantastic support they give us and the helpfulness of all the staff."

"National Star is proud to have hosted the annual Salvation Army Summer School  for the past 30 years," said David Ellis, Chief Executive of National Star. We are fortunate to have wonderful facilities and grounds that are fully accessible. We want to ensure they are used by as many people as possible during term time and beyond. We look forward to our partnership growing and developing for many years to come”.