Educational Visits

On Wednesday 21 July 2010 after a morning lecture by Major Peter Forrest on John Wesley we all pilled into two minibuses for a visit to Wesley Chapel.  On arrival we sat in the pews of the church and listened to one of the chapel guides as he told us about John Wesley and the building that we sat in.  On finishing his talk we gathered in the front of the Chapel for a photo opportunity.  We then split into two groups and were taken around John Wesley's house we went from the basement which was the kitchen to his bedroom which had a small prayer room attahced.  We had great fun trying to squeeze into this tiny space, but we managed it and then bowed our head for prayer.  On leaving the house we entered the museum and many of the delegates stood in John Wesleys pulpit.  On leaving the Museum many of the delegates crossed the road to the graveyard which was opposite and buried in this graveyard were many famous names such as John Wesley's mother, William Blake, Issac Watts, Daniel Defore and John Bunyan. 

Later that evening after the evening meal we had a games night where much laughter was heard, this was due to delegates trying to play some of the Wii sports which they had never played before.  It was a good informative and fun day.

On Friday 30th July 2010 after morning lectures we piled into the minibuses and made our way to Abney Park Non-conformist cemetary where William and Catherine Booth and many of the early Army leaders are buried.  On arrival we walked to the grave site of the founders and passed many other salvation army graves on the way.  At the founders graves and other early officers which are nearby we sang 'O Boundless Salvation' and prayed, we then looked at the names that surrounded us and realised that we were in the presence of many of the early pioneers of our movement.  We then made our way back to the entrance of Abney Park where we ate our packed lunch.

We then made our way to the East End of London - Whitechapel, where The Salvation Army was born.  We parked at Booth House a Salvation Army Lifehouse and then set off from the front entrance in Salvation Army uniform to tour the Whitechapel Road.  We firstly went to the Blind Begger public house and stood outside and prayed as this was the site on which William Booth encountered Missioners holding an open air meeting and when they asked if anyone would like to speak William Booth stepped forward.

We then moved on to the two statues of William Booth that are on the Mile End waste, this was a spot for a photograph to be taken, but it was also on these sites prayer was given.  We then made our way through the busy streets lined with street stalls and people from many cultures to the disused Quakers Buriel Ground which is now a lovely gardens as this was the site where William Booth held the Tent Meetings.  Again prayer was said and thanks was given for the life of William and Catherine Booth.  Opposite the Quakers Buriel Ground is Hanbury Street, this is where Mrs Cotterill the Converts Sergeant of the Whitechapel Corps found a building that became the first Women's Social Services Hostel.  Prior to this Mrs Cotterill had been taking the women who needed care into her own home.  We then made our way back to Booth House and then back to the ICO.

On Thursday 12th August 2010 we left the International College for Officers at 7.30am to catch the train to Blackfriars station.  We were all in uniform  and i think we gave the commuters a bit of fright with so many of us piling onto the train.  Once we were at Blackfriars we walked the short distance along the bank of the river Thames to International Headquarters.  We were a little early and so we made our way to the 101 cafe which was on the lower ground floor.

At 9.00am as a session we conducted prayers in the meeting room where a number of the delegates took part.  After prayers we met with the zonal departments for coffee before meeting together in our specific zones.  After this the session gathered and met with the Chief of the Staff and then visted the Generals office before having lunch with all the zonal departments.

 On Saturday 14th August we began our trip to Nottingham and Coventry by coach very early.  On arriving at Nottingham William Booth Memorial Halls Corps we were met by the Corps Officer and shown around the building and also had fellowship over a cup of tea and coffee.  On leaving the corps we made our way to the Nottingham William Booth Memorial Complex where we were welcomed by the officers in charge of the centre.  We were taken across the road to St Stephens Church and were shown the baptismal font and the entry in the register of Samuel and Mary Booth who took their son William Booth to be baptised.  After looking around we made our way back to the complex where we watched a video on William Booth before eating the lunch the centre had provided for us.  We said our goodbye's and made our way to Coventry.

On arriving in Coventry the coach pulled up outside Coventry Cathedral and we were struck straightaway by the ruins of the previous cathedral which had been destroyed in World War II and right next door was the more modern cathedral with the amazing window.  After looking around the modern cathedral and the ruins the rain really came down and we had to take shelter where we could until it has eased.  On reaching the coach to make our way back to London we found that an indian wedding party had taken shelter in the coach, so as they pilled out we pilled on.  It was a really great day and enjoyed by all.