Salvation Army
Both Sheila and I were born into families where our parents attended the Salvation Army at Hemel Hempstead and as a result both grew up also attending. Whilst we have not lived in Hemel Hempstead since our early twenties we have always lived close by and have continued worshiping there. In those early days I was active in the band playing trombone and in running the youth club, known as the Torchbearers in those days, Sheila was in the Songsters (Choir in church terms).
Due to having a physically disabled son these involvements had to be withdrawn from but we were still able to attend regularly on Sundays. Sheila is now involved in our Coffee Lounge which serves light refreshment for those visiting the shopping centre and also to the homeless people that exist in Hemel Hempstead.
The hall, seen in the photographs, was built in 1954 being necessary due to the town centre in which our hall at the time existed being totally demolished for a brand new shopping centre. This was because Hemel Hempstead was in the early stages of becoming one of the new towns of the time.
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Hemel Hempstead Salvation Army Hall