I was born on 27 October 1934 into a good Christian home, of Salvation Army parents, and have three sisters. Edna. Marian and Gladys.
Family Background. My father was brought up of hard working parents, his father worked down the coalmines. Unfortunately my grandfather was one of the many of that day, having received his wages on Friday went out to spend it in the local public houses, and it is said, that once he became drunk, he would fight anybody, even though his drinking place was near Morley Town Hall. Morley. Near Leeds the place where the family were brought up. My dad said they were a drunken, gambling, foul-mouthed lot!
Father and the Firebrands. When dad was aged 18 the Salvation Army 'Firebrands' came to Morley. They were young people who wanted to become Officers, and part of their training involved visiting town after town preaching and singing the Gospel. This particular Saturday night the Firebrands were holding forth in an open-air meeting, their ministry arrested my father. He followed them back to the Morley Salvation Army Hall, heard more of the love of Jesus, and how He could change lives. That night he surrendered his life to God. He, himself, became a Firebrand for Jesus.
From Penitent Form to Playing the Cornet. The Salvation Army is well known for its bands and songsters, and I wanted to play in the band. At the age of 7 I went to the penitent form, and this was the means of me been able to play in the junior band, when I reached the age of 8. I went on and became a respectful cornet player. At the age of 13 I was asked and invited to play with other bands outside the Salvation Army circle to which I yielded, although the Army did, not allow this behaviour. Various opportunities came my way. At school I was gifted at sport and athletics, at football and boxing, representing my School in all these events. My father did not feel happy about these activities, because he could see pitfalls in the way. When I was about 14 years of age, my father felt led to leave the Salvation Army for some reason known to him and the Lord. He started the Evangelical Church in Morley, and later at the Gildersome crossroads. We all, as a family went with him.
Friends, Faith, Footsteps of Jesus. Two years later my sisters and I became very friendly with the young people at the Foursquare Elim Church in Leeds. I found these young people full of the love of God. They really inspired me. The Elim Church taught and practised full immersion in water, as in following the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was announced a Baptismal service was to take place. I decided then, that I wanted to follow Jesus all the way.
Rainbow of Promise. From that day I have never denied our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes there have been very difficult times. Situations one does not understand, times when you have depended on Him, and still events go wrong. Thirty-six years ago we came to live in Burton Agnes Nr Bridlington on the East coast. To start a pig rearing enterprise, things went wrong. We fought back. Only to be knocked back again with various diseases which restricted movement of animals. To be knocked back yet again with the collapse of pig prices. One Friday afternoon, after having had enough of pigs, God sent a Rainbow across the sky. A Rainbow of promise. Perhaps I had not been listening to Him properly. Just wanted to do what was right in my own eyes. I took the Promise from Him. I now serve the Lord once again in the Salvation Army in Bridlington. Doing my service wherever I can, saying Lord my times are in your hands.
Acres of Arable Land. Following the collapsed pig enterprise, we started a Horticultural Plant and Flower Business. Standing market stalls, and supplying many shops etc. Today, I fully rejoice in Him, saying with the hymn writer. Now none but Christ can satisfy, No other Name for me. There's life and joy, and lasting peace, Lord Jesus found in Thee. We live, not in Burton Agnes village itself but literally in the middle of thousands of acres of arable farmland. Shirley my wife and I thought it better to serve the Lord and let our light shine for God in the village so along with our four young children, ran the Sunday School at the Methodist Church, doing whatever we could until its sad closure.
Chance Meeting and Renewed Contacts. When helping at a Summer Praise Meeting at Reighton Village Hall I was brought into contact with Frank Rowley's mother and sister who were on holiday at the time at Reighton Sands. What a delight it was for that meeting put Shirley and I back into contact with Frank and Dorothy his wife who were our best friends whilst in Leeds. Our friendship renewed, we have all worked together for the Lord in various ways since that chance meeting.
One Shepherd and One Fold. The Fold Fellowship was started in an unused cowshed on the farm. (The story behind this venture is remarkable and will be told in detail in a further article). It was held monthly on Friday night with 80 to100 young people coming from various churches and fellowships around they came with their Pastors and Ministers too. What a time of blessing that was, Gospel ministry, Great singing, Testimonies. Dramas, Bible teaching. Shirley's famous cooking and home soups etc. This all came about through our meeting with Frank and Dorothy. Surely the Lord was in this place. The Fold Fellowship. Even today I come across people who came to the Fold Fellowship, saying it was the means and inspiration of their going forward with the Lord in service for Him. Also in our time in Burton Agnes my work and witness to the Gypsies have blessed me. What a thrill it gave me on one occasion to be greeted by them running down the
Gypsy campsite shouting 'Here comes the Preacher Man'. I would visit the Christian campsite and sing with them. 'Sing them over again to me, Wonderful Words of Life'
My desire and determination is to continue to be a Preacher man and to sing the Wonderful Words of Life. For there is only One Shepherd and One Fold.