Since the Salvation Army commenced operations in Ukraine in 1994, Salvationists from Winton, Boscombe, Poole and other Corps have been involved in helping support the ongoing work there in numerous ways. Orphanages, TB Sanatoriums, elderly people’s homes and Salvation Army premises have been renovated, children’s holiday clubs have been organised in orphanages and a Roma Gypsy settlement, and much needed clothing and food has been supplied and distributed.

In order to financially support these projects various fundraising events have taken place over the years, the latest being a festival at Boscombe given by the Corps band (Howard Evans) and Winton Songsters (David Ramsay) with guest cornet soloist Alex Ramsay from Bellshill Corps, under the evocative title ‘Vision of Hope’.

To commemorate the first music camp held in the country the band played the march Camp Victory  (Norman Bearcroft) which followed their opening number, Robert Redhead’s Fanfare of Praise and the Songsters rendition of Sovereign Over Us.  Major Paul Johnson (CO Winton) offered prayer and introduced Major Elwyn Harries (DC Ireland Division) who was to conduct Harvest Celebrations at Winton Corps the following day.  The Major later gave a Bible message and compered part of the programme, which included the clear sound of Alex Ramsay in his cornet solos, Clear Skies and the more reflective Don’t Doubt Him Now.   Other songster items included Your Grace Still Amazes Me and Rhythm of Life’ while the band played the appropriate Little Russian - Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 2.  In contrast to this lively music the congregation received in silence the songsters contribution of Bow The Knee’ before the band gave a fine performance of Illuminate (Andrew Wainwright) and the songsters brought this excellent evening of good music for a deserved cause to a conclusion with The Prayer.

The evening’s music was interspersed by spoken references to the difficulties encountered in the early days of the Army’s work in the Ukraine, how this had progressed over the years and the need for financial support for its future maintenance.  The resultant appeal produced almost £1000. 

contributed by Lieut-Colonel Ramsay Caffull