There is a selection of activities posted on their website
(visit
link):
"WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
Sunday
Prayer Meeting 10am
Worship Service 10.30am
Sunday School 11.45am
Praise & Celebration - 1st Sunday of month 2pm
Tuesday
'Little Stars' Parent & Toddler Group 10am - 12pm
Bible Study (fortnightly) 7.30pm for 8pm start
Wednesday
ACTS Drama Club (Children aged 7-11) 5pm-6pm
Thursday
Over 60's Lunch Club 12.30pm
Over 60's fellowship 2pm
Ladies Fellowship (1st Thursday of month) 7.30pm
Friday
'Little Stars' Parent & Toddler Group 10am - 12pm"
Chalk Farm Salvation Army has a famous brass band and The
Internet Bandsmen's website (visit
link) tells us:
"The Early Years
All over the world the name Chalk Farm is chiefly
connected with its famous Salvation Army Band. This combination was formed a
year after the opening of the corps in 1882 under the leadership of Bandmaster
Worbouys. Legend has it that instruments were given to the most handsome young
men in the corps. Judge for yourself in this the earliest known photograph of
the band taken in 1887
The band's very first engagement was at Camberwell to assist Commander
Ballington Booth. The bandsmen marched the 20 miles there on the Sunday morning
and back after the night meeting. In 1889 the Band, by special request played to
the Army Mother, Catherine Booth, as she lay on her deathbed. Diligent
application to practice and performance resulted in the band being chosen as a
solo band in one of the earliest International Congresses in London in 1898. The
Chalk Farm Band has been similarly honored at numerous National and
International events since.
A significant contribution to the development of the Band was the appointment of
the very youthful (18 years old) A.W.Punchard to the position of Bandmaster in
1894 - an association which was to continue until his death in 1950. AWP was
something of an innovator as the addition to the bands instrumentation of the
saxophones and tenor cors (or winkles, as they were colloquially known) shows in
this picture. Sadly they are no longer with us.
He also introduced the concept of Salvation Army Bands touring with the first
Chalk Farm Band tour being a week-long tour of Scotland. These tours were
carried out in open-top charabangs and cars the band being dressed in white
dustcoats to protect their precious uniforms.
AWP was to hold the position of Corps Bandmaster, and latterly that of National
Bandmaster, for fifty years. For his services to British Salvation Army Banding
he was awarded the ultimate Salvation Army honour, the Order of the Founder.
In addition to the many tours undertaken in this period, the band made its first
recording in 1912 for Pathe Frere, and it's first radio broadcast in 1924.
Having briefly retired in 1938, Bandmaster Punchard took up the baton again
during the Second World War, before finally handing the band over to Frank
Rawbone in 1944.
The results of Bandmaster Rawbone's leadership of the men returning from the
war, as well as those left behind was shown in the first postwar overseas
campaign by an Army band to Sweden in 1948.
The Michael Clack Years
Michael Clack, continued this precedent of long
service, being the distinguished bandmaster for over thirty years. He first led
the band in 1963, retiring from this position in March 2001.
A rear view of Michael is probably best known from the rostrum in front of the
Chalk Farm Band and at the console of the Grand Organ of the Royal Albert and
Wesley Central Halls where he has provided the accompaniment at many of the
'Army's major events. In 1997, he was honoured with an MBE by Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II for his service to Music Education.
At a festival marking his retirement, attended by many former bandsmen, the
Territorial Commander Commissioner Alex Hughes paid tribute to his years of
service, and presented a Certificate of Recognition. Bandsman Peter Knightley
also presented a tribute, (which is published in the reports section.)
Following Bandmaster Clack's retirement in 2001, leadership of the band passed
to Deputy Bandmaster Jonathan Evans, who had previously occupied the principal
euphonium position in the band. He was replaced on the euphonium section by
Bandmaster Clack
Overseas Visits/Tours
Right from the early days the Chalk Farm Band has
always travelled extensively. You only have to take a look at the battle honours
on the Band Flag to see how many countries it has visited and revisited over the
years. Those pioneering tours include some notable firsts for a British Corps
Band which will never be equalled: a visit to Nazi Berlin in 1936, a Papal
audience in Vatican City in 1967, attendance at the first Spanish Congress in
1986 and the Georgian Jubilee in 1998 , the list goes on and on. The Chalk Farm
Bands' twenty fourth tour was to Australia and Tasmania in 1988. More recently
the Band visited Holland and Germany in 1995 and, in 1997, conducted two
separate tours to Denmark and later Switzerland.
The thirtieth tour in 1998 was to the former Russian state of Georgia, a truly
memorable occasion. With many opportunities to experience to difficulties under
which our Georgian comrades steadfastly maintain their Christian witness. From
the monotony of the housing estates where the schoolteachers had not been paid
for 6 years to the faded grandeur of the Tiblisi Opera House this was a tour of
contrasts. We were humbled by the sterling work carried out, day after day, by
the small staff of dedicated officers and their hard won soldiers.
In sharp contrast, the Band visited Osaka, Japan's second largest city in
October 2000. It took part in the Midosuji Parade through a wide thoroughfare
crowded with over a million people, and presented concerts in arenas seating
10,000. At the other end of the scale, it played on a rooftop for just 100
senior citizens and pre school children, as well as taking part in Salvation
Army services at a local corps.
In May 2003, the band, visited the Stavanger Salvation Army in Norway. This was
followed by a trip to the Finland and Estonia Territory at Easter 2005.
A London Band
Based in Central London the Band is in much demand for
high profile civic, ecumenical and media events. The Lord Mayor's Procession,
the 50th Anniversary of VJ Day Parade, Dinners & Receptions in London's Mansion
House for Her Majesty the Queen and Civic Dignitaries, the 200th Wesley
Anniversary, Interdenominational Services and Charity Concerts in St. Paul's
Cathedral, the Church of St. Martin-in-the-fields and the historic Tower of
London to name but a few.
The Band has appeared annually on the BBC TV Show "Blue Peter" throughout most
of its record 40-year run. In spite of this apparently busy secular schedule the
Band's primary function is to participate fully in the weekly religious
services, both indoor and in the open-air, around the cosmopolitan area of North
London known as Chalk Farm.
Everyone asks, "Where is Chalk Farm?" It's on the northern edge of central
London about 2 miles north of the Kings Cross and St Pancras railway stations.
To the north and east of us are the affluent areas of Hampstead Heath and
Primrose Hill, home to actors, pop stars, TV presenters, politicians, and
finance brokers. To the west and south into the City of London, is the high
density housing area of Camden, well known to tourists from around the world for
its weekend Antique and Craft Market.
The people of this cosmopolitan community come from a wide variety of cultural
backgrounds, speaking many languages, observing many religions and customs. In
this environment the Chalk Farm Corps of the Salvation Army strives to maintain
a centre of Christian witness, and a social outreach to the many and varied
needs evident in the locality.
As with all Salvation Army Bands the members give freely of their time and
service. Their motivation of each member is the same - a desire to give back to
God the talents he has provided. Deputy Bandmaster Evans, Major Williams and the
Members of the Band would be delighted if you are able to share in our ministry.
We want you to enjoy our music, to be inspired and entertained. But above all we
pray that you will take Jesus Christ into your heart. That is the message we
want you to hear when listening to the Chalk Farm Band of The Salvation Army."