A New Chapter for Hastings Salvation Army Citadel

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The Salvation Army is inviting people in Hastings to a celebration later this month to mark the reopening of one of its churches in the town after a year-long closure.

The event will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2pm on 31 October, officially marking a new chapter for the historic Salvation Army Citadel in St Andrews Square.

The chair of the St Andrews Square community group will cut the ribbon, while Tunbridge Wells Salvation Army Band and Songsters will help provide the music for the celebrations.

Following the ceremony, the Citadel will throw open its doors to the community, giving people the opportunity to look around, meet The Salvation Army team and enjoy tea, coffee and cake.

A celebration worship meeting will then take place at 4pm.

The weekend will have added significance as it coincides with the 156th anniversary of The Salvation Army's work in the area.

Hastings Salvation Army leader Major Mandy Sands said: "We're really looking forward to welcoming people through the doors and celebrating together.

"The local community is pleased that we are open again, but word is still spreading that we're back. This is a chance for people to come in, have a look around and see for themselves what is happening here.

"We want people who have known The Salvation Army in Hastings for many years to feel welcome, but we also want to welcome people who may never have been through our doors before."

The Citadel was closed for around 12 months while essential work was carried out to the building, including a new roof, solar panels and new fire doors.

During that time, the Citadel's Sunday congregation joined The Salvation Army's Temple in Old London Road, while volunteers and church members continued to keep in touch through regular get-togethers.

Since taking up her appointment in Hastings in May, Mandy has been looking at how the Citadel and Temple can work together to provide support across the town throughout the week.

She said: "It would have been easy just to slip back into what was there before, but it's been good to reassess things, look at the possibilities and find different ways of working so that our two centres work together.

"A lot can change in a community in a year, so as well as welcoming back people who have been here before, we want to welcome new people too."

Plans at the Citadel include restarting its lunch club once the kitchen is fully operational and developing a Friday soup club, where the longer-term ambition is for people to learn how to make simple meals themselves, using cheap ingredients.

Mandy added: "We want to provide very practical support. If somebody comes in hungry while the community café is open, there will be something available for them to eat.

"It's about making sure we are here for the community and responding to what people need."

The reopening celebration takes place at The Salvation Army Citadel in Hastings on Saturday 31 October from 2pm, with the celebration meeting beginning at 4pm.