Salvation Army Blue Shield Fellowship
From Sawiki
Two Thames Valley Police sergeants met for the first time in a tent at the Reading Rock Festival in 1973. They agreed it would be a good idea for Salvation Army Police Officers to meet and share fellowship under one roof. Their names were Paul Hunter and Bob Cameron.
The first meeting took place at The Salvation Army's Oxford Citadel, England, in February 1974. More than 80 police officers attended from all forces around the UK. The Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police chaired the Saturday evening festival. It was so successful that it was agreed by all in attendance, that they should meet in April each year, thus the Blue Shield was born. Within three years, meetings were taking place twice a year and a weekend 'campaign' was the norm. It was always emphasised that the Blue Shield was a Fellowship and not a visiting 'section'.
In 1978 the Blue Shield went international after promotional literature was sent out to Commanders and Police headquarters around the globe. The meeting that year was at Wood Green and was attended by the Salvation Army's General, Arnold Brown.
The Fellowship has campaigned twice in Germany and once in the Channel Islands, also in Isle of Man although that is not strictly 'international' but needed a boat or plane journey to get there!
Membership is open to both active and retired police officers and there are members in many different countries.
Campaigns
1974 Feb. - Oxford, UK
1975 April - Hull East, UK
1976 April - Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales
1977 April - Northampton, UK
1978 April - Barnsley, UK
1979 April - Wood Green, UK; 1979 October - St Ives, UK
1980 April - Hartlepool, UK; 1980 October - Nottingham New Basford, UK
1981 April - Plymouth Congress Hall, UK; 1981 October - Scarborough, UK
1982 April - West Berlin, Germany; 1982 October - Cardiff Canton, South Wales
1983 April - Blackheath, UK; 1983 October - Royston, UK
1984 April - Stockport, UK; 1984 October - Stockton, UK
1985 April - Portsmouth Citadel, UK; 1985 October - Greenock, Scotland
1986 April - Sheringham, UK; 1986 October - Cannock, UK
1987 April - Grimsby, UK; 1987 October - Winton (Bournemouth), UK
1988 April - Guernsey & Jersey, Channel Islands; 1988 October - Birkenhead, UK
1989 April - Bromley, UK; 1989 October - Southend, UK
1990 April - Aberdeen, Scotland; 1990 October - Treharris, South Wales
1991 April - Hanover, West Germany; 1991 October - Clacton, UK
1992 April - Kirkby-in-Ashfield, UK; 1992 October - Thornton Heath, UK
1993 April - Wisbech, UK; 1993 October - Warrington, UK
1994 April - York, UK; 1994 October - Leeds Central, UK
1995 April - Leicester, UK; 1995 October - Willenhall, UK
1996 April - Morriston, South Wales; 1996 October - Reading/Earley, UK
1997 April - Southampton Shirley, UK; 1997 October - Bexleyheath, UK
1998 April - Douglas, Isle of Man; 1998 October - Motherwell Citadel, Scotland
1999 April - Plymouth Congress Hall, UK; 1999 October - Milton Keynes, UK
2000 April - Stapleford, UK; 2000 October - Letchworth, UK
2001 April - Scunthorpe, UK
2005 April - Hartlepool, UK
2006 April - Shipley, UK
2007 April - Deal, UK
