Recent News 2010

Thursday 11th March 2010

Today saw us reach the fantastic figure of 160,000 visitors. We thank all who show great interest in Govan citadel Songsters.

Monday 8th March 2010

We were delighted to welcome two of our young people to the rehearsal, Eve Young & Andrew Butters. Eve is to be enrolled a Senior Soldier in May, and Andrew at the end of March. We pray God's blessing on both as they take this step in their Christian lives.

Sunday 7th March 2010

Our guests were again featured in our Holiness Meeting led by Major Derek Tyrrell, Victoria singing a new arrangement of Psalm 23

with David giving a sensitive rendition of Andrew Blyth's 'Compelled by Love'.

Our afternoon meeting having the theme 'Duets' brought us various combinations and styles of duetists, sisters Rebecca & Lauren Hay

played the piano duet 'Punch & Judy', brothers Robert & Andrew Butters played the cornet duet 'Pie Jesu', mum & daughter Moira & Emma Wilson sang 'Pools & Oceans'' and two of our primary Callum & Bethan presented an item. The songters kept with the theme by presenting two songs, 'Because of who you are' featuring Moira Wilson & Matt Ramsay and the ever popular, 'Count your Blessings' whch featured on piano Brian Allan & Luke Williams. To conclude the afternoon two of our young people, Louise Gibb & David Wilson presented a thought provoking drama item. Again out YP Band & Singing Company excelled in their items, 'Two by Two' from the Singing Company and 'My God is so Big' & 'Great Big God' from the YP Band.

Saturday 6th March 2010

Tonight saw us share in our annual YP Spring Festival - organsied by our YP Band leader Fraser Ramsay & Singing Company Leader Clare Williams we shared in an evening of celebration and musical excellence. Our special guests this year were Vocalist Songster Victoria Ramsay (Winton) & Euphonium soloist David Taylor - Birmingham Citadel.

Victoria sang 'On my own' from Les Miserables and Darren Bartlett's arrangement of ''His eye is on the sparrow' both solos being accompanied on piano by our own Gregor Keachie. David gave excellent performances of the solos 'The song of the brother', 'Shepherd song' which is based around Commissioner Keith Banks ' Contentment' and the demanding 'The Better World'. All three solos David was ably accompanied by Govan Band under the leadership of D/B/M William McMeeking.

David then demonstrated his techniquie in the solo,'Ducati SPS 916'

Govan YP Band & Singing Company excelled in their items 'O worship the king', Sandon & 'Powerful & Free' by the band and 'The Part He wrote for me', 'Good News' & Now the day is over' by the Singing Company.

Fittingly the programme was excellently compered by Allan Ramsay, former bandmaster of Govan Citadel Band, who commenced his musical training as a YP Band & Singing Company Member at Govan.

Sunday 28th February 2010

This weekend saw us share in our Missionary w/e, last night we shared in a missionary supper, followed by a talk from Commissioner Keith banks re the time he spent with Pauline in Paupa New Guinea. This was followed by a dispaly from our recently formed junior timbrels before our special guests for the w/e Captains Daniel & Anya Henderson from Estonia shared a presentation with us.

Today we continued with this theme as we shared in our Self Denial Altar service. The Captains leading us in our minstry the songsters sang 'Take my Life' in the Holiness meeting and 'We have a mission' in the afternoon.

We were delighted to 'officialy' welcome new transfers Majors Doug & Eileen Shankster who also took their place in the songsters.

Friday 26th February 2010

New 'History Images' page added to website. Please enjoy going down memory lane with the images added, plus more photos added to 'CD Images' section also.

Thursday 25th February 2010

Please find photograph galleries updated with new and old photos added. Our Canada section and repertoire has also had a re-vamp.

Sunday21st February 2010

An excellent day at the Army - a thought provoking,challenging, Holiness meeting led by Major Helen saw someone kneel before God in rededication. The songsters contributing 'Somebody prayed for me'

The evening meeting taking the form of an Old Tyme meeting saw many of the Corps dress in uniforms from the Army's beginnings.

Our guest leader and preacher Reverend Elijah Tyrrell leading us in ministry in fine fashion - in choruses such as 'The devil and me we cant agree' & 'Bless His name He set me free' being sung with great ghusto by the large congregation.

The songsters kept in the theme of the meeting by presenting Lt Colonel Steadman Allen's song 'The Christian Mission'.

Monday 15th February 2010

Our rehearsals continued with a look at some new music, Len Ballantine's arrangement of the beautiful song 'In the Garden', with some

work on John Rutter's 'Distant Land'. With regular accompanist Brian Allan unable to be with us we were delighted to welcome D/S/Ldr Stuart Hutchinson from Clydebank. A big thank you to Stuart for not only his playing but sharing with us in fellowship.

Sunday 14th February 2010

Today saw the conclusion of what has been a very suucessful Army week in our town, all week we have had an SA spot in the town shopping centre with many of the community stopping to chat and share lifes difficulties. Our special guests Majors Melvyn & Betty Ackroyd brought the week to a conclusion with a powerful Holiness meeting, where we witnessed someone kneel in rededication.

The meeting was all about 'hands' with the focus being God's hand upon our lives and all that we do, the songsters contributing the fitting 'He leadeth me' from the pen of James Curnow.

The afternoon meeting saw the Majors enlighten us with a background of their ministry as chaplains at Heathrow airport, a daunting but fulfilling appointment for them both.

We are saddened to learn of the Promotion to Glory of Lt Colonel Ray Bowes, thought and prayers of Govan Corps are with his family.

Saturday 13th February 2010

The commencement of our festval at Clydebank was delayed to allow additional seats to be added to accomodate the capacity congregation. The songsters in fine form opened with 'God of my Praise' before Songster Audrey Ramsay sang 'Somebody's prayin', the brigade then confirming their purpose in singing 'We Preach Christ'.

We were delighted to have the support of Clydebank Band and songsters, with the songsters joining us in singing 'From the first halleujah' conducted by S/Ldr Bette Mcfarlne and then later the classic Eric Ball song 'In the secret of Thy Presence'.

Soloists included Moira Wilson (Vocal), Fraser Ramsay (Horn) & Matt Ramsay (Vocal) with the timbrels presenting 'Let there be Praise'

Executive Officer Commissioner Keith Banks spoke of God's greatest love for us, giving his one and only son who showed his love with

his 'Arms open Wide'.The evening concluded with Lt Colonel Steadman Allen's 'The Christian Mission' and benediction in song,Barrie Gott's 'My life must be Christ's broken bread'.

Monday 8th February 2010

In our final rehearsal before our visit to Clydebank on Saturday we were delighted to welcome former CO & present Clydebank CO

Major Chris Connelly, to lead us in our devotions in preperation for our visit. Throughout the evening God's presence was evident no more so than during the song 'Arms open Wide'. Prior to his talk Major Connelly commented that "we had not been in a rehearsal but

in a time of worship". Major Connelly picked up on the number of songs featured that spoke of the Cross, and challenged the songsters that as we share with the folks at Clydebank, we ourselves focus our eyes towards the Cross, and that 'We Preach Christ' to those we share our ministry with.

Sunday 7th February 2010

This morning saw us launch the annual Self Denial, focusing on the country of Bangladesh. In the meeting we shared in a time of rememberance for Rtd Songster and Over Sixty Secretary Mary Macfarlane, the songsters contributing Albert Osborne / Eric Ball's

classic 'In the secret of Thy presence'. Songster Soloist Matt Ramsay sang one of his Aunt Mary's favourites, 'In the Garden' creating a beautiful atmosphere to the meeting. We witnessed the commissionong of two young bandsme David Wilson & Robert Butters.

The evening meeting was set around the International Army, the songsters singing the Bill Hastings / Andrew Blyth song

 'Rock Eternal'.

Sunday 31st January 2010

With today being "education" Sunday in the Army calander our Holiness meeting featured those of our Corps family involved in teaching. We shared in a time of thanksgiving for Retired Songster Francis Nobbs and Songster Leader Chic Ramsay was privileged

to accept a new conductors stand presented and dedicated in memory of Songster Cathie Jenkins. The Songsters contributing General John Larssons 'I'll not turn back'.

The evening meeting was arranged by the Band and Songsters, led by D/B/M William McMeeking and S/Ldr Chic Ramsay, this gave both sections the opportunity to share music such as the Cornet Solo 'Glory to His Name' featuring Alex Ramsay and Gems from Beethoven, with Songster soloist Matt Ramsay featuring 'Wind beneath my Wings' and the Brigade, 'From the first hallelujah', 'This Day' & following Lt Colonel Robert McIntyre's inspiring thought from God's word, 'My Life must be Christ's broken bread'

Saturday 23rd January 2o10

This morning saw the funeral of retired Songster and Over 60's Secretary Mary MacFarlane. The Songsters contributed with 'In The Secret of Thy Presence', a song Mary sung many times whilst she was in the brigade. We continue to pray and support the family at this time.

Sunday 17th January 2010

Today saw the Dedication of Kerr Andrew McNeil. conducted by Colonels David & Grace Napier. The songsters opened the service with the appropriate Katy Richardson arrangement 'Take my Life'. In the evening we were delighted to join with two other churches from the community at Linthouse St Kenneths Church, the songsters contributing once again 'Take my life' and the Mosie Lister song, 'I've been changed'

Wednesday 13th January 2010

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the Promotion to Glory of retired Songster and Over 60's Secretary Mary Macfarlane. We remember Alistair, George and the rest of the family in our prayers at this time.

Tuesday 12th January 2010

It is with great sadness we announce that Former Songster Francis Nobbs was Promoted to Glory last night.

Monday 11th January 2010

Tonight was the first Songsters Practice of the New Year. The Songsters looked at new songs that will be added to the repertoire for this year, including John Martin's 'Obedience'. Other songs included 'He Leadeth Me', 'Jesus Answers Prayer' and 'To God be The Glory'. Time was spent in the rehearsal in prayer for those in our Corps who require our prayers at this time, including former Songsters Mary MacFarlane and Francis Nobbs as well as Songsters Ronald Baxter and Willie Wilson who are still on the road to recovery. We also prayed for young Anna Kaiser who undergoes major surgery tomorrow. On a brighter note is was nice to welcome Lt. Colonel Isobel McIntyre into the practice as she takes her place in the Brigade.

Friday 1st January 2010

We wish you all a Happy God-filled New Year.