6 days Ago By Lucy Johnston
With countless pans piled precariously on bubbling stoves, dishes scrubbed in baby baths and exhausted volunteers lugging pots from room to room, it’s just as well health and safety wasn’t an issue in 1974. The makeshift nature of the first Salvation Army Christmas dinner thrown by Margaret Ross and her friends saw organisers donate their own children’s birthday cakes to those in need and a double decker bus hastily acquisitioned to ferry guests home. The chaos might have been enough to put anyone off.
But for Margaret, now 79, it was a triumph, and the start of a tradition that has flourished for more than half a century. This year will mark its 50th anniversary in Aberdeen with around 100 guests, who would otherwise be spending Christmas alone, treated to the family atmosphere of a proper celebration. It is just one of many initiatives organised by The Salvation Army, which has teamed up with the Sunday Express in its Warm Hearts campaign this year to urge us all to step up and make it a season truly full of comfort and joy.
Now a mainstay of Christmas in the Granite City, the event runs like a ‘well-oiled machine’. It is still held in the same location - Aberdeen Salvation Army Citadel on Castle Street in the heart of the city – although the building too has been refurbished since the inaugural event. A Salvation Army Major is now on hand to oversee the catering and transport to and from the venue is thrown in as a matter of course.
But it is only thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteers Margaret, Dorothy Young and Jean Middleton that it has grown from its humble beginnings to a joyous afternoon of food, carols and gifts. Recalling its start, Margaret, who has supported the charity since childhood, said they had discussed the logistics with church leaders. This led to a scrabbling together of whatever help was on hand, resulting in an impromptu but successful Christmas celebration.
Margaret, Dorothy and Jean, both 82, were all members of the Salvation Army when they first came up with the idea. Margaret recalled: “We used whatever resources we could muster. It was very much a make-do situation.
“Our building in those days had an old kitchen with old facilities. We hired gas cookers on top of our own cookers. “Everything was made in huge pots and carried from one room to another.
I don’t think health and safety would have been too happy with us! “But at the first meal we had nearly 100 people. It was good fun and lots of the volunteers’ little ones, including our own children, were encouraged to entertain and sing. “Dorothy's daughter’s birthday is actually on Christmas Day and my own daughter's birthday is two days earlier, so that first year we ended up using their birthday cakes to supplement the Christmas meal.
“The men were washing dishes in baby baths at the end. Afterwards we got a double-decker bus to take everyone home.” The first community dinner may have had its problems but it convinced the women that giving a little of their time - even on one of the most precious days of the year - made an enormous difference to those with nothing.
Despite now having 10 children, 29 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren between them, the trio have scarcely missed an event in half a century. And Margaret says the hard work, which encapsulates The Salvation Army’s message of “community and compassion”, is worth all the sacrifice - even if it means arriving late for her own family’s Christmas dinner. She said: "My son was 13 months when we had the first one and he’s 51 now.
I have been there for most of those years. “Some people ask me why I give up my Christmas Day each year. “This is my tradition.
I go to my daughter's afterwards and usually only miss the first course so it is not a big deal. That is how it has always been.” The difficulties of the early years have now been ironed out and the 50th anniversary of the event promises to be particularly special for all involved.
Margaret, Dorothy and Jean have again helped pull it all together, and guests will be treated to a three course meal including turkey with trimmings. The day will see carol singing, socialising and gifts handed out. Guests are treated to a soup for starter, turkey with all the trimmings for main course, a selection of desserts including traditional Christmas pudding.
The day also includes carol singing, entertainment and socialising, before each guest leaves with a small gift. Margaret explained: “We help people from every walk of life. The only qualification is if you would otherwise be on your own.
By the nature of who lives alone, we have some older folk. But we also have people with learning disabilities who may not have support workers on Christmas Day. We also have folk who might come into our drop-in at the citadel.
“We sing some carols and a few Christmas songs then have lunch at 12.30pm, spend some time together and enjoy some entertainment. People go away with a wee gift.
“St Fittick's Rotary Club for many years has provided transport for people before we start in the mornings and then our own congregation, including Jean’s husband Brian, take people home nowadays.” Close to 100 guests are expected for the event, and anyone in the area facing Christmas alone is invited to get in touch with the Salvation Army to arrange an invitation. Those living elsewhere can check in advance with their local Salvation Army church to see what Christmas Day plans are in place in their efforts.
The Salvation Army’s Lieutenant Colonel Nick Coke praised the trio's efforts, saying: “The selfless work of Margaret, Dorothy and Jean really demonstrates what The Salvation Army is all about. They have given up so much over half a century and improved the lives of thousands of people. “It shows that a little thought can make an enormous difference.
” * To help our campaign by donating to The Salvation Army please call 0800 389 8282 or www.salvationarmy.org.
uk/sundayexpress We all know that dogs are for life - but the Salvation Army is determined not to forget beloved pets this Christmas. The charity has teamed up with the Together Through Homelessness tea at Dogs Trust and will be handing out festive hampers packs with treats, toys, collars, leads and dog coats. The gifts will be given out at 25 Salvation Army Lifehouses.
These provide vital support to the homeless and also help care for their dogs, who provide much needed companionship to those with nothing. Although not all Salvation Army Lifehouses can accommodate pets, they strive to do so wherever possible. Swan Lodge in Sunderland has been given shelter to the homeless and their four legged friends for more than 12 years.
It is one of the Lifehouses where the gifts will be handed out. Salvation Army hero She may be terrible at carols, but the many once-homeless youngsters Rachel Baker has helped get back on their feet can’t sing her praises enough. The Salvation Army Lieutenant works at the charity’s Young People’s Service in Southwark, south London, which provides support and accommodation to those with nowhere else to turn.
Rachel, a trainee service manager, said the most rewarding part of her job was seeing former residents flourish after the charity helped them get their lives back on track. She said: “I’m so proud of the young people that leave here and go on to thrive, and I’m so happy when anything goes well. “Seeing people move out into their own properties and getting their keys is amazing, or when they get good results in their exams, or the referral for medical or mental health treatment.
“We had a former resident go off to the University of Oxford last year and others have gone on to get really good jobs. “Last year, some of our former residents came back to visit at Christmas. They’d all really succeeded since leaving - had their own places, had some quite nice cars, and they came with Christmas presents and chocolates for the current residents.
That was absolutely beautiful.” Gearing up for the festive season makes it a busy time but Rachel aims to make “the perfect Christmas film we have in our heads” a reality for those with the least. She said: “We do a lot of activities over Christmas.
Last year we had a Christmas Karaoke, and a Christmas meal where the residents brought or cooked meals from their cultures. “We’re working with the local school to help out with their Christmas concert this year, and we’re also going to go carol singing outside our building. We’re hoping to get some Salvation Army musicians this year to come and back up my terrible singing!” How to help this Christmas We can all do our bit to help out this Christmas and we are urging our readers to join our campaign with The Salvation Army to ensure everyone can share in the festive spirit.
The charity has identified four simple ways you can make sure this Christmas is special for everyone. 1. Don’t turn a blind eye - call Streetlink if you fear someone is sleeping rough.
Most local authorities have emergency measures in place to help accommodate those sleeping on the streets. If you are concerned for the welfare of someone in your area you can either contact the council or call the outreach team at Streetlink who will be able to intervene. Contact them on 0300 500 0914 or www.
thestreetlink.org.uk.
2. Donate essentials Warm clothing, blankets, toiletries and non-perishable foods provide vital support for the needy, particularly during winter. These can be donated to your local Salvation Army Centre and will help give comfort and dignity during the harshest months of the year.
3. Volunteer your time Consider joining The Salvation Army’s team of volunteers who help run shelters, serve meals and organise community events. “Your time and compassion can provide not just physical help but emotional warmth and encouragement to individuals in need,” the charity says.
“Even a few hours can make a lasting impact.” 4. Fundraise to support charities and their essential work Hosting a local fundraiser or organising a collection drive for essentials can make a real difference to charities such as The Salvation Army.
Think of encouraging schools, workplaces or places of worship to help in collecting donations or hosting charity events such as bake sales. “These hands-approaches allow you to directly contribute to improving the lives of others, spreading kindness and hope this Christmas,” says the Salvation Army. You can visit www.
salvationarmy.org.uk/sundayexpress should you want to contribute to its cause.
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