DID you know the Salvation Army is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year?

Here in Bolton the organisation is 137 years old which is a fantastic achievement and it is still going strong says member Kathleen Foster.

With its religious links and determination to do good in so many different ways the Salvation Army is a familiar group for many local folk.

When you mention the words Salvation Army possibly the first thing that springs to mind is the word band because, of course, the Salvation Army does have its own band.

Then it might be the fact the members wear uniforms — again something most of us will know.

Helping the homeless, the destitute, people searching for their birth families and families in need are just some of the many ways the "Sally Army" aims to make a difference here in Bolton and beyond.

The Salvation Army is a Christian denominational church and an international charitable organisation with a military style.

There are around 1.5 million members worldwide and those involved are known as Salvationists.

It was founded by Catherine and William Booth who aimed to "bring salvation" to the poor, destitute and hungry by meeting their "physical and spiritual needs".

The Salvation Army was founded in London by William Booth who was, at one time, a Methodist circuit preacher and it was originally known as the East London Christian Mission.

Since The Salvation Army was born on the streets of the East End of London in 1865, it has gone from strength to strength.

On July 2, 1865, William Booth commenced his first open air Evangelistic campaign at the old Quaker burial ground on Mile End waste in Whitechapel, preaching in a tent. It was noted that "the breath of any reeked with the fumes of gin or beer which drove from the already heavy air within those canvas walls the last vestige of wholesomeness".

In 1869 The Christian Mission received its name with William Booth as its leader and in November 1870 the First Annual Conference was held. The Mission by now comprised 18 stations. An early indicator of William's social concern was his establishment that year of a "Food-for-the-Millions" programme which provided cheap meals for the poor.

There are two Bolton branches — The Bolton Citadel is in St Georges Road and Bolton South in Aldred Street.

Local churches are called corps and offer a range of services and events for local people.

Gilead House — the Salvation Army Hostel which recently re-opened by the Salvation Army Housing Association after a massive rebuilding project and is now named Muamba House after former Bolton Wanderers' player Fabrice Muamba — is probably the Bolton Salvation Army's best known project.

It is specifically for single homeless people and features support services to help them move on to more permanent accommodation.

It has 36 bedrooms and provides a modern and comfortable home for homeless people who are in need of support at a difficult time in their lives.

It is all a far cry from the early days of the Salvation Army one a future those involved in the early days could only have dreamed of.

When The Salvation Army’s founder William Booth was told by his son about all the homeless people sleeping on the banks of the Thames, his response was simple: "Go and do something.’"

That was in the middle of the nineteenth century. But today The Salvation Army’s philosophy is exactly the same.

Ahead of their time, the Booths took an innovative approach by demonstrating their faith by offering practical support to people in need out on the streets of London and beyond. As social justice reformers, a large part of their focus was on caring for people in a practical way, and to reaching out to "the poor and destitute".

The Booths abandoned the conventional concept of a church and a pulpit, instead taking their message to the people. Their passion led to disagreement with church leaders in London, who preferred traditional methods. As a result, they withdrew from the church and travelled throughout England, conducting evangelistic meetings. Catherine and William walked the streets of London to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the poor, the homeless, the hungry, and the destitute.

William and Catherine Booth had eight children. Each became involved in Army work. Like all families, there was conflict as well as harmony. Although two of the children were to become General, yet three of the children decided they would not continue in the movement.

The Salvation Army has always been well supported in Bolton, explains 62-year-old Kathleen, who has enjoyed a 30-year association with the Bolton corps, and because of this there is to be an event in November to say thank you to the people of the town.

It will be held at the the St Georges Road centre — home to the oldest corps in Bolton —although exact details have yet to be revealed.

Kathleen hopes people who have been associated with the Salvation Army, or know someone who is or has been involved, might have photographs they can loan to the corps ready for the special commemorative event.

The Salvation Army does work with the needy both in this country and abroad.

They have, for many years, served the people of Bolton and this, says Kathleen, is an opportunity for the citadel to say a big thank you.

"We are very grateful to the people of Bolton who have supported us so well and this event will be a way of saying thank you to them," she says.

Anyone who has photographs that the Salvation Army may be able to use at their celebration is asked to contact Kathleen on 01204 591685.

Do you have memories or stories to tell of the Bolton Salvation Army or any other local Corps?

If so do get in touch with Gayle McBain on 01204 537269 or email gayle.mcbain@nqnw.co.uk