Majors Howard and Judy Webber will be leading the Sunday Service at the John Street centre on July 27 at 10.30am and also taking part in a programme on Saturday July 26 at 6pm, which starts with a tea at 5pm.

Everyone is welcome to both events, although if you want to take part in the free tea please call 01673 842859 or a leave a message at the shop.

Major Howard Webber became well known during his time in Market Rasen in the mid 1990s, where as Captain Webber, he played a vital role in re-establishing the Salvation Army in the town. Just two years after he had moved to another appointment the new building in John Street was opened.

Howard became well known through selling the Salvation Army papers The War Cry and Young Soldier and through his contact with schools. During his stay, he spoke at about 30 schools throughout the area on his work and that of the wider Salvation Army.

He was keenly interested in Salvation Army history in the area and, through his research, established that William Booth, its founder, first visited the town on December 9, 1882 and vast crowds gathered in the pouring rain to listen to him. He made a further visit in 1905.

History also tells us that Captain Norris, the Commanding Officer at Market Rasen, spent 14 days in Lincoln prison for holding open air services in the street. He was given a tumultuous welcome back when returned to the town clutching the piece of dry bread he had been given that morning for breakfast.