BBC Broadcasts Chelmsford Service

On 17 January 2010, the BBC Radio 4 Sunday Worship service was broadcast live from Chelmsford Citadel. The service featured the International Staff Songsters (Leader Dorothy Nancekievill) and an ensemble from the Chelmsford Citadel Band (Bandmaster Dr. Simon Schultz), who accompanied the congregational songs.

The service was led by the Chelmsford corps officers, Majors Derek and Susan Jones. The message of the morning was brought by the executive officer of the Staff Songsters, Lieutenant-Colonel George Pilkington, wth the theme The Creating God.

The 40-minute program was broadcast live from 8:10 to 8:50 a.m. The average natioanl audience for the weekly service is estimated at 1.5 million persons.

This broadcast was part of an extensive weekend visit by the Staff Songsters to Chelmsford, which also included a Saturday evening festival, visits to two local homes for the elderly, and a Sunday afternoon Festival of Praise shared with the Chelmsford Citadel band and songster brigade.