Record-breaking captains move on

Salvation Army captains Anthony and Jill Colclough are bidding a fond farewell after what’s believed to be a record 11 years of service.

Most Salvation Army ministers serve around five years before being moved to a new area but the couple have been settled in Oldham and have enjoyed every minute.

They will be going to Castleford in West Yorkshire with a farewell service to be held at their Roundthorn Road church on Sunday, June 28 at 10.30am.

Mr Colclough said: “If anyone wants to come to say goodbye we would be more than happy. Every so often the ministers move around and we have been given a new appointment. Five to six years is normal but 11 years is probably a record. I’d imagine we’re the longest serving officers in Oldham.

“We have been very happy and we have seen a lot of changes in the church. A lot of good things have happened and our children have been settled at local schools but it’s now time to move on. It’s a big wrench to leave but we are excited about the future as well.

“We will miss Oldham greatly and will miss lots of people and everyone in the church and the friendliness of the town.

“We have been very well accepted by people and we have had a great time.”

The couple, who live in Clarksfield, are originally from Worcestershire and previously served in Burnley.

Daughter Laura (21) is going to Nottingham University to study youth ministry while son Andrew (16) has just finished Year 11 at Mossley Hollins High School and will be doing business studies and drama at a sixth form college in Pontefract.

Mr Colclough has been a season ticket holder at Oldham Athletic for a number of years and hopes to pop back to Oldham to cheer on the Latics.

Taking over at Roundthorn will be lieutenants Ian and Wendy Hall, from the Salvation Army Bible College in London, whose welcome service takes place on August 9.