A TRADITION stretching back to the 19th century will be continued in Salisbury next month.

The Salisbury Salvation Army is hosting a fundraising concert on Friday (April 4) at 7.30pm at its home on Salt Lane.

The origins of this tradition can be traced back to the 19th century, when Charles Fry and his family pioneered Salvation Army Brass band music when open air musical church services were first held in Salisbury Market Square.

They attracted huge crowds and evangelists like Salvation Army Founder, William Booth, caught hold of the opportunity that the bright brass sound would engage with people and allow ordinary folk to sing along to hymns and popular songs of the day.

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A plaque in Salisbury Cathedral recognises Charles Fry as a game changer in church music innovation.

From those early pioneering days in Salisbury, the Salvation Army now has many brass bands worldwide and still use the musical groups to accompany singing in their church services.

One such group, the Solent Fellowship Band, are coming to Salisbury to present a programme of varied music to raise money for the Salisbury Trust for the Homeless and The Salvation Army homeless and addiction services.

The musicians give their time at no cost so all the proceeds from the event go to those in need.

“We really want to fill our hall and host a great night of music making”, said captain Martin Davison of Salisbury Salvation Army.

“Solent Brass are a highly regarded group in Salvation Army circles and always share an interesting and varied cross section of music.

“The funds raised will be really appreciated by Salisbury Trust for the homeless and our own Salvation Army homelessness and addictions service so please come along if you can.”

Tickets cost £5 and are available at The Salvation Army Shop which is incorporated into the Salt lane Church and Community Centre that has been the home of Salisbury Salvation Army since 1881 when the Fry family first started the Brass banding tradition.

The Salvation Army Hall has facilities for those with mobility challenges and has easy access points of entry and exit for wheelchairs.

For further information email martin.davison@salvationarmy.org.uk