WHO-CARES? -Mission, Clubmoor Presbyterian Church, Liverpool. 20th - 22nd May, 1985.

This was a week long event under the leadership of their minister, Rev. Johnathan Sleigh. My involvement was providing music on the first three nights, on the Monday on my own, the following two nights with the help of guitarist Kevin Mercer. Each night we closed with a song called 'Who Cares'? written especially for the occasion. This proved popular and by the third evening people were singing along with us. However, the biggest encouragement, personally, was a lady who on the second night said she'd come along feeling low, but after hearing the new song felt lifted.

On the mission, Rev. Johnathan Sleigh comments "The event as a whole was a great success and has done a lot to draw us closer together as a church and breathe new life into us, even though we made a lesser impact on those outside than one might have hoped".

SALTS Farewell Gig: St. Mary's Church, Upton, Wirral, 13th July, 1985

The day of the 13th July 1985 is fixed in the mid of pop historians as being that of the 'LIVE-AID' concert, Whilst millions gathered to watch around the world, a few hundred gathered together in St. Mary's to share in an evening of celebration to give thanks for the gospel group 'SALT's" 8 year plus, music ministry. As with 'LIVE-AID' it was also an event which raised money for famine-stricken Ethiopia and Sudan. My own reason for being there was as an ex-member of SALT, Id been asked to contribute a few songs, which I did.

Having done so, I went out for a breath of fresh air in the interval. A little girl came up and said "Hey, You wrote that song 'Angry,' didn't you?" "Yeah" I said my ego inflating. "Oh" she said "My mum hates that song, we've got it on a tape". So much for ego! However she did add that because her mum hated it, she thought it was great.

Deflated ego's apart, it was a great evening and I felt it a privelige to be asked and able to play a small part in it. As the evening drew to a close SALT called upon all the ex-members present to join them up front to sing "Glorify Thy name!". This was very much the aim of SALT throughout their ministry, which will be missed from the North West area.

Mission 'Wales '85, Llandudno. 16th - 17th September 1985

Mission Wales was an event that took place from September to October along the North Wales coast. Musically my involvement came at the end of the mission, contributing a couple of songs to a public meeting and assisting Mrs. Lilian Cook in a visit to "John Bright" High school. The latter is an experience that will lodge in my memory, having been asked to sing in morning assembly I was unaware that I would be doing so standing on a big stage, in a large hall in front of 400+ kids without any P.A. equipment whatsoever! Being unncustomed to singing in such big places without amplification, left me feeling hoarse for a day or two. However, I think the message got through, despite my feelings of apprehension.

Mission Wales '85 was conducted my Maranatha Ministries of Cumbria. Over the five-week period they ministered to over 14,500 people, and 90 made first-time commitments to Jesus Christ. As with the Salt 'Celebration' event it was good to be involved even though in only a small way.

PRESTATYN 'Link' Youth Club.     17th November 1985

Prestatyn 'Link' is a youth group that meets on Sunday nights made up of youngsters from various churches. On the night I played there (once again accompanied by Kevin Mercer) they had spent all day rehearsing for a performance of "Joseph and His amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat" to take place the following evening. Not surprisingly some of them looked worn out. Despite their tiredness they gave us a warm recaption and an enjoyable evening was had by all.