THE people of Cambuslang said an emotional fairwell to the Salvation Army Hall in Croft Road recently. Around 200 folk from Cambuslang and Rutherglen packed the hall for a service to mark the 111 years of ministry and service in the local community. They were joined by church leaders and politicians, including Depute Provost Russell Clearie. The hall, which has served the people of Cambuslang since 1964, has been sold for housing development but those attending the service were quick to dispel any myths that the army was marching out of Cambuslang permanently. Major Ivor Telfer of the West Scotland Division told the congregation: “This is the start of a new chapter in the history of The Salvation Army’s work and witness in the town and I am confident that we will be able to continue to serve the people of Cambuslang in the future.” That optimistic view was echoed by Cambuslang’s Commanding Officer, Major May McLachlan, who afterwards went on to praise everyone she had worked with in the area over the years. She said: “It was an evening of mixed emotions. I wanted to say thanks to everyone who has supported us over the years but especially the local ministers and churches in Cambuslang. “Never in all my years as an officer have I worked with such a compassionate ecumenical working group.” She added that despite the loss of the long-established Croft Road hall: “The Salvation Army flag will continue to fly over Cambuslang.” The organisation have been forced into the move after it was revealed that a substantial amount of upgrade work was required on the building and that this was simply not economically viable. In a considerably scaled-down operation, the army will continue to operate from a room at the day care centre at the Eva Burrows Centre. The Salvation Army have also been forced into closing the residential care home at Eva Burrows as uncertainty surrounds the building. | 
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