WE GO BACK directly more than 23 years for this week s Days of the Old School Yard. But indirectly we go back to 1886! Our super shows how seven children travelled back in time to the birth of the Salvation Army s Goodwill Service for a centenary celebra

WE GO BACK directly more than 23 years for this week's Days of the Old School Yard. But indirectly we go back to 1886!

Our super shows how seven children travelled back in time to the birth of the Salvation Army's Goodwill Service for a centenary celebration musical called Angels in Disguise. Spotted as one of the army's best childrens' singing groups, they were given star parts in the show which was touring all over Britain and was featured on Songs of Praise.

Goodwill

The musical traced the history of Goodwill from the formation of the Cellar, Gutter and Garrett Brigade in Hackney Wick, to the present day inner city community workforce.

The seven to 12 year olds were all regular, enthusiastic visitors to the Stratford Goodwill Centre childrens' club. They had performed in Bradford and Bristol. The then head of the centre, Major Pamela Saunders, also performed in the show.

She was proud the next generation of the army was thriving and said: "They did very well to get chosen for the musical. They put in a lot of working rehearsing to get chosen for the musical."

Pictured back then, living the life of 1886 were Mandy Laley, 12 then, Michael Bundock, seven, Michelle Bullock, eight, Julie Bundock, ten, Lee Attard, seven, Leah Netley, 11, and Sharon Pooley, 12.