Exeter Temple

Sunday morning worship 9.40am Prayer meeting in the main worship hall. You are welcome to join at any time.

Our meetings will usually be led by Majors Carl and Elizabeth followed by Coffee Fellowship in the Coffee Lounge at the rear of the Worship hall. 

In 2026 we will be looking at The Bigger Picture - a 40 week preaching series.  

Community meals served from 1pm from our community hall in Lucky Lane

This Easter we took part in various types of worship. Starting with Maundy Thursday when we enjoyed a Passover type meal with lamb and pitta bread as we spent time reflecting on the events leading up to the Crucifixion.

Good Friday the band provided music at the Cathedra .in an ecumenical service.Later that evening we spent time in reflective worship with music provided by the Band and Songsters.

Easter Day we celebrated that "Jesus is Alive" in our morning service and this was followed by an Open Air meeting on the Quay 12.30pm.

Welcome bags and Activity sheets were given to the children alongside Kids Alive magazines, and War Crys for the adults.

Majors Carl and Elizabeth Di Palma  moved  to Exeter in 2025  and were fully welcomed into the Corps in July.

 Some of their work will require them to work at DHQ as part of their leadership.

Major Elizabeth has received an additional appointment as the Divisional Candidates officer,

Please keep them in your prayers, as they undertake their ministry in Exeter.

Leadership team

Corps Sergeant Major - Major David Coates

Corps Treasurer - Philip Jones

Bandmaster - Peter Woolway

Songster Leader - Peter Woolway

Recruiting Sergeant - Major Margaret Bovey

Communications/Singing by Heart Leader - Jane Williams

The Corps Council comprises the above plus:

Major Alan Read - Employment + Local and Connect

Mrs Carol Hawker - Girl Guiding

Mrs Gilly Taylor - Corps Representative

Mrs Lyn Hancock - Employment Local +, Group Chat, Moving Forward Group

Major Sue Camp-Richards - Connect and Community meals

Our Corps council met on Wednesday 4th March 2026 and the minutes can be found in the foyer.

In February 2026 our Songsters section restarted after a break. This is now an Open section which means that those participating are supporting worship within the Corps and in the future at other venues and events. A number of people have expressed a desire to worship in this way and we have welcomed a good number to rehearsals and they have now been singing with us since February.

As Bandmaster, and responsible for Music within the Corps, Peter Woolway is currently leading the Songsters alongside his Bandmaster duties with the Band. 

There is no formal uniform requirement at this time but we do ask that those who join us make as regular a commitment as work and family needs allow.

Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings at 7pm - 8pm in our Worship hall.

Band rehearsals follow Songster practice from 8.15pm - 9.30pm. Major Lawrie Brown is the Band Sergeant and can give those interested more details.

Thank you to Claire Bliss who has recorded the Songsters singing and the band playing that are included on Facebook page. She has also taken photos in some of our meetings.

All services will commence at 12.30pm. We welcome people to come along and hand out SA Literature and Activity bags to the children.

The dates for the Salvation Army to present Music on the Quay have now been finalised for 2026.

Please note that these dates are always "weather permitting"  and if we have to reschedule we try to give as much notice as possible.

Apart from the December date they all commence at 12.30pm.

This is a Corps event and we welcome any of you who are within our fellowship to come and share with the band.

Sunday 10th May

Sunday 14th June

Sunday 13th September

Sunday 11th October

Sunday 15th November

Sunday 13th December - Carols on the Quay - 1pm

Mondays - Parent and Toddler Group - 10.00 - 12pm in Community hall in term time 

                  Leader: Carol Hawker

Tuesdays - Employment + Local 2.30pm in Main Hall  

                 Leader: Major Alan Read

                 Band Rehearsal 8.15 - 9.30pm - in the Worship hall

                  Leader: Peter Woolway

                  Songster Practice 7.00 - 8.00pm in Main hall

                  Leader: Peter Woolway

Wednesdays - Parent and Toddler Group - 10.00 - 12pm in Community hall in term time                                                           

Leader: Carol Hawker - carol.hawker@salvationarmy.org.uk

Fridays - Connect - Activity group for adults of all ages 10.00 - 12.00pm.       Leaders: Majors Alan and Carolyn Read, Major Sue Camp-Richards and DE Malc Camp-Richards. 

Singing by Heart - The first Friday of the month during  Connect and before the lunchtime meal.  An opportunity to sing, have fun and a encourage a feeling of well being. Open to anyone who enjoys singing. 

       Leader: Communications Secretary Jane Williams 

jane.williams@salvationarmy.org.uk 

Friday evenings - Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers - register at www.girlguiding.org.uk                                                                                                Leader: Carol Hawker - carol.hawker@salvationarmy.org.uk

We always welcome volunteers to help us run these groups. 

We endeavour to make links with our local community and invite groups into our hall to learn more of our mission.

Our Band has been able to support with music at local schools and on a number of occasions. 

The schoolchildren in return  have also presented the corps with handmade cards to be part of our gift bags at Christmas and Easter for local families and for the Prison Services in the area.

A NEW VENTURE

On Thursday 5th March Cafe EX4 opened 10.00 -12.30 in our Community Hall which is our lower hall and the entrance is in Lucky Lane. 

This is open to everybody and a warm welcome is extended to all, with tea and coffee and friendly conversation. Drop in at any time.

The official opening for this was on Thursday 16th April at 10am  and Chef Michael Caines performed the opening.

Easter bags of Hope. These were given out to those attending our Community meals, Employment +Local and residents in SA accommodation in Exeter and Exmouth.

Coop Funeralcare in St.Thomas Exeter collected Easter eggs for us and made a display in their window. Many thanks to them. An initial target of 40 eggs was surpassed with over 140 being collected. Thank you to the general public.

Employment Plus Local

Helping people to find work and stay in work. Drop in Tuesdays 2.30pm to 4.30pm or e mail to make an appointment

ExeterEmploymentPlusLocal@SalvationArmy.org.uk 

  Our vision is to work with unemployed people to provide assistance on their journey into employment within a supportive environment. 

During our sessions we provide:

• Computers with free internet access to help with job searching
• Access to information and guidance on training opportunities to acquire new skills or improve existing ones
• Resources and advice for applying for jobs, including help in completing job application forms, CV writing and interview techniques
• A variety of courses e.g. confidence building, employability and budgeting skills through e-learning;
• A point of reference and an address for homeless jobseekers
• Chaplaincy services on request
• A warm, relaxed atmosphere with tea, coffee and biscuits

The corps were pleased to receive the donation of a multi charger for the Employment plus group from Classroom365. See below for details.

https://www.Classroom365.co.uk 

THANK YOU to Classroom 365 for donating a secure charging cabinet to the Exeter Employment Plus Local Group. 

The cabinet provides storage for our Chromebooks which are used for job searching, training courses etc, by our clients and are extremely beneficial to everyone who attends.

We have recently received another four Chromebooks.

Photo shows Major Alan Read with volunteers Sophie, Mark and Cynthia.

SA literature has been distributed for many years in the pubs, and on the street.  That work still continues here in Exeter, outside M&S on the High St, weekly. It is a great opportunity to witness, make conversation and meet folk who love and believe in the work that The Salvation Army does not only here, but all over the country and across the world. Many folk, and other Christians, stop and make themselves known and appreciate our witness.

Once a month on the 2nd Thursday there are a number of our musicians who will make up a small band and play many familiar hymn tunes which bring memories and blessing to so many that stop and listen. This you can see by the pictures attached.

Singing by Heart is a singing group for adults of  all ages. Singing has been medically proven to be effective in encouraging a feeling of well being. We provide an hour of singing songs of all genres. There is much laughter, fun, memories and  sometimes the opportunity to use percussion!

We aim to be a dementia friendly establishment with clear signage and facilities and to befriend/support carers who come long.

UPDATE - this group will  be a part of the Connect group band will now place during the morning session. Lunch together will follow in the community hall.

We meet on the first Friday morning of each calendar month. 

Please come along and enjoy an hour of singing, laughter and memories.

Further details from jane.williams@salvationarmy.org.uk

SbH purchased Kazoos with donations from the Utley Foundation Trust. So, introducing our Kazoo band! Such a lot of fun.

In August 2024 we made another purchase to help us learn names of our members - Printed lanyards which will be given out at the beginning of the session and collected in at the end.

May 2025 Each of the singers was given a VE Day flag to wave and many chose to wear Union flag inspired headwear.

Over the year we try to present each member with small gifts that make them feel  special. It can be a decoration for their Christmas trees or a small badge/pin or bookmark.

A public access Defibrillator is now situated at the Salvation Army Exeter Temple building on the corner of Friars’ Walk and Friars’ Gate ///wires.native.mile

The Defibrillator has been made possible with a donation from Jay’s Aim, a local charity based in Newton Abbot, who provide Defibrillators in memory of James (Jay) Osborne who died suddenly, aged just 28, from an undiagnosed inherited heart condition. They have currently provided over 200 Defibrillators and training courses across the South West. 

 https://www.jaysaim.co.uk/ 

If the Ambulance service are called to an emergency, they identify the nearest defibrillator and will ask the caller to take the machine to the residence in case they cannot reach there in time. This time cutting could save a life.

Our has now been taken from its box on the wall on four occasions but has not been activated. The corps is sent an email asking if it has been returned and if it has been used. So far, the Ambulance service has returned it to its housing and nothing has has been used.

 October 8th 2025

Imi from Jay's Aim conducted a further training and awareness session and over 20 people attended. There also followed an excellent Question and Answer session to confirm the delegates' understanding that using CPR and/or the defibrillator may help to save a life.

Each week the Community Team make meals, prepare goody bags and food parcels and between 25 and 50 meals are prepared and given out each Saturday in the  early evening, and Sunday lunchtime. We continue to help, offering practical support and food parcels, and spiritual support.

Each Christmas around 250+ gift bags are prepared for local families, and in excess of 100 food parcels are packaged before Christmas. The generosity of corps folk, friends and the general public enabled this.

Those families who struggle with the provision of food for their families can be given food parcels at other times of the year

If you would like to help the Salvation Army to continue its work in the city of Exeter please make a donation using the checkout on the Welcome Page. 

Please note that this can be changed to an amount of your choice.

The Corps has a thriving BP group of Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers and they meet on a Friday evening. 

Register at www.girlguiding.org.uk or contact carol.hawker@salvationarmy.org.uk

Where we are

Unit 1 Haven Road
Exeter
EX2 8BP
United Kingdom

Email address: exeter.dc@satcol.org

If you have any unwanted clothing, shoes, handbags, jewellery, toys, electrical items or bric a brac you wish to donate then please bring them along.

Please give us a call if you have any unwanted items of furniture.

Phone: 01392 458140

There is a large car park at the rear of the building.

Please remember to Gift Aid your donations to the shop. Speak to the Manager, Sarah, or one of the staff, to get a Gift Aid card which will increase your donation to the Salvation Army.

The Gift Aided donations can be accepted at the shop at any time, even when they are unable to receive any other donations.

If you are interested in giving your time to work in the shop in a voluntary capacity please speak to Sarah the Manager.

in January 2024 we celebrated the 5th Anniversary of the opening of the Donation Centre in Haven Road. We are keen to support SatCoL and acknowledge the massive contribution which Sarah and her team continue to make, not only to the Territory, but particularly to Exeter Temple.

The manager, Sarah Ward, and her team are to be congratulated, and thanked for the valuable work they are doing.

 I want to highlight our friends who work at the SA Donation Centre on Haven Banks

Briefly the way this works is that the volunteers don’t earn a wage as such, but the minimum wage they would have earned is donated to the Corps they are attached to, so since the shop opened in 2019 Majors Carolyn & Alan together with John Pope have worked weekly hours, joined later after the pandemic by Paul Luffman and, for a while, the grandson of Rose Tinworth. (Scott)

It was agreed that this was a way of contributing to the Corps Building Fund and to date I am very pleased to share with you the sum raised up to March 2024 is £46,257.33 and I am sure you would, along with me, like to thank our volunteers for all their hard work and their continuing commitment to the building fund for Exeter Temple Corps

Further to this Sarah Ward (Manager) agreed to have a donation box placed on the counter for any loose change and donations, this again has gone to helping the ET Building for the Future scheme and raised the sum of £1257.31

May God bless all who work at the donation centre and THANK YOU”. Phil Jones - Corps Treasurer

There to be three new SATCol shops in the South West at Taunton, Plymouth and Truro. The Exeter shop will be the main hub.

GROUP CHAT A social group commenced in October. A chance to meet and chat over a cup of tea/coffee.

The group will be providing a safe warm space to chat but also provide activities.

Further sessions will be held on the first Saturday in each month.

The group has created artwork on pebbles,  made Greeting cards and undertaken knitting projects.

A second group is the MOVING FORWARD group

The Moving Forward group aimed at people in recovery, is held on the third Saturday of each month. People can find weekends particularly difficult as support services are only available Monday to Friday and weekends can be very long. We started this group in January by word of mouth and it is growing. We provide a space where people can chill and chat and feel the support of others

The Connect Club meets every Friday throughout the year.  For a small charge members enjoy tea, coffee, toast, crumpets, teacakes and other goodies to eat. Once a month they will now feature a cooked two course meal served in our community hall in place of fish and chips.

Conversation is always at a premium, as are crafts and some more vigorous activities in the form of table tennis and indoor bowling.

In 2026 one of our volunteers, Sophie, has started an exercise group using "Chairobics" as a way to improve mobility for us all.

KIT club, (Keep in touch) with coffee and/or breakfast at a local venue.  We meet on the last Thursday of each month at the Imperial at 10ish to 12ish. This event is open to all ages. Wheelchair access.

 Please contact Philip Jones. 07944389715

We look forward to seeing you there in January 2026.

 The opening of our refurbished building was planned for 1st June 2024 and it went ahead - on the 1st June! - despite some delays that had occurred.

Our Divisional leaders, Majors Gillian and Paul Billard, rededicated the building and visitors came from the division and across the country. 

The Community hall has also now been completed and is available for Corps activities and for hiring.

Likewise the Upper room now has facilities for tea and coffee making and has a large screen tv for teaching and learning.

Volunteering at the Salvation Army is interesting, rewarding providing the opportunity to meet new people and gain new experiences. 

If you are interested, please contact us by emailing volunteering.exeter@salvationarmy.org.uk for an application form. 

Current Volunteering Opportunities:

Community Meals – Each Saturday and Sunday the Community Meals Team provide hot meals, pasties, goody bags and food parcels to those in need of assistance.  All meals are given out as takeaway food.  They give practical support, and also offer spiritual support by providing a listening ear to those who need to chat.  

Connect - A weekly group meeting on a Friday from 10 -12 noon. Games, activities, craft, tea, coffee, cakes and chat. Volunteers are always needed to chat, play board games and serve snacks and hot drinks. Once a moth there is also a two course lunch served.

Singing by Heart - This group enables those who would not be able to join a formal choir or group to come along and enjoy singing. Some of us do need a little help with holding song sheets and feeling confident to join in percussion activities etc. It is an hour of fun and is good for the soul and the brain. 

The Salvation Army Homes  -  Formerly SaHa  providing supported housing and general needs in property across the country.  We operate 3 services: Culverlands in Exeter and St Andrew’s House and St Saviour’s House in Exmouth.  There is a total of 34 placements and work in partnership with Devon Partnership Trust and are commissioned by Devon County Council to provide support packages for people in recovery.

Part of the package includes offering the opportunity to participate in daily activities to help increase living skills, social confidence and general wellbeing, which can range from arts and craft groups, cooking, sport and fitness or social outings to the local town and beyond. 

We would like to create a directory of people interested in volunteering who would be keen to give up an afternoon of their time to share their skills in anything from gardening to cooking on a budget to pottery, woodwork and craft skills.

For more information - info@salvationarmyhomes.org.uk

The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity, working in 133 countries worldwide, that offers support, friendship and practical help to people of all ages, backgrounds and needs.

Volunteers can also use the facilities at the Employment + club on Tuesday afternoons.

We welcome students to the Corps and would invite you to come along to our Music section rehearsals and participate in our morning meetings when your studies permit.

We have a rota for Sunday meals and we would advise you to search out Sue Gibson who can add you to the rota.

See the webpage for other activities that you may wish to volunteer for.

Our current students attend as regularly as studies allow and with other Corps members were also able to help with a community project alongside  the BBC DIY SOS with Nick Knowles