2026

SATURDAY 16th MAY 2026

We welcome CHARLIE GREEN (Singer) to lead a workshop and concert.

Charlie was on Britain's Got Talent when he was just 10 years old.  Since then he has had a worldwide career, performing with Jimmy Osmond, and earlier this year performed at the Paris Fashion Week.  Charlie is also a member of Drotwich Salvation Army.

SATURDAY 13th JUNE

Car Treasure Hunt

FRIDAY 17th JULY

Golf Evening

SATURDAY 12th SEPTEMBER

Barn Dance and Hog Roast

SATURDAY 17th OCTOBER

Visit of Regent Hall Band

More details to follow - but put the date in your diary NOW!

SATURDAY 28th NOVEMBER

Christmas Craft Fayre - if you would like a stall please email stowmarket@salvationarmy.org.uk or phone 01449 614133.

Our services are a mixture of sung worship, musical ministry, Biblical teaching and prayer.  

Everyone is welcome, come as you are,  we will be pleased to see you.

• 9:30am - 10:30am  Breakfast Club for 6 - 12 year olds (term-time only)
• 10:30am Sunday worship
• 4pm Messy Church - Second Sunday of every month
• Lunch - Third Sunday of every month (bookings only - 01449 614133)
• 10:30 am Café Church - Fourth Sunday of every month

Stowmarket Salvation Army runs the Café on the Rec which is based at the Recreation Ground on Finborough Road, IP14 1PR.

Café on the Rec is more than just a place to grab a great coffee; it is a meeting place where everyone is welcome.  A community hub, run by the community for the community, embracing Stowmarket Salvation Army's heartbeat - "Love God, Love Others".

Our café is run purely by volunteers.  If you have a few hours to spare and would like to make a difference in your community, please contact Sandra on 01449 614133.

Our opening hours are as follows:

11:00am - 3:00pm - Monday

9:00am - 3:00pm -  Tuesday - Friday

9:00am - 10:00am - Sunday to support Junior Park Run

Follow the Café on Facebook page here or the Instagram page here.

TUESDAYS:   2pm-3pm, during term-time.  

Our programme for January - March 2026

• January 20th:  A visit from Cadet Josh from Norton Salvation Army
• January 27th:  Pip Wright talks about "Finding out about history through old, local newspapers"
• February 3rd:  A visit from Amanda Langley from Health Watch
• February 10th:  Barbara McElroy talks about "All About Apples"
• February 17th:  140 years of Stowmarket Salvation Army
• February 24th:  Music from Maggie and Stan
• March 3rd:  "The Moses Project"
• March 10th:  A visit from Simon Welham from Finborough Court
• March 17th: Gerry Crease talks about "The River Gipping - past and present"
• March 24th:  Afternoon Tea for members

Everyone is welcome.

If you are a speaker, and would like to share a talk with the group, please email sandra.ambrose@salvationarmy.org.uk.

'Meet and Eat' is something new that we are introducing as part of our 140 celebrations.  Each month we invite you to share with us in a meal, whether it be at our hall in Violet Hill Road, or at a restaurant in the town.  All of them take place on the fourth Sunday of each month (the same Sunday as Café Church).  You don't have to be a regular member of our church to come along, and there is no catch! Just come along and enjoy a meal.  The cost will be £7.50 if the meal is cooked within our church.  At any other restaurant it will be whatever you choose from the menu!

To book your place please either email stowmarket@salvationarmy.org.uk, or phone 01449 614133 by midday on the previous Friday to the event.

The list of dates, venues and times are as follows:

Sunday 22nd March @ 1pm

A Thai meal cooked at The Salvation Army in Violet Hill Road.

Cost:  £7.50 per person

Sunday 26th April @ 12:45pm

Chinese Chequers in Stowmarket

Cost:  Menu prices

Sunday 24th May - Lunchtime (after 12 noon)

Picnic at Felixstowe.

Cost:  Bring your own.

Sunday 28th June - Lunchtime (after 12 noon)

Picnic at Needham Lake.

Cost:  Bring your own.

Sunday 26th July @ 1pm

BBQ at The Salvation Army in Violet Hill Road.

Cost:  £7.50 per person

Sunday 27th September - time to be confirmed (likely to be in the evening)

Indian at Red Fort in Stowmarket.

Cost:  Menu prices (Sunday buffet menu is £17.95 per head)

Sunday 25th October @ 1pm

Bring and Share at The Salvation Army in Violet Hill Road.

Cost:  Bring something to share

TUESDAY

• 10:00am - CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other) 

  A place where you can come and meet (and make) new friends.  Every week there are a range of activities on offer; art, knitting, board games, carpet bowls, pool, table tennis and of cause that all important cup of coffee or tea!

• 2:00pm - Over 60's

  Come and enjoy time with other people.

WEDNESDAY

• 7:45pm - Songster (choir) rehearsal

THURSDAY

• 6:00pm - 7:30pm Music Makers (6 - 16 years)

  Term time only.

• 7:45pm - Band rehearsal

SUNDAY

• 9:30am - Breakfast Club

  Term time only.

  For ages 5 - 12 years.   Enjoy a free breakfast with crafts, games, music and Bible stories.

• 4:00pm - Messy Church 

  (Next one Sunday 8th March)

  A time to come as a family for an afternoon of fellowship, fun, food, crafts and all things messy!

• 10:30am - Café Church 

  (Next one Sunday 22nd March)

  A place for you to explore, question and belong.

  Run by Christians - open to all.

THURSDAY

• 6:00pm - 7:30pm - Music Makers

  Term time only.

  For ages 6 - 16 years.

  Come and learn music through fun and games.  

Please read our most recent newsletter.

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

We are always on the lookout for people wanting to volunteer in our much loved COMMUNITY CAFE - Cafe on the Rec, Recreation ground, Stowmarket. We would be particularly interested if you are available on a Saturday from 9am - 1pm.  Also, from 8:30am - 10:00am Sunday mornings to support Junior Park Run.

We are looking for people to help set up for JOB CLUB, on the last Wednesday each month, and also to help welcome people in.

Can you spare 1.5 hours on a Sunday morning from 8:30am - 10:00am to serve drinks and ice pops to those participating in JUNIOR PARK RUN?  You would go on a rota so it wouldn't be every week!

Click on this link to apply online for any of our volunteering opportunities, collect an application form from Café on the Rec, Stowmarket, or for further details on any of the above placements please phone 01449 614133, or email sandra.ambrose@salvationarmy.org.uk.

Volunteer | The Salvation Army