The previous day Allison and I was stood on the promenade at Llandudno and within 24 hours we were standing on platform two at Oxford train station the contrast could not have been greater from the panoramic view of the bay to a busy train station we wore booked on the train from Oxford to Elgin our route was Oxford - Birmingham, Birmingham – Edinburgh, Edinburgh – Inverness, Inverness – Elgin. The cost £127 return each for Allison and I and for Peter we paid a third less because he has a student or young person rail card. At the time of booking this was less than the cheapest flight from Birmingham. Also the flight from Birmingham to Inverness was late afternoon having experienced delays twice on this route I think we had learned the lesson that we were wasting our money on an unreliable route.

"our train came to a grinding holt"

In contrast to flying our trip ran smoothly until that was we got North of Blair Athol when the train came to a grinding holt we waited and waited some more the problem was that the driver of our train had to stop and check to see if the track points had changed the signal gave the all clear however the track might not have changed  Once we had passed onto this section of track the train travelled at about 20 miles per hour and we got to a second section of track and the same thing happened again. This could not have happened at a more scenic spot and I was able to use the time hanging out the carriage window taking photos.  However the down side was that our train arrived into Inverness late and we missed the train from Inverness to Aberdeen. But we did finally arrive in Elgin if on a later train.

Day 2

We woke to a very wet start to the day Peter and I walked into Elgin in the pouring rain we made our way to the tourist information office it is located in the cooper park library to be honest we wasted our time we were greeted by a tourist information officer who was as use full as a chocolate fire guard. I asked as a tourist in the area what did she think was the most important things I should do or visit her answer was “they’re not much to do in Elgin really” in a fed up bored and uninterested way with the under tones of I would never come here on holiday – we have the cathedral and then there is spynie palace - well done visit Scotland you just undersold yourself. Peter and I left before we caught the “I really hate living here disease."

"Glen Moray Distillery"

Peter and I took a local taxi up to Glen Moray Distillery you will find the distillery nestling on the banks of the river Lossie in the Western quarter of the ancient city, and royal burgh of Elgin. Elgin itself is an historic city, but not the least of its claims to fame is the fact that it is the capital of Speyside

"The Original Road into Elgin"

The original road into Elgin passes through the distillery grounds under the shadow of Gallow Hill, where executions were carried out until the end of the 17th century. This was an important road in times gone by and some of Scotland's legendary historical figures including St Columba, King Duncan and Macbeth – after the Battle of Torfness – and Bonnie Prince Charlie also Dr Samuel Johnson and James Boswell visited Elgin on Thursday 26^th August 1773 Today the Glen Moray distillery enjoys a much more peaceful existence, concentrating on the serious business of producing the classic Speyside single malt whisky.

" The Copper pot stills at Glen Moray"

Peter and I had a great time visiting Glen moray the staff were very friendly and in contrast to the lady at the tourist information office were not bored with living in the area but really enjoyed living there. Before our tour started we had time for a large mug of hot chocolate and coffee our tour guide explained in an interesting and informative way the working’s and processes involved with the making of “uisge beatha”  and of course we got to have a good look around the distillery. Upon returning back to the visitor centre our guide invited us to try a dram if we so wished.  In our tour group was a family who were walking in the foot step’s of their ancestors retracing there family history they were very interesting to talk to and made our visit that much more memorable.

After lunch at The Muckle cross the name of the Inn recalls the Muckle Cross which, in medieval times, stood at the heart of Elgin. A second cross was erected in 1630, surmounted by a lion. A copy of this cross was re-erected in the late 1880s, with the original lion. The Muckle cross Inn  is only a few yards away from the former Red lion Inn That Dr Johnson and Boswell visited 237 years ago during their  “ Journey of the western islands of Scotland” After lunch we took the local bus to Lossiemouth.

"Jimmy Fly fishing on the river lossie"

In the hope of finding my old fishing pal Jimmy we found him fly fishing in the estuary its always great meeting up with old friends and before we parted company we had arranged to meet up again on wednesday.

Day 3

Elgin to Inverness by train then by bus to Fort George.

I have visited Culloden moor Battle field and visitor centre many times in fact on my first visit there was no  visitor centre just a car park with a machine in one corner that for one pound would dispense a guide book explaining the events that took place on the moor then as is today  Culloden moor is an atmospheric place you can sense some violent  event took place here that changed the course of history Following the 1746 defeat at Culloden of Bonnie Prince Charlie, George II created the ultimate defence against further Jacobite unrest. The result, Fort George, is the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain, if not Europe.  Its garrison buildings, artillery defences bristling with cannon, and superb collection of arms – including bayoneted muskets, pikes, swords and ammunition pouches – provide a fascinating insight into 18th century military life. Positioned strategically on a promontory jutting into the Moray Firth, Fort George was intended as an impregnable army base – designed on a monumental scale using sophisticated defence standards. Today, it would cost nearly £1 billion. Within almost a mile of boundary walls was accommodation for a governor, officers, artillery detachment, and a 1600-strong infantry garrison. It also housed a magazine for 2,500 gunpowder barrels, ordnance and provision stores, a brewhouse and chapel.  When the fortress was completed in 1769, the Highlands were peaceful but it was maintained in readiness for action that never came, and has remained virtually unaltered.

Dolphins at Fort George

The point battery is one of the best places from which to view bottlenose dolphins, as well as harbour porpoises and minke whales, playing and feeding in the Moray Firth. Bottlenoses are the most numerous cetaceans in the Firth. The most likely time to see them is on a calm day between April and September about one hour before and after low tide. Harbour porpoises are smaller than dolphins and have a smaller triangular fin. Minke whales on the other hand are much bigger growing around 10m in length they tend to be seen at the end of the summer. Peter and I watched and photographed the dolphins for a couple of hours and wonderful experience that added to the enjoyment of our visit I am sure this will be a day we will remember for a very long time.

Dr Samuel Johnson and James Boswell

Visited fort George during their Highland tour on Saturday 28^th August 1773 at 3 O’clock they dined with the governor, Sir Eyre Cootes .  Dr Johnson recorded in his journal the following We led around the works by a gentleman who explained the use of every part and entertained by Sir Eyre Coote the governor with such elegance of conversation as left us no attention to the delicacies of his table. Of fort George I shall not attempt to give any account. I cannot delineate scientifically and loose and popular description is of use only when the imagination is to be amused there was every where an appearance of the utmost neatness and regularity.  But my suffrage is of little value, because this and Fort Augustus are the only garrisons that I ever saw. We did not regret the time spent at the fort, though in consequence of our delay we came somewhat late to Inverness, the town which may properly be called the Capital of the Highlands.

However James Boswell recorded the visit

We proceeded to Fort George When we came into the square, I sent a soldier with the letter to Mr Ferne. He came to us immediately, and along with him came Major Brewse of the Engineers, pronounced Bruce. He said he believed it was originally the same Norman name with Bruce. That he had dined at a house in London, where were three Bruces, one of the Irish line, one of the Scottish line, and himself of the English line. He said he was shewn it in the Herald's office spelt fourteen different ways. I told him the different spellings of my name. Dr Johnson observed, that there had been great disputes about the spelling of Shakspear's name; at last it was thought it would be settled by looking at the original copy of his will; but, upon examining it, he was found to have written it himself no less than three different ways.

Mr Ferne and Major Brewse first carried us to wait on Sir Eyre Coote, whose regiment, the 37th, was lying here, and who then commanded the fort. He asked us to dine with him, which we agreed to do. Before dinner we examined the fort. The Major explained the fortification to us, and Mr Ferne gave us an account of the stores. Dr Johnson talked of the proportions of charcoal and salt-petre in making gunpowder, of granulating it, and of giving it a gloss. He made a very good figure upon these topicks. He said to me afterwards, that he had talked Ostentatiously. We reposed ourselves a little in Mr Ferne's house. He had everything in neat order as in England; and a tolerable collection of books. I looked into Pennant Tour in Scotland. He says little of this fort; but that 'the barracks, &c. form several streets'. This is aggrandizing. Mr Ferne observed, if he had said they form a square, with a row of buildings before it, he would have given a juster description. Dr Johnson remarked, 'how seldom descriptions correspond with realities; and the reason is, that people do not write them till some time after, and then their imagination has added circumstances'.

We talked of Sir Adolphus Oughton. The Major said, he knew a great deal for a military man. Johnson. 'Sir, you will find few men, of any profession, who know more. Sir Adolphus is a very extraordinary man; a man of boundless curiosity and unwearied diligence  I know not how the Major contrived to introduce the contest between Warburton and Lowth. Johnson. 'Warburton kept his temper all along, while Lowth was in a passion. Lowth published some of Warburton's letters. Warburton drew him on to write some very abusive letters, and then asked his leave to publish them; which he knew Lowth could not refuse, after what he had done. So that Warburton contrived that he should publish, apparently with Lowth's consent, what could not but shew Lowth in a disadvantageous light.' Here Dr Johnson gave us part of a conversation held between a Great Personage and him, in the library at the Queen's Palace, to the course of which this contest was considered. I have been at great pains to get that conversation as perfectly preserved as possible. It may perhaps at some future time be given to the public.

"The Governor's house"

At three the drum beat for dinner. I, for a little while, fancied myself a military man, and it pleased me. We went to Sir Eyre Coote's, at the governors’ house, and found him a most gentleman-like man. His lady is a very agreeable woman, with an uncommonly mild and sweet tone of voice. There was a pretty large company: Mr Ferne, Major Brewse, and several officers. Sir Eyre had come from the East Indies by land, through the Desarts of Arabia. He told us, the Arabs could live five days without victuals, and subsist for three weeks on nothing else but the blood of their camels, who could lose so much of it as would suffice for that time, without being exhausted. He highly praised the virtue of the Arabs; their fidelity, if they undertook to conduct any person; and said, they would sacrifice their lives rather than let him be robbed. Dr Johnson, who is always for maintaining the superiority of civilized over uncivilized men, said, 'Why, sir, I can see no superior virtue in this. A sergeant and twelve men, who are my guard, will die, rather than that I shall be robbed.' Colonel Pennington, of the 37th regiment, took up the argument with a good deal of spirit and ingenuity. Pennington. 'But the soldiers are compelled to this, by fear of punishment.' Johnson. 'Well, sir, the Arabs are compelled by the fear of infamy.' Pennington. 'The soldiers have the same fear of infamy, and the fear of punishment besides; so have less virtue; because they act less voluntarily.' Lady Coote observed very well, that it ought to be known if there was not, among the Arabs, some punishment for not being faithful on such occasions.

We talked of the stage. I observed, that we had not now such a company of actors as in the last age; Wilks, Booth, &c. &c. Johnson. 'You think so, because there is one who excels all the rest so much: you compare them with Garrick, and see the deficiency. Garrick's great distinction is his universality. He can represent all modes of life, but that of an easy fine-bred gentleman.' Pennington. 'He should give over playing young parts.' Johnson. 'He does not take them now; but he does not leave off those which he has been used to play, because he does them better than anyone else can do them. If you had generations of actors, if they swarmed like bees, the young ones might drive off the old. Mrs Gibber, I think, got more reputation than she deserved, as she had a great sameness; though her expression was undoubtedly very fine. Mrs Clive was the best player I ever saw. Mrs Pritchard was a very good one; but she had something affected in her manner: I imagine she had some player of the former age in her eye, which occasioned it.'

Colonel Pennington said, Garrick sometimes failed in emphasis; as for instance, in Hamlet, "I will speak Daggers to her; but use none", instead of "I will speak daggers to her; but use none".

We had a dinner of two complete courses, variety of wines, and the regimental band of music playing in the square, before the window, after it. I enjoyed this day much. We were quite easy and cheerful, Dr Johnson said, 'I shall always remember this fort with gratitude.' I could not help being struck with some admiration, at finding upon this barren sandy point, such buildings, such a dinner, such company: it was like enchantment. Dr Johnson, on the other hand, said to me more rationally, that it did not strike Him as anything extraordinary; because he knew, here was a large sum of money expended in building a fort; here was a regiment. If there had been less than what we found, it would have surprised him. HE looked coolly and deliberately through all the gradations: my warm imagination jumped from the barren sands to the splendid dinner and brilliant company, to borrow the expression of an absurd poet,

Without ands or ifs,
I leapt from off the sands upon the cliffs.

The whole scene gave me a strong impression of the power and excellence of human art We left the fort between six and seven o'clock: Sir Eyre Coote, Colonel Pennington, and several more, accompanied us down stairs, and saw us into our chaise. There could not be greater attention paid to any visitors. Sir Eyre spoke of the hardships which Dr Johnson had before him. Boswell. 'Considering what he has said of us, we must make him feel something rough in Scotland.' Sir Eyre said to him, 'You must change your name, sir.' Boswell. 'Ay, to Dr M'Gregor.'

"Inverness Pipe Band"

Peter and I returned to Inverness from fort George on the bus We went for dinner at the "Kings High Way Inn" in church street Inverness we dined on steak and chips and for dessert we had ice cream and chocolate fudge pudding after dinner we went for a walk around Inverness up by the castle and along the river and for me the high light our visit to Inverness was listening to the Inverness highland pipe band playing in the High street. Before leaving Inverness Peter treated me to drinks in the Highland hotel.

Day 4

Peter and I had arranged the previous Monday to meet Jimmy for coffee in the St Giles shopping centre Elgin and I was pleased that Allison wanted to come along with us. It was a very wet start to the day and I wondered if Jimmy would come into Elgin on his 50cc of snarling death but he wisely chose to ride into town on the bus of course he rubbed it in that he had a bus pass not like me. It was great meeting up with him with sat in a coffee shop talking for over an hour and the time pasted as if it were only ten minutes. We left Allison to do some shopping before return to see her mum leaving us lads we went to the Muckle Cross Inn for lunch peter ordered Burger and chips with a beer Jimmy fish and chips and for me I had Chicken takka masala Jimmy and I ordered for coffee. Over lunch we agreed to take the Inverness bus to Forres and visit Benromach distillery – many years ago Jimmy and I visited Dallas Dhu Distillery Jimmy recalled the events to Peter went “After the distiller tour He accepted the Highland hospitality of a wee dram for some reason it went straight to his head and for about half an hour he was laughing about like a silly little girl”

When Johnson and Boswell came this way Johnson recalled in his journal we went forwards the same day to Forres the town to which Macbeth was travelling, when he met the weird sisters in his way. This to an Englishman is classic ground. Our imaginations were heated, and our thoughts recalled to their old amusements.

"Benromach Distillery"

Benromach is carefully handcrafted at speyside’s smallest distillery by just two men using the finest Scottish barley and the purest spring water from nearby Romach hills. The ten year olds is Golden in colour with a soft mellow character. The single malt combines soft fruity notes with a rich sherry influence and gentile peat smoke to deliver an exceptional whisky experience.

It was great fun spending time with Jimmy and we really enjoyed the visit to the distillery we were given a guided tour of the distillery and had its production process full explained to us in an very interesting manner by a guide who was interested in and enjoyed Benromach single malt whisky after the tour we watched a short film followed by an invitation to enjoy some highland hospitality. Before we left Jimmy in Elgin we had hoped to meet up again on our last full day.

Day 5

In the morning Allison and I left Peter at Gran’s during the previous week at conference I had asked Bob and jimmy about the times of the church services in Elgin and Bob said that there was a Thursday 11:30 am Bible study And this fitted in well with our plans perhaps we would also manage to visit again for the Friday evening service.

"The Bible study Group"

We arrived at the church and we were made very welcome the missionary Pastor Eric Croker and his wife went out there way to make us feel welcome before bible class we were invited to have a look in the church much work had taken place since our last visit with much progress made on making areas of the church more fit for purpose and user friendly. By lowering the ceiling in the office to save on heating costs. By lowering the preaching platform. New carpets in the church and new lighting fixtures. The church grounds were well maintained giving the whole place a sense that they were used and loved. Allison and I enjoyed the bible study and Pastor Coker gave us a copy of the study notes. The members of the church were very friendly and warming it was hard leaving them for lunch at Allison’s mum’s I could have spent all day with the brethren.

After Lunch Peter and I take the town bus from Elgin to Lossiemouth the plan was to walk along West beach to the light house a walk we have done many times with the added advantage of the calling into the east beach cafe for hot chocolate and coffee before walking to the light house calling by on the return trip for drinks. Peter and I climbed the cliff just below the light house so that we could sit in front of the former second world war pillar box from here you have the advantage that you are higher up and hence can see further out to sea.  The tide was in when we arrived but we sat up in our crow’s nest until the tide had turned when we climbed down to explore the rock pools for crabs and sea shells by time we walked aback along the west beach and visited the harbour time was getting on and we caught the town bus back to Elgin. Peter and I went for a steak and chip supper with ice cream and fudge cake for desert at the Muckle cross Inn. After dinner Peter and I went up to Dr Grey’s hospital to see Allison and her mum her mum had been admitted during the afternoon and the plan was that she was going to be transferred to the Royal infirmary in Aberdeen for tests. This event in fact did not take place until the early hours of the morning.

Day 6

After a very late night we were up early as we were going to Aberdeen on the train so that Allison could spend some time with her mum at the Aberdeen Royal infirmary the train journey was very interesting perhaps an eye opener a group of young women boarded the train dressed for a hen night before the train had left Elgin the bottles of bercardi breezer were opened and being downed at a good rate. As these young women continued to drink until we arrived at Aberdeen by this time we reached Aberdeen all inhibitions were fast disappearing.  One young woman on the train who was not with this company managed to down a bottle of vodka while her male companion downed six cans of tenants larger. Scottish young people sure know how to enjoy themselves.

"Aberdeen"

We walked  into Aberdeen from the train station and had lunch before going up to visit Allison’s Mum Peter and I spent a little over an hour at the hospital but before we left we set up the patient bedside television and telephone service. This is a very helpful service not only to the patient who can watch television but family can telephone them at the bedside.

"Aberdeen Harbour"

Peter and I caught the bus back into Aberdeen and we spent our free time exploring Aberdeen harbour we meet up with Allison in the evening for Dinner before returning to Elgin for the night.

Day 7

"Elgin Cathedral"

We were up early our cases were packed and after breakfast I walked into Elgin to take some photo’s of Elgin Cathedral and in the town before returning to the house then I walked up to the church to take some photo’s of the church and grounds time was fast running out and I walked back to the house

"Jimmy at Elgin train station"

Allison’s brother Robert drove us to the train station and to my surprise and delight my old fishing pal Jimmy was waiting for us – our return journey was Elgin – Aberdeen. Aberdeen – Edinburgh. Edinburgh – Wolverhampton.  Wolverhampton – Oxford.

On Monday 2^nd August Allison and I were booked onto the train from Oxford to Birmingham and Birmingham to Llandudno I have not been to north Wales before and I was looking forward to exploring the area around Llandudno I had done a little home work and I had also taken the trouble of buying and studying the ordnance survey sheet OL 17. Our journey to Llandudno passed without any problems as our train speed from Birmingham and headed towards Wales we enjoyed watching the unfolding canvas of the English countryside and you could easy tell when we had crossed into Wales by the distinctive names in the Welsh language.

Along the way a retired man boarded the train and we soon got a conversation going he was keen to tell us some of the places that we were passing and he let on that he was a angler and fished on the river Conway he soon got on to the subject of the times of the salmon and sea trout runs places to fish times fishing beats and pools and what flies to use and when.  He himself lived in Rowen and more often than not would fish on one of the lakes for wild brown trout and of course on the Conway for its bars of silver (Salmon).  He got off the train at Llandudno junction and this left me to ponder my chances of getting on the river Conway for a day’s salmon fishing next year.

Our train arrived on time at Llandudno station and we walked the short distance from the station to our hotel on the sea front.  After checking in we unpacked our cases and went for a walk along the promenade and into Llandudno we meet up with mike and in the evening we went to the Cambridge restaurant to be honest the restaurant had seen better days the staff were very friendly and the service and food was great we had a roast dinner with desert and coffee for about £10 per head  after dinner we went for a walk on the pier and along the promenade we joined in the Beech missions open air church service before walking towards the Venue Cymru we saw the Llandudno band playing and continued up to the conference centre. We explored the restaurant and spoke with the staff but because there was no production taking place in the theatre the restaurant was going to be closed for the duration of our conference.

Up to this time all our contact with the church conference organisation was one line and here we were walking into the conference centre we were greeted by members of the church who had our registration information packs ready for us to collect and we spent some time meeting church friends before returning to our hotel for the night.

"The view from our Hotel room"

Allison and I stayed at the Promenad Hotel This is a family run hotel and we found the owners and staff very friendly and help full The room was clean and well maintained with a flat screen television handy for keeping up to date with the news and of course the complementary tray of tea and coffee this is a very important item and the goodies on the tray were replenished daily we had the added bonus that our room had a sea view. For each day of our stay I chose for breakfast cereal and fresh orange and cooked breakfast bacon, egg, tomato, beans, mushrooms, a pot of fresh filter coffee and toast and marmalade. You can tell from the photograph that it was well presented and cooked properly. To be honest what more could you ask for this hotel gets the thumbs up from me. Their website is www.promenad.co.uk

"This was the view from our breakfast table"

"  Breakfast"

Our day started  with me being first up When I’m at work I don’t want to get up in the morning but as soon as I am on down time I wake before sun rise I started the day we a cup of coffee and I would be up and dressed and walking along the promenade before the sun had time to rise over the little Orme armed with my camera I was able to take advantage of an early morning  photo shoot you never know what you are going to find or come across but you will need to remain alert in order to take advantage of any photo opportunity. Each morning I would cross onto the promenade and slowly walk towards the pier except for the last morning.  Stopping to take a few shots of what ever caught my eye on my first morning I walked up the marine road into happy valley and I saw a group of people doing Tai chi exercises this looked very effective with the group with their backs to the stone circle and facing the rising sun I then walked up to the site of the camera obscurer it was from here that I took a set of images looking into the edge of the Snowdonia national park and over Llandudno bay. One morning I spotted three sheep walking on the promenade near the pier this made for an interesting photo opportunity and one morning I walked from the hotel to the pier and along the marine drive round a part of the Great Orme each day I would call into the newsagents for a copy of the times newspaper before returning to the hotel for breakfast. Breakfast was served between 08:30 and 09:30 and of course after my early morning walks I was ready for what many rightly call the most important meal of the day.

After breakfast Allison and I would go for a walk along the promenade perhaps walk on the pier and enjoy the view and call into the pier cafe for morning coffee before taking the open top tour bus from Llandudno over to Conway sands and Conway we sat on the top deck of the bus at the front and we enjoyed the tour having the sights and places of note pointed out to us one day we took the tour bus round the great Orme following the toll road called marine drive this was great fun and better than the open top bus stop at the rest and be thankful.  We found that the Palladium was the best place to go and eat some times after church we would walk to a local fish and chip shop for a fish and chip supper.

On our first day after lunch we went up the great Orme on the tram we had a great time and I was able to take some photographs from the top of the Great Orme looking towards Llandudno or towards Conway and the snowdian national park Puffin Island could be clearly seen across the bay. At the top of the Great Orme is the site of a World War II radar station today there is a cafe, pub and a communication station as well as the visitor centre explaining the history of the Great Orme country park.

I really enjoyed the open space the sense of freedom that I felt on top of the Great Orme  on the way down you had to change trams very close to the 3,000 year old copper mine it was here while waiting for the tram to come up the Orme to take us down that I took the opportunity of taking a few photo’s of the tram coming up as the tram got close to us I noticed an elderly man on the tram he went to stand up and then slumped down out of my view I gave Allison my camera and bag and as the tram was pulling to a stop I ran to the side of the tram that I saw the man I founded him leaning out of one of the tram windows he was in a bad way he was doing one of two things having a heart attack or having an epileptic fit a member of staff ran up to me and asked me what did I want him to do and I asked him to call for an ambulance which he did the staff cleared the tram of its customers and I boarded the tram with a nurse who was on a day trip with her family and the man who telephoned for the ambulance – The tram slowly made its way down the great Orme I supported the man so as to prevent him from hurting himself while he was having a fit his name was Bob and he was 71 years of age as we went down the great Orme a paramedic boarded the tram he soon had the man on oxygen  and gave him an injection.  Bob slowly started to relax and by the time he was taken off the tram by the waiting ambulance crew he seemed to have stopped fitting the poor man’s wife was very distressed. The following day we were to learn from the owners of the tram that Bob was making good progress in hospital and would soon be getting home again.

In the evening we went to the opening Church service of the 41^st General conference of the United Pentecostal church of Great Britain & Ireland. There was a congregation of 800 people before the service started I got to meet up with Rev T F Tenny it had been some years since we last met at Life tabernacle in fact Rev James Dallas was the district superintendent. Today the job title has changed to bishop.  Rev L Francis is the bishop of UPC GB&I and he preached on “Enlarge” after service I had the chance to meet up with Rev C Price he was the dean of the bible school that I went to in Elgin also Fred and James from the Independent church in Ilford we also meet Bob and jimmy from the Elgin church and an old friend of mine David just to name a few people.  After church we walked along the promenade and to the local fish and chip shop.  The following evening church services all came under the banner of BOTT (because of the times).

On the Friday afternoon the 2pm program was an open air street meeting we meet up at the conference centre and walked together down the promenade witnessing to members of the public before stopping at the war memorial for the open air service we did look quite a crowed 800 people were at the conference and I should think everyone was on the promenade. It was during this event that I took a set of photo journalist images to be used in various publications from church news letters to the Pentecostal truth magazine.

On the last morning instead of walking along the promenade towards the pier and great Orme I walked along the promenade to the little Orme. And back taking a few photo’s as I went on my way back to the hotel the heavens opened and I got soaked through  I was glad to arrive back at the hotel to change  my wet clothes.  Staying at our hotel were some of the UPCI missionaries based in Europe and brethren from London and Coventry. Allison and I had a wonderful time at Conference and we are looking forward to the 42^nd UPC GB&I General conference. We caught the train back from Llandudno to Oxford stayed the night changed our suit cases and caught to 10:30 train to the Scottish Highlands.

My  photo's can be seen on flickr

The street meeting set are at  http://www.flickr.com/photos/m3jfm/sets/72157624548857573/

And my images of Llandudno are at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/m3jfm/sets/72157624753100986/

]]> http://m3jfm.net/?feed=rss2&p=722 0 http://m3jfm.net/?p=707 http://m3jfm.net/?p=707#comments Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:59:34 +0000 admin http://m3jfm.net/?p=707 Islands on the Air (IOTA) Contest 2010

Take’s place between 1200UTC Saturday 24 July to 1200UTC Sunday 25 July 2010 The aim of the contest is to promote contacts between stations in qualifying IOTA island groups and the rest of the world and to encourage expeditions to IOTA islands. And this will be the fifth year that I have taken part in this contest. Each year I try to build upon the previous years experience and to increase my total score. However the main reason for taking part is to increase the numbers of new IOTA islands worked.

The following is my results since 2006

2006 29 M3JFM EU005 SSB 12 H LP, QSO 123, M 40 Score 36840

2007 16 M3JFM EU005 SSB 12H LP, QSO 150, M 57 Score 68058

2008 19 M3JFM EU005 SSB 12H LP, QSO 138 M 54 Score 60588

2009 13 M3JFM EU005 SSB 12H LP, QSO 183 M 55 Score 70455

The Radio amateur is:

Considerate ...never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.

Loyal...offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, and the American Radio Relay league, through which Amateur radio in The united States is represented national and internationally.

Progressive...with knowledge abreast of science, a well – built and efficient station and operation above reproach.

Friendly...slow and patient operating when requested; friendly advice and counsel to the beginner; kindly assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit.

Balanced...radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.

Patriotic...station and skill always ready for service to country and community.

I am sure that you would agree with me that the principles out lined eighty  two years ago hold good today and offer’s a golden standard for us all to aim for if like me you live outside the USA just replace the name of your national radio society in place of the ARRL . As far as I am aware there is not an equivalent code for the use of other means of communication if there were I am sure surfing the internet would be an outstanding experience far exciding that which we have today which unfortunately displays the worst of human nature and leading from such a base line to the heights of leading intellectual thought of our day.

For the past few weeks I had been looking forward to this year’s contest and during the week before and up to the contest I had spent some time on the bands just getting the feel of things checking out band opening’s and propagation forecasts and of course making that all important new Long distance qso and band slot with the added bonus of a new DXCC or IOTA accreditation. The last time I took part was in 2008 I finished with 200 QSO’s  This year I hoped to build upon the lessons learned and hope above all hope to increase my QSO total competing against myself to be honest this year’s  contest did not start proper for me until I had made the 2008 QSO total of 200. This target I reached at 14:21 on Saturday with RK3GYM. On Sunday morning at 09:37 I made the 300 QSO’S with S50G on 15m and I made my final QSO in this year’s contest at 13:48 on 40m with YU1LA.

M3JFM - Continents

All bands - All modes

QSOs (with dupes)

|   EU   |   NA   |   SA   |   AF   |   AS   |   OC   |

-------------------------------------------------------

|  84.3% |   8.7% |   0.6% |   2.5% |   3.9% |        |

-------------------------------------------------------

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M3JFM

All bands - All modes

QSOs (with dupes) - By time

| Hr |          |

-----------------

| 00 |       11 |

| 01 |       16 |

| 02 |       23 |

| 03 |       25 |

| 04 |       28 |

| 05 |        7 |

| 06 |          |

| 07 |          |

| 08 |          |

| 09 |          |

| 10 |        8 |

| 11 |       12 |

| 12 |       38 |

| 13 |       22 |

| 14 |       20 |

| 15 |          |

| 16 |          |

| 17 |       13 |

| 18 |       11 |

| 19 |       16 |

| 20 |          |

| 21 |          |

| 22 |          |

| 23 |          |

| 00 |          |

| 01 |          |

| 02 |          |

| 03 |          |

| 04 |          |

| 05 |          |

| 06 |       10 |

| 07 |       20 |

| 08 |        8 |

| 09 |       12 |

| 10 |       11 |

| 11 |       14 |

| 12 |       12 |

| 13 |       19 |

| 14 |          |

| 15 |          |

| 16 |          |

| 17 |          |

| 18 |          |

| 19 |          |

| 20 |          |

| 21 |          |

| 22 |          |

| 23 |          |

-----------------

|    |      356 |

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Worked prefixes

3V8

4L8

4O3

9A2    9A3    9A4    9A5    9A6    9A7

A6

AA3

AJ1

AO3

C4

CN8

CQ3

CR6

CT1

DD2    DD5

DF4

DJ0    DJ7

DK3    DK5

DL0    DL1    DL2    DL3    DL4    DL5    DL6

DL60

DL7

DM9

DP3

DQ4

DR1

DR2010

DR3    DR4

E7

E71    E73

EA2    EA4    EA5    EA8

EF5    EF8

EM7

ER0

ES9

ET4

EU1

EV1

EW5    EW8

F8

G3     G4

GW3

HA1    HA3    HA5    HA8    HA9

HB9

HG1

HG10

HG4    HG5    HG6    HG7    HG8

HK1

I0     I1

II7

IK0    IK4

IO3

IQ2

IR1    IR2    IR3

IT9

K1     K2     K5

KM3

KP2

KT3

LA2    LA8    LA9

LN3    LN9

LX7

LY2    LY3    LY5    LY6    LY7    LY8    LY9

LZ10

LZ3    LZ5    LZ7    LZ8    LZ9

ND3

NJ4

NN1    NN4    NN5

OE8

OG0    OG6

OH3    OH5    OH6    OH7

OK1    OK7

OL1    OL3    OL7    OL8    OL9

OM0    OM2    OM3    OM5    OM7    OM8

ON4    ON5

OQ3

OZ5

PA3

R7

RA1    RA3

RD1    RD4

RG3

RK3

RM5

RN6

RQ3

RS3

RT3    RT4

RU1

RW2    RW9

RX3    RX6    RX9

S50    S51    S52    S53    S54    S55    S56    S57

SA1

SE5    SE6

SJ0

SM7

SN7    SN8    SN9

SO6    SO9

SP3    SP4    SP5

SV1

SX1

TK9

TM33

UA3    UA4

UD3

UP2

UR5

US1

UT4    UT5

UU1

UV5

UW0    UW5

UX1    UX5

UY7

UZ0    UZ7

V26

VE3

VY2

W3     W8

WJ9

WK1    WK2

WL2

WR3

WU3

WX3    WX7

YL0    YL2    YL3    YL4    YL5

YO9

YQ9

YR5    YR8

YT0    YT1    YT2    YT3    YT4    YT5    YT6    YT7    YT9

YU1    YU5

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Contest         : CQ World Wide WPX Contest

Callsign        : M3JFM

Mode            : CW

Category        : Single Operator (SO)

Overlay         : ---

Band(s)         : All bands (AB)

Class           : Low Power (LP)

Zone/State/...  : DX

Locator         : IO91JS

Operating time  : 17h52

 BAND   QSO DUP  PFX  POINTS   AVG

-----------------------------------

 160     0   0    0       0  0.00

 80    15   0   13      30  2.00

 40   118   3   86     294  2.49

 20   163   4  112     233  1.43

 15    27   0   13      29  1.07

 10    26   0   12      32  1.23

-----------------------------------

TOTAL   349   7  236     618  1.77

===================================

 TOTAL SCORE : 145 848

Dupes are not included in QSO counts neither avg calculations

Operators       : M3JFM

Soapbox         :

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This was our first trip up to Scotland in 2010 we booked return flyby flights from Birmingham international airport to Inverness of course this was just the main part of our journey we still had to arrange return rail travel from Oxford to Birmingham international and from Inverness to Elgin and not forgetting the taxi from Inverness airport to Inverness train station and from Elgin train station to Allison’s mum’s.  We set out in good faith that this would be a problem free journey and well worth the extra expense incurred on this style of travel for the convenience of spending less time travelling - saving time is of the essence but is it worth chucking good money at time saving means of transport – only if the mode of travel is reliable and the answer to this is no its very unreliable all kinds of factors pop up.

We arrived in plenty of time for our flight we booked in and went to the restaurant to eat and after we had time to read the papers and relax before our flight what flight – we have been here before on the same route our flight was delayed and delayed again and then again before we took off all the advantages of taking the plain had been wasted we arrived in Inverness after the train we wanted had left and we have a two hour wait to add to our discomfort there are no services open on Inverness train station the loos are closed the waiting room was cold, and unwelcoming it was the last place you wanted to be stuck at for a couple of hours.  On a bitter cold evening with snow laying deep on the hills but clear in the towns

Inverness is a city I really enjoy visiting and I will go out my way to travel on this route and visit the town I don’t feel that I have been in the Scotland unless I make it to the capital of the highlands its steeped in history from factual to made up romantic stuff woven and intermixed with a blend of storytelling and drama and I think the tourist love hearing and experiencing it  – And in some respects that’s  what they want to see I am greatly disappointed if I do not see someone wearing the national dress  or hear the pipes, whisky and haggis and tartan are the outer hall marks with other markers as well.

Leaving Allison at the train station I ventured out into the town to take some evening photographs of the river ness and the castle I had a great time but I was bothered some by the bitter cold it was a big shock to the system we had left a wonderful mild sunny day behind and walked into Narnia a wonderful winter wonderland as the shadows slowly grew longer and darker the streets around the river ness and by the castle grew very atmospheric it was easy to imagine that hiding in the dark closes off the high street were redcoat soldiers searching the streets and alley ways hunting down the Jacobite highlander the red coat solider intent on taking no quarter and the Jacobite fleeing for his life. I rejoined Allison at the train station and we took the Inverness train to Aberdeen getting off at Elgin after a short taxi ride  we arrived at Allison’s mum’s. Who was entertaining our son Peter.

Day 1

I woke in the night and I thought it was light outside so I took a peek out the curtains to be greeted by a winter scene  it was snowing heavy and laying on the ground I soon returned to my warm bed. After breakfast Peter and I walk through the snow to the train station we were booked onto the Inverness to Aberdeen train due to the poor weather condition our train was delayed in the past snow has not been a big problem on this route however flooding is a historical problem and with the railway track at the train station being submerged in water after the river Lossie has burst its banks.

The train left Elgin for Aberdeen but our journey was very slow and we were often at a standstill and then we were on the move again as we got further into speyside the snow became deeper  and the country side was covered in a deep layer of snow we finally arrived in Aberdeen safe and sound Peter and I went for lunch at a restaurant at the train station after lunch we walked down to the harbour it was bitter cold and we took some picture and made our way to the Aberdeen Maritime Museum  to dry our cameras and to get a warm up and hot drink after visiting the museum and taking some photo’s from advantage points in the museum of the harbour we went for a walk in Aberdeen itself and then made our way to the train station.

We left Aberdeen on the Inverness train but once we got past Aberdeen and into the countryside things began to change for the worse we soon arrived at Inch train station and due to frozen points we were unable to continue to Inverness there was only one way the train could go and that was back to Aberdeen between Dyce and Aberdeen we contacted my daughter and she booked us into the jury inn Aberdeen  the hotel was great four star’s all bells and whistles we went to Frankie and Bennies for dinner and star bucks for hot chocolate and coffee before returning to our hotel for the night we laid on our beds watching tv before going to bed.

As we slept safe and snug in our beds the hotel staff was at hand to take care of our wants and wishes the storm across Scotland grew wilder casing disruption to overnight travellers regardless of the mode of travel. With major travel disruption between Edinburgh and Inverness one train came to a Holt in the Drumochter moor pass and got stuck in the deep snow drifts the train its crew and passengers all needed to be rescued not an easy task for the rescuers and I am sure from the early morning new reports that Peter and I saw all stranded passengers had endured a very uncomfortable night and were only to pleased to arrived at Inverness and to get some rest at the station hotel before continuing their journey.

Day 2

After breakfast Peter and I made our way to Aberdeen train station it came as no surprise to us that the train station information boards were announcing that all trains were delayed check for further information we made our way to the ticket sale’s and booking office This was to be the only time we would witness Scot rails customers being treated in a disrespectful and rude manner by Scot rail staff. It soon became very evident that the possibility of the line between Aberdeen and Inverness being open due to frozen points at inch station was not going to be resolved any time soon and we thought that at this stage in the day we would be wiser if we checked at the coach station to see if the Aberdeen to Inverness coach was running as this followed the coastal route and stood a good chance of being open. In contrast to the scot rail staff the stage coach staff went out there way to help the stranded train customers offering advice and assistance to our delight the coastal route was open and a coach was due to leave within half an hour some hours later we arrived safely back to Elgin if a day late.

Day 3

After breakfast Peter and I made our way to Elgin train station we were booked on the train from Elgin to Inverness there we were to expect some travel disruption as alternative trains were cancelled however the one we were booked onto was going to run if only delayed by half an hour our journey to Inverness went smoothly once in Inverness Peter and I took advantage of the free time to take some photographs of the castle and river ness before going for lunch at the highland view restaurant  after lunch we made our way to the Inverness coach station we had pre booked onto a boat trip down loch ness  Called Discovery this promised a 3.5 hour coach and cruise of Loch Ness with 1 hour at Urquhart Castle

• Spend one and a half hours cruising the Loch and the Caledonian Canal
• look for hidden happenings beneath the water with the new Jacobite sonar
• Visit Urquhart Castle and its fascinating Visitor Centre
• All admissions included in the ticket price
• Enjoy a guided coach tour

Sounds great and it lived up to its advertisement Peter and I had a great time and we made the most of the photo opportunity that this trip brought our way it’s one thing to travel down the loch on the road stopping at advantage points to admire the view but it’s much better to be on the loch in a boat our first view of Urquhart castle were breath taking all my photographs can be seen at the following link http://www.flickr.com/photos/m3jfm/collections/

Day 4

Peter and I walked into Elgin and we visit the Elgin model railway exhibition at the town hall this an annual event and one we have been to in the past this time however there was fewer exhibitors by trade stands and model lay outs but we have an interesting time and took a few photo’s of the lay outs that took our interest. After lunch Peter and I took the local town bus from Elgin down speyside to Dufftown we had heard reports that the snow was very deep down speyside and we wanted to see for ourselves also a visit to Glenfiddich distillery makes an for an interesting diversion on all accounts we were not to be disappointed the tour of Glenfiddich was very interesting afterwards Peter and I enjoyed afternoon tea Scottish highland style in the new Glenfiddich distillery restaurant. Afterwards we walked in the snow from the distillery up into Dufftown before returning to Elgin on the bus. Once in Elgin we changed buses and went down to Lossiemouth all in same afternoon   we walked in the snow on speyside and in the sunshine on Lossiemouth beach.

Day 5

Sadly it was time to make the return trip home Allison and I took the train from Elgin to Inverness and a taxi from Inverness to the airport I had a hour free to spend taking some photo’s in old Inverness and the castle before heading to the airport our return trip was problem free Inverness - Birmingham then train back to Oxford. Peter remained for a few more days at Grans and took advantage of returning to Lossie to take some more photos.

to be continued



Day 1

MKARS 80M QRP Tranceiver features:

Full 80m LSB coverage.

5 Watts output power.

Frequncey display with "huff and Pauff" circuit.

Modulation monitor to help stop over modulation.

Volt meter - useful for battery operation.

Reverse polarity protection.

Typicial specifications 13.8 Volt supply

Operating frequency 3.5 -3.8 MHZ.

RF output 5 watts

sensitivity MDS better than 1uV.

IF frequency 9.998MHZ.

Audio output + or - 0.5w.

Current consumption receive 120mA no signal Transmit 1.2 amps.

Supply voltage 10 -16 volts.

Microphone low cost electret type.

Loudspeaker  8 Ohms.

I download a copy of construction manual from http://www.radio-kits.co.uk/mkars80page.html I was careful to keep a copy of the pdf file on the desk top of my laptop as well as printing of a paper copy some 25 pages long and in full colour. following the construction manual I set to work I opened the components bag number one and started soldering the components in order onto the printed circuit panel. The printed circuit board looked like this

Day 2 On Sunday afternoon for a couple of hours between afternoon tea and dinner I thought that I would like to spend a couple of hours working on the MKARS 80m Kit adding the components from bag 2. Some 42 components added and this is how the printed circuit board looked

The printed circut board at the end of Day 2

Next I opened bag number 3 I soldered onto the printed circuit board the two 33v 400mw Zener diodes and then started soldering onto the board the 100nf ceramic capacitors I had time to solder 40 of them onto the board before it was time to stop for dinner. I have 11 more to solder onto the printed circuit board and one 10uh Axial inductor before I have to start winding inductors and transformers.

Day three and I had reached the stage when it was time to start winding the transformers and soldering them onto the printed circuit board the first one I had to wind was the BN43–2402 5T Trifilar wound 38 SWG ECW this did not look easy but by taking my time I was soon getting into the hang of it I used my test meter to help identify the pairs of wires that I was going to soldier onto the printed circuit board.  Before the evening was out I has also wound one of the toroids and added to the printed circut board. Having already wound and solider onto the print circit board T1 this left me to wind L2 and L4

The printed circut board at the end of Day 3

Day 4 I continued winding the last three toroid's L4 was the same as L1 – Cut off approximately 40cm of 27
SWG wire and pass half of it through the center of a T37-6 core, this counts as the first turn. Now wind a further 14 turns through the core using one end of the wire, turn the core over and wind the other end through the core 15 times

making a total of 30 turns. Whilst winding pull the wire tight so the turns lay touching each other. Crop the wires to 10 – 20mm in length and tin the ends with solder. next I wound L2 is wound in a similar way with the same 27 SWG wire but has a total of 32 turns. Keep the turns tight but it doesn’t matter if several turns overlap. and last I wound L5 – using approximately 50cm of 33 SWG wire and wind using the same procedure as the other toroid cores with a total of 40 turns, space the wires evenly around the core.

This took me about 45 minutes to wind and then soldier onto the printed circuit board I was surprised that this operation took me so long I was not rushing but then I was not hanging about. The next job on the list was to solider onto the printed circuit board the Electrolytic capacitors which are polarised so may only be fitted one way round. By convention the PCB is marked with a + symbol, the + lead of a capacitor is longest, the capacitor sleeve is also normally marked -. Fit the capacitors against the PCB with zero lead length but it is very important not to put excessive force on the leads as this can make the electrolyte leak out.

The printed circut board at the end of Day 4

Day 5

And its time to open bag 4 and fit the following IC3  is a 78L05 and IC4 is a 78L08 IC1 is a LM386N-1 next the 1N4148 Diodes a total of 15. Diodes are polarised devices so can only be fitted one way round, match the band on one end of the encapsulation with the bar printed on the PCB. followed by adding the 1N5401 Diode.

The printed circuit board after bag three componets have been added to the board.and the completed board.

Well I am hooked it’s not often that I get the chance to work long distance amateur radio stations and maybe I am swayed a little by the idea of working stations in exotic locations around the globe and of course I am in with a chance because I live in a commonwealth country a couple of things have to be settled from the start this is not going to be easy the pile ups will be large the big guns will work the DX first and the small pistols will just have to wait their turn. On the plus side in this contest there is no European Zoo. If the station you are calling can hear you they will work you. Even if you do get the odd person as I did this year up in Scotland Who said that he is only working only Beru (commonwealth) perhaps he miss read my call sign as N3JFM and not M3JFM.  I worked nearly everyone I could hear some times the pile up’s were large and I just had to wait a little longer but in the end I made the QSO my station was made up of the Yaseu FT-950 and Windom antenna.

One hour before the contest started I made a fresh pot of filter coffee this would stay warm on its own hot plate for up two hours without cooking the cooking.  I checked my amateur radio station over first checking that the antenna was still up and in good working order and the coax feeder was in good order next was to switch the rig on and shack pc and check to make sure they working The day before I had printed off a copy of the contest rules and list of the countries and call areas that qualified for this contest and I kept the list close to hand after a while I would tick off the countries I had worked. With the start of the contest fast approaching I was sat in the shack ready for the 10:00 UTC start.

To Enlarge the map click on the image

The Red Pins are 2010 contacts blue pins 2009 contacts

In Log :

40M

GB5CC United kingdom, ZC4LI. Cyprus UK Bases

20M.

GM3POI United Kingdom, P3J Cyprus , ZM4G New Zealand, VE6JY Alberta Canada, VE6EJ Alberta Canada, VE3KI Victoria Canada, ZL6HQ New Zealand , 5B4AGN Cyprus, VX3AT Victoria Canada, VK2BJ New South Wales , 9M6XRO East Malaysia, VU2PTT India, VK2IM New South Wales, VX7CC British Columbia, VK4EMM Queensland, H2E Cyprus , ZC4VJ Cyprus UK Bases, C4Z Cyprus, VA3DX St Catharine’s Ontario, VO1TA Newfoundland, VE3UTT Ontario, VE2XXA Quebec , VE3TDI Ontario, VE3OI Ontario, ZC4LI Cyprus UK Bases, ZB2FX Gibraltar .

15M.

P3J Cyprus, ZC4LI Gibraltar, VY2SS Prince Edward island , VE3OI Ontario, VE3EJ Ontario, VE2AEJ Quebec, J88DR St Vincent, VX3AT Ontario, 5H3EE Tanzania, VA3PL Ontario, VA3RAC Ontario, VE3FU Ontario,

The following is from the GWR Didcot website

Up to thirteen GWR locomotives in steam
Visiting Locomotives:-
3717 City of Truro
Pannier Tank No. 9466
7827 Lydham Manor
14xx 0-4-2T Tank No. 1450
5029 Nunney Castle
Prairie Tank No. 5521
Real Ale Festival, featuring a selection of beers from along the route of the Great Western main line
Vintage Carriages, Goods and Engineering Trains, Auto-Trains, Broad Gauge Trains, Double Heading and more
Stalls, Scalextric races, model railway and other attractions (Saturday 1 - Monday 3)
Visiting Railtour from Tyseley on Saturday 1 May. See Vintage Trains website for details
Saturday evening barbecue featuring local rock band - 'Fourtuned' on 1 May - centre open until 11pm
Evening photographic event on Thursday 6 May. Cost £20 per head (pre-booking essential - contact mail.30742@btinternet.com to book or for more details. Please note that this photo shoot cannot be booked via the Didcot Office.)
Early opening on Saturday 8 May - see the locomotives being prepared for their day's work - centre open from 6:30am (Refreshment Room opens for breakfast at 8:00)
Travelling Post Office demonstration (Sat 8 - Sun 9)
Why not treat yourself to Special GWR 175 Day at Didcot? Visit the event, ride on the footplates of at least four locomotives, guided tour with privileged access, lunch etc. Available from Tuesday 4 to Friday 7 May, at a cost of £140 + £25 each for up to two guests - contact us on (01235) 817200 or at info@didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk for more information or to book.

City of Truro is appearing courtesy of the National Railway Museum. Transport courtesy of Andrew Goodman.

With an advert like that what photographer could afford not to go along Peter and I took advantage of online registration taking time to book online paid off on the day when we arrived we were fast tracked we were looking around the show within minutes of our arrival and what a show.

United Pentecostal Church Oxford

January 1978 – March 1980.

In 2010 the United Pentecostal Church in Oxford will be celebrating its 32nd anniversary. These have been Thirty two wonderful years of proclaiming full Bible salvation in a city famous for its University. This is a cosmopolitan city that is vibrant full of energy and is open 24/7. This is a young person's city a place of learning young people arrive from the four corners of the world to seek the best education possible for themselves many of these young people will become the political leaders, movers and shakers of the future. Some of the students are from Royal households around the world. Some parents are leading figures in industry, politics, education, religion. Oxford is also famous for the BMW MINI car factory that is located just three miles to the east of the city at Cowley under Lord Nuffield it was the largest employer in the area.

During 1977 a group of local Christians met for a weekly men's prayer meeting above a bookshop warehouse in Wolvercote village a few yards beyond the parish church of St Peters this small group of local people would earnestly pray regarding missionary work overseas but they also prayed for a spiritual awaking in Oxford. This small group were spiritually hungry. The Lord was working in their lives no one in the group had received the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial evidence of speaking with other tongues. It was during September that it became clear to me during bible study that the bible way of water baptism was in the Name of The Lord Jesus Christ Acts 2:38. By the end of the December I had received the revelation of the oneness of God about this time a second member of the men’s prayer group was also open to this new doctrine that had not been taught by man but God had revealed during personal prayer and bible study.

During this time we all continued to fellowship in our local churches attending both Sunday services and the midweek prayer and bible study meetings. It was popular among Christians? to tuned into the gospel radio station Trans World Radio and HCJB, HCJB is located in Ecuador and broadcast the programme Harvest time this is the radio broadcast of the United Pentecostal church International. In order to receive HCJB radio broadcasts you needed a radio that was more than the standard model that was available on the local high street. I have been a radio amateur since I was 14 years of age. More people in the world know me by my amateur radio call sign M3JFM than by my name. A group of Christian friends would join me to listen into the English Gospel radio service broadcast from HCJB.
We continued to pray and seek the will of God encouraging each other in the faith longing for a spiritual awaking in Oxford. It was during November of 1978 while reading an article in a Christian newspaper that I felt the Lord was working upon me and for some reason I felt challenged to enter into a course of bible study with London city mission I wrote to them explaining how I felt when I read their article they in return sent me in the post A Biblical preparation course for Christian workers which I started on the first of December I found the course most interesting and profitable. I felt that this was something that The Lord wanted me to be doing in fact I was convinced of it.

Bro Paul Goodhall with Rev George Duke

Christmas 1977 came with all its blessings soon followed by the New Year of 1978 the men's prayer group continued to meet and we prayed for mission’s world wide. That The Lord would bless us in Oxford with a spiritual awaking. We were longing, believing, hoping, that our prayers were going to be answered. Twenty eight miles away in a market town in Buckinghamshire called High Wycombe. A group of Christians had been praying and seeking the will of God for some months regarding opening a Church in Oxford. The Team was made up of The United Pentecostal church Home mission’s director and resident missionary Rev George Duke with his wife Sister Duke, Son Mark, daughters Lorraine, and Becky. Their oldest daughter Debbie was at Bible school in the United States of America. Rev Mogg, Bro Fred Plum, Bro Mike Joules, and Bible school students at Rev Dallas church in London Sister Joyce Hill and Sister Helen Diamond and Sister Margaret.

On Friday the 3rd of January 1978 I was studying Acts chapter 2 I believed that the events that I read were true and had taken place I also felt sure this experience was for today however I did not have the experience myself nor had I meet any one who had. I was getting to the stage where I really need to meet someone to explain this passage of scripture to me who had the experience themselves. I felt lead of the Lord to close my studies and to pick up my coat and leave the house for some fresh air. I made my way towards the Summertown shops and I could see a young man who was handing out tracts to people who passed by. As I approached him he gave me a tract which said the Pentecostal are coming healing, speaking in tongues. I asked him about acts 2:38 the young man I was talking to was Bro Fred Plumb he told me he was an evangelist with the United Pentecostal Church and they were opening a new church in Oxford the first service was to take place that Sunday 8th January and of course he was inviting me along. He told me Bro Duke had only minutes earlier dropped him off in Summertown.

It was all a little too much to take in suddenly to become aware that your prayers were being answered that the will of God was unfolding in front of your eyes I could hardly contain my excitement I returned home and I can remember making myself a cup of coffee and I was thinking about the events that had just taken place. I still had loads of questions I still did not fully understand full bible salvation and I felt convicted of the Lord so I went back and this time I took Bro Fred home with me. My wife Caroline was also open to the message that Bro Fred taught our good friend Geoffrey Williams called at the house to join us for dinner the three of us worked at the Thames Valley Police Headquarters Caroline as a sectary and Geoffrey worked in the department that made sure that the Police man and women’s personal files were kept up to date. I worked for The Home office as a wireless engineer I was based at the police HQ and taught Radio operating practises and procedures at the Thames Valley Police training College. We would meet up for lunch together and in time a very close friend ship developed in the course of time Caroline and I married and we moved into a flat on the Woodstock road and Geoffrey was a good few years older than us and had a bachelor flat on the Banbury road most evening’s the three of us would have dinner together during the evening Bro Fred witnessed to us more regarding the oneness message and salvation. We were all open to the message that Bro Fred preached after a very long and exciting evening Geoffrey gave Bro Fred a lift home on the back of his 500cc Honda motor bike to the caravan up at Horse path this was truly a day of great blessing for me and one I have never forgotten.

The United Pentecostal Church held its first service at the Summertown church hall on the corner of Banbury Road and Portland Road Oxford. On Sunday 8th January 1978 Caroline and I nor Geoffrey went to the first UPC church service in Oxford Caroline and I went to our normal place of worship the evangelical Free Church as was our custom we went to the morning and evening Sunday service. Many times during the following week Bro Fred visited us at home we talked about full bible salvation the baptism of The Holy Ghost. Midweek Bro Fred also brought along Rev John Mogg from our first meeting I realised that He was a man of God until now I had only read about men like him. In 1938-1946 he and his wife were missionaries in Ceylon. When he prayed and ministered the word of God you could feel the presence of God. This was the beginning of a lifelong friendship.

We all meet up at my home again on Friday 13th January 1978 we had been talking about water baptism. I said that for some time I had wanted to be baptized like they did in Acts 2 Bro Mogg and Bro Fred could hardly contain there excitement Bro Fred telephoned Rev G Duke and He came over to meet us Caroline and I explained to Him that we wanted to be baptized like they did in Acts 2:38 This was the first time we had met Rev G Duke. Caroline and I were a little taken back when he asked were we married Caroline assured him that we were we thought that we would be baptised in the river Thames. But the Lord had other plans instead we went to Rev James Dallas Church Life Tabernacles Battersea London. Rev James Dallas was the United Pentecostal District board superintendent. Rev F J Turley was the editor of Pentecostal truth the District Presbyters were Rev S G Sappleton and Rev C Price. By the time we arrived from Oxford the Church was full of people. Bro Duke baptised me in The name of The Lord Jesus Christ. This was a great time of blessing for me when I came up out of the water I was so excited something wonderful was taking place in my life I could feel the presence of God all over me. The saints in the church were more excited then I was they were sing and dancing and praying out loud speaking in tongues. When Caroline was baptised she came out the water speaking in tongues I was really pleased for her and I was so excited that I could only watch her receiving a wonderful blessing from The Lord.

Brother Mike Joules

The following day Saturday 14th January 1978 Caroline and I walked up to the shops in Summertown in the street was a whole team of young people witnessing and passing out tracts. Everyone in the street either had or was soon going to receive a yellow tract similar to the one Bro Fred had given me over a week ago. One of the people who was out witnessing and giving out tracts was Brother Mike Joules since our first meeting we have been best friends. During the day I contacted my friends and those who were in our men's prayer group and I invited them to attend the UPC church service on the Sunday afternoon at the Summertown church hall.

The second church service of UPC Oxford took place on Sunday 15th January 1978 After Bro Duke had preached he gave the alter call and a group of us went up to the front. I was encouraged to pray by Rev John Mogg and Bro Fred and seek the baptism of The Holy Ghost as I poured out my heart, seeking The Lord with all my mind, heart, and strength I received the baptism of The Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the initial evidence. I was one of two people to receive the baptism of The Holy Ghost that afternoon in Oxford. From our weekly men's prayer meeting Bill and his wife Mable Wright accepted fellowship with the United Pentecostal church It was to take Geoffrey some weeks before he accepted full bible salvation. At about this time the following local people also came along Sister Sylvia, Brother Daryl and Sister Cathy. Mrs Fennimore, Sister kay with her children Brother Geoffrey was some year later to marry sister Kay and before sister Kay died of cancer and Brother Geoffrey witness to his step family and all the children were baptised a year before brother Geoffrey died. After sister Helen Diamond graduated from Bible college in London she moved in with a Dukes and found a job in a local shop for many years after she got married she attended UPC Oxford but since has not been for many years.

About the same time as UPC started to hold church services in Oxford a retired Policeman Mr Fred Smith also started a Trinitarian Pentecostal church he was very popular and attracted a lot of people to his church he ran services for many years and for a while a lot of local people attend his church I personally new people who would try UPC one week and Fred Smiths church the next.

After the Oxford church service we would go to Bro and sister Dukes home for dinner then we would all pile into Bro Dukes mini bus and head for the evening service in High Wycombe these were great times of blessing after a couple of weeks Bro Duke started to hold a Saturday church service at RAF Croughton from this the American Service families travelled to the church in Oxford. He also held a couple of church services at RAF Upper Heyford and again from this the American service men and women were encouraged to attend the church in Oxford both these outreach services were very successful and families soon travelled into Oxford and the Saturday services were closed. I remember in the early days one of the families from RAF Croughton was Walt and Jan Lutes with their two children Scott and Rae Marie and from RAF Upper Heyford David Hinton and his wife Peggy and their two children. From these two families developed life time friendships

I also remember during this time that Bro Duke was trying to start a church in Cheltenham I was invited to accompany Bro Mogg and Bro Fred Plum for half a week in Cheltenham we stayed in a caravan and we travel into Cheltenham each day witness and passing out tracks both in the street and door to door on the Saturday evening we held a church service and after wards travelled back to Oxford ready for church on Sunday.

In The summer The Oxford and High Wycombe church held a tent crusade in Oxford this took place at the cutteslowe park a few miles north of the city centre one year we had a Christian pop band with us called David and the giants at the time the band was made up of David Huff and his twin brothers, Rayborn and Clayborn, were born into the Kingdom of God in 1977 with Keith Thibodeaux on drums. During the time the band was in Oxford they were selling copies of their album “Step in my shoes” The Tent Crusade ran for a week in Oxford and then we would moved onto High Wycombe. And set the Crusade tent up on the Rye Park.

More information on the Christian rock Band David and the Giants can be found at on line at http://davidandthegiants.com/index.html and at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_and_the_Giants
Bro Arlo Moehlenpath was living and working in High Wycombe with his family from 1976 to 1978 and He would often run the mid week bible study in High Wycombe his teaching was second to none and I still have some of his teaching notes I have good memories of him. His excellent Bible teaching can be found on line at http://www.doinggood.org/ He can also be found on twitter under Arlomoehlenpath

Some things stand out far more than others but even with the passing of time I remember as if it was yesterday The first time I cycled on my bike with Rev John Mogg to the mobile home that the team was staying at Rev John Mogg loved tea and he drank gallons of the stuff as soon as we arrived at the mobile home He put the kettle on to make a pot of tea but when it came to pouring out the tea He reached for the sugar bowl and it was nearly empty and there was no more in the house upon discovering this Rev John Mogg declared that it was time to pray and ask God to Bless us Rev John Mogg prayed out loud and I said a much quieter prayer I still had not gotten used to the Pentecostal way of praying out loud when Rev John Mogg had finished praying he told me to go first and take the two spoons of sugar I would normally take He encouraged me to put my trust and faith in The Lord to provide to be honest I had never witnessed a miracle of supply I had read about it in books from my local Christian book shop I had heard Rev John Mogg tell accounts of his time of great blessing on the mission field in Ceylon this was new to me and I this was a big step for me something alone the lines of going to the moon I put the spoon in and took the first spoon full out and there was hardly any sugar left in the bowl Rev John Mogg encouraged me to put the spoon into the bowl again and to scoop as much sugar as I could on to the spoon. As I lifted the spoon up sugar poured of the spoon and filled the sugar bowl.

How did I feel about this I am still excited about it 32 years later it had a profound effect upon me from this I was made aware that The Lord will provide for and bless me And my family all I have to do is step out and put my faith and trust in The Lord Jesus Christ. In the power and authority found in his wonderful name. Perhaps to someone who is reading this it’s no big deal to them but it was and is to me. The way I prayed from then on changed instead of saying through his son or through your son I pray in the name of Jesus.

During the time Bro and sister Duke were in Oxford a young lady arrived as a student at Oxford University I believe she was reading for a degree in music at St Hilda’s college this young lady was to be the first in a line of young people who are members of the United Pentecostal church who were to study at Oxford her name is Bethan at the time she was very friendly with Bro Mark Gadd I have wonderful memories of her cycling from college arriving for church wearing her gown and mortar board. And of course Bro Mark would cycle down from his college to oxford to visit sister Bethan today many people in the church know them as Rev Mark and Mrs Bethan Gadd.

Rev Fred Plum and Brother Geoffrey Williams

One Sunday after going to church in Oxford Brother Geoffrey and I went to church in High Wycombe on Geoffrey’s motor bike we set out in plenty of time when we got to High Wycombe we drove down a very steep hill and at the bottom is a roundabout on the inside lane was a Thames Valley Police patrol car we shot past the police car and within seconds we heard the blues and twos and the police car over took us and pulled us over. We stopped and climbed off the motor bike took our helmets off ready to speak to the police officer one of the police men asked Geoffrey how fast did he think he was going which Geoffrey said 30 MPH the second police man noticed on Geoffrey’s motor bike the rev counter and mph meters was missing the policeman asked Geoffrey about this and He explained that they had been stolen off his bike when it was parked outside work at the Thames valley police Headquarters car park and he had ordered replacements but they had not arrived as yet perhaps in a day or two’s time. The policeman asked us our names address and where we worked and for whom so we told him and handed over our identity cards off they went to the patrol car and we could hear them speaking on the radio after a long pause they came back over to Geoffrey and I and asked us a few more questions about our jobs then went back to police car and continued on the radio after a while which seemed like a life time the two policeman came up to us and returned our ID cards and said that it would appear we were who we said we were and we were free to continue on with our journey. In fact it took a few more weeks before the replacement meters arrived and each working day Geoffrey drive his motor bike to work and parked in the in Thames valley police HQ car with out and question asked.

After my brother Antony was demobbed from the Army he returned to Oxford and stayed with my parents he would come over to visit Caroline and I and stay for dinner during these visit I felt lead of the Lord to witness to my Brother he was to accepted full Bible salvation and he was to later marry Bro and Sister Dukes daughter Lorraine today Antony is pasturing a oneness church in the united states of America.

Sister Helen Prichard nee Diamond

Sometime 1979 The United Pentecostal church in Oxford moved from the Summertown church hall to the cutteslowe community centre in wren Road We long longer went to the high Wycombe church for the Sunday evening service instead two church service took place on a Sunday 11am Sunday school and adult Sunday school and the Gospel service in the evening 6pm Bible study and prayer was on a Friday evening.

United Pentecostal Church Oxford

March 1980 – 16th June 1988

In march 1981 Bro Duke and sister Duke returned to the states and Bro Hinton became the pastor of the Oxford church Bro Fred Plum was still attending the oxford church and he would often preach on a Sunday. Under Bro Hinton families came into the Church from Oxford, High Wycombe, RAF Fairford and RAF Green ham common. During the time Bro Hinton was pastor in Oxford the Sunday service saw a minimum of 45 people. Sometime during this time The Oxford church moved back to the summer town church hall because the community centre in Wren road was bulldozed down. The Service changed to Tuesday Prayer and Bible study at the Barton community centre, Friday youth service summer town church hall and Sunday Gospel service 2pm at the summer town church hall.

Under Pastor Hinton a young American came into the church James Blandon today his is Pastor of a UPC in Kentucky.
In early September 1980 I left UPC Oxford to go to Bible school at UPC Elgin Rev C Price was the pastor of the church and dean of the bible school. One of the Bible school pupils came down to Oxford with me for Christmas 1980 we visited the Oxford church and we also stayed for a few days with Brother and Sister Lutes at RAF Croughton. We returned to Elgin Scotland in the New Year 1982. I married one of the Bible school; students Mary A Reid she came into United Pentecostal church Elgin Scotland under Rev David and Mrs Jean Campbell this was on the 10th September 1972 she was baptised on the 11th September and filled with the Holy Ghost on the 12th September 1972. We got engaged on Valentine’s day 1981 and we married on the 26th February 1981 during 1988 I was offered full time employment in one of the Oxford colleges we moved to Oxford with our two children in December 1988.

United Pentecostal church Oxford
16th June 1988 to February 2010.

Pastor David Hinton had moved from Oxford to the states with his family leaving Bro Arthur Boyce as pastor of the Oxford church he left. He pastured the church in Oxford until 6 years ago when he returned to the states. Under Pastor Boyce a young American came into the church with his wife Richard and Michelle they are pasturing a church in the state also a young man Brother Chad came into the church he is licensed with United Pentecostal church and is based at Life Tabernacle.

When pastor Boyce left UPC Oxford some six years ago the church was left without a pastor Sister Monica Webley today takes care of the Oxford church which calls its self Apostolic Faith church Oxford I have no idea when the name changed or why under Pastor Duke and David Hinton the oxford church grew and when I returned to Oxford from Scotland there was still a good number of families in the church under Pastor Boyce today the Oxford church is small in number with most Sundays families coming from Oxford, Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, and Princess Risborough. We meet at the Summertown United Reformed Church at 8pm on Wednesdays for prayer and bible study and at 12:30 for Sunday service.