WE want to get out into the community and help the people of Basingstoke.

That is the message from Captains Elaine and Fred Eardley, the new leaders of the Salvation Army in the town.

The married couple, originally from Stoke-on-Trent, took over the role after the departure of Major Ron Smith and his wife Elaine in July.

The previous leaders’ five-year spell in Basingstoke saw the building of a brand new £875,000 church in Wessex Close, which opened in December 2007.

Elaine Eardley, 54, said the church should now be open to community groups in Basingstoke to use.

She told The Gazette: “The main thing we want to do is to get out in the community and help the people of Basingstoke. We now have the resources to do it.

“We are looking at the building being used by other people. We do not want it to look empty – we want people to come and use it.”

The pair, who first met as children, have had a long and varied career in the Salvation Army.

They spent five years working for the church in the Republic of Congo, which has been ravaged by civil war.

Fred Eardley, also 54, said that rifle-toting Government troops had once ordered them out of their home and into a car.

He said: “They said that they were taking us away for our own safety, but as we were going down the road their commander stepped out and asked them what they were doing with us in their car.

“They let us out by a Salvation Army hall where there were 5,000 other people taking shelter.”

The couple, who have three children, have come to Basingstoke from a job at the Salvation Army’s headquarters in London.

They have already been busy in the town, launching two appeals for Christmas – their Annual Toy Appeal, and a new appeal to collect chocolates and biscuits for the families of personnel at RAF Odiham who will spend Christmas on the frontline.

The church is now gearing up for the annual Christmas Show on Wednesday, December 2 at The Anvil.

The Salvation Army Band and the Songster Brigade will aim help get people in the Christmas spirit by playing festive tunes.

The concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost from £8.