2 COMMENT AND CONTENTS • WAR cry • 4 May 2019
What is The Salvation Army? The Salvation Army is a church and charity providing services in the community, particularly to those who are vulnerable and marginalised. Motivated by our Christian faith, we offer practical support and services in over 700 centres throughout the UK to all who need them, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. To find your nearest centre visit salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church
From the editor’s desk SOMETHING new is coming to a computer near you on Friday (10 May). Microsoft is releasing an update on Windows 10, the most popular computer operating system in the world. One of the new features, called Dark Mode, changes the colour scheme from white to black in an effort to reduce eye strain particularly when the user is looking at the screen at night. However, some old favourites remain. Last week many users were delighted to discover that Microsoft Paint will still be available on the new operating system after rumours circulated that it could be removed. First launched in 1985, Paint has built up a dedicated army of fans despite now being considered a very basic program, and there are many online illustrators who specialise in using it to create their artwork. Despite being old in technological terms, Paint is still a relatively new way of creating pictures. Last Thursday (2 May) was the 500th anniversary of the death of the artist Leonardo da Vinci. Using far more traditional techniques, he painted some of the world’s bestknown religious works including The Baptism of Christ and The Last Supper. In this week’s War Cry, we mark this anniversary by speaking with Sarah Owusu, a contemporary painter. She became an artist after a sudden period of ill health, brought on by a routine dental appointment. Sarah’s story reminds us how, in one moment, the course of a person’s life can change without warning. But Sarah also explains how it is possible for something positive to come from tough times and difficult circumstances. As we go through life, and encounter the challenges it can bring, it is good to know about the experiences of people such as Sarah and to draw hope and inspiration from them.
What is the War Cry? The Salvation Army first published a newspaper called the War Cry in London in December 1879, and we have continued to appear every week since then. Our name refers to our battle for people’s hearts and souls as we promote the positive impact of the Christian faith and The Salvation Army’s fight for greater social justice.
WAR CRY Issue No 7421
Editor: Andrew Stone, Major Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow Production Editor: Stephen Pearson Assistant Editor: Claire Brine Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku Staff Writer: Emily Bright Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk Graphic Designer: Rodney Kingston Graphic Designer: Mark Knight War Cry office: 020 7367 4900 Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN Tel: 0845 634 0101 Helpline: 020 7367 4888 Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@sp-s.co.uk Founder: William Booth General: Brian Peddle Territorial Commander: Commissioner Anthony Cotterill Secretary for Communications: Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant
Published weekly by The Salvation Army ©The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland ISSN 0043-0226 The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England and Wales is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. Printed by Walstead Roche Ltd, St Austell, on sustainably sourced paper
Your local Salvation Army centre
Contents FEATURES 3
Breaking the thin blue line Police corruption is under investigation in TV drama
5
Up with the larks Listening to the dawn chorus
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Change of step Dance company transforms lives
8
Drawing on the pain How ill health inspired art
10
Through the myths of time Uncovering the life of Middle-earth author
6
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REGULARS 4
News and media
12
Browsing the Bible
13
Book review
14 Puzzles 15
What’s cooking? Front-page picture: Fox Searchlight Pictures
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