Their only 'weapon' down through the decades has been the Bible and a strong belief in helping others.

At the weekend, members of the Falkirk corps of The Salvation Army celebrated the founding of the body – which came 10 years after the movement was founded in 1878 – as well as the 10th anniversary of their move into their current worship and community centre at Parkfoot, opposite Comely Park Primary School.

Previously, they had been based in the distinctive red sandstone citadel in Bank Street in the heart of the town centre. But spiralling maintenance costs and a need for better premises to carry out their community work saw them launching the new building project, much of which was funded by public donations.

The present officers in charge are husband and wife team, Captains Philip and Carrie James, who have been in the town for two and a half years. Working alongside them are Anne Haldane, community project manager ,and eight other staff, as well as a veritable army of volunteers.

Around the time the Army moved into the new centre, it carried out a survey of the local community to discover what services people would like them to provide.

Out of that came an after-school club and drop-in kitchen, while over the years additions have included the New Futures project to work with the long-term unemployed, cafe, parent and toddlers group and CAMEO
(Come and Meet Each Other), the group for those with special needs and their carers.

All this takes place in the busy building alongside the traditional Salvation Army activities such as its Sunday worship services, band and Home League for women.

A decade on, the corps is now planning to carry out another community survey to discover if the needs of local people have changed and how best they can be served.

Philip said: "One thing we've already been asked for is some sort of youth club in the evenings which is something we will look at.

"Since we moved into the building what has happened is, along with many other churches, our worship congregation has shrunk but our community programme has grown. Part of the challenge is to keep the two in
balance.

"The community focus is something we recognise is needed and we are serving that community from our Christian base."
Philip (47), originally from Kent, was born into a Salvation Army family and became a soldier at 15. He worked with Reuters as an IT expert until four years ago when he became a full-time officer.

Carrie (43) is from Port Glasgow and has been a soldier since her teens. She was at training college with Lyn and Cedric Hills, who were the officers-in-charge in Falkirk when the new worship centre was commissioned.

"This is a very busy building and it's good to see lots of people making use of it," said Philip. "Obviously, we're always looking for more people to join us, particularly the younger members of the community, but hopefully that will come."

At Sunday's celebratory service long-service certificates were handed out to those who had been with the Army more than 30 years. Dorothy Allan (93) has the distinction of being a member for an amazing 77 years!

The Salvation Army is always recognised for helping people in crisis and is just about to launch its Christmas appeal for toys and food parcels for needy Falkirk families.

Philip said: "Last year, we helped over 200 people and anticipate, with the current economic climate, the number of requests we get in 2008 will be even more. People are always very generous in handing in donations and we're grateful for that."