…. and still going strong

Sixty years ago the name of Albert Kingdom first appeared on a list of local preachers. Today, at 88, he is still active in the Bideford circuit to which he moved from the Tiverton circuit in 1919. Even so, after all these years, “I’m always nervous when I’m preaching” he confesses. With a twinkle that is never far from his eyes he adds “Sometimes I think that is for the better.”

He averages three or four preaching appointments a quarter.

Mr Kingdom began local preaching during the First World War when country districts in particular were experiencing a shortage. He and two other men went around together taking services before, at a Bible Christian circuit meeting held at Petton Farm, near Bampton, they were formally received ‘on the plan’.

Singing has always given him great pleasure and for 55 years now he has sung in the choir of Bideford (High Street) Methodist Church. He also helped the Sunday School and choir of Bethel Free Church, East-the-Water, over very many years.

He watches TV, principally for the news, sport and feature programmes, but is not enamoured of some of the offerings. Mr Kingdom is teetotal. And he has never had anything to do with whist drives, draws and ‘things like that.’

March 1975