TIMES of war, recession and crisis can often prove too much for most groups or associations. But one group has stood strong for more than 150 years.

The Salvation Army celebrates the landmark, having provided aid to people from London’s East End to as far away as the west coast of Africa.

Hadleigh Temple Corps, in London Road, will provide an illustration of its history at a three-day exhibition next month featuring displays, interactive activites and old archive footage in a purpose-built base.

The array of activities and resources at Hadleigh Temple’s disposal are a world away from the Salvation Army’s humble beginnings in East London back in 1865.

Originally named the East London Christian Mission, the idea was born to church minister William Booth and his wife Catherine.

It set out to bring salvation to the poor, destitute and hungry.

The Salvation Army’s association with Hadleigh extends back to 1891, when William Booth purchased about 900 acres of farmland in the area.

He envisioned it as farm colony able to provide food, money and support for struggling members of society.

In a different form, it still makes a contribution to those values today.

The outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 saw Basque refugee children under the care of the farm, at the request of the British government.

In 1939 the farm also responded to the needs of about 70 Jewish refugees, by providing accommodation and a safe haven as they fled persecution in Germany and Eastern Europe.

In recent years, Hadleigh Farm has servedapractical purpose.

A training centre opened at the site in 1990, and has worked with a number of organisations, including local authorities and the job centre, with the main aim of training people with special educational needs in contemporary subjects such as IT skills, carpentry, and life skills.

The park came to global attention when it hosted the London 2012 Olympic Mountain Bike events.

In July 2015, work was completed on creating an Olympic legacy which sawacafe, bike shop, bike workshop, ranger’s offices and a multi-use classroom open at the farm.

Bradley Craddock, training centre principal, is proud of the farm’s record of helping the community.

He said: “The training centre is about getting people into work, and helping them to develop in work.

“We’ve had to evolve with people becoming more independent.

The relationships we have with local authorities, and the facilities that we have developed here have enabled us to move forward.”

Major David Woodman, 51, Hadleigh Temple’s commanding officer since July 2011, says the group identifies with the same principles while also adapting to modern times and seeking to help as many people as possible.

He said: “We aim to be a church that is relevant to the community with a Christian message.

“The Corps’ approach varies upon the needs of its area, but the values remain the same.

“We recognise Hadleigh’s community is weighted towards the over fifties.

“However, the Salvation Army has had to become more diverse in order to respond to society’s need. People are more transient now and don’t just belong to one group.”

That much is reflected in the range of services offered. Elder members of the community are catered for by a luncheon club and silver service, younger members can count on messy church craft sessions and arrangements with the First Hadleigh Cubs and Scouts group.

Regular Salvation Army band concerts,acamera club and keep fit classes embody the multi-purpose make up of Hadleigh Temple.

Its reach also extends beyond the confines of the town, extending to Europe and Africa.

He said: “We have strong relations with the Salvation Army in Ukraine and are constantly sharing ideas and talks.

“We also have musicians from our band head out to Estonia, to provide help at a summer school there. Another ongoing example of our reach is using our public appeal money raised to help girls in Tanzania.

“I think this is the future of the Salvation Army, it will always be providing help.

“It always has to remain relevant to the world we live in.”

The three-day exhibition will be held from Thursday, October 8, to Saturday, October 10, from 10am until 4pm each day.

Admission is free. For more information, visit hadleightemple.org.uk.