And He hath put a new song in my mouth; even praise unto our God; many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Psalm 40 v 3

 Have you any time to spare. Can you play a musical instrument? Could you spend some time talking to the patients? Please telephone sister Meyer at All Saints Hospital. The postcard in the shop had been typewritten. Sheila had spotted it in Seaside road out side w newspaper shop.  She had called Tony back and pointed out this card.  They took the details. When Tony got home he prayed about it and felt that he should contact the Hospital. The Lord had given him over 70 songs all about Jesus and the love of God he knew he must sing them somewhere. In the telephone box he prayed  “Lord if this is not right please close the door, stop me from getting through,  he then dialled the number, after a pause a woman answered it was Sister Meyer

Tony explained that he had seen the card and that he could play the guitar, she had asked him what sort of music. There was a silence as Tony considered what to say, should he tell her that he was a Born Again Christian and wanted to sing his Gospel songs, he decided to bite the bullet, “Its all about Jesus”. There was a silence at the other end and then, Yes that’s OK,   when can you come? The question was unexpected, Tony thought quickly, tomorrow Tony said tentatively. They arranged a time 3PM in Northbourne Ward..

The next day in Northbourne ward Tony was shocked at the sight. The small day room was occupied by twelve elderly men in wheelchairs. They were a sad spectacle with heads bowed eyes vacant    and some asleep.  Sheila and Tony had said hello but there had been a minimal response so they had begun to sing.  Not being used to being in public Tony found it difficult to continue as the patients were not responding at all, just sitting there dozing.  Were they in a coma Tony wondered?  It was awful, sweat trickled down his face as they continued to sing half frightened of stopping.   A group of visitors had congregated at the door gazing in at the sight. Tony’s pride was being dealt with Did God really want him to do this?  Surely not.

At the end of the singing which lasted around forty minutes they stooped put the guitar away and went to say goodbye to the patients.  As they took their hands there was a wonderful response. Some had tears in their eyes; they were so grateful and could not thank us enough.  Tony and Sheila left the hospital knowing that God had blessed them and that a new chapter had begun in their Christian experience which was to lead them to minister around the World

In the following weeks other Christians came to help with the work, some elderly ladies promised to bring some hymn book and Dalybread were given 60 well worn Golden Bells hymn books. Other Christians offered to play the piano in the foyer while some offered to help wheel the patients from the wards to the foyer,  Tony and Sheila decided to call themselves the Dalybread , a ministry of love in song, this  was so that the group as a whole could be recognized not constantly Tony and Sheila.

One amusing incident happened in those first few weeks at Northbourne Ward.  A nurse had whispered “Would they mind having the doors shut as they wanted to remove a corpse from the ward without upsetting the patients”. Tony agreed but it was while they were singing behind locked doors that this elderly man got up from his chair and said in a very loud voice, “ will you stop singing”.  Well after 40 years of serving the Lord the answer today is as it was then.  NO  Never!!