Barry John Shaw retired this year - but only from his paid job.

Mr Shaw, who worked in the nuclear industry at Sellafield, has been secretary at the Whitehaven Salvation Army for 11 years.

His experience as an accountant has given him all the skills he needs to see to the Salvation Army’s administration. When he was working he did Salvation Army business in the evenings but now is able to spend three days a week doing this voluntary, unpaid job.

Last winter the Salvation Army in Whitehaven opened a warm spaces area where people could drop in for a cuppa and a chat and to keep warm without having t have their own astronomically expensive heating on at home.

The warm space proved so popular, however, that it has continued/ The warm space has now become the welcome space and Mr Shaw helps run that, too.

For Mr Shaw, who is 67, serving the Salvation Army is just another way of serving God.

And in that respect, he does his fair share.As well as helping with the administration, he is the songster leader, which means h runs the Salvation Army choir.

He is also a member of the Salvation Army band,playing the euphonium.

Mr Shaw’s parents were uniformed Salvationists and he has worshipped in the Salvation Army all his life and has never wanted to be anywhere else.

“Being a Salvationist means I gave my life to God. I was a Junior Soldier and am now a uniformed member of the Salvation Army.”

When he is not involved in Salvation activities, Mr Shaw enjoys listening to music, especially band and classical.

He is also in the process of doing up his family tree which he is enjoying.

Married to Gillian, the couple have four grown up children and four grandchildren.

The grandchildren have become his “holiday” job.

“ I have family in Maryport. During school holidays I go through there to look after the grandchildren while their parents work.”