Dozens of organisations bowled over by plans for CRE North 2024
Less than a month before England face Australia at Old Trafford, news of CRE’s next innings in Manchester was outlined to more than 50 guests at the atmospheric venue.
Representing businesses, missions and churches from across the north west and beyond, attendees heard from Bishop Tony Porter, formerly vicar of Holy Trinity, Platt and Mark Mitchell, founder of the Mitchell Group car dealership at Cheshire Oaks, who praised the vision of owner Steve Goddard for bringing CRE North to the BEC Arena (15/16 May 2024).
‘The exhibition is a vital opportunity for Christians of all denominations to find something to assist them in their ministry and witness,’ said Mark, a former High Sheriff of Chester. In a wide-ranging interview he admitted to beginning his commercial life at eight years of age, selling hamsters in the school playground.
Having set up the company in 1990 with £100 share capital and a £10,000 bank overdraft, the Mitchell Group, based at Cheshire Oaks, now employs 100 people, with a turnover of £50 million – in spite of the dealership not opening on a Sunday.
‘We have a sign which says: “At home with the family”. In an industry where standards are not high, we can stand out,’ he said. ‘Not all our staff are Christians. They are employed on the basis of skills and experience but we are the closest many of them will get to understanding Christianity. We have to be Christ to them. I follow the Bible verse – “Those who honour me I will honour.”’
He recalled the time when a major car manufacturer wanted to change the franchise to ensure dealers were open on a Sunday. Despite the huge impact it would have on his company, Mark refused to continue with the manufacturer, telling them: ‘I am more accountable to my maker than any auto manufacturer.’
His company now deals with three major brands – Lexus, Mazda and Skoda.
The interview followed entertainment from Wirrall-based Christian magician Steve Price, a Gold Star member of The Magic Circle and one-time winner of the Circler’s Originality Prize. Steve regularly entertains groups of all ages, taking his show to churches as well as cruise liners. Brett Pitchfork, CRE event director, explained how CRE North 2024, at the BEC Arena (15/16 May 2024) will be the first one in Manchester for five years.
‘It was the preferred venue of the majority of our 160+ exhibitors,’ said Brett. ‘Within the first two weeks of stand sales more than 25 per cent of the floor space had already been taken.’
Speaking before the event at Old Trafford, Rt Revd David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, said: ‘We are delighted CRE is returning to Manchester. Here is an opportunity for dozens of organisations to bring skills, services, ideas and resources to the north and for members of all church traditions to come and draw inspiration from them.’
• To book a stand at CRE North 24 (BEC Arena, Manchester 15/16 May 2024) contact James Batterbee on 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpas on 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk). Floorplans and price list available here.
Mark Mitchell to speak at CRE Networking Day
Thu 15 June 2023
12-2.30pm
Emirates Old Trafford
Special Guest: Mark Mitchell, founder and MD of the Mitchell Group, Cheshire Oaks
Mark Mitchell was born and bred in Birkenhead and at eight years old realised his gifting in the world of commerce – setting up a hamster retail business in the school playground.
He went on to read economics at Leeds, creating and launching a wide variety of memorable business ventures in his spare time. On graduation, he joined the motor industry and after holding key positions at Rover, Ford and Jaguar, returned to the Wirral at 28 with his wife, Anita. They had met at St Michael le Belfrey in York. Jointly, they started Mitchell Group in 1990 with £100 share capital and a £10,000 overdraft from Barclays.
The business now represents three major automotive brands – Lexus, Mazda and Škoda – from the five-acre base at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet Village, and employs over 100 people. Driven by a passionate Christian faith, Mark has always been counter-cultural in terms of business leadership – putting colleagues before customers, and not trading on Sundays.
He was appointed UK Automotive Business Leader of the Year 2020, and at the same time served as (then) Her Majesty’s High Sheriff of Cheshire. He also serves as Deputy Lieutenant of Cheshire until his 75th birthday. Wider involvement includes foodbanks, street pastors, Wirral-wide men’s breakfasts and, of course, a keen local church involvement.
At our networking day at Old Trafford we’ll be finding out about the events in business that may have challenged his faith, whether staying shut on Sundays has ever impacted the Mitchell Group, and if he has been ever been tempted to part-ex hamsters.
Gemma’s gems score a big hit with Cowell and Co.
The BIG Sing choir, who scored a big hit with the judges on Britain’s Got Talent this month, will help open CRE Midlands 2023 (10am, Wed 8 Nov, Cranmore Park, Solihull).
Some members of the choir – there were 350 of them at Britain’s Got Talent! – will also talk about their work in local communities and encourage visitors to join them.
The choir was started 12 years ago by Gemma and Howard Francis to get people singing – whether they had a good voice or not – to help them make new friends and entertain others. In fact, there are now BIG Sing groups in many parts of the country with more than 500 members. All ages and all types of music are covered, from gospel to pop and all stages in between.
The project not only gives adults a chance to get together but through its charity, The BIG Sing SOUL, also offers TINY Sing music sessions to babies and tots whilst their parents socialise over a cuppa!
In different formats the choir has appeared with big names like Mica Paris, Ellie Goulding, Leah McFall (from BBC The Voice) Blake and the London Community Gospel Choir, for whom Gemma and Howard were once members. They have sung for Jamie Oliver, toured with Leona Lewis and were winners of the BBC Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year in 2017.
A charity arm – The Big Sing SOUL (Sing, Outreach, Unity and Love) – was formed six years ago and has already raised more than £200k for charities.
‘Uniting communities with uplifting and motivating music, inspired by gospel music and teaching, The BIG Sing is more than just a choir. We are a family,’ explained Gemma. ‘Many members have found the choir has helped them through loneliness, depression, grief and illness. It has given them two hours a week to find themselves again.’
Despite the setback caused by various Covid-19 lockdowns, the organisation has not only pulled through but, as Gemma added, ‘grown from strength to strength in number and ability, showing members that together we can achieve greatness.’
She invites anyone interested to come and hear them at CRE Midlands 2023 – ‘so you can sing along and leave happy and uplifted!’
See their performance on Britain’s Got Talent here.
• The BIG Sing will be on stand DS34 at CRE Midlands 2023
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
Instead, we moved to Manchester
If you haven’t already heard it, you soon will – ‘Instead, I wrote a song…’ is the UK entry for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool.
‘While we wish singer Mae Muller douze points galore, the song continually reminds us how we had to abandon CRE North 2023 when the venue was requisitioned for the contest,’ said CRE owner Steve Goddard. ‘But all was not lost. Instead, we moved the show! Eurovision may have disrupted our schedule but we’re tuning up for an excellent event.’
Twelve months later than originally planned, CRE North (15/16 May 2024) will be the first-ever at the BEC Arena, just a mile from the Trafford Centre and recently-demolished Event City (CRE North location in 2019). It’s located in the heart of the north-west conurbation, with easy access by road, rail and tram. And there’s free parking onsite to make exhibiting and visiting a pleasurable experience.
‘We asked hundreds of organisations where we should run our next regional exhibition after CRE Midlands later this year – and Manchester topped the poll,’ said event director Brett Pitchfork. ‘In less than a week a quarter of the stands have already been taken.’
‘We are delighted CRE is returning to Manchester,’ said Rt Revd David Walker, Bishop of Manchester. ‘Here is an opportunity for 180+ organisations to bring skills, services, ideas and resources to the north and for members of all church traditions to come and draw inspiration from them.’
Click on the links following for the official brochure, floorplan and price list:
To exhibit, please contact the sales team
James Batterbee
0161 250 2306
james@creonline.co.uk
Carol Malpass
0161 250 2467
carol@creonline.co.uk
• Visitor registration for CRE North 2024 will open in the Autumn
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
Church takes huge strides to reduce carbon footprint
A church that reduced its carbon footprint by 80 per cent led to the architects behind the transformation being short-listed for a prestigious national award.
Promoted by The Architects’ Journal, the AJ Retrofit Award recognises and celebrates the design expertise behind the renewal and repurposing of existing buildings, setting a precedent for ways to slash the industry’s carbon footprint.
Archangel Architects, exhibiting under the name Church Build at CRE Midlands 2023, did not get the winning entry but as founding director Nigel Walter said: ‘Even being named on the short list was an accolade which we appreciated and was a testimony to the quality of the work.’
The reimagining of Downing Place United Reformed Church in Cambridge, completed in 2021, created an open and inclusive church and community centre. The church embraced the opportunity of redevelopment to significantly reduce its carbon emissions through upgrading the building fabric, installing energy efficient services (MVHR, LED lighting, solar PV panels) and switching to renewable energy suppliers. The absolute reduction in CO2 by the redevelopment has proved dramatic.
At the outset of the project, two years of historic gas and electric bills were compared with Church of England benchmarks which revealed energy use was 80 per cent more than the C of E average for the halls, and more than double the average for the church. After 12 months in use actual annual CO2 emissions were calculated. The church showed a reduction of 80 per cent and the halls a reduction of 77 per cent.
The Rev Nigel Uden, the church’s minister, said: ‘Downing Place Church has recognised that sustainability is a crucial issue for our time, not only for ourselves but for the whole planet and future generations. As part of our response, the church has established a group which aims to help develop our theological understanding of sustainability; take appropriate decisions regarding the church’s own life; act co-operatively with others who share the same goals and encourage personal lifestyle commitment.’
Margaret Reynolds, architect and member of the building committee, said: ‘I examined two years of energy bills in 2019 and realised what a huge amount of energy we were using.
‘We were delighted to find the building retrofit measures we proposed were so effective in reducing the carbon emissions. All the redevelopment work and expense proved very worthwhile.’
Nigel, a specialist conservation architect with 30 years’ experience of community-based architecture, added: ‘One of the greatest triumphs of this project has been that it has acted as a catalyst for the whole church community to embrace sustainability. We have achieved a lot for a relatively small budget though there is always more to be done.’
• Church Build will be on stand F3 at CRE Midlands 2023
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
Siloam: the ‘kitchen table’ project punching above its weight
Richard Norton is as determined to help the suffering throughout the world as when he set up Siloam Christian Ministries in 1982.
Previously believing Communism was the way forward for the world, Richard had become a Christian and this dramatic change in direction led to his helping a mission providing bibles to countries where Christianity was not welcomed. He then formed Siloam, supporting indigenous Christians working in a variety of countries and recently this has included providing support for those in Ukraine.
‘Not everyone will want to support the appeals for Ukraine on TV made by larger aid organisations because they might feel their modest financial contributions would be miniscule to the overwhelming need,’ said Richard. ‘But, by supporting Siloam you know for certain that your gift, backed up with your prayers, will go a long way to putting aid into the hands of caring believers on the far side of Ukraine.’
Siloam is also helping people after the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and assisting co-workers in Israel working for Love to the Needy – currently under increased pressure as refugees from Ukraine and Russia and other nations have added their needs to the many suffering from poverty in Israel, the land which gave the mission its name thanks to Jerusalem’s Pool of Siloam.
In Israel, the organisation has recently provided nylon backpacks containing t-shirts, socks, rain ponchos and other vital clothing items. Recently it has helped Love to the Needy provide new shoes to children and adults living in poverty in 11 locations as well as three outreaches for street people in Tel Aviv.
‘We might be a small “kitchen table” charity based in Leamington Spa with five workers – three of whom are part-time,’ said Richard, 79, ‘but we punch above our weight in providing for the needs of others in the developing world. We support projects worldwide which do not enjoy the financial support of other more prosperous UK charities and we are looking forward to meeting existing supporters and making new friends at CRE Midlands 2023.’
Siloam Christian Ministries are on stand C21 at CRE Midlands 2023
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
Introducing the ‘me and eucharist’
A Birmingham pastor who started his own company creating easy-to-use communion containers, will exhibit his products for the first time at CRE Midlands (8/9 Nov, Cranmore Park, Solihull).
Bayo Oniye explained: ‘I was at a conference where the visiting speaker used a similar, all-in-one-system and realised how useful it was. When I contacted the company I heard nothing, so I decided to create my own, much-improved product.’
Holding a Masters’ degree in medical engineering, Bayo sold hip and knee replacements to orthopaedic surgeons before becoming co-pastor with his wife Bakang, a pharmacist, at Five Grace Church in Birmingham.
Together they started mmeyou – ‘a combination of two words — Me and You – from the words of our Lord Jesus: “This is My body (Me) which is broken for you (you).”’ The prefilled (all-in-one or separate) communion cups of red grape juice have a choice of packaged communion cracker or wafer.
‘Our vision is to serve the local church with a great tasting and hygienically-packaged product, especially important after Covid-19,’ said Bayo. ‘These are Holy Communion elements made from 100 per cent natural ingredients – ideal for individuals, families, small groups, churches and people taking part in services online. No matter how small or great your needs, we are here for you.’
Bayo believes mmeyou products are particularly useful for pastors taking communion in people’s homes.
‘While our containers have a large tag for opening purposes there is also a special pack for people who find it difficult to open the containers with the wafer in a small pouch,’ he explained.
Bakang, who looks after quality control, ensures there are no chemical preservatives in the drinks. There is also up to 100 per cent more drink (7ml of red grape juice per cup) than similar products, with a long shelf-life – eight months from manufacture. The cups can also be recycled.
• mmeyou are on stand DS5 at CRE Midlands 2023
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
Eyes down for the next Big Church Read
When Steve Barnett heard of The Big Thames Valley Read, in which everyone who lived alongside the river was encouraged to read Three Men in a Boat, he thought a similar idea would work in a church setting.
‘I reckoned everyone reading the same book at the same time would build fellowship and deepen faith,’ said Steve, who runs St Andrew’s Bookshop, exhibitors at CRE Midlands 2023.
Many years later, during lockdown, he was talking with Andy Lyon from HodderFaith about ways to get people reading. They decided to create The National Big Church Read if they could get either John Mark Comer or Pete Greig to join in. And both agreed! Three years on there are now over 40 Big Church Reads to choose from.
‘We encourage groups and churches to journey through a specific book together,’ said Steve. ‘The author records a short video for each week in which they encourage people to talk about the book. This can be played from the Big Church Read website.’
What has excited Steve is that people are drawn into reading who might not normally – and many read the whole book.
‘In our survey we discovered a third of the respondents said they didn’t usually read Christian books, and others said they didn’t finish books they had started,’ he said. ‘But all the people who did not normally read the whole book, did so.
‘We are hearing of how groups have been drawn closer, faith deepened and lives changed. This is why more than 90 per cent of those who have already been involved in a Big Church Read say they will join in another.’
‘I just want to see more people reading and taking advantage of the wonderful books which are available,’ added Steve.
• The 3rd National Big Church Read starts on May 24
• St Andrew’s Bookshop are on stand C23 at CRE Midlands 2023
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
‘Jones the music’ on song for CRE Midlands
With 24 musicals under his belt, musical maestro Roger Jones (above) will bring a Birmingham-based choir to CRE Midlands 2023 (8/9 Nov) for a 50-minute performance of his sixth musical – Saints Alive.
Now 74, Roger recalls becoming a Christian in the late 1960s because of the work of Christian Endeavour. When the mission celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1981, he was asked to write a musical to mark the occasion.
‘As the mission’s motto was “For Christ and the Church” I thought Pentecost would be a wonderful subject,’ he said. Saints Alive will be a revised version of the musical which Roger completed last year, when he added a song and made other changes to the original.
‘It includes 11 numbers highlighting events in Acts One and Two,’ he said. ‘It has a Songs of the Spirit section with a new setting for Breath on me Breath of God and others. Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost gives the whole presentation an evangelistic touch.’
The musical has been performed in many parts of the world – including a memorable one in Jerusalem in 1983, the first of many trips Roger has made to the country. His vision for musicals began as head teacher at Aston Manor School (now an Academy) in 1973. The school choir performed Jerusalem Joy – a performance he wrote around Jesus’ ride into the holy city on a donkey.
He then wrote five more musicals before going full time into Christian music, becoming director of Christian Music Ministries, publishers of his music and other books.
Birmingham-born, Roger also hosts Heart and Soul, a two-hour weekly programme on Brumside Radio, presenting church music. In between he chats to guests. He is looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones at CRE Midlands.
• Christian Music Ministries are on stand DS42 at CRE Midlands 2023
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
Why there’s no need to fear the staging process
Be it a choral production, theatrical performance or presentation of ideas, an event is so much better if it can be viewed easily.
‘A stage helps to create the perfect platform,’ said Bill Bates (above, seen at CRE 2022), business development manager at Gopak Ltd. The British manufacturer and long-standing CRE exhibitor has been producing its Ultralight Staging System since 2006 alongside a range of lightweight folding tables – firm favourites with churches nationwide.
One church in Sheffield bought a Gopak stage when Covid-19 struck. For the first time their church services were transmitted online and a stage gave the music group and speaker much more visibility. The system is still in use.
Meanwhile a ladies’ singing group decided a portable stage would enhance their performances and a Gopak system won the day.
‘Our Ultralight staging system, constructed from aluminium like all other Gopak products, is a simple folding option ideal for any organisation without a permanent stage,’ said Bill. ‘It is great for choirs, musicians and performers who go from venue to venue and need to ensure they have a raised stage.
‘We have a range of 14 additional staging packages that include apron-fronted options, catwalks and drum risers. With straightforward assembly and disassembly, Ultralight is ideal for churches with limited time or space. Unlike many other options, our stages are made in Britain with care.’
While the company started in an East Sussex shed in 1954, it moved to purpose-built premises in Hythe, Kent in 1973 from where it has been producing its range of award-winning products.
‘We have supported CRE from its inception in 1985 and it is a great opportunity to discuss new products with a huge number of prospects and existing customers in one place,’ said Gopak’s Diane Ponting.
• Gopak are on stand P65 at CRE Midlands 2023
Photo: Bill Bates, business development manager at Gopak Ltd
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands