The former GP who prescribes eye-catching posters
A doctor who gave up being a GP to produce colourful posters saw an increase in orders in the build up to Christmas.
Nick Radcliffe, 48, began The Christian Poster Company four years ago in Liverpool, as a release from the intensity of his medical work. It has also helped him overcome the trauma of losing a three-year-old daughter to leukaemia in 2012.
‘I gave up my doctoring in March after 20 years as a GP,’ he told CRE News. ‘I was becoming more and more burnt out and God provided this business at just the right time. It was the best decision I have ever made, releasing me from the stress of dealing with people’s illnesses and also the scars I still have from our child’s death. I’m incredibly grateful.’
The company’s 2025 calendars have been particularly popular, with more than 1200 sold.
‘I have found a real joy in the creative process, producing posters, cards, notebooks and calendars,’ said Nick. ‘My wife and I have three other daughters, and they like to lend a hand when they can, so that family aspect is an unexpected bonus. I also get a lot of pleasure from meeting customers and representatives of bookshops and other companies who sell my products.’
The Christian Poster Company exhibited at CRE for the first time at Milton Keynes in October.
‘I just love the challenge of running my own business and my products are sold online and in bookshops,’ said Nick. ‘God’s word takes pride of place, with the occasional quote from a popular hymn, and it is wonderful to hear how they have been used to bring pleasure and aid others in ministry.’
Nord to take centre stage at CRE 25
In the 1960s, the acoustic guitar became the new worship ‘accessory’ – in the past 10 years it’s been joined by a distinctive red keyboard. For the first time, the keyboard’s makers, Nord, will be exhibiting at CRE 25 and musician Matt Cossey (above) explains why the keyboard has become so popular in churches throughout the UK
The sound – let’s start with an obvious point – they sound great. But what’s different about a Nord over many other keyboards is that their piano samples capture the nuance of acoustic instruments so well. Nords are also known for having some of the best sounding electric pianos, great pads and, many would agree, the most authentic organ recreations on the market.
The ability to ‘flow’ – as a Christian musician, I often find myself in a worship setting where my goal is not to simply play a part, but rather respond to what the Spirit is doing. I love this context, where I need to listen to what is going on, listen to God, and play something appropriate that can accompany how the Spirit is moving. Enter the Nord… Whilst the seemingly infinite knobs and dials might initially induce mild panic, there is a reason for this apparent complexity. The truth is, Nords are actually incredibly intuitive and easy to use once you understand them, because everything is accessible.
A desire for excellence – lastly, I think the increasing abundance of red keyboards in churches is indicative of a desire for excellence. When I talk to church leaders and musicians, I so often hear the same heart for ‘something greater’ in worship. I get a sense of unrest and an unwillingness to settle. The Nord has come to represent a sound and a standard that so many aspire to.
There is a lot more that could be said on this topic, but if a bright red keyboard can play even a small part in helping the churches achieve this, they are worth every penny.
Matt Cossey is an active performer, composer, Nord Keyboards artist and keyboardist for disco icon Gloria Gaynor
Meet the tea company brewing up change
The company which launched the UK’s first Fairtrade tea in 1994 will make its debut at CRE 25 (15-16 Oct, Sandown Park, Esher).
‘We also helped write the Fairtrade tea standards to improve the lives of workers on tea plantations,’ said Adam Perry of Clipper Tea. ‘The brand launched the world’s first unbleached, plant-based, biodegradable and GMO-free tea bag in 2018.’
Clipper is part of Ecotone, a mission-driven company. For more than 30 years, Ecotone has charted an alternative path to the dominant industrial food model.
‘Thanks to our agricultural practices, our organic tea plantations save 900 tons of CO2 equivalent compared to conventional tea,’ explained Adam. ‘In line with our mission to preserve biodiversity, Ecotone has set ambitious impact reduction targets and initiatives throughout its value chain to reduce its footprint. One hundred per cent of our factories and offices will be green-energy powered by 2030.’
• Clipper Tea will be on stand B4 at CRE 25, alongside long-standing CRE exhibitors Kingdom Coffee
‘Good News’ Bob still going strong
Bob Parsons (above) celebrated his 90th birthday in August – but that hasn’t stopped him delivering the Good News newspaper to local people in Southampton.
Shirrell Heath Methodist Church began distributing copies more than 30 years ago (it was called Challenge then). Around 400 copies go out every month and Bob still personally gives out 50.
‘Delivering the Good News is a great way for people to read how Jesus can change lives,’ he said, ‘especially if the stories are about a well-known people.’
‘Good News, and Challenge before it, has always included a mix of “celebrity” stories as well as “ordinary” Christians’ testimonies,’ explained editor Andrew Holloway, ‘because people who read secular newspaper and magazines are used to seeing famous people featured and reading about their lifestyles. The difference with Good News, of course, is that celebrities are only featured if they have something positive to say about faith, God, Jesus, the Bible or Christianity in general.
‘People start reading the paper because of the recognisable faces, but often then go on to read the testimonies of other people in the paper. This is why we include well-known people like singers, actors or sports stars – because Good News can’t reach people with the Gospel unless they pick up the paper and start reading it. Many evangelists who use the paper tell us this strategy works.’
Good News also features apologetic articles and a clear gospel message, plus familiar newspaper features like a film review, recipe, crossword, sudoku, cartoon – all with the aim of attracting different readers.
New exhibitors line up for CRE’s 40th anniversary
With nine months to go before the doors open on CRE 25 (15-16 Oct) more than half of the space available has been sold or reserved.
And while dozens of businesses and charities will be well known to visitors, more than 20 organisations will be exhibiting for the first time at Sandown Park, including:
10 of Those
MTS Live
Clipper Tea
Interactive Storyteller
The Stones Hotel
University of Kent
Gemini Parking Solutions
Flock and Canvas
Curious Berries
CMJ UK
Whittlebury Park
World Uyghur Christian Union
Academic Venues Solutions
Leading the Way
Shevet Achim
ReSource
Servicestream LTD (MCN Media)
Headline Audio (Nord keyboards)
Faith in Later Life
Stephen Disraeli
Wycliffe Hall
‘Several of these organisations joined us for the first time in Birmingham and Milton Keynes in 2023 and 2024 and it will be a special privilege to introduce them to visitors at the traditional “home” of CRE at Sandown Park in the Autumn,’ said event director Brett Pitchfork.
Kids and vaping: a new challenge faced by Hope UK
A huge number of children and young people are taking up vaping – not because they want to quit smoking but because they see it as cool and trendy.
So says Mary Deller, of drug education charity Hope UK, in the first of a special series of podcasts featuring CRE exhibitors. The organisation works with Year Six children, to help them in the transition to secondary school.
‘We are facing a whole host of issues that weren’t there in my youth,’ explains Mary. ‘At every school we are asked to talk to their young people about vaping. If you ask children who were vapes invented for, they’ll say teenagers or adults. But when you explain that vaping was invented for smokers who want to quit smoking, the penny drops.’
The Christian faith is fundamental to what Hope UK do.
‘It’s part of the legacy and the history of who we are as an organisation and what motivates us as individuals, both staff and volunteers, because we are all practising Christians,’ explains Mary. ‘We often quote John 10:10, where Jesus talks about giving us life in all its fullness, whereas the thief comes to kill and destroy. We make that analogy with drugs.’
The organisation is currently looking to recruit volunteers from churches.
‘It is a big commitment, but you get very good training, accredited by the Open College Network,’ says Mary, ‘so if you have a passion for this work and feel called, then I’d definitely encourage you to get in touch with us.’
See the whole podcast with Mary Deller of Hope UK.
All-action start for fundraisers in the new year
Churches looking to raise funds for innovative local projects are invited to attend a special event in London.
The Faith and Fundraising Conference (26 Mar 2025, Royal Geographical Society, London) will feature a range of expert speakers offering on-hand help and ideas. There’ll be plenty of time for in-person networking, too.
CRE exhibitors Action Planning have joined forces with Stewardship and Yeomans Marketing and Fundraising, to run the conference.
‘You will leave with new insights from generous funders, stories of success, practical tips from sector experts, contacts and inspiration to fuel you for the year ahead,’ say the organisers. ‘Those who attend will also receive a limited-edition publication with exclusive research findings, case studies, stories and stats to extend the benefit to their team and ministry.’
Speakers already announced include the CEO of World Vision, Fola Komolafe; Steve Campbell from C3; Tarn Bright, co-CEO of Home for Good/Safer Families; Jonathan de Bernhardt Wood, director of giving at the Church of England; Robin Peake, chair of Fundraising in Christian Organisations and Wendy Pawsey, head of giving for the Evangelical Alliance. Trusts and foundations represented include the Joseph Rank Trust, Benefact, Jerusalem Trust and the Stewardship Philanthropy Fund.
A full list of speakers will be announced over the coming weeks with early bird tickets already available.
• Action Planning will be on stand G3 at CRE 25