And they’re off! Tickets now on sale for CRE 25 at Sandown Park
Tickets for CRE 25 are now available online from as little as £3 each.
The exhibition, first held at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London in 1985, will celebrate its 40th anniversary at Sandown Park in Esher, Surrey (Oct 15-16 2025).
‘We are delighted to return to a venue much appreciated by both exhibitor and visitor alike,’ said CRE event director Brett Pitchfork. ‘Since our last exhibition there in 2022, we have received a steady stream of requests to bring it back to a venue that is close to the M25 and where parking is free and plentiful.’
Some 200 organisations are expected on the exhibition floor, supported by a 50-strong talks and presentations programme covering everything from faith sharing to fund raising. Among the contributors will be musicians Graham Kendrick, Paul and Fiona Jones and Andy Flannagan. Comedians and writers Paul Kerensa and Tiny Vino will also take part in a packed programme. More information here.
‘Now is the time for local church leaders to get a group together of people in key positions in the fellowship,’ said Brett. ‘They will find targeted products and services at CRE to help them fulfil their roles more effectively. A day at CRE is a day of discovery – and we look forward to seeing friends old and new at Sandown Park.’
CRE 25 at Sandown Park opening hours: Wed 15 Oct, 10am-5pm; Thu 16 Oct, 10am-4.30pm. Advance tickets cost £4 each or £3 each if three or more book in advance (£8 per person on the door). Click here for more information.
Photo: CRE returns to Sandown Park in October
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Friends will gather at CRE 25 to extend Legg’s legacy
Musicians Graham Kendrick, Andy Flannagan and Paul and Fiona Jones will join comedians Paul Kerensa and Tiny Vino to celebrate the life and legacy of late evangelist Steve Legg at CRE 25 (Oct 15-16, Sandown Park, Surrey).
Top row, left to right: Tiny Vino, Paul and Fiona Jones, Paul Kerensa; bottom row: Graham Kendrick and Andy Flannagan.
Steve, who died in September 2024 aged 57, began his entertainment career in 1988 using escapology to grab the attention of his audience. He became well known for presenting the Gospel using a combination of comedy and magic tricks in events across the UK and overseas.
A prolific author, he wrote 20 books and founded Sorted, a lifestyle magazine for men with a Christian perspective.
Adventurer Bear Grylls called him ‘hilarious’ and TV presenter Jonathan Ross called him ‘very clever indeed.’ Mark Greenwood, director of evangelism at Elim Churches, described him as ‘one of the funniest, most creative and risk-taking evangelists’ he had ever known.
‘The Steve Legg Arts Theatre at CRE 25 will honour and extend our good and much-missed friend’s legacy,’ said CRE owner Steve Goddard. ‘For two hours on each of the exhibition’s two days we will bring together some of the people Steve worked with over the years – on Sorted magazine and at events all over the UK. His commitment to helping “ordinary blokes” make sense of the Christian faith is something we want to try and help sustain.’
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Robbie’s story: from robbing banks to restoring furniture
A Manchester mission which started 20 years ago to help unemployed youngsters is now providing aid to hundreds struggling during hard times – including former bank robber Robbie.
The founder of Renewal North-West, Wesley Downs, still heads the work as chief executive officer, but is amazed at how many people – young and old – are still short of the essentials in life such as food and accommodation and how the charity has grown to provide invaluable assistance in so many areas of life.
One of the ministries is the provision of accommodation for ex-offenders and the homeless – people like Robbie, a heroin addict for 20 years who read the Bible in prison, came off drugs and became a Christian (see video).
Joining the residential programme provided by Renewal North-West, exhibitors at CRE 25, he later volunteered for service and manage the furniture showroom before getting married and moving away.
‘Robbie is a wonderful Christian, now with two children and it is great to see the change Jesus Christ made in his life,’ said Wesley, 59. ‘He was in prison for bank robbery among other things but before leaving us he was banking money from clients. How amazing is our God!’
The charity works with people who are long-term unemployed and helps them break down the barriers which prevent them working. Projects include:
- A second-hand shop providing low-cost, high-quality goods
- Community Appliances refurbishing white goods and sells them
- Renewal House Clearance with usable items sold in the charity shop
- Refresh Coffee House offering fresh, low-cost food and a space for the lonely
Accommodation is also provided for ex-prisoners and drug users referred to the charity by chaplains and prison ministries.
‘After completing our programme, 64 per cent of those involved never offend again,’ said Wesley. ‘The cost to arrest, convict and imprison someone for a year is roughly £65,000 – based on that figure our scheme has saved the public purse £3.6m.’
- You can find out about Renewal North-West on the Emmaus stand D8 at CRE 25
Photo: Former heroin addict Robbie
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Enjoy a close encounter of the family kind
The whole family – grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins – can enjoy a week of worship, family activities and outdoor adventure on the North Devon coastline this summer.
From August 16 to 22 2025, Encounter!takes place in the 300-acre Lee Abbey estate, a joint effort between the popular conference retreat centre and the Bible Society.
With a wide-ranging choice of activities for all ages, the week had its trial run last year when one participant said: ‘The speakers were excellent and the teaching very on-point for me! Our children loved their group activities.’
Lee Abbey’s Mark Scyner told CRE News about the centre’s long-term vision. ‘After five years, there will be people camping all around the place,’ he said, ‘with everyone converging on the field for times of worship.’
Warden Gordon Crowther explained: ‘The hope is that it will be about encountering Jesus and making it possible for people of many stages and backgrounds of life, including those who don’t come from a particular church background, to find a festival environment more informal and hospitable.
‘The Encounter week will provide a wide range of activities, worship times, and teaching sessions for all ages with accommodation provided in the estate centre’s historic house and activity centre. Eventually it will also provide space for self-catering tented accommodation but this August the concentration will be on getting together a series of activities, study sessions and big tent worship to bless young and old.’
- Lee Abbey will be on stand F7 at CRE 25
Photo: Lee Abbey: venue for Encounter!
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Charting the post-Covid church conference boom
Since the end of lockdowns in 2021, the Christian Conference Trust (CCT) has seen demand for its facilities skyrocket – attracting new groups from predominantly black-majority congregations as well as those from Brazilian, Chinese, Korean and traditional churches.
CCT’s Mark Rowe told CRE News: ‘After a two-year hunt for a suitable third venue, we opened the doors at Highgate House in Northamptonshire last June. What was once a coaching inn is now a 200-delegate retreat centre.’
Meanwhile, High Leigh, a retreat venue in the heart of rural Hertfordshire, is embarking on an exciting new chapter with the construction of a new state-of-the-art meeting hall.
‘In response to increasing demand, more than £2 million is being invested in a new, 320-seater meeting hall, set to replace Yew Tree Hall,’ explained CCT’s chief executive officer John Heasman. ‘This will allow the centre to host larger groups, fulfilling its mission to provide exceptional spaces for Christian gatherings.
‘With cutting-edge AV, soundproof dividers to create two smaller halls (seating 200 and 100) and eco-friendly features including solar panels, rainwater harvesting and air-source heat pumps, the hall is designed to meet the needs of guests in the next season of Christian conferencing while caring for God’s creation.’
While construction is underway, the fully-equipped Garden Suite will serve as a replacement meeting space for Yew Tree during 2025, ensuring High Leigh continues to welcome guests without interruption. The new hall is scheduled to open by January 2026, with the old Yew Tree Hall being transformed into a welcoming foyer and breakout area.
‘This exciting project marks a significant milestone for High Leigh,’ said John. ‘Thanks to the generosity of a Christian benefactor, we can meet the growing needs of our groups, providing them with a modern and sustainable space to gather, worship and grow in faith.’
- The Christian Conference Trust are on stand B3 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Theological study: time to think inside the box
Budding students can now order a package of resources to help them begin theological studies at their own pace.
Bible College in a Box is a product of the School for Discipleship run by Lansdowne Church in Bournemouth, exhibitors at CRE 25.
‘The box provides a wide range of ways to access discipleship training remotely if you are unable to attend a course in person,’ said programme director Chris Sinkinson. Five core textbooks look at biblical, applied and systematic theology, along with other study books and a number of easy-to-read bibles that can be used in evangelism. Online video content, supplementing contents of the box, will be available soon.
‘We want to feed minds and change lives,’ said Chris, who was lecturer in Christian doctrine, biblical background and apologetics at Moorlands College for 15 years. He joined Lansdowne Church as an associate minister to develop the tools for discipleship training.
The box, costing £49.99, is available to order here and the online programme will be fully live by September – in time for its promotion at CRE 25.
‘It contains everything to enable a local church to provide and run some kind of theological training and discipleship course in its area,’ said Chris. ‘It could help enable a student to become a full-time Christian worker or simply understand the Bible more fully. It even contains a pair of reading glasses and a pen!’
You can meet members of the School of Discipleship team at CRE 25.
- Lansdowne Church and Bible College in a Box will be on stand S3 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Let there be light: from Sadler’s Wells to All Saints, Stock
Safeguarding an ancient building and increasing its ability to help the local population – that was the task facing the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of All Saints in Stock, Essex.
After major repairs to roofs over the nave and chancel, the council called in the services of CRE 25 exhibitor Clarity in Sound, Light and Vision – to update the lighting system.
‘The challenge was to give the church an up-to-date LED system which is cheaper to run with up to 90 per cent energy reduction and easy-touch controls to ensure anyone could operate the system,’ said Clarity’s Yvette Faris. ‘The new system does not just offer a variety of options for use during main services but also for a meeting area and an enhanced “stage” set-up for the village school to use.’
All the house lighting was replaced with LED alternatives with excellent colour rendering index to provide the ‘wow’ factor. Two spots over the seasonal display area were installed and two ceiling downlighters under the organ loft. A 3K spot by the pulpit also helps to illuminate text for the reader.
The PCC’s Martin King was delighted with the results. ‘Our new system works effectively, flexibly and with simple controls – just as they promised! I also want to say how impressed we were with all the very pleasant and skilful staff. They were efficient and checked every detail as we progressed.’
Yvette explained: ‘The system Clarity installed was designed and developed in the UK by GDS whose lighting range is in use in numerous theatres in London including Sadlers’ Wells, high-end heritage buildings such as the Natural History Museum and various churches, including the Tower of London chapel.’
Next on the PCC’s agenda – upgrading the church’s heating and tackling holes left in the spire by woodpeckers!
• Clarity SLV will be on stand N7 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Laurina’s journey: Yarnfield Park to priesthood
It has been an amazing journey and great privilege to meet people from different faiths and denominations.
So says Laurina Rushworth, director of faith and religious groups at the Yarnfield Park training and conference centre in Staffordshire.
‘I am delighted to share my faith with colleagues and clients,’ she told CRE News. ‘I feel it gives me a unique perspective of what visitors may require from a venue and supports them in the choice of a place to meet.’
Laurina also began training for the priesthood in the Church of England a year ago and hopes to become a deacon next year.
‘I have been at Yarnfield Park for two years and it has really enhanced my studies. At the same time my studies have enhanced my role at the centre!’ she said.
Yarnfield is part of the Venues Collection which consists of three hotels and two conference and training centres catering for all types of events, from large-scale training and youth conferences to smaller family events, ministry team gatherings and pastoral retreats.
There are 338 guest rooms featuring LED televisions, free wireless internet, private bathrooms with showers and desks and coffee/tea making facilities.
‘We cater for everyone from two to 500 people,’ said Laurina.
• Yarnfield Park (Venues Collection) are on stand D10 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Margaret Wylie: socking it to us for 25 years
When Margaret Wyllie started a course with the Scottish Churches Open College, she thought she was heading for a pulpit and a dog collar. Instead, she started designing socks.
‘One of the recommended books was Gerard W. Hughes’ God of Surprises,’ she told CRE News. ‘God has surprised me so many times in the past 25 years since we sold our first pair of Holy Socks. The whole idea was surprising to begin with Hand then came the further surprise of the original story leaflets that accompany them. I’m never quite sure how the stories are going to start or finish.’
Holy Socks, which illustrate biblical verses, characters and themes, have been to the top of Kilimanjaro, cycled in the Arctic Circle, walked in New Zealand, Australia and along the Great Wall of China – to name just a few.
‘Unless our customers tell us, we don’t know where or on whose feet, our socks end up. It’s quite intriguing really,’ said Margaret. ‘It’s been so interesting meeting people and hearing who they’ve bought the socks for and getting the reaction of folk who’ve been given them as a gift.’
Margaret, from Newton Stewart in Scotland, is currently awaiting delivery of a redesigned Pharaoh’s Cows sock.
‘This was our first “not a pair of socks” design – seven well-favoured cows on one and seven ill-favoured cows on the other,’ she said. ‘We’ve had many in that style since. Our sheep and goats design features sheep on one sock and goats on the other (pictured) – with advice as to which animal to wear on which foot, of course.’
To celebrate their 25th year, Margaret has plans for a really special new offering which will be available in time for CRE 25.
‘It was a real surprise to me and promises to have a really unexpected story,’ she said. ‘News of that later in the year.’
• Holy Socks are on stand H6 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
New video series speaks where church is silent
A man whose life was on the rocks from addiction to pornography will launch The Road to Grace video series at CRE 25.
‘In spite of spending years in church, reading my Bible and praying, God showed me I’d never gone after him,’ said Mike Genung. ‘I’d sought women, ministry success, money, Bible knowledge – but not the Lord himself.’
A radical change in lifestyle not only saved his marriage but led him on a mission to help men and women similarly addicted, with the formation of the charity Blazing Grace, exhibitors at CRE 25.
‘Surveys show that two-thirds of Christian men view porn, and those are just the honest ones,’ he said. ‘Many Christian women struggle with this, too – the fastest-growing segment when it comes to viewing pornography.’
The Road to Grace video series features six sessions which can be for personal use, presented in churches or used within study groups. The sessions feature:
- Mike’s own story
- The physical, emotional and spiritual effects of pornography on a man and his wife
- Action steps for men for recovery and healing
- The road to healing for the man’s wife and marriage
- Spiritual warfare and breaking the power of lies
- Youth and the Church
The videos were produced in the UK by Monkeynut Studios – a fellow exhibitor at CRE – and are introduced by British singer and actress Deryn Edwards.
An author of six books, Mike said: ‘Over the years “I have no one to talk to” are often the first words from those who come to us at Blazing Grace. Many don’t have a prayer life. Some don’t even know how to pray. Many have been wounded or spiritually abused by their churches and complain that church leaders avoid difficult issues.’
Mike’s books will also be available at CRE 25 and he will be available to talk to anyone who is either struggling with issues relating to pornography or knows someone else who facing similar problems.
• Blazing Grace are on stand K5 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk