CRE News

Legendary rock star Rick Wakeman will open CRE Midlands 23 (10am, Wed 8 Nov, Cranmore Park, Solihull).

Baptised at South Harrow Baptist Church, Wakeman became a Sunday School teacher there before attending the Royal College of Music in the 1960s, where he studied piano, modern music, clarinet and orchestration.

As well performing with top bands like the Strawbs and YES, he is best known for his own albums like The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Journey to the Centre of the Earth and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. He has also played on more than 2,000 different tracks by artistes as diverse as Black Sabbath, Cat Stevens (‘Morning Has Broken’), Mary Hopkins, Cilla Black, Elton John, Edison Lighthouse, David Bowie (‘Life on Mars’) Lou Reed, Dana (who has opened CRE three times), Des O’Connor, Al Stewart, Ralph McTell and Harry Nilsson.

Awarded a CBE for services to music and broadcasting in 2021, Wakeman will be interviewed at CRE Midlands by Peter Wooding, son of Dan Wooding, a Christian journalist, author and close friend of Wakeman’s from the late 1960s until his death in March 2020. Wooding wrote a biography of his friend in the 1970s under the title Rick Wakeman: The Caped Crusader.

‘I have many stories about the great man,’ said Wakeman, ‘and some of them I can tell, too! I look forward to playing ‘Gone, But Not Forgotten’ at CRE Midlands – in memory of my dear friend.’

Wakeman will be joined at the opening of the exhibition by The BIG Sing choir, who recently scored a big hit with the judges on TV’s Britain’s Got Talent.

Photo: Rick Wakeman © Lee Wilkinson 2017

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

For years, Winchester Cathedral had relied on aging, heavy chairs that lacked comfort and mobility, rendering them semi-permanent fixtures.

Recognising the need for a versatile solution, the managers of the building turned to Trinity Church Furniture, a CRE Midlands 23 exhibitor, and their award-winning Theo range.

‘The new chairs not only look good and feel comfortable but above all, are light enough to be easily moved by our vergers when required, even at short notice,’ said Bruce Parker, chair of Winchester Cathedral Friends. ‘This has already meant the glory of an unfurnished nave has been enjoyed many times over since their installation.’

A unique number is etched onto each of the 1000+ chairs with the cathedral benefitting from enhanced organisation and event coordination. Their stackable design also enables easy storage and manoeuvrability, allowing for swift adjustments as required.

‘We are delighted with our news seating, which has provoked much positive comment about comfort and design. They make our vergers’ work less onerous, equipping us to be far nimbler in our varied daily operations,’ said the Reverend Canon Dr Roland Riem, vice-dean of the cathedral.

Trinity Church Furniture has been a supplier of ecclesiastical furniture in the UK and internationally for more than 40 years.

• Trinity Church Furniture are on stand C1 at CRE Midlands 23

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

When the parents of a five-year-old were handed a copy of a new family resource, it revolutionised their times together.

‘One of the key benefits of Table Talk for Children was that it actually made us stop,’ the parent explained. ‘We had a good 45 minutes to an hour just laughing together. We laughed at silly answers and dug deeper into the more intriguing ones. We made sure we had the time we needed to think about our answers during one round, and then followed this up with a quick-fire round. It was really lovely to have something which made us carve out time.’

As Sharon Lanfear, director of the Ugly Duckling company, producers Table Talk, said: ‘Talking is important for everyone, but it’s particularly crucial to the mental and emotional health and development of children and young people. When we support children to talk it can strengthen our relationships with them and give them space to express how they are thinking and feeling. We are therefore excited to launch three new resources to encourage children and adults to get talking together. You can use these resources if you are a parent, grandparent, a children’s worker or a teacher.’

• Table Talk for Children is for children aged 7-11 (with some questions suitable for ages 5-6). The box contains six themes exploring: Home Life, School Time, The World, Well-being, Friends and Technology – helping children express their thoughts and feelings around issues that really matter to them.

• Table Talk for Families offers a fun way to get families talking, laughing and spending quality time together. Exploring 21 Themes this mini pack can be used at home, in the car, on holiday, at meals times or at family gatherings.

• Table Talk for Early Years was developed in partnership with the Diocese of Gloucester. This is a pack of 21 question and activity cards designed to get parents, carers and children aged two to four talking and playing together.

 ‘At the Ugly Duckling Company, we are passionate about helping people find life in all its fullness through the power of conversation,’ said Sharon.

• The Ugly Duckling Company are on stand P49 at CRE Midlands 23

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

Cheryl was about to get married and to everyone else her life looked good – but the 24-year-old medical student was hiding a deep depression.

The wedding came and went and things only got worse. Overwhelmed by dark thoughts, some days she even struggled to get out of bed.

‘My church had been incredibly supportive in helping to organise the wedding with many friends stepping in to help with flowers, food and decorations,’ recalls Dr Cheryl Hawkins (pictured above). ‘But no one realised how I was struggling.’

Eventually she got better and graduated as a doctor, quickly specialising in mental health. As a psychiatrist she saw Christians and non-Christians alike who struggled with the condition.

‘I also saw people in my church with similar issues and noticed they weren’t always well supported,’ she explains. ‘The church was great when someone had broken their leg, had a baby or were diagnosed with cancer, but when it came to mental health issues people didn’t seem to know the best way to help. They feared saying something wrong, or just failed to see that the person was struggling.

‘Like myself all those years ago, many people with mental health issues hide what they are going through, worrying about what people might think of them if they find out, so the issues are not even seen.’

Four years ago, Cheryl started delivering Mental Health First Aid training to businesses and schools. She has now produced a unique range of biblically-based courses to address the increasing number of mental health needs in churches. In 2022 she launched Encourage Mental Health CIC and this will be the focus of her stand at CRE Midlands 23.

She will also talk on ‘Bridging the gap: how to support mental health in your church’ (Thu 9 Nov, 3.30pm).

• Encourage Mental Health are on stand DS32 at CRE Midlands 23

Photograph: Dr Cheryl Hawkins

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

A friendly nurse pointed Christopher Fletcher to the Bible and changed the course of his life – but signing on for a correspondence course took his Christian experience to another level.

‘I was reading a commentary by William MacDonald, a tutor at Emmaus Bible School,’ said Christopher. ‘I looked up the establishment online and found out about their correspondence course. I learned more in the first few weeks than at all the other places I have studied. The way the lessons are planned is very informative, turning difficult doctrines into practical understanding.

‘Thanks to the training, I have done a lot of preaching in prisons and churches and the school has really helped me to pass on what I have learned to others.’

Emmaus started in 1942 and was introduced to the UK in 1951. Since then, more than one million courses have been distributed.

Jonathan Hughes took over as UK director six years ago – leaving his work as a clinical biochemist in hospital laboratories to lead the Emmaus vision of making Bible study accessible and understandable to thousands. More than 10,000 courses are distributed each year – about 40 per cent to those in the prison system.

‘All the courses are free of charge,’ said Jonathan. ‘Our students all study from home and at their own pace. Their work is graded by tutors who take a personal and pastoral care in each student. We also supply multiple copies to church leaders who want to use our courses as the basis of their Bible teaching programmes. From personal experience, my fellowship has massively benefitted from this approach.

‘The prison ministry means that chaplains and other visitors regularly see the evidence of changed lives formed in the most difficult of circumstances. CRE Midlands 23 will be an ideal opportunity to meet new students and make connections with church leaders who have not heard of the Emmaus Bible Study books.’

• The Emmaus Bible School is on stand D17 at CRE Midlands 23

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

Dozens of leaders from churches across the Midlands met at Cranmore Park in Solihull last week (28 June), venue for the upcoming CRE Midlands 23 (8/9 Nov).

In the purpose-built exhibition centre, Dr Peter Green, director of the Christian Family Trust told the audience: ‘It blew my mind when I visited CRE some years ago. It was so exciting – you must bring all your people here. They will see dozens of things which can transform local ministry.’

Rev Margaret Simmons, from the parish of St Matthew and St Oswald, Rugby, said: ‘When I was a new vicar I went with members of my church. There was so much to see and always an excellent talks programme – such a lot to inspire fresh ideas.’

Lynn Boulden, producer at UCB Radio, based in Stoke on Trent, relayed how the station’s Word for Today Bible reading notes, written by Bob Gass and sent to millions worldwide, owed a debt to the exhibition. UCB’s Ian Mackie travelled to Washington and attended the only exhibition ever held in the USA. While the event itself was unsuccessful, with only a handful of visitors attending, Mackie met Gass for the first time. The rest is publishing history.

Steve Goddard, owner and managing director of CRE, said: ‘Bringing people together makes all the difference. The internet is a wonderful invention but, in our opinion, face to face beats mouse to mouse – every time.’

More than 150 stands at CRE Midlands 23 will offer products and services ranging from contactless card machines to customised keyboards for worship (pictured). Mission on the Map will bring together a dozen missions working nationally and internationally. Some 50 talks will feature experts offering advice in various aspects of church life, from fund raising to faith sharing.

Birmingham-born Roger Jones will bring a choir to perform a revised version of his musical Saints Alive. The BIG Sing choir (pictured), who scored a hit with the judges on Britain’s Got Talent earlier this year, will help open CRE Midlands 23 (10am, Wed 8 Nov), the first-ever CRE at Cranmore Park and the first in Greater Birmingham for eight years.

• CRE Midlands 23 at Cranmore Park, Solihull opening hours: Wed 8 Nov, 10am-5pm; Thu 9 Nov, 10am-4.30pm.

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

When members of St Mary’s, Ely, wanted to replace their ancient pews they put chairs from various suppliers through rigorous tests.

The new seating had to look appropriate in a Grade I listed historic building, stack efficiently, link easily and take up minimum space when stored. It needed to be comfortable for events of sometimes lengthy duration and of manageable weight to be cleared on a regular basis.

Alpha Furniture’s Jacob chair passed all the tests.

By removing the pews, the church has now created a much more flexible area, allowing not only multiple formats for worship but more community use during the week.

Phil MacInnes, senior business consultant at Alpha, said: ‘In an industry traditionally based on personal recommendation, our foundation has been to take an honest and trustworthy approach. We have grown over the years as a result.’

Praising the chairs six months after their installation, St Mary’s treasurer, Piers Coutts, pointed out that the seating layout was changing two or three times in most weeks. The chairs are in use for three Sunday services – ‘cinema and café-style with coffee area, all in the same place!’ Weekly groups for under-ones and under-fives make full use of them as does a weekly warm and open space and bereavement café.

The chairs have also come into use at ceilidhs, youth events with large inflatables, concerts, conferences, funerals, a book launch – and the screening of the coronation of King Charles III.

‘We were delighted to have been able to help,’ said Phil MacInnes, adding that

Alpha have added many new items to their range of durable quality furniture. ‘In these financially testing times we have excelled at bringing customers high-quality products at the very best value. To cope with raw material price fluctuations we regularly review our prices to ensure we remain competitive, quickly passing on any savings to our customers.’

Alpha offer some unusual but highly-effective benefits for their customers, including free delivery wherever possible, free samples, so they can ‘try before they buy’, free fabric and finish swatches.

‘We also offer free consultations with our experts, to help you choose the best furniture for your environment without the normal hard sell,’ said Phil.

• Alpha Furniture will be on stand P23 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

Churches provide a vital lifeline for communities hit by the cost-of-living crisis but a lack of volunteers prevents them from doing more, a new survey reveals.

Specialist insurer Ecclesiastical, exhibitors at CRE Midlands 2023, asked 583 churches about the services they provide to their community and discovered that more than one in three offer food banks, one in four warm banks (pictured) and one in nine debt support. Five per cent run a clothes bank.

Of the churches offering warm banks, almost one in six set up the service in response to the spiralling cost of fuel. Overall, nearly half the churches said the cost-of-living crisis had led to higher demand for services, with a 21 per cent increase in demand for foodbanks and a five per cent increase in demand for debt support.

However, churches are struggling to meet the demand due to the lack of volunteers, with over a quarter saying this had affected their ability to offer services to the local community.

In a 2021 survey carried out by Ecclesiastical, half of the churches contacted said they had seen a fall in volunteer numbers in the 12 months prior, pointing to a major loss of volunteers since the pandemic.

Helen Richards, church operations director at Ecclesiastical, said: ‘It’s no surprise to see churches stepping up to support their communities when most in need and the efforts to tackle the cost-of-living crisis reflect the wider contribution to society our churches make. With more demand on services offered, the church needs even more volunteers to help them support some of the most vulnerable people in their communities. If churches are unable to attract people to fill these roles then there is a real risk that they will be forced to stop providing these vital services, or even close altogether.’

Ecclesiastical has produced a range of guidance for churches on some health and safety aspects of looking after volunteers on its website and also a video to help inspire volunteers.

• Ecclesiastical are on stand P29 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

When members of an historic church wanted to help visitors understand its special features they called on Info Point.

Now visitors to St Barnabas Church, Brampton Bryan, in Herefordshire use their mobile phones to access details of the church as they wander round the building and churchyard.

‘It is a wonderful addition,’ said churchwarden Michael Dugdale. ‘Many visitors mention how helpful the system is in the visitors’ book. It’s an easy way to discover more of the church’s history and means we do not need a series of notice boards dotted round the building.’

He also pointed out that a number of local churches have looked at the system and are considering installing it. The church – a Grade I listed building – is believed to be one of only six English churches built or rebuilt during the Commonwealth Period (1649–1660), after being destroyed together with much of the adjoining castle and the majority of the village during the Civil War. Info Point enables visitors to gain a greater understanding about the building’s rich heritage and includes two tours: one that explores the history and architecture and another designed specifically for children.

Dan Boys, managing director of Derbyshire-based Info Point, believes that if a church is looking to share its rich history and increase donations, then Info Point can help.

‘With Info Point you can effortlessly share exclusive text, images, audio, video and interactive games directly to your visitor’s phone,’ he said. ‘It is easy to update and uses less power than a low energy light bulb. It doesn’t require wi-fi or a mobile network. In fact, Info Point can be installed anywhere – even outside with our solar-powered version.’

It is possible to get an Info Point for your church for free.

‘Our funding support team have a strong track record in securing funding for a wide range of church projects,’ said Dan. ‘As part of our Hidden Stories scheme we’ll apply for the funding on your behalf. The package includes an Info Point and the creation of a church tour as part of a wider community project.’

• Info Point are on stand E13 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