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Big Church Day Out 2011 | ||
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Why would any one want to get up a 6 o'clock in a morning on a Saturday of a bank holiday weekend when they don't have to go to work? Well that was what happened last May spring bank holiday as I got ready for a Big Day Out. With a weather forecast of strong winds and rain for the south coast things didn't look too promising as I packed the car with tents, sleeping bags and cooking equipment, ready for the drive to Steyning a village not far from Brighton, nestling in the South Downs. Johan arrived and chucked her gear in the car then the good news arrived by text, My brother Andy who lives down near Wiston House, Worthing had two spare bedrooms as his son had just moved into a flat so we wouldn't need to camp after all, quite a relief with the forecast! A decent drive down saw us arriving in Steyning around lunchtime and we eventually found my brothers house. Due to some miscommunication at Andy's church it turned out neither himself or his wife actually had tickets for the weekend and as it was sold out were not certain to get in, fortunately I had two spare so it saved me from having to 'tout' them outside. After partially unloading the car we headed for Wiston House, a large mansion set in beautiful countryside no more than a mile away. As we had booked to camp it meant we had to get our tickets from the campers marquee and also meant we could park on the campers car park nearer to the main stage area than the day visitors, and I decided to put a tent up anyway so we had a base to cook in or to dump stuff if needbe. The camping area was quite posh with proper toilet blocks and showers, not what you expect at most open air festivals, there was even an area for caravans and camper vans. Security seemed tighter this year with people checking wrist bands as you entered the main festival areas not just at the entrance to the car park as in recent years. We made our way to the main arena and set up somewhere near the back, a fisherman's bivi makes a great base camp at these outdoor do's. Groups from different churches were setting up beach shelters, windbreaks, and gazebo's and the like,both as shelter from the elements and as a meeting place for their group. Despite the brisk wind it was fairly warm and it looked miraculously like any rain in the area was skirting around our site. It was amazing to watch as around ten thousand people began to gather for a weekend of fun and to meet together in worship led by some of today's leading contemporary worship leaders. There was one main stage area set in a hollow with two massive tv screens either side of the stage so that those who weren't into jumping up and down at the front could set up folding chairs or lay out groundsheets on the surrounding slopes and still see what was going on and join in the worship. Time for a quick reccy around the site before the main stage programme started. To the left of the main stage was a huge marquee with allsorts of stands from Christian missions, bible colleges and different trade stands selling an astounding variety of materials to help in your daily walk with the Lord and to help you let other people know about Him. Not far away was a smaller stage area for up and coming bands which also featured groups involved in schools and street evangelism. The food avenue was better than last year with an array of stalls and vans serving everything from pasties to veggie burgers; proper fish and chips and various curries to fried chicken and hog roasts also of course the Cristians Against Poverty/Costa coffee cafe manned by CAP volunteers and profits going to CAP. The festival atmosphere was enhanced by various performers such as fire eaters, stilt walkers jugglers and clowns. wandering round amongst the crowds, a large marque was open providing stuff for the younger attendees with music, craft sessions, videos, magicians, puppet shows etc. next to this a small funfair, a climbing wall, 'the cage' which as the name suggests is a round cage in which teams of two compete in a version of football, grab a mate or even a stranger and join the queue! A steam powered bus was running continuously from the main arena upto the old manor house and church which was set on a hill overlooking the estate. In front of the house was a traditional country fete with things like a coconut shy, swing boats and a many craft stalls which were there to let you try your hand at the different crafts; not just to sell you items made by someone else. There was even inflatable sumos for you to battle with. Behind the church, which is open for 24/7 prayer and workshops by the likes of Graham Kendrick, and the manor house, in the garden area, was probably the most popular marquee 'the tea tent'. As well as serving excellent scones with tea or coffee this was the area for the more sedate music, a small covered stage outside for the quiter worship groups and solo artists and the odd comedian and in the marquee, performances from a chamber orchestra and a brass band, it seems all musical tastes were catered for. Time to head back to the main stage for eight hours of incredible worship led by the likes of The Newsboys, Israel Houghton and the New Breed, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Toby Mac and the Dave Crowder Band. A truly international collection of worship leaders/ songwriters and if you don't recognise the names you will recognise many of their songs which we use in worship at St. Bart's, just check out the credits in Songs of Fellowship. Because the programme was practically the same each of the two days it meant there was time to wander round the site and see different performers each day and still not miss any of the main stage events over the weekend. The time seemed to go so quickly and it was ten pm before we knew it and time to head back to Andy and Jan's house for some sleep after a long but inspiring day, being able to share in worship with over 10,000 others was truly awesome. Next morning we were up bright and early, because although the Big Day Out didn't start until the afternoon, we were off to church with Andy and Jan. They are part of a small Baptist congregation in the village and joining with them in worship was just as inspiring as the previous day, God is with us in the day to day not just the big events! The worship group in the church brought a tear to my eye, as it was the first time I'd heard a flute played in church since Margaret went to be with the Lord. It seems at times like that the Lord is even closer, picking me up and keeping me going, throughout the weekend He seemed to be saying I'm still with you, the best is yet to come! The afternoon was as awesome as the day before, what a great God we have, and despite the weather forecast, the only rain we had was some very light drizzle during the last half hour of Saturday night's programme this,despite the farmers in the area praying for much needed rain for their crops their prayers were 'just hold it back for two days!' The best value two day festival in the country, at less than £30 for a two day ticket; you often pay more than that for a two hour evening concert and considerably more for 90 mins of football!!!!!!!!!!!! a great couple of days of fun, fellowship and worship and as their slogan says a chance to 'Celebrate all that is good' and give God the glory Make a date for you diaries next year The Big Church Day Out is 2nd and 3rd of June,( they've moved the May bank holiday because of the Queen's Jubilee,) Visit the BCDOwebsite for more information. If you want to know more see Mark Gilbert or Johan Ashcroft why not join us, God willing, for an awesome but challenging weekend 'down south' |
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