Aer more than 30 years as itspress officer Steve Goddardcould not contemplate the end

of Europe’s largest annual exhibitionfor churches – so he bought it.

e 64-year-old journalist who runsa PR agency from St Helen’s,Merseyside, was in charge of his firstChristian Resources Exhibition(CRE) at Sandown Park, Surrey,when 1970 Eurovision winner,Dana, opened the show.

She sat and watched as a 55-strong girls’ choir from NotreDame School, Cobham sang anew version of her song, ‘All Kindsof Everything.’ It was re-written bySteve to demonstrate the wide range ofproducts and services covered in theexhibition, ending with the words, “Allkinds of everything, for your churchand you.”

“You were wonderful,”said Dana. “Had you beensinging at Eurovision Iwould not have won.”

It was typical of Steve’sadventurous spirit tosurprise Dana with a newversion of her most famoussong. Over the years he haskept CRE as a must-visit forchurches of alldenominations – taking theexhibition to Manchester,Harrogate and othernorthern centres.

At the same time he haswon enviable coverage innational newspapers, radioand TV – persuading manya vicar to strut the catwalk to displaythe latest in clerical clothing. Severalyears ago he erected a 47’-highinflatable church (complete withinflatable pulpit and pews) ‘foroutreach at summer shows’ and evencreated a special Return to Senderzone for churches’ work with thedeath care industry. At oneexhibition, aided by Oldham’s mostfamous comedian Bobby Ball, hehelped six vicars learn how to telljokes to brighten up their sermons.

So when the exhibition, oendubbed ‘the ideal church show’, was onthe brink of closure last year he ‘did aVictor Kiam’ and bought it – alongwith wife, Allison, a sixth-form teacherat Runshaw College in Leyland.

For their first show they decided totake CRE back to the popularSandown Park, Esher, Surrey, for threedays. e event attracted 4,061 visitors

who toured almost 200 exhibitors,displaying everything from pulpits topuppets, sound systems to stainedglass, charities to children’s work.

Among the speakers was popularNorthern Life columnist Terry Waitewhose visit was made more emotionalby the presence of 59-year-old Andrew

Coleman, son of the late Canon JohnColeman. Terry negotiated theColemans’ freedom in Iran prior to hisown capture in Lebanon.

“It was wonderful to meet Terryagain aer all he did for my parents,”

said Mr Coleman. “I am well aware ofthe fact that he freed them within 12months but was incarcerated himselffor almost five years.”

Seminars at CRE covered subjectssuch as evangelism, social media,

sound systems and church buildingprojects. Special speakers, such asmission-veteran George Verwer, talkedon Christian work all over the world.

Most denominations wererepresented with 43 per cent of visitorsbelonging to Anglican churches and 16per cent to Baptist churches.

“We attract people from all over thecountry, and from all denominations,”said Steve. “at is why I believe it

must continue to serve churches farand wide.”

e exhibitors were so enthusiasticthat more than 50 have already bookedtheir stands when it returns toSandown Park next year (October16th-18th).

Steve, from Croydon, Surrey, startedlife in an estate agents’ office butsoon switched to his first love –music. He recorded an LP of hisown songs Waiting for Goddardbefore changing to journalism. Heedited youth magazine Buzzbefore moving to St Helens wherehe worked on the sports pages of

the Liverpool Echo. He has also beendirector of communications for theAnglican diocese of Manchester.

In his spare time, he has written acouple of novels - Rattles and Rosettes,in which he highlights Burnley’s only

FA Cup win 100 years ago,contrasting it with theplight of his own team,Crystal Palace, in 2010. Hissecond novel Whateverhappened to Billy Shears?suggests what happenednext to characters like Lucy,Mr Kite and Lovely Rita,who feature on the Beatles’Sgt Pepper’s Lonely HeartsClub Band.

He has also brought alighter touch to CRE withhis own performances asBeltin’ John - coveringElton John’s hits like‘Crocodile Rock’ and Y’ourSong,’ wearing expensive

spectacles and glittering outfits.He now wants to bring CRE back to

the north - particularly to Manchesterin 2019.

“CRE can help revitalise churches inthe north of England,” said the

exhibition’s versatile new leader. “I want to bring CRE back to the

north to give church leaders andmembers some great ideas for thefuture. We have provisionallybooked Manchester’s Event City

for a two-day exhibition in March 13-14, 2019.

“e event will be launched a yearahead on February 28, 2018, atRochdale Football Club with theBishop of Manchester attending andchurch leaders invited to see what wewill provide.”

For more information onCRE visit www.creonline.co.uk

???

BY DAVID HALL

NLtakes overtakes overtakes overtakes over

“When the exhibitionwas onthe brink of closure last yearhe

‘dida VictorKiam’ and bought it”

“Hadyou been singing atEurovision I would not havewon”VERSATILE STEVEVERSATILE STEVE

Danawiththe choir

Aer more than 30 years as itspress officer Steve Goddardcould not contemplate the end

of Europe’s largest annual exhibitionfor churches – so he bought it.

e 64-year-old journalist who runsa PR agency from St Helen’s,Merseyside, was in charge of his firstChristian Resources Exhibition(CRE) at Sandown Park, Surrey,when 1970 Eurovision winner,Dana, opened the show.

She sat and watched as a 55-strong girls’ choir from NotreDame School, Cobham sang anew version of her song, ‘All Kindsof Everything.’ It was re-written bySteve to demonstrate the wide range ofproducts and services covered in theexhibition, ending with the words, “Allkinds of everything, for your churchand you.”

“You were wonderful,”said Dana. “Had you beensinging at Eurovision Iwould not have won.”

It was typical of Steve’sadventurous spirit tosurprise Dana with a newversion of her most famoussong. Over the years he haskept CRE as a must-visit forchurches of alldenominations – taking theexhibition to Manchester,Harrogate and othernorthern centres.

At the same time he haswon enviable coverage innational newspapers, radioand TV – persuading manya vicar to strut the catwalk to displaythe latest in clerical clothing. Severalyears ago he erected a 47’-highinflatable church (complete withinflatable pulpit and pews) ‘foroutreach at summer shows’ and evencreated a special Return to Senderzone for churches’ work with thedeath care industry. At oneexhibition, aided by Oldham’s mostfamous comedian Bobby Ball, hehelped six vicars learn how to telljokes to brighten up their sermons.

So when the exhibition, oendubbed ‘the ideal church show’, was onthe brink of closure last year he ‘did aVictor Kiam’ and bought it – alongwith wife, Allison, a sixth-form teacherat Runshaw College in Leyland.

For their first show they decided totake CRE back to the popularSandown Park, Esher, Surrey, for threedays. e event attracted 4,061 visitors

who toured almost 200 exhibitors,displaying everything from pulpits topuppets, sound systems to stainedglass, charities to children’s work.

Among the speakers was popularNorthern Life columnist Terry Waitewhose visit was made more emotionalby the presence of 59-year-old Andrew

Coleman, son of the late Canon JohnColeman. Terry negotiated theColemans’ freedom in Iran prior to hisown capture in Lebanon.

“It was wonderful to meet Terryagain aer all he did for my parents,”

said Mr Coleman. “I am well aware ofthe fact that he freed them within 12months but was incarcerated himselffor almost five years.”

Seminars at CRE covered subjectssuch as evangelism, social media,

sound systems and church buildingprojects. Special speakers, such asmission-veteran George Verwer, talkedon Christian work all over the world.

Most denominations wererepresented with 43 per cent of visitorsbelonging to Anglican churches and 16per cent to Baptist churches.

“We attract people from all over thecountry, and from all denominations,”said Steve. “at is why I believe it

must continue to serve churches farand wide.”

e exhibitors were so enthusiasticthat more than 50 have already bookedtheir stands when it returns toSandown Park next year (October16th-18th).

Steve, from Croydon, Surrey, startedlife in an estate agents’ office butsoon switched to his first love –music. He recorded an LP of hisown songs Waiting for Goddardbefore changing to journalism. Heedited youth magazine Buzzbefore moving to St Helens wherehe worked on the sports pages of

the Liverpool Echo. He has also beendirector of communications for theAnglican diocese of Manchester.

In his spare time, he has written acouple of novels - Rattles and Rosettes,in which he highlights Burnley’s only

FA Cup win 100 years ago,contrasting it with theplight of his own team,Crystal Palace, in 2010. Hissecond novel Whateverhappened to Billy Shears?suggests what happenednext to characters like Lucy,Mr Kite and Lovely Rita,who feature on the Beatles’Sgt Pepper’s Lonely HeartsClub Band.

He has also brought alighter touch to CRE withhis own performances asBeltin’ John - coveringElton John’s hits like‘Crocodile Rock’ and Y’ourSong,’ wearing expensive

spectacles and glittering outfits.He now wants to bring CRE back to

the north - particularly to Manchesterin 2019.

“CRE can help revitalise churches inthe north of England,” said the

exhibition’s versatile new leader. “I want to bring CRE back to the

north to give church leaders andmembers some great ideas for thefuture. We have provisionallybooked Manchester’s Event City

for a two-day exhibition in March 13-14, 2019.

“e event will be launched a yearahead on February 28, 2018, atRochdale Football Club with theBishop of Manchester attending andchurch leaders invited to see what wewill provide.”

For more information on CRE visit www.creonline.co.uk

???

BY DAVID HALL

NLtakes overtakes overtakes overtakes over

“When the exhibition was onthe brink of closure last year he

‘did a Victor Kiam’ and bought it”

“Had you been singing atEurovision I would not have won”VERSATILE STEVEVERSATILE STEVE

Dana with the choir