This coming May, the Christadelphian Family Bible School will be celebrating their 46th year with Christian Conference Trust. As a group focused on the family, they’ve seen kids grow into adulthood, babies be born, and young couples get married throughout those 46 years; “My husband is 37 and he’s been coming since he was a baby”.
What is one of your favourite memories?
Over the years at their annual events, they’ve not only watched their congregation grow in faith and knowledge, but also seen The Hayes progress as a conference centre while making unforgettable memories. One of which is of the outdoor pool that has since been converted into the Prayer Labyrinth. During one mild summer, one attendee found the boiler house that controlled the pool’s heating which, as one group member stated, “was virtually non-existent!” “They cranked the heat up until, by the end of the week, it was steaming like a hot tub” laughed the committee members. This is just one of 46 years’ worth of valuable memories.
The Hayes Pool - 1997
Why have you been taking your group away for 46 years?
“It’s so valuable to cut off the world and your usual place of work, school or university”. The Family Bible School found that getting away from everyday life and meeting up with like-minded individuals left them feeling “recharged and ready to take on another year.” It has been an investment in not only educating them but forming life-long connections. “We have an emotional attachment to The Hayes. Friendship groups were formed here.”
The 25th Christadelphian Family Bible School - May 2002
How did Covid restrictions affect you?
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Family Bible School were unable to meet in person due to the centres being forced to shut down. “We had a Zoom Bible school, but it wasn’t the same. In the second year we met again via Zoom but there’s nothing like meeting face-to-face”. The children attendees longed to see their Bible School friends during this time, so they were ecstatic once 2022’s in-person meeting came around.
Why The Hayes?
The Christadelphian’s Family Bible School Secretary, Jonathan said, “We love the Hayes. It provides everything we need. We would be ever so reluctant to go somewhere else. We just love the location; people come from Cornwall but also from a long way further north of Derbyshire. The majority of attendees are Midlands based which makes The Hayes an ideal location.”
As a group focused on the family, environment is a major factor. The self-contained grounds are perfect for such a group. “We’re at peace knowing our children are free to wander around and explore safely”. Once they are through the doors and checked in, The Hayes is no longer a conference centre but a “Family Bible School”. They have found their requirements are always met. “The Hayes gives us exactly what we need. There is so much here that is right for us that you won’t find elsewhere: the beautiful en-suite bedrooms, the cleanliness, the food which has improved over the years, and the spacious meeting rooms. Deep down, we don’t want to go anywhere other than The Hayes.”
We’re delighted to serve Christian churches and groups across the country with our conference spaces. If you’re interested in exploring a booking at our Derbyshire or Hertfordshire centres, you can explore more here.
