Cornwall Bush Conference 2003

The Spring Bank Holiday Weekend saw the 2003 Cornwall Bush Conference held at a farm near Lanivet in mid-Cornwall. Although not specifically a youth event, the Bush Conference attracts a good number of young people who join the crowds camping and caravanning to enjoy a weekend of fellowship, worship and Bible teaching. The event attracts people from a wide range of church backgrounds. There were Baptist, Brethren, FIEC, Methodist and Charismatic churches represented over the course of the weekend.

Bush is a real back to basics bargain weekend. There is no set charge for attending the event, just an expenses box to put your contribution in. You are provided with a field to pitch your tent or caravan in. There is a water supply, flush toilets, and a milkman who calls each morning! You cater for yourself. There are then a number of sessions held in a barn which really gives the meetings some atmosphere. The sessions include worship led by a band of musicians ranging from 10 year old flautist Megan to keyboards and guitars played by various adults, songs performed by guest artist Pam Roberts of Devon, book reviews, prayer and Bible teaching from a guest speaker. This year saw Geoff Carr(pictured left), a Counties evangelist in Essex, teach from the Book of Acts. His wicked sense of humour combined with practical teaching on the early church endeared him to all ages.

The afternoons are leisure time and this year the campers went for walks in Cardinham Woods, trips to Padstow and Polzeath or just caught up on some sleep from a late night the night before! On Saturday evening there was a fish & chip supper with the food delivered from the local fish and chip shop. This was followed by a variety concert which saw various people perform funny readings and songs, a humourous video clip, as well as an introduction to the work of the Missionary Aviation Fellowship.

There were separate sessions for the children of primary school age led by Jane and Richard of Gorran Haven. The Bush campers were also joined by day visitors coming to take advantage of the quality Bible teaching. Bush Chairman, Phil Wilcox of Plympton, said, "I think this has been one of the best Bush Conference's we've had." This was echoed by many of the campers as they left. Not even the heavy rain of Friday night had deterred them. That had been forgotten with the sun of the rest of the weekend, and all were promising to be back again next year.

The teenagers present seemed to enjoy it. "It was great fun," said 13 year old Tamsin from Bodmin. The event had attracted young people from Camborne in the west and Totnes in Devon in the east. Some ex-Cornish young people had travelled down from London to be there! The teenagers from various churches and youth groups mixed in well and organised their own late night walks and midnight feasts!

This may be an event you'll want to add to your youth group's calendar. It's always on the same Bank Holiday weekend every year. You can ask to be put on the mailing list by sending your details to

Photo Guide:

From top to bottom:
Some of the lads in the camp site;
All ages in the session in the barn;
Guest Speaker Geoff Carr plays his guitar;
Vicki & Megan play at the Saturday night session;
Praising God;
Leah & Megan with Children's Leader Jane.

For more photos click on the More Photos button at the top left of this page.