2015 jubilee review

1945-2015 70 years and counting

A review of 2014 in our 50th year at Tyn-y-nant and a brief celebration of 70 years of MCYC Camps

Going for Growth

Exodus 33:7 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.”

Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp.

New for 2014, the “tent of meeting” proved very popular

counting on you 2014 was our 50th year of Camps at Tyn-y-nant and the coming year brings 70 years of MCYC Camps.

Since 1945, the Summer Camps have provided 1000s of young people with Christian holidays. Over the years many have come to know Christ for the first time during a MCYC week and all have experienced God in some way.

Here we’ve set out some memories of the last 50 years together with a review of 2014 and the names of all our campers and volunteers in a really enouraging year.

The Trust’s core purpose has been stated as: Enabling as many people as possible to experience God. As we take stock at this time of Jubilee, we want to reaffirm our commitment to our partner churches.

When churches grow, the number of children rises faster than the number of adults.

We want to be the best resource for churches intentionally prioritising growth.

Tyn-y-nant Christian Centre - Home of MCYC since 1964

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it but, God made it grow.

1 Corinthians 3:6

counting backwards 1945 can seem like a long time ago.

Count from 70 to 1 backwards - each one a year of camps.

It’s a long time in our lives. I wonder if those few who started Merseyside Assemblies Youth Camps ever paused to reflect on how long the camps would keep going for - if enough like-minded people would carry on.

We know that long lasting memories are made at camp - but they are different for everyone; it depends on when you started counting.

In 1948, climbing the hills behind the site, the girls sang: We are the girls of Penmaenmawr And to our Saviour, Lord and King We gladly raise our song of praise and of his full salvation sing To him who bought us by his blood And lives to keep us by his power Be all our praise through all our days From the girls of Penmaenmawr.

Separate camps for boys and girls were held in the late 1940s and through the 50s.

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The Camps had a variety of locations but the numbers grew and how best to organise the weeks was developed and refined. The article below from 1962, shows what was involved.

counting the numbers Singing at Barmouth 1952

Grasmere Camp 1949

“, and during the first three days of February great numbers of Application Forms poured in....�

count down to early 60s fun A typical Camp programme: “Traditionally, these Camps are centres of bubbling fun and sporting activity, but threaded through with the more earnest thinking regarding eternal things which has led many young people in the past on the highway of real life.

Each week is fascinatingly different - don’t miss it!

The Senior week will be more competitive and adventurous.”

Who could go?

Boys and girls from Merseyside Assemblies Sunday Schools, Bible Classes and Youth Meetings.

And what did they take?

Bible, knife, fork, spoon, coat hanger, handkerchiefs, comb, mackintosh and more.

Boys only: Cup and two plates - one deep.

Girls only: Skirts or dresses, beret or hat (for Camp Services), Coat (for use as dressing gown).

there when it counts

Following almost twenty years of camps which were set up afresh each Summer, the time came to settle down in 1963.

Finding the site was just the beginning; Tyn-y-nant was purchased on 22nd August 1963 and on 14th August the Merseyside Assemblies Youth Camps Trust was formed.

The licence which the Caernarvonshire County Council and Lleyn District Council issued on 28th October 1963 was the first permission to hold a private Camp ever given in the area.

Then they started building!

Between March and June 1964, a 7,000 brick boys’ toilet building was built complete with plumbing and drains. The girls’ toilets were converted from the outhouses of the original cottage. 1,000 feet of water mains and 500 feet of land drains were dug (a major undertaking: after a foot or so, the diggers struck rock). A large septic tank and sewage system were built. A wooden shop and six huts (each sleeping three) were erected.

Camp Brochures in 1965 let parents know where their children were going An article in the local newspaper in 1968.

Forty Years ago a Camp had teams called: Wellies, Flip-flops and Clogs (apparently).

The Wellies' song was: Oh there's nothing as good as a welly when the weather's all cloudy and wet And as long as they're not very smelly Yellow wellies’ the best thing to get.

In July 1969 two 16 year olds were at Camp and, over 40 years later, They even look good on Doug Moffat remember: His feet are so nice you'll agree “Sitting in the dark, And on John Cavanagh the prophet And on Alison Wheeler size 3! expectant and excited, in Robinson Hall, as it was, So don't despise a dear welly we watched Neil Armstrong We're good and we're strong and we're tough take the first step on And as long as we're not very smelly Yellow wellies are made of good stuff! the moon, just before 4am, surrounded it appeared by moths, who flew up to the flickering black and white tv screen we had been allowed for this special night!

The wonder of God's universe seemed to be just a bit closer than ever before.”

And added, “We love that throughout the decades camp has changed physically but not spiritually, the presence of God always seems closer there.”

making every minute count

counting on each other ...

Testimony from someone we’ll just call ‘Denis’ in 1976.

Some people say he can still be seen at Camp in 2015.

“Two of us were responsible for the boys of ‘Crabs.’

Although they tried hard, Prawns, Shrimps and Lobsters were not quite up to our standard. The weather was beautiful and we had some very good outings with the Campers.

I was impressed by the way a group of individuals, some of whom scarcely knew each other, could work together without dissension or complaint for about 19 hours a day.

I know that this could not have happened without the very real presence of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we felt that not much was happening, but in His own time we saw young people from all parts of the Camp come forward to profess their love for and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour.

I thank the Lord for the privilege of work and fellowship with other Christians. I came back from Camp a different person from the one who went. I shall not easily forget my first Camp experience with all the blessings received. I would recommend anyone who has doubts about giving their time in this manner to cast them aside or they will miss great blessings.

Roll on Camp 1976, if the Lord will.”

... and GOD through the 70s

Local outreach - extract from 1975 Camp newsletter “Our Sunday afternoon walk centred on Abererch village where we had a time of hymn singing and it was a joy to see many Campers giving out tracts. More tracts were distributed at the beach-mission held in Llanbedrog. This proved to be a great success.

The evening session began with prayer before we went out to invite the villagers of Abererch to a coffee evening. We were well received, many saying that they were still reading the New Testaments which they received last year.

After all these years, 2014 Camp Abererch saw superb numbers of all ages enjoying Tyn-y-nant

“, we trust that many of the Campers have been helped in their everyday lives to live for Him as “doers of the Word....”

About 25 adults and 20 children came.

After refreshments, the adults saw slides of Camp whilst the children had an impromptu meeting in Robertson Hall.

After an epilogue, one of the villagers gave a vote of thanks, saying how much they appreciated our interest in them, for we didn’t just use Tynynant and ignore them. After the visitors had gone we had a time of prayer and praise. The effort of outreach brought deeper fellowship amongst Campers and Staff, showing the distinct possibility of increasing the ‘mission’aspect of the week, especially among the local children.”

Tyn-y-nant Christian Centre

1980 1981 1982 1983 ....

they all count

From a day at Junior Camp’83: 7.45 ARISE 8.10 EXERCISES 8.15 QUIET TIME 8.35 ACTION TIME 9.00 BREAKFAST followed by DUTIES - points for those who smiled doing them 10.30 INSPECTION then free for sports, shop and craft room 12.30 LUNCH..............................

2.00 AFTERNOON PROGRAMME to the beach, coach outings, walks 5.30 DINNER “Food’s fab. Bet this Chef costs a lot.” “Fancy getting 2nds.”

7.00 Free for more games and crafts 9.00 SUPPER, SING, EPILOGUE followed by BED; not nearly so popular as it was this morning.

Children talking at the lunch table in 1983, “I’m a Protestant but my Dad says I can be a Christian or a Catholic when I grow up.” “But you may not grow up and then it’ll be too late.”

Tyn-y-nant Christian Centre - Home of MCYC since 1964

count the locals in

In 2014 we hired a 70-seater coach to collect children and parents from Abererch and the surrounding area.

From the mid-1970s when we started walks into the village and inviting folk to Camp, to 1991 when we started Day Camp which became Camp Abererch, the relationship with the Welsh local community has developed steadily and positively. Camp Abererch now holds weekends in March and November to further grow opportunities for our contact with a widening community area.

cyfrif y bobl leol yn

The wooden chalets were almost 30 years old by the end of the 90s. It may surprise you to learn that some people began to feel that they were not getting any younger (the chalets) and consideration began as to how to replace them.

HOUSEPARTY 2004

Count the fun

HOUSEPARTY 2004

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Tyn-y-nant Christian Centre

Count on the future

In 2010 our contractors demolished the long standing chalets, flattened the ground, dug channels to lay lengthy new cabling, drove in supports for four new 23 bed ensuite underfloor heated chalets. This followed the extension to the kitchens.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3: 20 & 21

Those who were there in the days and hours and minutes leading up to Junior Camp 2010 when somehow the turf was laid, carpet and curtains fitted, bunk beds installed and two chalets were ready to go - will never forget the experience.

We have a remarkable God.

junior inters camp abererch seniors energise

MCYC camps 2014

counting campers 2014

Abbey Hill Abbi Sefton Abby Andrews Abigail Sharp Abigail Whitcher Abigail Wood Abigayle Tyrer Adam Dunbavin Adam Wright Adam Crane Adam Dunbavin Adam Hill Adele Giles Adrian Jackson Aidan Cowley Aidan Thornley

Alex Taylor Alex Oliver Alexander Bowmaker Alexander Geoghegan Alice Watters Alice Clarke Alyce Cross Amber Lamkin Amy MacPherson Amy Bedford Amy Martindell Amy France Amy Evans Amy – Jane Savage Amy Nadine Rowe Anastasia Plant

Andrew Supple Andrew Rogers Andrew Crew Anna Jean Lloyd Annabelle Thornley Annalie Jarvis Annelies Fien Anthony Helps Anthony Clayden Aoife McDonell Archie Manger Asher Caulfield Baylee Maddox Ben Constantine Ben Forshaw-murphy Benjamin Chillingworth

Benjamin Davies Bethan Hill Bethany Jackson Bethany Harber Bethany Gallagher Bethany Aitchison Billie Jo Harris Boyd Matthews Bradley Watling Bryn Home-Thornton Cai Wyn Trainor Caitlin Graham Smith Caitlin MacPherson Caitlin Louise Watson Caitlyn- Alice Shipley Caitrin Grimshaw

Caleb Adams Caleb Lovegrove Callum Millington Calvin Hodkinson Caragh Bardolia Caroline Swallow Caroline Le Carys Ealey Charis Baylis Charis Jarvis Charlie Watts Charlie Jones Charlotte Furber Charlotte Vickers Charlotte Crewe Che Hannigan

Chelsea Green Chloe Fraser Chloe Christopher Chloe Hubbard Chloe Jones Chloe Cooke Christopher Le Christopher Evans Christopher Turk Christy Tyson Conner McDonald Connor Smith Daisy Barker Dale Norcott Daniel Taylor Daniel Grogan

Daniel Harber Daniel O'Halloran Danielle Beckwith Danielle McDerment David Hughes David Kim Young Wang David Durban David Hughes David Marzluf Decklan McMahon Declan John Airey Dylan Stanway Eleanor Scott Elise Bowmaker Elizabeth Mainwaring Elizabeth Roberts

Elizabeth Collins Ella Murray-kennedy Ella Hope Pendleton Ellen Ruth Jakeman Ellie-mai Hughes Elliot Spilsbury Elliot Higham Ellis Shaw Eloisa Goodall Elysia Swanick Emily Shudall Emily Campbell Emily Horne Emily Murphy Emily Hooper Emily Murdoch

Emily Lauren Cross Emma Norris Emma Bateman Emma Harrington Emma Louise Barton Emma May Jones Erin Locke Errin Roberts Ethan McCulloch Eva Mitchinson Eve Currie Florence Cooper Frazer John Ray Freya Cantwell Freya McFaull Gemma Swanick

Gemma Supple George Warrior George White Georgia Norris Grace Wood Grace Parsons Grace Klemperer Grace Currie Greg Walsh Gregory Mercer Hannah Britton Hannah Williams Hannah Parker Hannah Spilsbury Hannah Newton Hannah Orman

Hannah Grace Cleaver Harry Johnson Harry Andrews Harry Warrior Harry Halliday Harry Bolderson Haydn Ward Helen Ann Woodcock

Helena Griffiths Helena Gurr Holly Alcock Holly Salters Holly Caley Holly Sharrock Holly Star Inman Isabel Williams

keep counting

Isabel Griffiths Isabel Brough Isabelle Lamkin Isabelle Lloyd Isla Grace Davies Jack Evans Jacob Michael Evans Jake Lovegrove Jake Cooke James Noble James Daley James Tyrer James Watson Jamie Finch Jamie Harding Jason Mansell Jennifer Green Jennifer Corcoran Jessica Coathup Jessica Newell Jessica Jones Jessica Smith Joanna Alexander Joe Danson Joel Christopher Joel Petch Joel Dowling Joel Banks Jonathan McGarvey Jordan Brown Joseph Hardy Joseph Wade

Joshua Lynch Joshua Dunbavin Joshua Hubbard Joshua Gunatilleke Joshua Salisbury Joshua Broster Joshua Beale Joshua Griffiths Joshua Cotterell Joshua Cooper Kaitlin Marais Kasia Chong Kate McKibbin Kate Johnson Katie Murray Katie Fowler Katie Daluz Vieira Katlyn Stonehouse Katy Dodd Keiron Platt Kelsey-Lili Ogedengbe Kendra Buckle Kezia O'Halloran Kezia O'Brien Kian Saunders Kiri Anderson Krystal Rigby Kyle Watling Kyle Lynch Laura Swift Laura Briscoe Lauryn Young

Layla Lea Marais Leah Hodgkinson Leah Anne Collins Lee Hodkinson Lewis Upton Leyla Sollitt Liam Culshaw Libbie Marais Lilly Molyneux Lois Pointon Lowri Mitchinson Lucy Evans Lucy Grace Luke Hodgkinson Luke Crosthwaite Lydia Barker Macy Shaw Mark Edgar Marley Davies Matthew Blower Matthew Leach Max Sharp Max Kelly Megan Cowan Megan Daley Megan Kershaw Melissa Pugh Mia Sophie Renshaw Michael Page Michael Gunatilleke Michael Duckworth Michael Smith

Mickey O'Brien Molly Gopsill Molly McCall Molly Hynes Mutsa Matonhodze Mya Upton Nadia Farhan Nadia Washby Naomi Petch Naomi Beale Narges Loudi Nathan Petch Nathaniel Matthews Nerise Christie Nicole Johnston Nicole Kealy Oliver Maloney Oliver Kelly Olivia Cunliffe Olivia Grace Olivia Sharrock Olivia Palmer Olivia Fletcher Olivia Whetnall Owen Storer Owen Thomas Owen Tacyn Patrick Coneeny Paul Hunt Philip Woods Philippa Ambler Pia Anderson

Pippa Lang Rachael Croxall Rachel Medway Rachel Westcott Rachel Britton Rachel Sefton Rebecca Pritchett Rebecca Hughes Rebecca Kershaw Rebekah Johnson Reece McLaughlin-Knowles Rhian Coneeny Rhianne Clarke Robert Stirrup Rose Robinson Rosemary Evans Ross Ward Ruby Hayes Ruby Barrick Ryan Blackwell Sam Hesketh Sam Plant Samantha Hilton Samuel Crossley Samuel Edwards Samuel Blower Samuel Smith Samuel Christopher Samuel Cooper Sapphire McDonald Sarah Little Sarah Fairclough

Scarlett Sumner Scott Hinton Sean Collins Sean Arslanian Sebastien Morrell Shannon Lancaster Shinade McMahon Silas Plant Simon Horak Sophie Joyce Sophie Allan Sophie Cartwright Sophie Norris Sophie Hinton Stephanie Cootes Stephanie Lake Stephanie Wolfe Summer Esterson Suzanne Carter Tara O'Gorman Terri Ann Green Theodore Danquah Thomas Petch Thomas Dodd Thomas Schimke Thomas Atherton Thomas Wood Toby Wood Tom Loker Tom France Tomas Higham Toni Kay

Tyler Brace Victoria Le Wendy Peckham William Allan Yasmin Farhan Ysabelle Jeffries Zak Crowe Zoe Matthews Zoe Phillips

We apologise for any errors or omissions regarding names

counting volunteers 2014 Abbie Atherton Abigail Humphries Adam Hill Aileen Wright Alan Armson Alan Callender Alan Garner Alan Green Alan Heaton Alan Kneale Alexandra Woods Ali Thomas Alice Murphy Alisha Bardolia Alison Hardy Alison Hughes Alistair Sunderland Allan Salisbury Amanda Grimshaw Amy Bedford Amy Gallagher Amy Peters

Andrew Roberts Andrew Russell Andrew Thomson Andrew Tracey Angharad Armson Anne Russell Becky Brennan Ben Carson Ben Crewe Ben Newell Beryl Tooley Brian Cole Brian Greenhalgh Carol Hickey Carole Adams Caroline Le Catriona Barr Charlotte Callister Christine Evans Chris Jones Christine Rankin Chris Thomson

Christina Brown Claire Whitcher Clare Callister Colette Kerrigan Daniel Callister Daniel Ealey David Currall Dave Tooley Dave Willis David Whitcher Deborah Smith Denis Cooper Denis Loake Diane Duckworth Dianne Humphries Duncan Grimshaw Eddie Frost Eddie Taylor Ellen Booth Elspeth Woolsey Emily Baker Esther Andrews

Esther Michael Gary Park Gaynor Evans George Jones George White Gillian Thornhill Glenys Sunderland Graham Howard Graham Keiley Swift Graham Graham Woodward Gwen Cousins Hannah Culleton Hannah Keiley Hannah Richards Haydn Gately Heather DaLuz Vieira Helen Jackson Helen Petch Helen Taylor Helen Thornhill Iain Gopsill

Ian Delooze Ian Woods Irene Barker Issy Edain Jack Johnson Jackie Curry Jackie Tracey Jan Barlow Jan Bullen Janet Harris Jayne Booth Jennifer Taylor Jessica Cappell Jill Bolderson Jillian Harber Jill Wolfgang Jillian Moss Joan Kneale Joanna Lawrence Jodie Cooke Joel Fraser Joel Rolfe

John Culleton John Hardy John Hickey John Taylor John Wilcock Jon Norwood Jonathon Andrews Jonathan Beavon Jonathan Brennan Jonathan Michael Jon Dickson Jonny Pettman Jordan Fleming Joseph Grogan Josh Keiley Josh Scott Joshua Smith Joshua Uitterdijk Joshua Woods Joy Faulkner Joy Michael Joyce Salisbury

Judith Goodwin Julie Kophamel Julie Woods Karen Dalton Karen Grugan Kat Woodger Kathryn Rowe Katie Harber Katy McAvoy Keith Hunter Keith Price Kendra Buckle Kerrie Atherton Kevin Grogan Kylie Jackson Lea Burton Leon Crook Linda Griffiths Linda Pugh Linda Turner Lisa Ellis Liz Breeze

Lois Wright Luke Andrews Lynda Cooper Lynda Jones Lyndsey Coleman Lynne Fairclough Malcolm Graham Malcolm Wright Mandy Grogan Margaret Thomas Mark Callister Mark Smith Mark Woodger Martin Wolfgang Matt Fairhead Matt Meaney Matthew Fleming Matthew Hyde Matthew Petch Mavis Royden Melissa Turner Michael Cottrell

Michael Hughes Michael Page Mike Bedford Mike Croxhall Mike Halewood Mike Lamkin Miriam Mitchinson Muriel Lanceley Muriel Rimmer Nicola Henderson Nicola Sharp Nigel Pickin Norma Newhouse Norman Goodwin Pam Dodd Pam Smith Pat Lamb Pat McGrady Paul Cooke Paul Moss Paul Rigby Paul Smith

Paul Woods Pauline Walsh Pauline Wooding Peter Lamkin Peter Mayo-Smith Peter Price Peter Roberts Peter Tirrell Philip Hilton Philip Longfoot Philip Woods Rachel Curry Rachel Kophamel Rachel Pickin Rebecca Johnson Rebecca Scott Rebecca Smart Rebecca Withers Rebekah Smith Rhoda Moss Richie Bell Richard Dodd

Richard Kells Robin Loake Rob Smart Rob Kophamel Robert McAvoy Ruth Bedford Ruth Ray Ruth Richards Sam Johnson Sarah Fairclough Sarah Keighley Sarah Jackson Sarah Watson Seeta Parikh Simon Grugan Sonia Miller Sophia Sloane Stephen Ardern Stephen Bedford Steve Michael Stephen Thomson Steve Wooding

Stuart Carroll Sue Delooze Sue Dickson Susan Ealey Susie Cooke Sylvia Wright Thomas Hadley Tim Brennan Timothy Peters Tom Kerrigan Tom Kophamel Tristan Cooke Victoria Martin Victoria Pattison Walter Norris

From the outset MCYC has relied on donations, prayer and volunteers. We could put these in any order - they are all essential.

The efforts of people starting the camps to building the camps to growing the numbers of campers to supporting to going this year...

Thank you to all these people.

We apologise for any errors or omissions regarding names

1945-2015 70 years and counting

Clearly, it is impossible to record the thousands of memories made at Camp over 70 years; impossible to show all the people involved in starting it and making things happen. It’s not possible to list all the people who picked up the proverbial paintbrush year after year.

It’s equally impossible to show all those campers who accepted Christ as their Saviour or deepened their understanding whilst at Camp.

Fortunately, as Jesus said in Matthew 19:26, “but, with God all things are possible.”

Today MCYC is an organisation with thousands of ‘members’ people who would tell you that they owe something of their Christian journey to time at Camp. The strength of the vision from 1945 which grew through the 50s until Tyn-y-nant was bought in 1963 and has been developed to what we have today, is as strong as ever.

As someone put it: “throughout the decades camp has changed physically but not spiritually, the presence of God always seems closer there.”

A review of 2014 in our 50th year at Tyn-y-nant and a brief celebration of 70 years of MCYC Camps

‘Going for Growth’ - looking to the years ahead. When churches actively seek to grow and more young people are in the church, MCYC holidays and a place like Tyn-y-nant are a tremendous resource. We want to be the best we can be for those churches.

Going for Growth MCYC:LIVE - 300 young people praising God

MCYC is a facility of the Tyn-y-nant Christian Centre.

Our Registered office is: 13 Village Road Bebington Wirral CH63 8PP For more information see www.mcyc.co.uk or email: info@mcyc.co.uk A Company Limited by Guarantee. Company No 4949384. Charity No 1102688