FOCUS camping info

25-28 July 2023

We’re SO pleased you’re coming to Focus 2024 with us. This website will be kept up to date with information and tips to make the best of our time away. If you have any questions or concerns please do get in touch at hello@patternchurch.org.

Booking

Head to the main Focus website to book your tickets. There is a discounted rate for adult newbie tickets. If you haven’t booked your camping or caravan place please do that BEFORE July 14th otherwise we cannot guarantee you a space near the Pattern Church group.

Arrival

Address: Newark Showground, Lincoln Rd, Coddington, Newark NG24 2NY. The nearest train stations are Newark North Gate and Newark Castle. If driving, please follow the Focus roadsigns to make sure you find the correct entrance to the showground.

The site map is below and our camping zone is Purple 2 (at the bottom left of the map).

You will need to enter Gate A for purple zone and head to plot 2 once you have your wristband.

You need your ticket confirmation email to obtain a wristband. Please be in touch if you do not have this ticket email yet.

Parking

Once you’re all unpacked you will move you car to the car park. Focus is a car free site from Thursday evening until Sunday afternoon - if you’re arrive between these times let us know and we’ll help you unload your things in the car park.

Programme

The main programme starts in the evening of Thursday 25th July and ticket-holders are allowed on site from lunchtime that day. You can find out all about the main programme using the Focus 2024 App.

The programme ends with a big celebration evening session on Sunday 28th July and you are encouraged to stay until 10am Monday morning. Please note that cars will only be allowed in the camping villages on Thursday afternoon and Monday morning.

The Focus site rules can be found here.

Camping

Andrew Winson is our site planner and it's his job to make sure that everyone can fit in our pitch. Please fill in the form here or at the bottom of this page to let him know your details for camping and a few other things (please fill it in even if you're not camping!)

We are camping with our friends at The Well so will have lots of time to catch up and make new friends from North Swindon too!

Community Marquee

The Pattern Church Community Marquee will have communal space with tables and chairs for eating and socialising throughout the weekend. There will also be hot and cold water and equipment to make hot drinks available all day.

Power
The community marquee will have USB sockets for phone charging. We are limited for power so please do not bring any other electrical devices (unless approved by Andrew eg medical devices). Any valuables left in the marquee/ tents are your own responsibility and Pattern Church won't be held responsible for any theft or damage.

Serving each other
We would LOVE everyone to help with keeping the marquee tidy and functioning - wiping tables, refilling water carriers, emptying the bins. You’ll be allocated into a team and each team will be overseeing the marquee for one of the days of focus so that everyone pitches in. Those serving on a FOCUS team won’t be included in these teams, and if there’s a reason you can’t help with this please do chat to Kaf or Andrew.

Food and Catering
Focus is going green so we won't be providing any cutlery, plates, bowls, cups etc - please bring your own reusables with you. There will only be fridge space in our pitch for essential items such as medicine and baby formula. We will also have freezers for you to freeze any (labelled!) ice packs - we recommend you bringing a cool box to keep items in your tent.

We will provide a simple grab your own breakfast each morning - think cereal, toast, fruit, tea and coffee vibes. We will have milk (and dairy alternatives) available but if you drink pints everyday please do bring some additional supplies.

We will be providing two BBQs (hotdogs and sides) on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon, otherwise there are plenty of onsite food vans or do bring your own camping stove and equipment. Please let us now any dietary requirements on the same form as before at the bottom of the page.

Alcohol is allowed on site - there is a bar in the central area and you are welcome to bring your own. Please be mindful that there are many people attending Focus in recovery from addiction.

We are able to bring our own portable BBQs.

Focus Kids

Focus kids kicks off on Thursday 28th with a family drop-in time at 3pm in the Focus Kids village. This is a chance to see the space, meet the team and get everyone excited for the weekend! 

Focus Kids 2023 will include everyone's favourite family worship mornings, and Focus Kids sessions running for ages 1-10 in the Focus Kids Village from 10-12:30pm. For kids aged 1-10 do fill in and bring the ID page to help children and team get to know each other. You will be emailed with your child’s group name just before Focus.

There are 3 afternoon/evening sessions for kids and families this year:

• Friday 6:15-7:15pm: Family Kingdom Come in the 7-10s venue (for all the family)

• Saturday 7pm - 8:30pm 7-10s Pyjama Party (ages 7-10s only)

• Sunday 4pm - 4:45pm Focus Spectacular in the Big Top (for all the family)

The Focus Kids programme can be found here. If you have any questions about Focus Kids do email focuskids@htb.org

Pattern Youth

Pattern Youth are going to gather for Domino's Pizza on Thursday evening at the Pattern Community Marquee at 5.30pm! This will be a great way to meet other young people and Youth Team at the start of the weekend, plus eat some yummy food!

We'll also be gathering for lunch on Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 12.45pm after the Youth Morning Session.

Young Adults

If you consider yourself a young adult, and would like to hang out and stay in touch with other young adults over the weekend, join our whatsapp group. We'll also have dinner together on Saturday at 5.30pm!

Campsite Contributions

The cost of the community pitch, teas and coffees, BBQs etc comes to around £20 per head. If you would like to contribute towards that you can do so online here or by bank transfer:

Account Name: Swindon CCRC Trust
Account Number: 71583611
Sort Code: 40-43-35

Packing List

Below are some ideas of things you might want to bring with you:

Tent

Warm sleeping bag

Roll mat/air bed

Travel pillow

Camping chairs

Stove (and gas!)

Cooking gear

Picnic rug

Hot water bottle

Ear plugs

Eye mask

Sunglasses

Warm clothes

Wellies

Flip-flops

Bed socks

Waterproofs

Keep In Touch

If you’d like to join the whatsapp group or have any questions just let us know hello@patternchurch.org.