Delirious over 15,000 attending Big Church Day Out

RUSTINGTON musician Tim Jupp's invitation to a day out in the West Sussex countryside attracted an amazing response '” with 15,000 people attending the sell-out event on Sunday.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th May 2009, 19:24 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:06 BST

Tim, keyboard player with Littlehampton-based Christian rockers Delirious?, organised the Big Church Day Out in the grounds of Wiston House, nestling in the South Downs beneath Chanctonbury Ring.

Delirious? were among the big acts on the bill, making one of their last appearances in the UK before they split up in the autumn.

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The one-day festival brought roads in the area to a standstill, but once on the site, the crowds were treated to performances on the huge mainstage including major international Christian artists Israel Houghton and Michael W. Smith.

There were also family activities, and a large tea tent where thousands of cups of tea and scones were consumed, with relaxing music by the King's Chamber Orchestra, Lou Fellingham and Littlehampton's Cathy Burton.

Crowd-surfing mayor

And in what must have been a civic first, new Worthing mayor Noel Atkins went crowd-surfing, after he was prayed for on the main stage as a symbol of support.

A number of smaller performance venues around the site saw other musicians entertaining and in the centuries-old Wiston church, a 24/7 prayer venue was set up.

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Wiston neighbour and Olympic gold medalist Sally Gunnell led a fun run around the park and many people took time to simply enjoy a picnic in the beautiful countryside on a glorious day.

Tim arranged the event in partnership with Wiston House owners Harry and Pip Goring, and all the stewarding was carried out by 200 volunteers from Littlehampton's Arun Community Church, many of them working from 9am-midnight with scarcely a break.

Church leader David Thatcher said: "As people made their way to the cars, a huge cross could be seen illuminated on the Chanctonbury Ring hillside, a reminder that the Christian message continues to bring hope, and the relevant Church is still very much alive."

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Related topics:West Sussex