Hesket Newmarket Show - 30 August 2025

Rusty Cockling and David Johnston

Prior to the show, weather warnings were issued that the summer heat wave was coming to an end, but while the day started with an overcast sky there were many sunny periods and no rain throughout the day. 

After finding the allotted pitch for the van and while the display of literature was being prepared, the first visitor came to the van. This was a lady from Lancashire who had previously been at other shows and had met David before. She was not a believer but was happy to talk about Christian attributes, e.g. good works. After a conversation she viewed some of the literature and was happy to take a copy of the booklet 'God's Story'. 

Two boys with their mother were the next visitors. They were anxious to try their luck on the guessing box and they were able to identify the cross, a basket and a lion in the box. Sadly they found it difficult to relate these items to the Bible and were unable to give a reason for Jesus dying on the cross. They left with Josh and Jade leaflets. 

Later during a relatively quiet morning a local family (mum, dad and two small children) stopped to talk. After a short conversation they left with the leaflet 'Family Matters'. 

In the afternoon the number of visitors to the show increased greatly and Rusty was kept very busy at the guessing box. Typically the children's knowledge of the Bible varied greatly and usually reflected which school they went to. Very few went to a place of worship. 

During the day a number of local believers visited the van to bring a word of encouragement, and a local evangelical church had a refreshment tent near to C.G.O.'s position. It was good to have fellowship with them.