From:-
TORCH TRUST, Torch House, Torch Way, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9HL, U.K.
Telephone: +44 (0)1858 438260, Fax: +44 (0)1858 438275, email: info@torchtrust.org
Charity Number 1095904.
Offering a holiday of a lifetime and a lifetime of friendship for people with sight loss
Hi! Well, here we are – nearly at the end of our Torch holiday season of 2009. And what an amazing year it has been! My head is reeling just thinking of all the different lives, stories, places, activities and adventures that have been part of it.
The one common factor in each of the holidays and houseparties, both at our Centre in Sussex and around the UK, has been the faithfulness of our loving Lord Jesus. Not only has he refreshed, strengthened and sustained us to be used by him, but he has changed lives for ever. You see, the impact of a Torch holiday is not just about the physical or the emotional; it is, above all, a spiritual encounter. God is left, right and centre to our holidays – a fact reflected in the testimonies of those who come. Everyone who comes on a holiday is blessed in one way or another through the loving family atmosphere, the all-inclusive, all-accessible programme, the fellowship and friendship – all delivered with God's love and God's Word, which are part of everything we do.
This magazine includes contributions from many people who have been on a Torch holiday as guests or volunteers. And we introduce you to a few of the Torch staff essential to the happy running of the holiday programme – Emma Millar, Ildi Kalla and Richard Clarke. It all makes for exciting reading! I know you'll want to book early to ensure a place on a 2010 holiday, and dates and details are given at the back of this magazine. I'm convinced next year is going to be another year of opportunity for many people with sight loss to experience a life-enhancing Torch holiday. I look forward to giving you a very warm and personal welcome.
Much love in Jesus, Gail Millar - TORCH HOLIDAYS LEADER.
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Welcome to Hurstpierpoint! Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre, set in the beautiful Sussex countryside not far from the Brighton coast, offers a wide range of holiday experiences for people with sight loss, their carers and families. As well as a number of relaxing breaks with plenty of outings to places of local interest, the programme includes sports and hobby-themed holidays. Team leader Gail Millar and her staff and volunteers also run a number of holidays at other lovely venues around the UK. A key feature of all the holidays is the strong family ethos. And an essential ingredient is the daily Christian spiritual input.
"F-F-F-Fantastic!" One guest sent in his thanks along with this summary of his experiences: "Fruitful friendships ... Fabulous food ... Family atmosphere ... Fun ... Frequent cups of tea ... Facilities for VIP (visually impaired people) guests ... Fantastic fellowship ... And, above all, the faithfulness of God."
"Wales 2009 Hebron Hall near Cardiff was the lovely setting for our holiday. We were looked after wonderfully and the food was great. The part we stayed in was a bit "vertical," so we needed help to manage the stairs, but guides were very helpful. Clive Bennett took the cross as his theme for our Bible studies. Speaking about Jesus' work on the cross always has an impact. Two of our guests had fallen out and not spoken to each other for years. They were sharing a room. Oops! There could have been fireworks. But God's love through forgiveness at the cross brought them together and restored their friendship.
"The outings were really good, with lots of things to touch, smell and listen to. The Museum of Welsh Life at St Fagans was great. I nosed around all the buildings, trying out the chairs and even a bed, and talking to the local people dressed in their costumes. Cardiff Castle was exciting, as we were guided into the past. The most luxurious point was the top of the tower. Its rich gold almost rivalled heaven! Not to be outdone, our multi-sensory worship gave us a foretaste of heaven in God's new creation." - Report by Mike Townsend
Don't take our word for it ... read these comments from guests:
"I've never found anywhere else like Torch. No other holidays are as well organised or thought out. The help, support and encouragement are second to none. Guides provided for us every day." – Lyn Fricker
"The moment I entered the door and heard the first "hello" I knew I was in for a good time! People were so good to us, as if we had known them forever. The itinerary was varied, the company great and the food – well, it was wonderful!" – Phyllis Mayhew
"If you are willing to listen, you will always hear from God in a personal way. He has changed our lives through our involvement with Torch." – Jean Crosby and Bill Goddard
"Torch HRC is like home. You manage to fill the days with a holiday spirit, whatever the weather. The house is so restful with its lovely view and comfortable rooms." – Georgina James
Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre proved to be the perfect venue for the newly-formed Cambridge Torch Fellowship Group to get to know one another. Real friendships were made which have given the regular meetings of this group a great foundation. Perhaps your Torch Fellowship Group would benefit from a relaxing, refreshing break together in lovely West Sussex?
"At almost 30 years old, I found the best possible excuse to take myself and my Dutch wife Corianne on my first trip to Scotland. I grew up at Torch House in Hallaton, and had met Corianne in 1999 when she came as a helper, so between us we had been involved in many Torch houseparties before. But the prospect of being involved again, this time north of the border, was exciting.
"We truly enjoyed leading a fantastic group of people in praise and worship for the week. It was also lovely to hear Mike Townsend's teaching. He inspired us on how to be 'Bravehearts' in prayer and daily Christian life.
"The house and grounds where we stayed – Carronvale House, near Falkirk – were a real treat. We loved the range of Scottish food on offer such as the flat sausage, haggis and oat cakes. It was a full itinerary. We saw some clever engineering at the Falkirk Wheel. We visited traditional towns and villages in central Scotland, and sailed a boat on Loch Katrine. We had guided tours of Stirling Castle and Holyrood House.
"The highlight was definitely the Edinburgh Tattoo, outside the castle, which included a spectacular mix of traditional Scottish pipers and dancing, Swiss drummers, Fijian dancers, Chinese drummers and horn players, as well as the best that the military servicemen had to offer. It was unforgettable – despite the incessant rain!
"We experienced God's grace throughout the week and several were challenged to be braver in their prayers and trust in God." - Report by Alex Ferraby
Anya from Belgium felt drawn to volunteer at the Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre when she saw the changes in the life of a blind guest: "Just before the summer 2009, it was on my heart to go to the Centre for a week to help out while our children were away at camp. I told my husband Patrick, but with a "maybe". He thought it was a fantastic idea. I had my doubts. But my husband knows that I often doubt my own ideas and don't follow through! Before I knew it, Patrick had got everything arranged, including my flight.
"I felt nervous when I arrived, but was given a fantastic welcome. There were 12 guests booked in, all over 50, all blind or partially sighted and some with other disabilities. In my room, looking out on the magnificent view, I felt a fresh appreciation for my healthy body. I had the use of my eyes, ears, hands and feet. I prayed, 'Father, I am thankful for my health. Use me. Make your plan for my life clear.'
"Central to everything that happened that week was God's love. We were just one big family. My own duties included laying and clearing tables, serving food, washing up and guiding the guests when we went out. It was fantastic to see how the guests enjoyed even small things like an hour by the sea, drinking tea together or going tenpin bowling. At one point I talked with a woman who had lost her husband and was struggling with a new relationship. The Lord gave me the strength to give my testimony – and in perfect English – which touched and encouraged her. Another time, visiting some gardens, I was given inspiration from God to suggest to one woman that she used a wheelchair there. At first she refused, but finally agreed. I discovered later that she was fond of flowers, knowing them all by name. She told me that she had been several times to the garden but because of her difficulty in walking she had not been able to enjoy the flowers. But this time it was different. She was so happy and grateful – praise God!
"God was working in me too. Day after day I heard from God. During a Bible study, we were told that we often miss blessing because we don't listen. I said, 'OK, Lord, I will listen.' I read in Romans that Paul served diligently. 'OK, Lord, I will serve.' There was a call to use our gifts. 'OK, I will use my gifts.' I read about being a tool for God. 'OK, I will let you use me.' I read that we should be guided by the Holy Spirit. 'OK, let the Holy Spirit work in me.' God spoke to me through a testimony and through studying the storm on the lake. It became clear to me that God was saying, 'Come, step out of your boat and dare to walk on water.' I had struggled so much about coming, fearing the unknown and worried about my poor English. But everything that week encouraged me to trust God more."
My first season with Torch Holidays is nearly over . . . and what a great time it has been! I started at the Centre in March this year. So many new challenges faced me. I had never spent any time with anyone with sight loss and never worked in the holiday industry. But from the moment I first arrived at Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre, I knew this was where God wanted me to be. Torch HRC has not only been my place of work but also my home and a tremendous blessing in my walk with the Lord.
No two days are the same. The learning curve has been fairly steep – and I'm learning more every day. The people I have met, with their varied backgrounds and experiences, have been a huge encouragement. I have made so many new friends, heard so many inspiring stories and seen so many beautiful sights. But the most exciting part of my job is seeing what our living God is doing in people's lives day by day.
It is a privilege to help deliver holidays where people are able to meet with the Lord and be changed by him. Bring on next year!! - Richard Clarke
Ildi has been working in the library at Torch HQ since November 2006. Since April this year, she has also been handling the administration for Torch Holidays. She's the friendly voice on the phone when you call to make holiday reservations or travel arrangements.
Ildi comes from Debrecen, the second largest city in Hungary, where she worked at the university library. She first heard about Torch through Marilyn Baker, the well-known singer-songwriter who is chair of trustees for Torch. Ildi says it's the people she meets that makes her job with Torch so special.
Emma is one of Gail's daughters and so feels she knows the place inside out, having lived there for 12 years. Currently she's responsible for the housekeeping and gives some help with the cooking.
"I take a great pride in the centre looking clean and tidy for all our guests," she says. "My joy is adding all the finishing touches, making it homely and comfortable."
One of the highlights of this year was when Pam and Malcolm Britton turned up on the first day of the first houseparty of the season! "This lovely couple came to us out of the blue and as a specific answer to prayer," said Gail. "We've spent the whole year thanking God for them and their extraordinary commitment to work with us as volunteers for the whole season."
Pam reports, "We have really enjoyed working with Gail and her lovely family. Each houseparty has been different, challenging and worthwhile. We've seen God at work in and among us all. It has been tiring, but never boring. It has been humbling and satisfying. We would really recommend volunteering here."
Christmas 2008 was a huge new adventure. After several years when the Christmas houseparty at Torch HRC was oversubscribed and people were turned away, the decision was taken to multiply capacity several times over by using High Leigh Conference Centre in Hertfordshire. "It was wonderful," remembers Torch CEO Dr Gordon Temple. "I'll never forget over 70 of us sitting down together as a family for Christmas lunch in such a beautiful country house. As always, God was at work, changing lives." So don't spend Christmas alone. If you are blind or partially sighted, you will get a warm welcome at this year's Christmas houseparty, being held at High Leigh from December 23-28.
Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre will be getting a freshen-up! All the jobs, large and small, that are not possible while holidays are going on, are scheduled for the New Year. And it will be fun! We're looking for energetic volunteers to bless us by living in for two to five days to help with repairs, painting, decorating, gardening and spring cleaning. The dates: 18-22 January, 25-29 January and 1-5 February.
The Ready for Action activities holiday, again extended to ten days for 2010, is an opportunity for those with sight loss who yearn for adventure. On offer is a wide range of thrilling experiences such as bungee trampoline, horse riding, assault course and climbing wall. Not for the faint-hearted! Places are limited and snapped up very quickly – so book early.
Gail reports, "I am so grateful for all those who responded to news that we urgently needed a replacement dishwasher. Praise God we have enough money to buy a new one, which will be installed in the New Year, ready for an even busier season next year."
Anne Bradshaw from Stirlingshire in Scotland, had a special experience when she attended a recent summer houseparty A Christian for over 30 years, Anne discovered that she was "so broken" and that Torch HRC was a "safe place" to be for God to begin healing her. "Torch is a place where you can fall apart and it's OK because Jesus is in the midst and a very loving family around," says Anne. "The Lord was not going to let me leave until he had done a work in me. I'm so glad and grateful that the people at Torch listened and cared. Those broken pieces are now with the Lord to make whole and fill with his Spirit. I came away blessed, having found Jesus in a real and special way."
Book early – and don't forget that everything's included!
17-21 May Wales houseparty £320.00 At Hebron Hall, Dinas Powys, Glamorgan
17-24 July Keswick Convention houseparty £380.00 At Ferndene Guest House, Keswick
16-21 August Scotland houseparty £370.00 At Carronvale House near Edinburgh
11-18 September France houseparty £450.00 approx At Le Pas Opton on the French Vendée coast
BOOKING: TERMS AND CONDITIONS All bookings are on a full board basis. A nonrefundable deposit of £50 secures a booking, the balance payable 6 weeks before the holiday begins. Prices are per person, per holiday. Single rooms carry a supplement of £10 per night. Cancellation: a 50 per cent cancellation charge is payable within 4 weeks of the holiday start date; the full cost is payable should cancellation happen within 2 weeks' notice. In the unlikely event of Torch Holidays cancelling or changing a holiday, a full refund will be given. Torch reserve the right to refuse any booking.
Prices do not include transport to and from your home area, but we are happy to help plan your itinerary and we try to provide transport from the local train station, bus stop or airport. We encourage you to take out your own holiday and travel insurance. Special diets are catered for with adequate notice. All venues operate a no smoking policy.
The Torch Holidays team includes not only trained staff but also trained volunteers whose role is to provide friendship, encouragement and support to guests. None of our employees or volunteers are trained, qualified or insured to nurse, act as carers or administer medication. Guests who require medical or physical assistance must be accompanied by a carer. If in doubt, contact the Holidays Leader before booking.
Book early – and don't forget that everything's included!
You'll find there's something for everyone on our programme. Enjoy crafts such as pottery, card-making and painting. Learn new skills in the garden, in the kitchen or on the computer. Take some time to be quiet in prayer and Bible study. For readers, there's the popular Book week. If you'd like to be more active, there's the walking holiday or the energetic Ready for Action holiday. There are always plenty of trips out to places of interest, and excellent speakers. Whatever the weather, warm friendship, fun, comfortable rooms and good food are guaranteed! You'll be blessed physically and spiritually on a Torch Holiday.
1–6 April Easter houseparty £285.00
19–23 April Craft week £215.00
30 April – 4 May Bank Holiday break £215.00
10–14 May Gardening week £215.00
1–4 June Tonbridge TFG houseparty £180.00
7–11 June Spring into Summer houseparty £215.00
14–24 June Ready for Action holiday £495.00
30 June – 7 July Summer Celebration houseparty £345.00
12–16 July Summer Special houseparty £215.00
19–23 July Summer Sunshine houseparty £215.00
4–11 August Summer Sunsets houseparty £345.00
22–29 September Changing Seasons houseparty £345.00
4–9 October Walking holiday £265.00
15–18 October Computer weekend £185.00
21–26 October Thanksgiving weekend £265.00
1–5 November Book week £215.00
15–19 November Christmas Crafts £215.00
29 Nov – 3 Dec Turkey & Tinsel £215.00
At High Leigh Conference Centre, Hertfordshire 23–28 December Christmas Celebration houseparty £395.00
Book today! 01858:438260
Torch Trust is a Christian organisation with a worldwide vision for people with sight loss. As well as running holidays, we produce literature in braille, giant print and audio and we run the largest free lending library of Christian braille books in the UK. We facilitate over 120 fellowship groups of blind and partially sighted people. We also serve blind people in a number of other countries; in particular we are linked to an office and braille production centre in Malawi.
Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex BN6 9QN
Telephone: 01273:832282
Email: TorchHRC@torchtrust.org
Website: www.torchtrust.org
For more details or to book, ring 01858:438260. THE TORCH TRUST FOR THE BLIND is a registered charity, no. 1095904