We’re so excited about the Church Weekend Away in June 2020 and hopefully we’ll be able to answer any questions you’ve got about it here. If we’ve missed anything or you’re not sure, just get in touch and we’ll do our best to help you. 

Where are we going?
The weekend away will be held at High Leigh, at Hoddesdon. The conference centre is located in lovely grounds and has high quality modern en suite accommodation and excellent conference facilities. It caters for church groups of all ages, sizes, and dietary preferences, so you can be sure you’ll be comfy here.
How to get there?
If you’ve said you’d like a lift with someone we will contact you separately to tell you how this is being sorted out.

If you are driving to High Leigh the journey time takes 50 minutes to an hour and you can go via the M25 or via Harpenden/ Hertford. The postcode of the venue is EN11 8SG, and the postal address is Lord Street in Hoddesdon.

Via the M25

  • At Junction 25, take the northbound A10 dual carriageway towards Hertford.
  • Leave the A10 at the junction for Hoddesdon and follow the road towards the town.
  • At the roundabout take the third exit signed ‘Town Centre’ (alongside Morrisons).
  • Turn right at the church into Pauls Lane and bear left into Taverners Way.
  • Take the first right into Lord Street and continue up the hill for just under a mile.
  • High Leigh is on the left.

Via Rebourn, Harpenden and Hertford

  • From Hertford take the B1197 towards Hoddesdon
  • At the roundabout of the B1197 and A414 take the 3rd exit onto the London road.
  • After about 3 miles turn right onto Westfield Road
  • In 70 ft turn left onto Norris Lane
  • Then after about 480 ft turn right into Winterscroft Road
  • Continue onto Langton Road
  • In 0.2 miles turn right onto Lord Street and continue up the hill for just under a mile.
  • High Leigh is on the left.
What is the programme for the weekend away?
Please click the link to view the programme for the Weekend Away which includes:

1) A time to relax and have fun: have a coffee with some new or old friends in the conservatory or a drink at the bar in the evening, walk round the grounds or have a go on the fitness trail, play pool or table football, join in the activities on Saturday evening, linger over lunch getting to know folk better or go for a ramble on the Saturday afternoon.
2) Teaching: there will be several teaching sessions throughout the weekend.
3) Acts of worship – A chance to engage with God and worship Him as we discover more about who he is calling Sunnyside to be.
4) Prayer – there will be a prayer room where you can go for inspiration, reflection and quiet, and prayer ministry will be available too.
5) Spiritual direction – you can book a session with our external spiritual directors on the Saturday.

On Friday afternoon you can arrive any time between 3.00 pm and 6.00pm and afternoon tea will be served from 3.30 for those who wish to have it. Please arrive by 6pm when the evening meal will be served. If you will be arriving later than 7pm when supper ends, please let Fiona Wilcock know.

The Weekend Away will finish after our lunch together on Sunday, at around 2.30pm.

If you are coming for Saturday only, please make sure you arrive by 8.45am  to allow us time to register you and for you to get a coffee if you wish.  Saturday concludes with family entertainment from 8-9.30pm to which all are most welcome.

What is included in the cost of the weekend?
All meals are included, as well as tea and coffee which are available in your room and at all times in the centre lounge. All the social activities, and sessions are included. If you’d like a drink at the bar, you’ll need to bring some cash.

Information for parents about food.

    • During the sessions snacks and drinks are provided (including fruit) and the meal times when your children will be with you are:
    • Breakfast 8-9am, lunch 1-2pm and supper 6- 7pm. On Friday and Saturday there will be afternoon tea (drink and cake) available should you wish.
    • For babies there is a dedicated microwave which you can use to heat baby food or milk.
    • There are free standing high chairs in the restaurant but if you want to bring your own please do so.
What will I need to bring?
The conference centre bedrooms have bed linen, toiletries and towels. There are also tea and coffee making facilities in each room. Depending on the activities you choose to do you may want to bring walking shoes and warm outdoor clothes, or just clothes to wear in the conference centre. None of the bedrooms and conference rooms require going outside, so you can comfortably go from bedroom, to dining room to one of the sessions .  We suggest you bring the following:

  • Comfy clothes for the weekend, including a warm coat and outdoor shoes if you want to enjoy the grounds.
  • Comfy shoes for dancing on Saturday night (optional)
  • Personal toiletries such as toothpaste, and a toothbrush
  • A Bible, note book and pen
  • Anything you may want to do when relaxing, such as a book, cards, knitting etc….
  • Money, as there is a bar which will be open in the evening.

If you are coming with children please make sure you bring the following:

    • Warm and waterproof clothing and shoes/ wellies for outdoors as the children will go outside during their sessions.
    • Any particular toys they may like to play with.
    • A buggy or travel cot as well as slippers and dressing gown if you want to settle them in the main hall in the evenings.

Please do not bring any nuts or snack items containing nuts such as chocolate or cereal bars to the Weekend Away as we have nut allergic people attending.

What will there be for children and young people?
A creche and children’s work will be available during all the main sessions to enable parents to engage fully in sessions if they wish. Please click the link to view the programme for the Weekend Away which includes planned activities for children.

There will be an opportunity for parents to meet the people who are working with our children and youth on Friday evening after supper.

The venue has plenty of outside space and play equipment for children, and comfortable family rooms in the conference centre.
Will children have a special meal time?
During the sessions snacks and drinks are provided (including fruit) and the meal times when your children will be with you are:

  • Breakfast 8-9am, lunch 1-2pm and supper 6- 7pm. On Friday and Saturday there will be afternoon tea (drink and cake) available should you wish.
  • For babies there is a dedicated microwave which you can use to heat baby food or milk.
  • There are free standing high chairs in the restaurant but if you want to bring your own please do so.
Are the rooms en-suite?
We have booked ensuite accommodation for everyone, and you just need to specify whether you’d like a single room, double or twin. En-suite family rooms are also available. We will do our best to accommodate everyone’s requirements. There is no single supplement. To look at some photos see here.
Will I need to share a room?
No, not unless you choose to. There is no single supplement so you don’t need to share accommodation to keep the cost down.
What facilities does High Leigh have?
High Leigh is a conference centre set in beautiful grounds. Outside there is a fenced games pitch, children’s outdoor equipment. Some distance away from the main outdoor activity area is an unfenced lake, so we ask parents to be aware where their children are at all times.
Inside there is a games room with table football, table tennis and pool as well as board games. The lounge area has a bar for use in the evenings. Wifi is freely available at High Leigh.

The conference centre website has further information about the facilities and you can even take a virtual tour!

How much free time will I have?
You can come to as much or as little of the organised events as you like. So if you want to bring a book and chill for the weekend, that is fine. The children’s programme will allow you to attend the teaching sessions.  On Saturday afternoon the following activities will be available:

      • A guided walk (suitable for adults or older children) in the Lee Valley (bring walking shoes/ boots, and warm/ waterproofs)
      • A tile painting session for adults.

Unsupervised child-friendly crafts will be available for families from 2.30 to 4.30pm. Or make your own plans.

If you fancy a swim at the local swimming pool on Saturday afternoon, do bring your swimming costume and towel and 50p pieces for the locker.

Are there any social activities planned?
Yes! We want you to get to know the Sunnyside family even better, so there will be an evening event on the Saturday as well as a walk and other events. Everything is optional.
Is the weekend suitable for family members or others who don’t regularly come to church?
Yes. The weekend should feel relaxed and easy for everyone to socialise. If those who don’t normally come to church want to attend the main sessions they are most welcome. But if they prefer to they can have a coffee and relax or use the conference centre amenities.
What is Spiritual Direction?
This is a chance to chat to a trained guide about your relationship with God with the aim of enabling you to have a deeper relationship and closer walk with him. We’ve invited two spiritual directors to join us on the Saturday, and you can arrange to meet one of them for a quiet and confidential chat.  If you’d like to take this opportunity please sign up when you arrive.
I’d like to make a gift towards the wider costs of the weekend, what should I do?
Some people may like to make a donation for the weekend away to enable others to attend. If you feel you’d like to do this, and are able to gift aid it, please indicate this on the form.