The first ever new year house party organised by Crusaders in Wales was held at Summerhouse Bay on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast in 1981/82. It was a development from the successful new year house parties at Westbrook that had long been part of Crusaders (now, of course, Urban Saints). At just £19.50 it is not surprising that it was oversubscribed – as many house parties have been since.

Subsequent years saw a move to larger centres: Withycombe Barton in Exmouth, Hill House near Bridgwater, Cokethorpe School near Oxford, Knighton House School near Blandford Forum, Howells School and another centre in north Wales. Then we finally arrived at our current excellent location in the Haberdashers’ School, Monmouth.

The main purpose of the new year house party has been ”fun” in all its fullness. One young leader once said “You thought we came to the house party to be closer to God, but we really came for fun”. Most young people on the holiday would probably agree with that when they are applying. However, when you think more about it, you realise you get the best fun when you know you are secure, when you are with people who are your friends, and when you are becoming the person God has called you to be.

The house party has always had a good blend of boys and girls across the age range together with a great team of leaders, some of whom are quite young and share teenagers styles and approaches while others bring greater experience, maturity and gravitas! Many of the leaders have come on the house party themselves in previous years and so maintain the ongoing tradition and history.