About Us - Lockerley Water Farm Campsite

Who We Are

Hampshire Christian Trust CIO owns, manages and maintains the Lockerley Water Farm campsite. We purchased the site in 1993, to provide a permanent place for Christian organisations to hold summer camps and social events. Through the development of a range of facilities, including two barns to house various activities and accommodation for up to 120 guests, today we support over 20 different organisations, including youth and children's camps, schools, church family weekends, church leaders' step back events, hosting educational exhibitions and provide a venue for a local Christmas carol service, in support of our three local parishes.

Our Statement of Faith

Our campsite's purpose is to ensure everyone can enjoy the time and space to invest in their relationship with God; whether you have an established Christian faith or are interested in exploring a little more, spending some time with other Christians, having fun and passing a little time, away from the stresses of everyday life.

Our History

How it all started

In 1963, six local Christians conceived the idea to run a children's bible summer camp. The camp was held over a weekend in June, in a farmer's field in Owslebury, near Winchester. The camp was so successful, it became an annual event known as South Hants Bible Camps. The camps grew in popularity and even attracted campers from overseas As the camps expanded they were extended to week-long events during the school summer holidays and divided into three different age groups.

A home at last ...

Hampshire Christian Trust was created in 1985, tasked with finding a permanent site to host the camps. A lengthy process ensued, supported both financially and spiritually by individuals and church organisations with links to the camps. Lockerley Water Farm was finally purchased in 1993, and the first camp hosted one week later!

The site looked very different then to today, and was essentially an open field without any barns or washing facilities.

Firm foundations

There have been disappointments and difficulties along the way, however much has been accomplished since 1993. Lockerley Water Farm is now capable of accommodating groups of up to 120 people and in that alone, we thank God for his goodness. The facilities found on-site today, built, purchased and donated by our patrons, is lovingly maintained by our trusted team of volunteers. In 2023, Hampshire Christian Trust changed its registration status with the Charities Commission, and is now registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

Our Trustees

Martin Fielder, Chairman

Martin is the Chair of the trustee's committee and one of the founding members of HCT. A professional landscape gardener, Martin is often found working around the site, ensuring the grounds are tidy and well maintained.

Maureen King, Treasurer

Maureen has a long, association with our camps, as both camper and helper. She is an administrator at St Peter's Church, Yateley, providing office support for the Church and its community outreach.

Tara Madgwick, Secretary

A trustee since September 2019, Tara has been a supporter of HCT for some time. In addition to her role as Secretary, Tara also organises the domestic management and presentation of the site.

Simon Madgwick, Operations

Simon's passion is to ensure Lockerley campsite is safe, secure, and well equipped. He has been involved with the camps for since childhood, his father, Victor, was one of the original founders of the first camps back in 1963.

Jim Halifax, Founder

Jim was closely involved with South Hants Bible Camps, which preceded HCT. He is credited as the visionary behind securing Lockerley Water Farm as HCT's home, and has been a driving force in expanding the LWF's reach to other Christian groups.

Andrew Sullivan

Andrew enjoyed exploring his faith at camps in his teenage years. An active supporter of HCT, he followed his father, David, who was a HCT trustee before him. Andrew is responsible for maintaining the site's 4km of boundaries fences and hedge laying.

Deborah Drake

Deborah became a Christian at South Hants Bible Camps, and has been a camper, tent leader and assistant camp manager. Trained in youth work, teaching, and law, she prefers working with young people, teaching at a central London secondary school.

Marcus Hardiman

Marcus joined HCT's trustees in 2018. If he looks familiar a little, Marcus was our site manager, during the 2018 season and was previously a camper. He is passionate about the site's natural setting, in particular its peace and tranquillity.

Jamie Munn

Jamie felt Lockerley Water Farm was special from the moment he drove through the gate, as a camper. Following in his dad, Trevor's, footsteps, he joined as a trustee in 2009. Jamie is consistently encouraged by the work done by the various camps and works to ensure the site is well maintained and as user friendly as possible.

Mark Donaghy

Mark grew up attending Christian camps and joined HCT, as a trustee, in 2011. He is committed to supporting the development of the site, and the work of the various camps who visit the site each year, in supporting the furtherance of the Christian faith, fellowship and, of course, fun for our campers!