Thirty two of the leaders of the Oakley Holidays met at an excellent venue, St. Mark’s College near Saffron Walden which we were using for the third time.

Over the weekend of February 16th to 18th the Conference, chaired by Caroline Derbyshire, reviewed the 2006 holidays, began to plan for 2007 and debated an number of issues in the wider world.

Lewis Kent, Kathy Sealy and Russel Bailey introduced profitable workshops, role plays and discussions on the differing leadership tasks at an Oakley Holiday.

These were particularly welcomed by those eleven members present who will be working as leaders for the first time at the 2007 holidays. Topics included leading and assisting in a dormitory, managing time, speaking in public and ways of resolving personal dilemmas.

Julian Wilde led a session with the focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the holidays in 2006 when successes included pleasing levels of recruitment , strengthening of good relationships with the school personnel at Bilton Grange, an expansion of the charitable programme and a further development of the Oakley Holidays website.

There had been increased involvement by all our leaders in organizing the full programme for the week, including special events such a water sports, picnic at Draycote Water and murder mystery.

Peter Downes, Chirs Vernazza and Vicky Thomas respectively introduced topics on climate change (using the Al Gore film ‘An inconvenient truth’ ), the advantages and drawbacks of the Internet and mobile phones and the value of university life and education.

Each of these sessions was followed by smaller group discussion and then the chance for everyone to practise their speaking skills in reporting back.

Saturday afternoon was spent by many in outdoor activities organised for us by the very helpful staff of the college. These included archery, volleyball, trampolining and the newly renovated assault course. The well appointed two-level bedrooms for 4 or 6 were popular, the food was first-class and plentiful and the rooms for relaxation (where we kept up with FA cup ties and Dancing on Ice) were comfortable.

Richard Heathcote, James Cousins, Beccy Buck and Nina Walker talked in our four ‘Quiet Times’ (which were held in the attractive college chapel) on the theme of the value of … determination, patience, truthfulness and praise.

The planning session for 2007 was expertly chaired by Caroline Derbyshire and decisions taken will be circulated to all Oakley leaders.

At the end of a busy conference, warm thanks were expressed to Caroline Derbyshire for her excellent chairing and to college warden, Jon Wayper, and his team for their hard work and hospitality.

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