The Oakley Conference, held once again at St. Mark’s College, Saffron Walden, was enjoyable, purposeful and relaxed for the 20 leaders who attended from Friday evening to Sunday lunchtime 18 to 20 February.

We were very well looked after by warden Jon Wayper and his team at St. Mark’s, enjoying the excellent food and comfortable accommodation.

The programme was divided between Oakley and wider world topics. Very topically Caroline Derbyshire challenged us to discuss what exactly is meant by The Big Society and Kathy Sealy introduced the Fish Fight ( did you know that half the fish caught in the North Sea are thrown back dead? ). Alan Whitmore and Nina Walker asked us to consider the importance and worth of work and the relative value of a nurse, footballer, banker and refuse collector.

On Saturday afternoon the intrepid, organised by Chris Troughton and Laura Collingwood, braved the assault course and improved their archery skills, others dozed, whilst Caroline, Chris Vernazza, Julian Wilde and Lewis Kent observed the snowdrops in the impressive grounds of nearby Audley End House. Later that day came Jenny Beake’s quiz, including a fiendish music round – a puzzle to all, including Jenny.

Vicky Thomas, Liz Whitehead, Chris Roberts and Jenny Thorne led our Quiet Times and four sessions, introduced by Julian, Chris Vernazza , Russel Bailey and Lewis, focused on different aspects of the Oakley parties with a view to building on the successes of 2010. In the final session of the Conference our chairman Kathy Sealy skillfully drew all the talking together into 34 decisions to be acted upon at the 2011 Holidays at Bilton Grange.

In a first for a Conference a charity draw saw £26 handed to Ellie Summers to donate to a good cause to be discovered during her gap year in Australia/New Zealand. Prizes included an hour’s baking with Liz Whitehead, a visit to an Olympic volleyball match with Julian and lunch with Ellie at the Leander Rowing club, Henley.

Everyone’s travel worked well - and only cost £28 thanks to the travel pool - and we travelled home with friendships renewed, ideas in our heads and our enthusiasm for Oakley burning brightly.