Bilton Grange School at Rugby was again the venue for the 87th year of the Oakley Holidays, from 8th to 15th April. The week began with arctic handball in the sleet and snow, but ended with a volleyball tournament in bright and warm spring sunshine.

83 boys and girls attended this Easter, including nine who were on their first Oakley Holiday, accommodated in twelve dormitories. We again enjoyed wonderful catering and cooking from the school staff throughout the week and the grounds and gardens of the estate provided an ideal setting for a busy programme of activities. These included a treasure hunt, a demanding team challenge competition against the clock, a soggy football and hockey morning and leisurely cycling, croquet and tennis. Cookery, nail painting, a sound collage, yoga, play-reading and Mah Jongg were enjoyable indoor activities.

Each dormitory supported the international aid trust by selecting and packing up a shoebox with small personal gifts for a teenager. Members donated nearly £500 to Macmillan Cancer nurses and learned about the wind-up solar-powered radios for developing countries. In discussions groups and through our evening services we thought about and debated a number of current personal, social, religious and environmental topics.

Evenings were spent in the Ravenscroft Hall where members put on an excellent programme of entertainment including our own versions of 'Deal, No Deal' and 'Blind Date' as well as traditional sketches including The Wirecutters and and The Hambush, together with quizzes, orchestra and choral items, story-telling and community singing.

New members received certificates of achievement and a book to mark their first holiday and the 15 members who were leaders for the first time made a significant contribution to a happy and successful week.