Bilton Grange School at Rugby was again the venue for the 88th year of the Oakley Holidays, from 7th to 14th April. A warm and dry week with plenty of spring sunshine enabled a busy programme of activities to go ahead without interruption.

77 boys and girls attended this Easter, including nine who were on their first Oakley Holiday, accommodated in eleven dormitories.



We again enjoyed first-class catering and cooking from the school staff throughout the week and the 160 acres of grounds and gardens of the estate provided an ideal setting.

These included team games of volleyball and podex, a Harry Potter treasure hunt, a football and hockey tournament and leisurely cycling, croquet, boules and tennis.

A three minute musical, face painting, yoga, juggling, Mah Jongg and pre-breakfast swimming were enjoyable indoor activities.


Members donated nearly £500 to purchase four solar powered lights for communities in Malawi and for the work of the Royal National Lifeboats Institution.

In discussions groups and through our evening services we thought about and debated a number of current personal, social, religious and environmental topics including science and creationism, the life of Tanni Grey-Thompson, the ‘celebrity cult’ and climate change.



Evenings were spent in the Ravenscroft Hall where members put on an excellent range of entertainment. These included our own versions of Dragon’s Den and a personal message from Tony Blair, as well as traditional sketches including The Hambush, together with quizzes, orchestral, solo and choral musical items, story-telling and community singing.

New members received certificates of achievement and a book to mark their first holiday and the 10 members who were leaders for the first time made a significant contribution to a happy and successful week.