Sunny skies and a largely dry week enabled the members of the Easter Oakley Holiday, held at Bilton Grange, Rugby , to complete, without interruption, a busy programme of activities which included events to mark the 90th anniversary of Oakley.

72 members, housed in ten comfortable dormitories, attended the week, from 4 to 11 April, including six who were on their first Oakley Holiday. We again enjoyed first-class menu and meals provided by the school’s catering staff and enjoyed the beauties of the 160 acres of excellently prepared grounds and gardens.

Our team games included volleyball, handball, football and hockey as well as Oakley specialities Podex, Dutch Hoo-Haa and Crab Crugger. In the afternoons the choice of activities included kite-flying, Chinese for beginners, face painting, orchestra, cake making, Mah Jongg, play-reading and squash, whilst the heated pool was the venue for a popular pre-breakfast swim.

A surprise murder mystery provided both terror and entertainment for all on one evening and the younger members took part throughout the week in a lively series of activities on a pirate theme which culminated with most people in the swimming pool.

£480 was donated to three charities chosen by members of the Holiday in a special collection and, by means of the naming of a huge teddy bear, the sale of Oakley merchandise, purchases at the tuck shop and a sock parade, four further charities were supported.

In discussion groups and through our evening services we thought about and debated a number of current personal, social, environmental and religious topics including the difference between talent and celebrity, materialism, the work of Bob Geldof, the importance of cultural diversity and the value or otherwise of special days such as Easter Sunday, St. George’s Day and Halloween.

Evenings were spent in the Ravenscroft Hall where members devised and enjoyed a wide range of entertainment. This include musical solos on double bass, cello, piano saxophone, bassoon and guitar as well as choral, solo, ensemble and community singing. Tap dancing, word quizzes, old favourites such as the Bear Hunt and the Little Green Frog, Italian Opera, a spoof Asian game show and Call My Bluff were all on the bill.

To mark the 90th year of Oakley a new book was established for each member to sign at each holiday, new trophies were provided to record the winners of the Oakley golf and tiddlywinks tournaments, two decorated cakes were quickly devoured and everyone was presented with a specially designed commemorative mug.

The new Oakley members all received certificates and a book to mark their first holiday and the five new leaders who made a significant contribution to the week marked the occasion by choosing gifts worth £80 for communities in developing countries