Docklands training, a Euro Extravaganza and Christmas Shopping

Very early on Saturday morning, I travelled to the University of East London's Docklands campus to take part in another training session run by the Young Foundation's Uprising Programme - this time on how to structure a community campaign. I really enjoyed my one-to-one sessions with two young participants whose community campaigns were simply inspiring.

At around 4pm, I then shuttled down the M25 and M4 to attend an evening "Euro Extravaganza" back in the South West organised by Devizes Conservative Association to give people the opportunity to meet prospective MEP candidates. The event was compered by Mike Reed, Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s musical director, who used to live in the nearby village of Worton. What made the night so special was that each table in the hall was themed around one European country where we could sample delicious food (together with fellow Euro Candidates Julie Girling and Mike Dolley, I am pictured below with the ladies from the French table). The turnout was wonderful - all six MEP candidates and two of our South West MEPs, Giles Chichester and Caroline Jackson were in attendance, as well as a packed room of members from around Devizes. I enjoyed chatting to some of the local councillors with whom I plan to campaign vigorously in the run up to the unitary authority elections next year.

The next day involved some shopping. Members of the North Wiltshire Conservative Association had told me of Church Farm in Kington Langley, Chippenham, which opens its doors to visitors at Christmas, selling Christmas cards, luxury soaps from Belgium, antiques, some truly exquisite jewellery and paintings and pottery from well known local artists. I bought some packs of unusual Christmas cards, as well as some decorative Belgian soap.

What a fun and packed weekend!