On Friday 26th February, CCF Scotland members met in Edinburgh to enjoy food and a social get together. The purpose of the evening was to have a relaxed time ahead of the busy election period, and to find out what everyone was up to. With the weather outside still looking like winter with snow and freezing temperatures forecast some brave people ventured out to enjoy a relaxed evening, catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.
On Saturday February 20th the Under 35s Development Course held a session with Amy Orr-Ewing, which provided a great opportunity to learn more about apologetics and how we can talk effectively about what we believe. All who attended were reall encouraged to find out more and think about the philosophy behind opposing arguments. Amy is an excellent speaker and it was a real privilege to hear her.
On Friday 5th and Saturday 6th March Alexandra Wilkinson and Lorna Achampong represented the CCF on a stand at the CCA Conference in the Russell Hotel, London. Having a stand at this conference was an easy decision to make, as many of our members are Councillors and having the opportunity to speak to them and support them in their environment was brilliant. It was also the first CCF event with our new logo and literature that is being printed to support MPs, PPCs and Councillors during the election period.
The CCF was delighted to return to North Wales on Sunday 7th March for a prayer breakfast during Welsh Party Conference in beautiful Llandudno. CCF members had campaigned alongside Darren Millar in 2007 to help him win the Welsh Assembly Election for Clwyd West.
Both the boiler and the CCF sound equipment were not working for the CCF roadshow in Pendle with Alistair Burt MP. Everyone kept their coats on in the church hall and the kettle was swiftly put on. It is sad that the sound recording is now not available as Alistair spoke wonderfully on “Religious freedom: national and international perspectives.”
"Most of us do not have challenging theological discussions over the supper table, but this is not the case on the CCFs’ Under 35s Development Course. Our last meeting consisted on two scintillating talks by Pastor Nims Obunge and Francis Davis, sandwiched between a delicious three-course meal.
It was such a privilege to have Canon Andrew White, Vicar of Baghdad at the CCF prayer meeting on Monday 7th June during the Week of Prayer for parliament. Andrew spoke inspiringly about the power and love of God that is so visible in the challenging circumstances of Iraq. It was so encouraging to hear that there are over 4,000 people in his church and he continues to describe it as “the best church I have ever had".
The 13th Wilberforce Address was extremely well attended and had a marvelous atmosphere. Sir Richard Dannatt gave the address on ‘Leadership in Turbulent Times’ and it was an in depth insight into conventional leadership theories but with a convincing argument that these have a missing aspect namely the spiritual dimension.
On Friday 25th June the Under 35s participants gathered in Birmingham for the final weekend of the 2009/10 Development Course, ‘The Policy Academy’. After eating dinner together an atmosphere of fear and excitement took over as the participants rehearsed and made final alterations to their policy presentations.
On Thursday 28th October the Under 35’s Development Course had addressed the second topic of the programme: The Principles of the Conservative Party given by co-founder of the CCF, and founder of ConservativeHome blog, Tim Montgomerie.
