A good idea spreads across the Liberal Democrat world...

Readers of Liberal Democrat Voice will recall that, three weeks ago, Ros and I were in Ipswich, taking part in the Suffolk Liberal Democrats mini-conference. Ros opened the conference, and I gave the presentation on 'behind the scenes', as part of an introduction to the Party and its works.

Ros, who had come up with the idea and organised the speakers (and the guest speaker, Sir Bob Russell) offered to send a copy of the conference brochure to interested parties, and sent out about twenty or so, and our Regional Chair, who had filled a late gap in the schedule, conveyed the idea back. Indeed, the Parliamentary Party in the Lords have asked for a presentation, so that they can find out more. 

The Essex County Co-ordinating Committee liked it so much that they're going to be holding one too. Indeed, they've invited Ros to open the event, and I will be performing a reprise of my presentation (reminder to self, change references to Suffolk, replace with Essex throughout).

What will happen? Well, key activists and members will talk for four minutes each on a range of subjects:

• Being a councillor
• Being a Parliamentary Candidate
• Local Campaigning
• Making Policy
• Going to Conference
• Liberal Youth
• Behind the Scenes – the Party bureaucracy
• Using your skills – part summary, part inspiration

And then, over tea or coffee, members can ‘speed date’ with the speakers to find out more, fill in surveys to let us know their skills and interests, and meet their fellow members.

So, if you're in the Chelmsford area on Saturday, July 25th in the afternoon, and you want to know more about the various activities that you can involve yourself in, why not come along to the Trinity Methodist Church, Rainsford Road, Chelmsford CM1 2XB, starting at 3 p.m. It's close to the station at Chelmsford, so very accessible from East London too.

Ros and I look forward to seeing you there...

A day out across the Stour (yes, the only way IS Essex)

Once upon a time, when Ros was the portfolio holder for tourism (amongst other things) on Suffolk County Council, the idea of opening up some of the rather special, but private, properties strewn across the county was mooted.

It proved to be an attractive proposition, and so 'An Invitation to View' was born, whereby for a fee, a limited number of guests could be shown around the property on a strictly limited number of days by the owner. The package might include coffee and cake, or a light lunch. Indeed, it proved to be so successful that, when the county ran out of money to support it, the various owners kept it going.

Eventually, Suffolk wasn't the end of it, as properties in Essex and Norfolk joined in, and now it spreads its wings to include Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. Bookings are organised through the website of the Mercury Theatre in Colchester, and you can pick from a list of fifty-four properties, including Stowupland's own fourteenth century moated manor, Columbine Hall (and yes, I have to deliver the two cottages next to it).

Ros has been a keen supporter of the project over the years, so it was time for me to make my first visit. Our choice, the tallest Tudor tower in England, at Layer Marney, built in the early sixteenth century by Henry Marney, who rose to the heights of being the 1st Lord Marney, and Lord Privy Seal to Henry VIII.

And it is quite lovely. Parts of it are open to the public, the Long Gallery and the main tower, but the private rooms are only accessible through the 'Invitation to View' programme, and you get a huge amount of detail about the history of the building, the architectural features and how it has been restored.

On a decent day, you can enjoy the view from the main entrance, across the gardens to the estuary of the Blackwater, with the Bradwell nuclear power station on the far bank, and its sailing dinghies when the wind is fair.

All in all, a good day out, and if you're in the area, I'd recommend a stop. Essex gets a bad press, but North Essex has much to commend it, in a quiet way - even if it is on the wrong side of the Stour...