I went to my first ever party conference, just for the day, yesterday – and I loved it! It was great meeting so many like-minded people, having the oppurtunity to pick up some great ideas, attend some really well thought out training and in between dashing from one thing to another, see a little of Brighton!

My only regret, is that I could only stay the day – time constraints and young family mean that’s my maximum this year.

On top of all the positives mentioned, I learnt a new word (not as unusual as you might hope):

SUBSIDIARITY – I knew the concept (in short, the principle which states that matters ought to be handled by the lowest competent authority), but had never heard the title before. Now, I don’t know about you, but the only way I can ever get a new word to stick in my head is to use it frequently for a few days – you should have heard the nonsense I was spouting when I learnt ‘onomatopoeia’and don’t even think of getting me started on ‘crenellations’.

Anyway, try as I might, I can’t think of a single, even half way sensible, sentance I can use on the school run containing subsidiarity. Email suggestions welcome here!