Conservative VIP Guests
Conservative VIP Guests to SWBCA
SWBCA has been fortunate to attract a number of VIP Conservative visitors to their meetings and events, including their prestigious Annual Dinner. Visitors have included Ian Duncan-Smith, Theresa May, Rt Hon Cheryl Gillam, Rt Hon Priti Patel, Rt Hon Michael Gove, Chris Grayling, Mark Prisk, Lord Digby-Jones, Sajid Javid, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Lord Norman Tebbitt, Nicholas Soames to name but a few.
Conservative Visitor 2018
The Rt Hon The Lord Young of Cookham
GUEST SPEAKER The Rt Hon The Lord Young of Cookham attended the Annual dinner in 2018 and was warmly welcomed by a host of members and staff from the Old Palace Lodge.
Cllrs Carole Hegley & Ann Sparrow presented a Tea & Jam souvenir gift from Priory House Gift Shop, together with a copy of Dunstable's 'Timeline' book.
"We were treated with some insights into the life of a Chief Whip and a number of other roles Lord Young has held in the past, together with reflections on the book he has published (copies were snapped up!) Members thanked him for his interesting address, he was a wonderful character" said Cllr Ann Sparrow.
Lord Young pictured with Andrew Selous, Cllrs Hegley & Sparrow
Lord Young picture with Mrs Judith Harper, wife of SWBCA President Michael Harper
Lord Young pictured with John Worboys, SWBCA Chairman
Conservative Visitor 2017Rt Hon Michael Gove MP
GUEST SPEAKER Rt Hon Michael Gove MP attended the Annual dinner in 2017 and also presented the Special Member award to Marion Mustoe who had previously served on South Beds District Council and latterly Central Bedfordshire Council. It was an excellent evening with a full attendance and guests were entertained by Michael Gove in his unique way.
Cllrs Carole Hegley & Ann Sparrow presented a Tea & Jam souvenir gift from Priory House Gift Shop, together with a copy of Dunstable's 'Timeline' book. "We had a really enjoyable evening with Michael Gove as the VIP speaker, he was interesting, entertaining and had time to speak to everyone, he commented that the service and food at the Old Palace Lodge was amongst the best he had experienced, so hopefully all adding to a great memory of his visit to Dunstable" said Cllr Sparrow.
Michael Gove is also pictured here with Harriet Selous who is President of the Conservative Women's Organisation in South West Beds.
Conservative Visitor 2016Rt Hon Priti Patel MP
GUEST SPEAKER Rt Hon Priti Patel MP ATTENDS ANNUAL DINNER 2016 and is joined by Kathryn Holloway. Priti Patel has been a Member of Parliament for Witham in Essex since 2010. She was well received by members and circulated talking to many of them before making an impressive and informative address to those present. Priti Patel was asked to give thanks and make a presentation to the Special Member of the Year, who was Sally Newton but sadly could not be present. She read a reflection of Sally's contribution over many years, her dedication to the Association and the Town Council during her many years service and thanks were offered to her and many other members for all their hard work.
Andrew Selous commented: "It had been another successful evening with a very welcome guest in Priti Patel, it was a pleasure to invite her to Dunstable". He also commented that The Old Palace Lodge in Dunstable had provided an excellent welcome, superb food and service and thanked them for their efficient and professional management of the event.
Conservative Visitor 2015Rt Hon Cheryl Gillan MP
GUEST SPEAKER Rt Hon Cheryl Gillan MP ATTENDS ANNUAL DINNER 2015
Local members attending the Annual Dinner of South West Beds Conservative Association on Friday 16 January warmly welcomed the Rt Hon Cheryl Gillan (MP for Chesham and Amersham) to Dunstable Downs Golf Club. She was also asked to present a Special Member Award to Cllr Pat Staples who received thanks and acknowledgement for her 20+ years serving as a local councillor in her community including roles as Chairman of the old district authority, South Beds District Council, as Town Mayor of Dunstable, Chairman of many committees, and significant fundraising for local charities. Andrew Selous MP also attended the dinner and is pictured here with Cheryl Gillan and Pat Staples receiving her award.
Association Chairman, John Worboys said “It was a fantastic event and we were fortunate to have such a high quality speaker, the members welcomed her passionate speech and enjoyed talking to her as she circulated during the evening, reflecting on the positive performance of the country and some of the key challenges and risks ahead.”
Conservative Visitor 2014Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP
Sell out Annual Dinner in January 2014 with guest speaker Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP
A fantastic event was held at Dunstable Downs Golf Club to a packed room of guests, with an informative and passionate address by Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP. Mingling with guests on arrival, addressing both local and national issues in his speech, Sir Malcolm proved to be both popular and entertaining. Fielding questions from those present, Sir Malcolm demonstrated his agility in responding to a variety of national concerns, the forthcoming Euro Elections and the critical need to support Conservative policy for renegotiation of terms, and a Referendum. Local members resonded with requests for Government to support Central Bedfordshire and its need for funding to improve local infrastructure, he acknowledged members' pleas and would add whatever weight he could at senior level.
Pictured here (left to right)
Andrew Selous MP, Cllr James Jamieson (Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council) Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP and
John Worboys, Chairman of the Association.
See some of our members, guests and VIP speakers in action
Thanks to Cllr John Chatterley for taking and supplying many of the photos on this site
