ConservativeHome's Bournemouth 2006 Conference blog

Tobias Ellwood MP: Mission accomplished

The challenge to overhaul St Mary's Church and turn it into the comunity centre was met. At 4pm David Cameron, direct from delivering his final conference speech, visited the building to inspect all the hard work that was designed to be a practical illustration of the Party's theme for this conference: 'A new direction'

In four days of hard work we upgraded the electrics, fitted a new kitchen, painted fourteen rooms, created a reception room and artists area, and built a theatrical stage with full curtain rig. We assembled over 200 bits of IKEA furniture, (each of which have colourful names that I cannot pronounce) used 800 litres of paint over 6 tonnes of wood (environmentally friendly of course!) and 3,000 feet of wiring. We averaged around 15 people working from 8am until 10pm over four days; totalling around 700 man hours.

St Mary's turned into the alternative conference venue. Or put it another way - the longest fringe meeting conference has seen! Where else could you discuss policy and paint with a peer? Or meet an MP over a plank of wood and a drill?

And best of all - you did not need a conference pass to get in! Indeed, I'm grateful to Dorset Police for being so co-operative in delaying the issue of conference passes so more people headed our way.

But we have made real difference to Springbourne. And provided a lasting legacy. Whilst Party conferences come and go, this time we are leaving behind something permanent. Thank you to all who came and leant a hand; MPs Peers and Party Members, as well local volunteers and businesses.

I am not sure where the Party Conference will take place next year. But who ever is the MP or Parliamentary Candidate - my black and decker cordless drill awaits you!

Tobias Ellwood MP: Day 3 of the Social Action Project

Its midnight at the end of day three and I am exhausted! Only 16 hours to go and a mountain of work seperates us from success and failure. But if the work force that turned up on the doorsteps today, can be repeated tomorrow, then the keys can be handed back on schedule. Perhaps it was the presence of the Chief Whip or maybe the Party Chairman at the Church, but a steady stream of delegates avoided the debate about tax cuts and Boris Johnson's diatary recommendations at the BIC to help push the project forward. Such has been the enthusiasm that even a tabloid newspaper reporter camped outside the front door to witness the events. One day to go.

Tobias Ellwood MP: Peers and CFers lend their hand to church project

It was a game of two halves at St Mary’s Church today with Tory peers leading by example in the morning followed by an Army of young Conservatives in the afternoon. Thank you to Lord Strathclyde, Lord Cardigan and Lord Cope who all proved that the British love affair with DIY does not stop with a title. And also to Mark Clarke who clearly deserves a peerage for mustering over 40 helpers from Conservative Future.

Today marks the halfway point and we are half way there – I think! But only just. The stage is built but not painted, the kitchen is fitted but not connected, the floors are levelled but not carpeted and many of the walls are repaired but not painted. Or to put it another way – we still need your help!

IKEA has just completed its delivery so if flat pack furniture is your thing we look forward to seeing you very soon!

Tobias Ellwood MP: Day 1 of the social action project

After just one day, St Mary’s Church has changed beyond recognition and the project to convert a disused church into a community centre over the conference period is well underway.

Thanks to a steady flow of volunteers, including members of the Shadow Cabinet and local volunteers, paint brushes, saws and drills were put to use for a full 12 hours today, transforming the 14 room complex.

Oliver Letwin was first in this morning closely followed by Theresa Villiers who braved the 50 foot scaffold tower to scrape the incredibly high walls of the church. Philip Hammond and Hugo Swire proved themselves to be a rather expert painting double act. Even David Cameron did not escape lending a hand when he came to check on the progress of this practical demonstration of this year’s conference theme, A New Direction.

There is still a long way to go, but we are on schedule. If you have a couple of hours to spare (or are still waiting for your conference pass) please come along and help!

The Bournemouth Social Action Challenge 2006

Tobias Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East, will be one of ConservativeHome's citizen reporters for conference week.  In his first entry he describes a special social action project that he will be coordinating...

"Party Conference this year is set to be different. Bournemouth regularly plays host to political gatherings that blaze in and out, but this time we thought it would be great if we could leave behind a lasting legacy to the city. So as a practical demonstration of this year’s Conference theme ‘A New Direction’ I will be leading a team of volunteers in turning a disused Church into a major local community centre for Bournemouth. And we would like to ask for the support of conference delegates to help make this happen.

St Mary's has lain dormant for over 10 years since it was deconsecrated, and with local community groups desperate for office, meeting, teaching and performance space it is a building that needs to be brought back to life. This is our challenge for Bournemouth: Party members will be asked to sacrifice a lunch or fringe meeting in lieu of an hour, painting or decorating at the church. The skills and expertise of Conservative MPs will be sought; Alan Duncan, for example has offered to do the skirting boards and Daniel Kawczynski the ceilings. And even candidates on the Priority list will be expected to temporarily put seat hunting on hold in order to participate!

David Cameron and members of the Shadow Cabinet will attend the project throughout conference and a summary of progress will be broadcast each day in the conference hall. When complete, David and I will hand the building back to the Bourne Spring Trust, the charity who will manage the building for around thirty volunteer organisations and local groups.

The building will undergo a huge renovation during the four day period including the creation of a new function & arts room; installation of a kitchen & dining area and construction of a stage complete with a professional theatre curtain system. There will be expert builders on site doing the more technical jobs, but there is plenty of work for plucky amateurs – or even someone who just wants a break from all the politicking over at the BiC!

While I know this will be a disappointment to many, I’m afraid it will be yours truly who will be taking on the Charlie Dimmock/Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen role. But it’s a challenge we are all relishing and is exactly the kind project I wanted to champion when I became the local MP last year.

So if you are down at Conference, why not come down to St Mary’s and help us leave this fantastic legacy to Bournemouth? You’ll depart with a real sense of achievement, not just a pocket full of business cards and enduring hangover!"

Toby will be reporting for ConservativeHome throughout conference week on the renovation of St Mary's.