The Annual Conference was again held at The Ramada Hotel – Chesford Bridge, Kenilworth, Warwickshire and attended by representatives of the playing field movement, several councils and conference sponsors.

The theme this year was ” Our vision for playing fields over the next ten years – how they can survive and thrive in a challenging environment”. Several notable speakers from Sport England, the Sport and Recreation Alliance and the England & Wales Cricket Board and the Sport & Play Construction Association, addressed delegates. Other speakers included P.F.A.representatives from Shropshire (the value of play as the foundation for sport and physical activity); Essex (what are the challenges facing local playing field managers and users?); Oxfordshire (sources of funding & fund raising ideas) and Kent (generating revenue & investment policy). Sponsoring companies included Kompan, Melcourt Industries,Sutcliffe Play,HAGS SMP, Wickstead and Playscheme(S.J.Danby) Ltd. spoke about various aspects of the play industry, including intelligent play, innovation, design and safety and the changing face of play.

The one day conference concluded with a formal dinner when our own Chairman Mr Robert Horner, former President of the English Rugby Union, provided a poignant, often touching, after dinner speech reflecting on his time in Australia with the England Rugby team when they won the Rugby World Cup in 2004. For those involved in sport, recreation and play this is an essential conference for those wishing to exchange ideas, ask questions and learn about the play industry.