UCLU Conservative Society

Members!

Ms Cash has got in contact with the society asking for our help to obtain the Westminster North Constituency. To find out more, please see her facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=7809647666&ref=ts

Also, please could all members wishing to go on the Brussels trip this June please hand in the lump sum of £150 asap (cheques payable to ‘UCL UNION’) to Emma, Brian, or Iain, or into the Conservative Soc pigeon hole, CSC, 2nd floor Bloomsbury building. Our original deadline was Fri 19th, which was extended, so as time is moving on we need them in quickly so we can get the best deal accomodation and travel wise.

Many thanks,

Emma, Brian, Iain

If you are stuck for something to do, rest assured that there is always something Conservative for you even if, in Reading Week, we at UCL Conservatives are taking it easy.

For the campaigning-inclined, you can always go down to GENEVA at CCHQ (as they need volunteers)! Particular highlights include their usual Monday food/wine fuelled night of hitting the phones and Tuesday night, when Andrew Bingham, Conservative PPC for High Peak, will be addressing all those present. Usual details apply, 6th floor of Millbank Tower (30 Millbank), say you’re a UCL Conservative at the door to be let through!

Otherwise, you can choose to canvass for Jo Johnson, PPC for Orpington, and brother of our Mayor Boris! Further details here

On the other hand, if you want something more light-hearted, come down to Bloomsbury Bowling on Tuesday evening to find out Can Tories Bowl?!. If you aren’t equipped with Facebook, here is the essential details, as said by my fellow committee member, Brian:

“The plan is to meet at ULU Duck n Dive for 7.30 pm where we will have the opportunity to lubricate our oesophagus with a range of beverages and line our stomachs with an assortment of cusine.

Hello Chaps! I shall be booking the lanes in advance from my own pocket, therefore either attend or not attend. Put might attend if you just want to come for food/drinks. Number need to be confirmed by 12.00 Monday xxxx”

Anyway, so all that said, have a pleasant Reading week and see you all soon!

Asa

General Secretary ‘09/’10

UCL Conservative Society are organising a group trip to visit Brussels, the home of the European Parliament, waffles, pralines, and much much more.

Join us on a fun-filled few days of frivolities!

We will be visiting the European Parliament on the 23rd, and will meet Conservative MEP for London, Syed Kamall, who has kindly agreed to take us around.

For more info please see: http://www.syedkamall.com/

We will be staying in the centre of town (details to follow) and therefore will have prime choice of activities!

Further itinery details will follow, but ideas include:

Sightseeing around central Brussels
Group dinners at chic Brussels eateries
Chocolate factory tour
Partying Tory Style and generally having a post-end-of-term-whale-of-a-time.

DETAILS:

Date:

Tuesday 22nd- Thursday 24th June. (End of term-Friday 11th June)

Approximate (VERY student friendly!) price:

£150 per person Eurostar travel and hotel accomodation.
(Advised to bring own spending money for lunch/dinner/going out etc).

WE WILL BE RECEIVING A SUBSTANTIAL SUBSIDY PER PERSON BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ON THE PROVISO THAT WE HAVE 20 PEOPLE COMING. EACH PERSON WILL BE REIMBURSED ROUGHLY £87 AFTER THE TRIP! (This makes the trip substantially cheaper than the ‘norm’)!

Everyone must bring their European Health card-application forms are apparently available from Post Office if you dont have one already.

Eurostar provide cheap travel insurance for those interested.
—

So please confirm if you are wishing to join us ASAP! We aim to book the hotel and trains soon so we get the best prices possible by FRIDAY 19th JUNE (end of reading week) and will need your confirmation via payment in lump sum.

Exact pricings will follow very soon, so keep a beady eye on this page!

When we do this, cheques to be made to ‘UCL UNION’ please, and given to Brian, Iain or Emma, or put into the UCL Conservative society pigeon hole, CSC, 2nd Floor, UCL Union Bloomsbury building.
Watch this space or http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#!/event.php?eid=319434935803

Dear Members,

Firstly, thanks to all who came to our Port and Policy event last night, and to CUCA for coming along! I think all will agree it was a rip roaring evening of debate and frivolities.

Secondly, I am forwarding this message on to you, as our help is needed!

‘Jo Johnson, PPC for Orpington will be running a telephone canvassing session next month in Covent Garden. It will run from the week of 15th Feb until 18th Feb, 6:00pm – 9:00pm.

We are currently running low on volunteers which is why we need the help of UCL Conservatives, so I hoping you could help out?

Let’s help Jo win in Orpington.’

So if anyone has some spare time during the reading week coming up, please do contact the following email address einy.shah@yahoo.com .

For more info see
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=290371514765&ref=mf

Best,

Emma

ps. All who have received their hoodies/rugby tops, please pass the money on to Iain or I ASAP!

Rugby tops:women’s-£20, Men’s-£21, Hoodies:£14

Hey everyone,

As the title suggests, please bring your money in cash or cheques to ‘UCL Union’ along to this coming (Wednesday 3rd Feb) Port and Policy event, to collect your garment!

They are all looking very swish, I must say.

See you soon!

Emma

Vice President 09/10

Please let me know if you are wishing to purchase a hoody or rugby top but haven’t ordered yet. I aim to order by Friday (8th Jan), so any last requests are needed ASAP.

Please see the ‘memorabilia’ page for more info on prices and photos. The hoodies and rugby tops come in blue or white with the Conservative tree logo and the society name on the front in discreet embroidery. For the back of the garment, your name/writing is optional.

Keep an eye on the website for upcoming events, and I hope to see you all soon on Tuesdays for another exciting term!

Kind Regards,

Emma Double
Vice President 09/10

Last night saw the UCL Conservatives meet in the Marlborough Arms for the annual Christmas Dinner.

Amassing in a back-room of the pub, we sat down to a banquet of four courses that was in store. The food came thick and fast, with the starters flying everywhere with such speed that some had to make last-minute changes to get what they initially ordered. The culinary highlight of the evening for all was the customary Turkey (with generous stuffing).

With crackers cracked and the kitsch toys and paper hats in hand, we finally moved onto desserts. The plentiful supply of profiteroles delighted many as well as the servings of ice cream, even if some only ordered a Christmas Pudding. The ambience of the evening was constantly festive, and with fine wine flowing generously, a cheery Conservative Christmas feast was had by all.

Have a happy Christmas everyone, see you all in the New Year (with another term of great events)!

Last night UCL Conservatives hosted a festive drinks receiption of mulled wine and mince pies with our guest speaker David Willetts MP. Due to the festivities occuring in the quad there was a slight mix up with meeting him and for a few minutes we were slightly worried as to how we were going to explain to David Cameron that we had lost one of the members of his Shadow Cabinet. Luckily it all turned out alright and the event continued smoothly.

David’s speech was based mainly around University Education, the incompetence of the Student Loans Company and about how Labour wanted 50% of school leavers to go to Uni but then couldn’t cope with the influx when they nearly met their target.

This was then followed by a question and answer session on tutition fees, the changes to the A-level system, how we could create more inter -universities sports events like our American cousins do with their Universities and whether courses should be priced in a way to encourage students to study less popular subjects like Maths and the Sciences rather than more popular courses like Media Studies.

After this is was off to the Union for a few drinks, we were due to go to Potion but due to a stabbing on Grafton Way that led to Tottenham Court Road being taped off we decided it was easier to head to the Union.

Our next event will be our Christmas Party, sadly tickets are no longer on sale so if not going the UCL Conservative Society wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Hi Everyone!

This coming Tuesday, I am proposing something a little different after David Willetts- courtesy of the SOAS Conservatives! We have been warmly invited to their social at Mahiki (probably to start around 10.30pm) and I would suggest we go along for a lovely change and night out! There is however a £10 entry charge on guestlist, and Joel (President of SOAS Conservatives) and I would appreciate it if you let either of us know- preferably Joel as it is his do!- before 5pm on Tuesday if you would like to come along so we can add you on. You can reach us at:

Joel- 07762038033, soasconservativesociety@googlemail.com
Emily- 07886952418, e.cheah@ucl.ac.uk

Our usual post-drinks fun at either Potion or the Union will of course continue if dancing or tropical cocktails is not quite your thing- but come on have a little fun once in awhile why don’t you? After all, its about time UCL(U) Conservatives got to crash a SOAS affair for once!

See you Tuesday!
Emily Cheah

The start of November is a time of remembering. As the last leaves fall from the trees and the temperature steadily falls we, the British public, first celebrate Bonfire Night, remembering the failled attempt to blow up Parliament by Guy Fawkes and a group of other revolutionaries, then we turn our thoughts to Rememberance Sunday and Armistace Day.

Recalling how at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month guns on both sides fell silent and World War I ended. On this day we too remember and honour those who have given their lives to defend their country and uphold the values and freedoms that we enjoy today.

Below is a famous poem written by Rupert Brooke:

‘Some Corner of a Foreign Field

The Soldier (War Sonnets No. 5)

If I should die, think only this of me:
That there’s some corner of a foreign field
That is for ever England. There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave, once her flowers to love, her ways to roam,
A body of England’s, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blessed by the suns of home.
And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;
Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,
In hearts a peace, under an English heaven.’

So on this Armistace Day wear your poppy with pride and remember those who died in past wars and those who are still serving their country.