My second conference and although last year’s conference was a huge success, this years for me exceeded that.

My tardiness in writing this stems from an inability to decide how to succinctly list the many interesting, uplifting and fascinating discussions, conversations and encounters I was party to over those two days in August at the DTAS Conference. The highs and lows narrated in member stories intent on rescuing iconic buildings, the sketches of long attritional campaigns which rebuilt community, attacked poverty and rescued environmental decline in the landscapes, villages, towns and cities the length and breadth of Scotland.

The DTAS conference is a crucible for Scottish communities wherever they are. Like a seed bank, a receptacle for ideas ready for germination in our neighbourhoods. The workshops, visits, meetings and discussions allowed the cross pollination of new ways of thinking and doing, leading to new varieties of approaches. It helped focus us on the macro and the micro, to create new synapses, steering us to new ways of thinking. A meeting of the kindred to enthuse and energise, a place where alliances are built, novel democracies envisioned, and new strategies contemplated.

Along with the many friendly, positive encounters with people from the length and breadth of Scotland, one I wanted to mention. On leaving at the end of the day on Wednesday my head buzzing with ideas, I met with Alice Duthuille, Strengthening Communities Programme Development Officer of my patch in West of Scotland. Alice and Craig Allan have been at our side leading our work in Lochwinnoch. On our parting I realised that what the conference gave me was a recognition of the esprit de corps that DTAS inspire and that we go back to fight for our families and neighbours in our communities refreshed and invigorated and thankful that DTAS continues in its support for us sound and strong.