The thriving city of Cardiff played host to this year's BDA conference on 8-9th August. Members packed the Angel Hotel for the conference to find out future plans for the charity, which also saw Simon Wilkinson-Blake in his first public appearance since being appointed the new CEO.

BBC TV's See Hear were on hand to film parts of the conference and captured Simon's speech as he introduced himself to Members and delegates on the platform. BDA Chair Francis Murphy was also interviewed at the social event on the Friday evening.

Vox pops were taken from members both before and after conference, to gauge people's views on the BDA and new CEO Simon.

Simon was also interviewed a couple of days after the conference at the ACE Café in London, a renowned bikers' haunt.

Highlights of the conference included Alan Lansdown from the Welsh Assembly, who talked about his thoughts and vision for the future of BSL in Wales, along with Jeff Brattan-Wilson who explored the role of the interpreter and the crucial part they play in the Deaf community. Sarah Reed from Sense focused her presentation on how interpreters are trained in other countries; namely Denmark, Sweden and Finland.

Workshops were well received, with a choice of two for everyone to get involved with.

By evening everyone had changed into their best togs for the dinner dance, which brought together friends, old and new. Back to the Future indeed...

Were you at this year's conference? What did you think? Couldn't make it and want to put a question to Simon Wilkinson-Blake? Email us at: bdn@bda.org.uk

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