The President is to be Rev David Gamble and the Vice President Dr Richard Vautrey

Rev David Gamble Dr Richard Vautrey

David is currently Coordinating Secretary for Legal and Constitutional Practice handling issues ranging from discipline to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. He served as a minister in two North Yorkshire Circuits, Tadcaster and York (South), before becoming Children's Secretary for the Division of Education and Youth and then General Secretary for the Division. He has also been the Church's Secretary for Pastoral Care and Personal Relationships addressing family concerns such as divorce and domestic violence.

David's vision is of a church that is outward looking, engaged in wider society, willing to challenge injustice wherever it occurs, passionately committed to those who are or feel excluded. David says; 'I feel honoured to be elected for this role and hope to help the Church to answer the questions the people are asking about issues that matter to them in all areas of life. The Church has to respond to peoples needs and concerns if we are ever to speak truth in a mixed-up world'.

Richard Vautrey is a GP in Leeds and the Deputy Chair of the British Medical Association's GP committee with extensive media experience. He is a medical advisor for the Connexional Team and has served as a mission partner in Nigeria. He believes that there is a need for the church to get better at communicating the gospel message in ways that all can understand.

Richard says; 'It is a great privilege to be elected by the Conference to serve the Church in this way. I believe the Church has a key role in publicly challenging matters of injustice and inequality, as well as leading the debate on modern ethical questions. I am also passionate about the vital role that volunteers and lay people play in the Church and as Vice President I will be seeking to address how we can better empower and equip lay people for leadership roles in the Church'

David and Richard will be inducted as President and Vice President as the first items of business at the 2009 Methodist Conference, which will meet in Wolverhampton from July 2-9.

CONFERENCE 2008 SCARBOROUGH 3rd - 10th July photos (c) Scarborough Conference Bureaux Venue Scarborough Spa Complex   Scarborough Spa Complex 3 July to 10 July 2008 Host Districts of Leeds, Sheffield, West Yorkshire and York and Hull.         Conference Timetable Fringe Events During Conference these page will contain reports as and when we get them on the day's happenings at Conference .Due to circumstances beyond our control we do not this year have a direct link from Conference. 5 July Presidents Address 6 July Vice Presidential Address     5 July Report on the Day 6 July Report on the Day 7 July Report on the Day 8 July Report on the Day 9 July Report on the Day 10 July Report on the Day David Walton (on the left) with Stephen Poxon The Revd Stephen Poxon has been elected President Designate of the Methodist Conference for 2008-9, and Mr David Walton has been elected Vice President Designate. Stephen has served in Jamaica, Wales and the North West of England, and is currently chair of the North Lancashire District. He is currently secretary of the Methodist Missionary Society and has been chair of the World Church Committee and the Council for Methodist Youth Work. He says “I am deeply humbled by this honour and look forward to the challenges to come in a year's time.” Stephen is married to Deacon Myrtle Poxon, who served as Vice President of the Methodist Conference in 2004-5. When Stephen becomes President, it will be the first time that a married couple have between them been both President and Vice President. David Walton is a Manchester-based solicitor and an enthusiastic musician. He is currently Conference Record Secretary and Chair of the Law and Polity Committee. He says “I am keen to explore with others how faith is lived out today, especially in the workplace.” Stephen and David will be inducted at President and Vice President as the first items of business at the 2008 Methodist Conference, which will meet in Scarborough from 5-10 July. Photographs from Conference Top of Page