I watched David Dimbleby on Question Time particularly closely last night because I am in the hot seat today chairing a discussion with the Archbishop of York and Cambridge entrepreneurs.
I really enjoy meeting inspirational people, and I know they will not be in short supply today.
It is the first time I have ever done anything like this, I am well out of my comfort zone, but I accepted it as a personal challenge to develop new public speaking skills.
I wrote about it here, please wish me luck ….
Update 7pm: I can tell you now that I really enjoyed it and felt more than a bit of a fraud sharing the top table with two very talented and inspirational speakers and entrepreneurs, Alan Barrell and Mark Treherne, as well as the distinguished Archbishop, who had a croaky throat and felt under the weather, I really feared he would be unable to deliver his speech. I didn’t have a contingency plan lined up, but the power of his voice thankfully returned.
He spoke about the importance of wisdom – and praised his mother for being one of the wisest people he had ever met (aren’t they always?). He believes business can make a huge and positive difference to our lives. But if you believe business and politics is dirty, then you end up with bad business and politics.
And he talked about how he ruffled feathers last year when he urged people to think about the chocolate they bought which 
was not Fair Trade. I like anyone who speaks truthfully about their beliefs, which is why I so admire Archbishop John, he knows people will listen and take note of his concerns, that they touch a raw nerve and could make a difference.
The only hiccup was when I accidentally introduced the Bishop of Ely to give the vote of thanks as the Archbishop of Ely because I was so used to saying the word Archbishop. Everyone laughed, they seemed to find it amusing, especially the Bishop of Ely who said he felt wonderfully elevated ….
I gasped and grabbed the Archbishop’s arm – the real one. Then we both laughed too about my faux pas.
I’ve added a pic from the event. I’m so pleased I did it.
Have a great time Ellee….fantastic opportunity.
best of luck Ellee – sounds like a great opportunity.
Looking forward to hearing how it went.
Good Luck Ellee, yes great opportunity for you. Sure you will be great.
Good Luck Ellee, Enjoy it!
Just caught up Ellee , you seem to be back on form. Redwood`s blog is just amazing but then he is an amazing man and its a shame his image is difficult .
I fervently hope to see him with a role in our future.A towering figure
That’s a smashing picture Ellee 🙂
Hi Newmania, I really like John Redwood’s blog too, it is definitely one of the best Tory sites. You should stick around more.
Maalie, thanks for the compliment. I think I should have removed my badge first.
Well done, not only on coming through such a fantastic experience, but on managing to enjoy it too.
As someone who would, I think, not do themself justice on such an occasion, I’m full of admiration.
Well done, Ellee! I’m sure it was a bit nervewracking but you seem to have come through with flying colours. 🙂
Best of luck, Ellie. Wish you appeared on Question Time!
Heh! Only people heavily into the clerical scene would find calling a bishop “archbishop” funny. Maybe next time you should call him “archdruid” and see if you get a bigger laugh.
Go Elle Go!
So Elle,
did you have High Tea
and get on down with His Grace!
I received thank-you flowers from the organiser today, I was really thrilled, it was totally unexpected. Many thanks Chris Savage.
More like John Sentamu and I’d return to the CofE which I’ve left in protest against Rowan Williams.
I agree with Newmania about John Redwood. This image obsession really is destroying Western politics.
And well done on a mission accomplished. You obviously don’t rate yourself as highly as we do.
Well done again, Ellee. No one minds a faux pas at these occasions – it shows you are human!