A Conference commitment

It was a year with the three-day week, President Nixon’s resignation and Mud’s Tiger Feet topping the charts.

But 1974 also marked the year that a young Cardiff shop worker first took time off from House of Fraser to attend the Methodist Conference in Bristol.

Little did Martin Hunt know, it would be an annual commitment for the next 52 years.

Now aged 73, Martin has only missed two Conferences since he first attended the Bristol event in the mid-seventies – and he only missed those  due to a global pandemic.

Committed Martin was also the longest-serving employee of House of Fraser – and had to bargain for time off amid the summer sales to attend.

He said: “My first Conference was in Bristol in 1974, and I’ve been going to every one since for 52 years – except the two ‘Covid years’, which I missed.

“I worked for House of Fraser for 53 years and was the longest-serving employee in the country. I even shut up the Cardiff shop on the last day in 2023.

“But working there made going to the Conference difficult as it would clash with the summer sales at the shop. I would work extra hours for the weeks prior to make sure I could take the time off to attend the Conference.

“I would always go for the Saturday, Sunday and Monday until I retired, and started going to the full Conference about ten years ago.”

Martin has long been involved in his local church and has served several trusteeships. However, he believes it is important to look at the big picture across the Connexion.

He reflected that he still feels the same joy going to the Conference and catching up with old friends as he did all those years ago.

Martin said: “Going to the Conference has been such a big part of my life and such a joy. I still get excited to go.

“I’ve really enjoyed being able to travel all over the country, seeing different places that I might not have otherwise seen.

“Obviously the Conference has been reducing in numbers attending over the years, but it is still the heart of the Connexion and is so important to our Church.

“There are also Conferences that have been remembered for big items and debates, and it has been important to see those play out.”

But the big question – why does Martin come and why does he think it is important for others to come along?

He said: “People are often very invested in and involved in their own home church but don’t really look beyond their church or circuit.

“Going to the Conference really links you in with the whole Connexion and how the Church really works.

“If you’re wondering what it’s all about I would encourage you to come along and find out!”