Isn’t it fantastic that on a cold and brisk Saturday in early March a doggedly determined crew of mad historians can find solace within the fantastic portals of the Empire & Commonwealth Museum in Bristol? All were there to learn something new, to share good practice and to meet like-minded individuals. Here, Heather Scott shares some of her experiences as a workshop leader and Mary Woolley shares some of what she learnt as a delegate at the conference. Constructing rigorous and motivating history in the classroom is an ongoing and sometimes difficult challenge, but conferences such as this help reinvigorate and inspire so that delegates leave feeling refreshed in their endeavours and full of ideas for Monday morning.