What a week what was! North, south, east, west, your hamster-like Campaigns team traipsed across the country to give a helping hand to Jsocs for their freshers fairs. Freshers fun for me started up in Glasgow the week before last. The Glaswegian Jsoc are great and Adina was an inspiration. She works tirelessly to ensure the Jsoc runs like clockwork and that activities are there for those that want them. Up at 5am and back at midnight- but it was worth it.

Last Monday I started my freshers trek up in Newcastle. I quickly learnt to deal with the Geordie accent after realising that a clock is not a cock! Alan is doing good things up there. On the day I was there we had about 15 signups which was a real coup for the Jsoc. Newcastle is going to see good things happen this year. I look forward to visiting them no doubt soon in the future. I had a great meeting up there with the local Hindu Society and I hope we can build upon general good interfaith relations more nationally in time for National Interfaith Week in mid-November.

On Monday night I went to Manchester and spent Tuesday and Wednesday there. The whole committee in Manchester are doing terrific things and special credit must duly be given to Jonny, Sam and Danielle. Their tireless work paid dividends in a smooth and successful Jsoc stall and freshers events. Muchos kudos to Manc!

I spent Thursday in Nottingham; and it was great to be home. As I went around the country I was ever more enthralled and excited by seeing such fantastic activities being provided by passionate committee members and Nottingham lived up to the high bar set by Manchester and Newcastle. If you're ever out in Nottingham may I recommend Vodka Revs near Market Bar- good times had by all! Nottingham had a tough time with their signup procedure but despite the slog they stoically persevered and got through freshers week in grand style.

Friday was spent at Leeds Met. Quite honestly, the committee didn't need my help- they had it covered! On Friday I was shattered following my train journeys around the country so it was great ending up in Leeds on a Friday night. At 5pm the centre was a bomb site but the committee turned up at 5.15pm and in the space at 45 minutes they turned the dungeon into a banqueting suite fit for the 100 plus people that showed up. Dan and co. up there have got their heads in the game and are really making the most of the spanking new centre provided for them by UJS Hillel.

So that's the report of my shmental week going around the country. More freshers fun to come...

Ben