Chris Keates: deputy general secretary, praised by Charles Clarke for her “sororal” advice. But she still retained her street credibility with cheeky put-downs to the Education Secretary and the Tory and Lib Dem representatives.
Sweet-lovers: who were delighted with the range of confectionery on offer including NASUWT mints and sticks of seaside rock bearing the initials of the union’s federation of retired members associations.
Natalie Forster: the first-time delegate who caused conference giggles by announcing that she was “an Essex girl and a conference virgin, which may sound like a contradiction in terms”.
Tense shoulders: around 450 delegates - more than half those who attended - enjoyed the free 10-minute massages from trained masseurs.
