180 writers and colleagues gathered at the Park Inn by Radisson in York for what was a very special weekend. 25 years on from its formation, NAWE celebrated a significant milestone with its biggest conference to date. David Morley's opening talk provided a stimulating and challenging starting point for three days of discussion – 52 sessions in all – and the three guest readings, stunningly contrasted, were pure delight.

We look forward to sharing accounts of the sessions in the next magazine, also publishing photographs and film of the event online.

At the AGM, a new Committee was elected, and huge thanks given to the outgoing Chair, Maggie Butt, pictured here with Simon Armitage. Maggie will remain involved with the new Committee, the members of which are listed here.

We will of course soon be planning next year's conference and a formal call for contributions will be published in March 2013. Meanwhile, we look forward to hearing your feedback on this year's event, aiming to make our choice of next venue as soon as we can.

One perk of the Park Inn booking for NAWE was a free iPad, which we are offering in a prize draw.

With many thanks to all those contributors – and delegates – who made the NAWE Conference 2012 such an outstanding success.