Eastern Region Chairman’s Letter 2008
The “IMechE Near You” website contains useful contact information for the Eastern Region committees, or you can contact me at the e-mail address shown below.
Other news is that Ruth Spellman OBE has resigned as CEO and Bill Edgar, an ex President, is now standing in until a replacement is found. In addition, Associate Members have been given voting rights.
Our key themes of Energy, Environment, Transport and Education continue this year.
The Formula Student event took place at Silverstone again this year, to encourage young people in to engineering by showing them how exciting it can be..
Our Regional Annual Dinner has been organized for the 10h October 2008 and will be held at the Jesus College, Cambridge following the very enjoyable and successful event we had there last year. The car parking arrangements are first class along with the convivial atmosphere of the Reception area, the friendly Upper Hall and, of course, the excellent food! We have arranged for an interesting historical talk about HMS Warrior 1860 by Cdr. Ken Jones Royal Navy (Rtd) this year. This is a good opportunity to socialize and meet our other honoured guests, including our President.
So, contact Bill Tripp (see contacts) to join in and enjoy yourself! Tickets are £36 per head in advance.
Yours Sincerely,
Eur Ing Charles D Morlham
MSc CEng FIMechE MIET
Chairman
cdmfimeche@tiscali.co.uk
Benevolent Fund
The Benevolent Fund of the IMechE exists to help members and their dependents in need. Any past or present member and their dependents who face hardship or misfortune are automatically eligible for assistance.
Over £500, 000 is paid in grants each year and more than half of the annual income come from members' donations.
The Fund is always looking for new beneficiaries. If you know of anyone in need, or would like further information, please visit http://www.bfime.co.uk/
19 November 2008 | 19:30 - 21:30
Climate Change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world. Engineers will need to devise the solutions that combat this effect.
This lecture will discuss the macro scale energy alternatives available and will look in detail at automotive solutions and opportunities which will be employed in future car and commercial vehicle designs
25 November 2008 | 18:30 - 21:15
A general update on the problems encountered when modernising the very old parts of the underground network and how they are tackled
25 November 2008 | 19:00 - 21:00
Vicki Hughes, Noise Communications Manager, Stansted Airport, will describe the operations functions of a busy airport, including reference to air traffic control procedures.
26 November 2008 | 19:30 - 21:00
There is general agreement on the need to reduce the world's dependency on fossil fuels, but the case for moving substantially to bio-fuels as an alternative is no longer clear because of pressures on land for food production. John Cooper from BP will present different alternatives for decarbonising road transport looking at the potential for bio-fuels as well as other alternatives
06 December 2008 | 09:30 - 15:00
This year, our Speak Out for Engineering competition is being held in Bury St Edmunds on Saturday 6th December. With a first prize of £500 and a second prize of £250, this is an amazing opportunity to practice your presentation skills and win a significant cash prize in the process! We normally have around four or five entrants. 90% of the marks will be given for presentation skills as opposed to technical content, meaning that everyone has an equal chance of winning.
10 December 2008 | 19:00 - 21:00
10 January 2009 | 12:30 - 15:00
13 January 2009 | 19:00 - 21:00
20 January 2009 | 15:00 - 17:00
Have you ever wondered what the optician looks for when he tests your eyes or how much notice he takes of the “subjective” information which you provide? This is your chance to find out – John Carrington will take you on a tour of the eye examination from the opticians’ perspective, he will explain the science and engineering of the eye, his high-tech equipment and the design of spectacle lenses. You will have the opportunity to view a patient from his end and also see the manufacture and construction of a pair of glasses.
21 January 2009 | 19:30 - 21:30
Initially developed for application in Formula One cars the high-speed flywheel based hybrid technology developed by Flybrid Systems is now being directed towards road vehicle application.
In this talk company Managing Partner Jon Hilton will explain how the technology works and the key benefits that make it a very attractive alternative to existing electric hybrid solutions.
28 January 2009 | 19:30 - 21:00
The UK Government has given the go ahead to replacing Britain's ageing Nuclear power plants. The speaker, who has 27 years experience in power generation, has recently returned from 2 years secondment to the World Association of Nuclear Operators in Paris. He will examine the challenges facing the Nuclear Power Industry and describe the
10 February 2009 | 19:00 - 21:00
10 February 2009 | 19:00 - 21:30
Paul Darley, of Darley Associates, will review the current problems and opportunities when dealing with waste and its possible value as an energy source.
11 February 2009 | 18:45 - 20:30
A lecture on high precision engineering by Professor Pat McKeown OBE, James Clayton Prize (2007) of the Institution.
This event is being jointly organised with RAeS Bedford.
18 February 2009 | 19:00 - 21:00
Parry Peaple Movers (PPM) Ltd. supplies lightweight tramway systems for smaller towns, and lightweight rail vehicles for use on regional railways. PPM vehicles incorporate flywheel energy storage, allowing electric tramway systems without overhead wires and railcars powered by small prime movers running on gas, diesel or hydrogen - all with very high energy efficiency and very low emissions of pollutants and noise. PPM technology responds to the need for high quality, environmentally sound, affordable local public transport for both urban and rural communities.
10 March 2009 | 20:00 - 21:30
Trained initially as an engineer and later in accountancy, our speaker was actively involved in small and medium sized businesses before entering aviation. Southend Airport is recognised as an important driver for inward investment and regeneration and is well placed to serve the London Olympics in 2012. The talk will cover the past, present and future of the airport.
19 March 2009 | 18:45 - 20:30
A lecture by Dr Robina Chatham about how the nowadays engineer needs to navigate his way through a lot more than engineering problems to succeed in organisations.
Dr Chatham is a chartered engineer, former IT Director, Visiting Fellow at Cranfield School of Management, author and founder of Robina Chatham Ltd. http://www.chatham.uk.com/
24 March 2009 | 19:29 - 21:00
Dave Tinker, of Tnker Associates, will describe the latest trends in agricultural engineering and their contribution to efficient and cst effective food production
26 March 2009 | 19:30 - 21:00
The speaker will discuss the evolution and development of modern machine tools.
Members please note that the lecture will be preceded by the Norfolk & Waveney Area Nominations Meeting
03 April 2009 | 19:30 - 22:00
Our speaker will tell us how he came to be working as a civilian fingerprint expert in the Metropolitan Police, give a brief history of how fingerprints came to be used as the premier method of proof of identity, explain how this is done and will describe his involvement in a high profile murder case.
23 April 2009 | 19:30 - 21:00
This talk starts by asking the question "why electric cars?", and attempts to show why an all-electric vehicle is the most efficient use of available resources, whether these be oil/gas, electricity (from conventional resources or via hydrogen), biomass, biodiesel or even land. The performance of the Tesla Roadster is then discussed, showing that you can drive an exciting car while also being 'green'. The basic Tesla technology inside the Roadster is discussed, with particular reference to the use of Lithium-Ion batteries.
Members please note this this lecture will be preceded at 19.00 by the Norfolk & Waveney Area Annual General Meeting
13 May 2009 | 18:45 - 20:00
The story of how a small family owned injection moulding company became the world leader in plastic bearing technology. Application case studies, material development history, emerging trends, and a small insight into the sometimes unique world of igus.