Welcome to the Greater London Region

This website contains information on the events and activities organised by  the volunteer members who live in the Greater London Region (GLR).

The GLR's activities are co-ordinated by the main GLR Committee, a Central Events Sub-Committee, two Area Sub-Committees (North Western and Southern) and the Young Members Panel.

CALLING NOTICE: 2010 GLR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD AT IMechE HQ, 1 BIRDCAGE WALK ON THURSDAY 6TH MAY AT 6PM.

CHAIRMAN'S NOTE (22 FEBRUARY 2010)

Introduction

Welcome to the Near You site for the Greater London Region. This is where you can find out about the activities and events in the Region. In 2010 the Region is maintaining focus on the Institution’s four Key Themes of Energy, Environment, Education and Transport.  
2009 was a very successful year. Over 66 events were held throughout the Region attended by over 2100 people. More joint events with Institutions and IMechE Divisions and Groups are planned for 2010. The Institution has set strategies for the Regions to implement to increased membership, events, and attendance whilst improving the level of service and increasing the Institution’s public profile. The use of the four Key Themes has helped to achieve this in this Region. So if you are able to help please contact me at GLRChair@imechenetwork.org.

Environment

In particular in 2009 the Region has continued to stage events in continuation of ‘The Agenda for Climate Change’, a joint project with the Institution of Civil Engineers, where agreed policy advice to the Mayor’s office and London Assembly is being offered on the subject of climate change and the challenges for the London. This included recommendations for: energy, transport, waste, water and flooding, skills and sustainable communities. A joint policy booklet was published and the project was launched at a reception at 1 Birdcage Walk to which London MPs and Assembly members were invited in May 2008. This has been followed up with lively debates held at 1 Birdcage Walk on Energy in June 2009 and Sustainability in February 2010. Both debates attracted audiences of over 150 on both occasions. More detail about the energy debate and speaking notes can be found on this website. A further debate on one of the themes is planned to take place during the course of 2010. Since this is such an important part of GLR activities the Committee is looking for a volunteer to champion Climate Change issues in London. So if you are able to help please contact me at GLRChair@imechenetwork.org.

Education

In the education field the Region supported 5 full day careers advisory events entitled ‘Engineering Your Future’ (EYF). Over 500 sixth form pupils and teachers attended in total in 2009. Further EYF events are planned in 2010. The next EYF events are at Rosedale College, Hillingdon on 11th March and at 1 Birdcage Walk on 19th March. A new project entitled ‘Our World In 2050’, an all day event for 120 Year 8 pupils sponsored by the Institution took place at St Augustine’s C of E High School in Kilburn on 12th June and was a great success. Tom Clarke, Science Correspondent of Channel 4 TV opened the proceedings. Thanks are due to Ed Robinson of the GLR YM Panel and representatives of MW Kellogg Ltd. This will be repeated in June 2010 and will be organised and run by a sub-committee comprised of members of the YM Panel. A joint exhibition and theme day with ICE on the subject of ‘Technology in Sport’ took place in Hackney for local schoolchildren on 30th September. This was organised by members of the YM Panel led by Jamie Heaton (many thanks) in conjunction with Portia and Hackney Town Council and is a great way of capitalising on the forthcoming Olympic Games in 2012. So this will be developed over the next year. All these very worthwhile educational projects need your help and support. Young engineers are needed in particular to help EYF and the two new theme day projects. So if you are able to help please contact me at GLRChair@imechenetwork.org.

More details of these events can be found on the Education page of this Near You website. There is a lot going on in education today and professional engineers should feel it their duty to be engaged - the future of UK plc depends on it. So please lend your support to these education activities. You can become a STEMNET Ambassador by contacting www.stemnet.org.uk. This provides the opportunity for engineers to take part in schools career activities and sell the engineering profession and better inform teachers and pupils.

North West Area Committee

The GLR Committees would welcome volunteers. In particular the post of Chair of the NW Area Sub-Committee is vacant at present. The Committee meets at Brunel University and links with them have been strengthened. Members of the student body have already volunteered to join the committee to help identify and organise events attractive to the students at Brunel and members in the NW London area.  I am hoping for a youthful and vibrant committee who will attract new members and stage exciting events. More volunteers are needed if the present level of activity in the region is to be maintained and developed. The next GLR Committee meeting will be held at 1 Birdcage Walk at 1800 on 25th March. This is the nominations meeting where candidates for all posts on the committee are considered for election at the AGM on 6th May 2010.  If you are willing to offer your services for the NW Area post or serve on any of the committees of the Greater London Region please let me know at GLRChair@imechenetwork.org.
 
Looking ahead all events to be held in the Region will be published on this ‘Near You’ website so please keep checking! We are planning more joint events with other engineering institutions, Divisions and Groups and will be maintaining out focus on the four Key Themes throughout the year. Your support will be appreciated and may enable you to speak with authority about these high profile subjects. You should be aware that the subject of compulsory CPD is still under review so your attendance at Institution events will contribute to your own ongoing CPD.

Chris Lowther

GLR Chairman