KCLEA Events 2010
Saturday 11th September, 2010
AND
Wednesday 15th September, 2010
AND
Wednesday 15th September, 2010
VISIT TO HOOK NORTON BREWERY
Location: Hook Norton, OX15 5NX, near Banbury [Map]
(about an hour by car from Birmingham and about 1¾ hours from London)
Cost: £9.50 per person
Two visits have been arranged to tour the Brewery at Hook Norton. The first is on Saturday, 11th September, starting at 11 am; the second is on Wednesday, 15th September, starting at 2pm. There will be an opportunity to sample the products of the brewery at the end of the visit.
Hook Norton Brewery was established in 1849 and is a traditional Victorian ‘tower’ brewery in which all the stages of the brewing process flow logically downwards from floor to floor. The brewing process is powered by steam, using the last commercially working open crank stationary steam engine in the UK.
There are local pubs where a meal can be obtained either before or after the visit and, for the energetic, one of the pubs has a skittle alley.
Please reserve your place on the tour by contacting the Events Secretary before 31st August.
Location: Hook Norton, OX15 5NX, near Banbury [Map]
(about an hour by car from Birmingham and about 1¾ hours from London)
Cost: £9.50 per person
Two visits have been arranged to tour the Brewery at Hook Norton. The first is on Saturday, 11th September, starting at 11 am; the second is on Wednesday, 15th September, starting at 2pm. There will be an opportunity to sample the products of the brewery at the end of the visit.
Hook Norton Brewery was established in 1849 and is a traditional Victorian ‘tower’ brewery in which all the stages of the brewing process flow logically downwards from floor to floor. The brewing process is powered by steam, using the last commercially working open crank stationary steam engine in the UK.
There are local pubs where a meal can be obtained either before or after the visit and, for the energetic, one of the pubs has a skittle alley.
Please reserve your place on the tour by contacting the Events Secretary before 31st August.
Thursday 7th October, 2010
KING'S ENGINEERS' DAY
Details will be announced shortly. Expressions of interest should be sent to the Events Secretary.
Details will be announced shortly. Expressions of interest should be sent to the Events Secretary.
For other forthcoming events organised by KCLA, please visit the In Touch website. Events are also announced in the latest edition of the In Touch magazine. If you are not receiving your copy, then please contact the Alumni Office directly.
For the next meeting of the Cybernetics Society, please follow the link - Cybernetics Society. All members of KCLEA are welcome to attend meetings, which are held in King's College, Strand.
Previous Events
2010
(click to enlarge)
Saturday 14th August, 2010
VISIT TO BBC TV CENTRE, WHITE CITY, LONDON
On 14 August a group of 15 KCLEA members with partners and friends visited the BBC TV Centre at White City. They were guided around the centre by actors Zoe and Anthony who gave life to largely empty buildings. An August weekend is clearly a quiet time at the studios. The guides were very successful in getting across the essential flavour of the BBC and its current modus operandi in as little as a couple of hours.
The visit included the extensive news facilities, large studios, the weather centre, the odd celebrity anecdote and asides on BBC politics. Our tour was shared with a family group and the young people, to the relief of the more reserved engineers, took impressive advantage of the opportunities for making a newscast and quiz show.
Of particular interest and some enthusiastic discussion was the revelation that the production of just about all shows are outsourced and that BBC studio time is charged out to the production company in competition with private facilities. The empty spaces lead us to question the supposedly free market economics that have been imposed. It was not clear how the licence payer benefited.
All who attended enjoyed the visit and thanks are due to Keith Newton for the excellent arrangements.
Graham Raven, 21/08/2010
On 14 August a group of 15 KCLEA members with partners and friends visited the BBC TV Centre at White City. They were guided around the centre by actors Zoe and Anthony who gave life to largely empty buildings. An August weekend is clearly a quiet time at the studios. The guides were very successful in getting across the essential flavour of the BBC and its current modus operandi in as little as a couple of hours.
The visit included the extensive news facilities, large studios, the weather centre, the odd celebrity anecdote and asides on BBC politics. Our tour was shared with a family group and the young people, to the relief of the more reserved engineers, took impressive advantage of the opportunities for making a newscast and quiz show.
Of particular interest and some enthusiastic discussion was the revelation that the production of just about all shows are outsourced and that BBC studio time is charged out to the production company in competition with private facilities. The empty spaces lead us to question the supposedly free market economics that have been imposed. It was not clear how the licence payer benefited.
All who attended enjoyed the visit and thanks are due to Keith Newton for the excellent arrangements.
Graham Raven, 21/08/2010
Friday 11th June, 2010
ENGINEERS' LUNCH, KING'S COLLEGE, STRAND CAMPUS
This year the Engineers’ lunch was held on Friday, 11 June, at the start of the Alumni Weekend. Once again it was held in the River Room at the King’s Strand campus with its splendid views of the Thames and the South Bank.
The assembled group of former students, wives and partners included graduates from 1947 through to the present day. One of the group, Stan Ridley, only arrived from Vancouver at Heathrow two hours before the event started. His rapid journey to the lunch, by way of his Bloomsbury hotel, required the careful planning for which King’s Engineers are justifiably renowned. Another, Ken Stedman, came from Kuala Lumpur but had six hours in which to pass through immigration, baggage reclaim and customs giving him a much more leisurely journey from Heathrow.
Dr Norman Borrett, President of the KCLEA, welcomed everyone to the lunch and Dr Michael Clode, Head of Engineering in College, gave a report on the present situation with respect to the Department. An unexpected addition to the proceedings was the presentation of glass tumblers engraved with the College coat of arms to the nine members present who had graduated more than 50 years ago. This presentation was made by courtesy of the Alumni Office. During the rest of the lunch, as in 2009, old acquaintanceships were renewed and several new acquaintanceships made. Once again, an enjoyable time was had by all.
It is intended to hold a similar lunch on Friday, 10 June 2011, at the Alumni Weekend and the target is to attract enough Engineering alumni to ensure that the lunch must be held in the Great Hall. Book the date in your diary and bring along a group of your contemporaries.
This year the Engineers’ lunch was held on Friday, 11 June, at the start of the Alumni Weekend. Once again it was held in the River Room at the King’s Strand campus with its splendid views of the Thames and the South Bank.
The assembled group of former students, wives and partners included graduates from 1947 through to the present day. One of the group, Stan Ridley, only arrived from Vancouver at Heathrow two hours before the event started. His rapid journey to the lunch, by way of his Bloomsbury hotel, required the careful planning for which King’s Engineers are justifiably renowned. Another, Ken Stedman, came from Kuala Lumpur but had six hours in which to pass through immigration, baggage reclaim and customs giving him a much more leisurely journey from Heathrow.
Dr Norman Borrett, President of the KCLEA, welcomed everyone to the lunch and Dr Michael Clode, Head of Engineering in College, gave a report on the present situation with respect to the Department. An unexpected addition to the proceedings was the presentation of glass tumblers engraved with the College coat of arms to the nine members present who had graduated more than 50 years ago. This presentation was made by courtesy of the Alumni Office. During the rest of the lunch, as in 2009, old acquaintanceships were renewed and several new acquaintanceships made. Once again, an enjoyable time was had by all.
It is intended to hold a similar lunch on Friday, 10 June 2011, at the Alumni Weekend and the target is to attract enough Engineering alumni to ensure that the lunch must be held in the Great Hall. Book the date in your diary and bring along a group of your contemporaries.
Thursday 29th April, 2010
COMMITTEE MEETING
The second committee meeting of 2010 took place on Thursday 29th April (Agenda).
• Mike Clode summarised the current position of the Engineering Division: some staff resignations; student concerns; focus on development of Biomedical Engineering.
• Following the AGM commitment to provide re-assurance on the value of King's degrees, 31 responses were received by the Alumni Office from Alumni and their companies.
• Al Steger-Lewis reported on progress with the website: redesign going live; synchronisation of domains; Twitter account; email addresses; statistics; King's Engineer/newsletter archive; downloads section; future developments.
• Keith Newton provided an update on Events.
• KCLES has a new committee and industry speakers are being organized. The perpetuation of the KCLES was discussed, along with ideas to update and republish W O Skeat’s history of KCLES.
• The provisional date for the 2010 AGM is Friday 26 November.
The second committee meeting of 2010 took place on Thursday 29th April (Agenda).
• Mike Clode summarised the current position of the Engineering Division: some staff resignations; student concerns; focus on development of Biomedical Engineering.
• Following the AGM commitment to provide re-assurance on the value of King's degrees, 31 responses were received by the Alumni Office from Alumni and their companies.
• Al Steger-Lewis reported on progress with the website: redesign going live; synchronisation of domains; Twitter account; email addresses; statistics; King's Engineer/newsletter archive; downloads section; future developments.
• Keith Newton provided an update on Events.
• KCLES has a new committee and industry speakers are being organized. The perpetuation of the KCLES was discussed, along with ideas to update and republish W O Skeat’s history of KCLES.
• The provisional date for the 2010 AGM is Friday 26 November.
Thursday 28th January, 2010
COMMITTEE MEETING
The first committee meeting of 2010 took place on Thursday 28th January (Agenda).
• Mike Clode summarised the current position of the Engineering Division, staff and teaching in relation to the closure and integration into the new School of Sciences.
• KCLES are arranging 6-7 industry speakers through February and March, a Book Fair and football, pool and chess tournaments. There was a discussion of ways to secure KCLES's future – as the oldest engineering society in the world – once the Division is closed down, which had also been raised at the last KCLA Council meeting.
• The new Webmaster, Al Steger-Lewis, expected to complete a redesign of the site within a couple of weeks, including hosting it outside the College.
• Norman Borrett will write to members regarding changes to the Constitution at the last AGM, asking that they consider and annual donation of £10 now that KCLEA is subscription free. Efforts will be made to obtain industry support to counteract any perceptions that KCL Engineering degrees have been devalued by the closure, and a paper will be produced in an effort to help the College to learn from the closure, with particular reference to the effect on staff.
• Nigel Sharp is in the process of compiling the next issue of King's Engineer and Keith Newton outlined the list of activities for 2010 (see above).
The first committee meeting of 2010 took place on Thursday 28th January (Agenda).
• Mike Clode summarised the current position of the Engineering Division, staff and teaching in relation to the closure and integration into the new School of Sciences.
• KCLES are arranging 6-7 industry speakers through February and March, a Book Fair and football, pool and chess tournaments. There was a discussion of ways to secure KCLES's future – as the oldest engineering society in the world – once the Division is closed down, which had also been raised at the last KCLA Council meeting.
• The new Webmaster, Al Steger-Lewis, expected to complete a redesign of the site within a couple of weeks, including hosting it outside the College.
• Norman Borrett will write to members regarding changes to the Constitution at the last AGM, asking that they consider and annual donation of £10 now that KCLEA is subscription free. Efforts will be made to obtain industry support to counteract any perceptions that KCL Engineering degrees have been devalued by the closure, and a paper will be produced in an effort to help the College to learn from the closure, with particular reference to the effect on staff.
• Nigel Sharp is in the process of compiling the next issue of King's Engineer and Keith Newton outlined the list of activities for 2010 (see above).
2009
Friday 27th November, 2009
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The 2009 AGM was held on Friday 27th November 2009 at 6.00pm in Room K0.20 Strand Building, followed by drinks and nibbles.
The 2009 AGM was held on Friday 27th November 2009 at 6.00pm in Room K0.20 Strand Building, followed by drinks and nibbles.
Thursday 29th October, 2009
COMMITTEE MEETING
The sixth committee meeting took place on Thursday 29th October with the following Agenda. The closure of Engineering was clarified in that after 2011 there will only be the final year B.Eng and two years M.Eng. The Vice-Principal has accepted an invitation to address the AGM and take questions regarding the closure. On discussing the current situation of the accounts, it was noted that when the student activity ceases there will need to be in place an arrangement for the future use of funds and subscriptions (donations) to KCLEA. Guidance will be sought at the AGM. Although the visit by KCLEA to Fuller's Brewery took place, support was very poor, as was that for other organised events. KCLES reported current difficulty in recruiting new members, but events are planned to take place that may attract more new students to join.
The sixth committee meeting took place on Thursday 29th October with the following Agenda. The closure of Engineering was clarified in that after 2011 there will only be the final year B.Eng and two years M.Eng. The Vice-Principal has accepted an invitation to address the AGM and take questions regarding the closure. On discussing the current situation of the accounts, it was noted that when the student activity ceases there will need to be in place an arrangement for the future use of funds and subscriptions (donations) to KCLEA. Guidance will be sought at the AGM. Although the visit by KCLEA to Fuller's Brewery took place, support was very poor, as was that for other organised events. KCLES reported current difficulty in recruiting new members, but events are planned to take place that may attract more new students to join.
Wednesday 23rd September, 2009
FULLER’S BREWERY, CHISWICK, LONDON W4
A visit is planned to see beer making at the Fuller’s Brewery at Chiswick, followed by a tasting.
Entrance charge: £10 per person
The tour lasts approximately 2 hours. Meet at The Mawson’s Arms prior to the visit (lunch can be obtained there).
A visit is planned to see beer making at the Fuller’s Brewery at Chiswick, followed by a tasting.
Entrance charge: £10 per person
The tour lasts approximately 2 hours. Meet at The Mawson’s Arms prior to the visit (lunch can be obtained there).
Thursday 3rd September, 2009
COMMITTEE MEETING
The fifth committee meeting took place on Thursday 3rd September with the following Agenda. The demise of Engineering at King's was the main topic and concern was expressed by all that the arrangements for the students over the next four years are not very well in hand regarding the continuing teaching arrangements. There will also be a knock-on effect with the KCLEA although the committee noted that there are still four years to go, and also quite a large community of existing KCLEA members to continue to address. The medals awarded to students will be phased out, and become awards to members of the association, for example in conjunction with the 13 Club Trophy which has to be handed back each year. The situation regarding bursaries needs careful attention. It is planned to invite Mr Motterhead to address our AGM on the closure of Engineering. It was also suggested that we should take steps now to create an archive of the important things that have been achieved by King's Engineers. A new issue of the King's Engineer magazine is being sent out with the latest In Touch magazine. A link to a copy will be placed here when available. Organised activities for KCLEA have this year been mixed in their support, with two events having to be cancelled. It is hoped more support will be given next year.
The fifth committee meeting took place on Thursday 3rd September with the following Agenda. The demise of Engineering at King's was the main topic and concern was expressed by all that the arrangements for the students over the next four years are not very well in hand regarding the continuing teaching arrangements. There will also be a knock-on effect with the KCLEA although the committee noted that there are still four years to go, and also quite a large community of existing KCLEA members to continue to address. The medals awarded to students will be phased out, and become awards to members of the association, for example in conjunction with the 13 Club Trophy which has to be handed back each year. The situation regarding bursaries needs careful attention. It is planned to invite Mr Motterhead to address our AGM on the closure of Engineering. It was also suggested that we should take steps now to create an archive of the important things that have been achieved by King's Engineers. A new issue of the King's Engineer magazine is being sent out with the latest In Touch magazine. A link to a copy will be placed here when available. Organised activities for KCLEA have this year been mixed in their support, with two events having to be cancelled. It is hoped more support will be given next year.
Saturday 8th August, 2009
HERITAGE MOTOR CENTRE, GAYDON, WARWICKSHIRE
This date is the middle Saturday of the fortnight celebrating 50 years of the Mini.
Adults: £11 Concessions: £9
A pre-booked lunch is available for minimum groups of 12 people:
One course: £6.95 or Two courses: £9.95
There will be a guided tour of the Centre, commencing at 2.15 pm after lunch. The tour will last approximately 2 hours. Meet at the Cafe. There will also be an opportunity to experience ‘off-road’ travel in a 4x4 for an extra £6.
This date is the middle Saturday of the fortnight celebrating 50 years of the Mini.
Adults: £11 Concessions: £9
A pre-booked lunch is available for minimum groups of 12 people:
One course: £6.95 or Two courses: £9.95
There will be a guided tour of the Centre, commencing at 2.15 pm after lunch. The tour will last approximately 2 hours. Meet at the Cafe. There will also be an opportunity to experience ‘off-road’ travel in a 4x4 for an extra £6.
Tuesday 21st July, 2009
COMMITTEE MEETING
The fourth committee meeting took place on Tuesday 21st July with the following Agenda. Most people will be aware by now that the College plans to close the Engineering Division to new students after the intake of September this year. This will effectively mean that there will be no more King's Engineers graduating after 2013. This dramatic move will also impact on the future of KCLEA, since even accepting that graduates have considered it of little value to join the Association over the last 20 years or so, there being no new intake of engineers guarantees the eventual demise of the Association. The committee will be giving full consideration to the future over the next set of committee meetings, taking into account the restructuring of KCLEA to eliminate subscriptions and open it to all King's engineering graduates. The major expediture of the Association has for many years been in providing prizes, bursaries, medals and financial support to current engineering students by way of the KCLES. With this coming to an end within four years, other uses for the funds will be examined. Concern was expressed at the lack of support for two of the events organised during the last couple of months, but on the other hand the lunch was quite well attended.
The fourth committee meeting took place on Tuesday 21st July with the following Agenda. Most people will be aware by now that the College plans to close the Engineering Division to new students after the intake of September this year. This will effectively mean that there will be no more King's Engineers graduating after 2013. This dramatic move will also impact on the future of KCLEA, since even accepting that graduates have considered it of little value to join the Association over the last 20 years or so, there being no new intake of engineers guarantees the eventual demise of the Association. The committee will be giving full consideration to the future over the next set of committee meetings, taking into account the restructuring of KCLEA to eliminate subscriptions and open it to all King's engineering graduates. The major expediture of the Association has for many years been in providing prizes, bursaries, medals and financial support to current engineering students by way of the KCLES. With this coming to an end within four years, other uses for the funds will be examined. Concern was expressed at the lack of support for two of the events organised during the last couple of months, but on the other hand the lunch was quite well attended.
Thursday 21st May, 2009
COMMITTEE MEETING
The third committee meeting took place on Thursday 21st May, at 6.00 pm in Room 112 of the Strand Building, with the following Agenda. The 13 Club Trophy was discussed and it was agreed that the case will be repaired and new words will be incorporated into the citation for it in accordance with current practice. Greater use will be made of KCLA Alumni Office for e-mailings and postings regarding matters of interest to KCLEA members. Greater use will also be made of the emerging Alumni website to provide the secure features planned for this one. Some members felt that this present one should be retained substantially as now but with improved graphics. King's Engineer will be mailed twice per year in association with the In Touch magazine, with KCLA also paying towards its cost of production. The format was discussed. A number of KCLEA Events have been organised and details can be found at the top of this page. Further work has been carried out on revising the Constitution to bring it into line with the changes to KCLEA agreed at the last AGM. The 2009 AGM will be held on Friday 27th November.
The third committee meeting took place on Thursday 21st May, at 6.00 pm in Room 112 of the Strand Building, with the following Agenda. The 13 Club Trophy was discussed and it was agreed that the case will be repaired and new words will be incorporated into the citation for it in accordance with current practice. Greater use will be made of KCLA Alumni Office for e-mailings and postings regarding matters of interest to KCLEA members. Greater use will also be made of the emerging Alumni website to provide the secure features planned for this one. Some members felt that this present one should be retained substantially as now but with improved graphics. King's Engineer will be mailed twice per year in association with the In Touch magazine, with KCLA also paying towards its cost of production. The format was discussed. A number of KCLEA Events have been organised and details can be found at the top of this page. Further work has been carried out on revising the Constitution to bring it into line with the changes to KCLEA agreed at the last AGM. The 2009 AGM will be held on Friday 27th November.
Thursday 12th March, 2009
COMMITTEE MEETING
The second committee meeting for 2009 took place on Thursday 12th March, at 6.00 pm in Room 112 of the Strand Building, with the following Agenda. Copies of In Touch are now being sent out and should enclose a copy to all engineering alumni of the new edition of the Newsletter entitled King's Engineer Issue 1 Spring 2009. Nigel Sharpe was thanked for his hard work in getting it ready and printed. The Constitution of the KCLEA needs to be changed in line with the new arrangements for having no subscription and making all engineering graduates "members" of the Association. The opportunity will be taken at the next AGM to make some other changes in order to reflect the new arrangements being put in hand. The treasurer reminded us of the need to maintain income at least at the current level by asking all current members to continue making their contribution as 'donations' in place of 'subscriptions'. The committee discussed with members of KCLES the level of support funding which their events might need in the coming year.
The second committee meeting for 2009 took place on Thursday 12th March, at 6.00 pm in Room 112 of the Strand Building, with the following Agenda. Copies of In Touch are now being sent out and should enclose a copy to all engineering alumni of the new edition of the Newsletter entitled King's Engineer Issue 1 Spring 2009. Nigel Sharpe was thanked for his hard work in getting it ready and printed. The Constitution of the KCLEA needs to be changed in line with the new arrangements for having no subscription and making all engineering graduates "members" of the Association. The opportunity will be taken at the next AGM to make some other changes in order to reflect the new arrangements being put in hand. The treasurer reminded us of the need to maintain income at least at the current level by asking all current members to continue making their contribution as 'donations' in place of 'subscriptions'. The committee discussed with members of KCLES the level of support funding which their events might need in the coming year.
Thursday 15th January, 2009
COMMITTEE MEETING
The first committee meeting for 2009 took place on Thursday 15th January, at 6.00 pm in Room 112 of the Strand Building, with the following Agenda. Following on from the decision to alter the structure of membership of the Association, a meeting has been held with the Alumni Office and they have agreed to add any inserts about KCLEA into the next In Touch magazine and send them to all Engineering Graduates on their mailing list. They can also help with reunions, and provide numbers of engineering graduates related to a UK region, or country. The KCLES reported on their activities, which have included football, pool, and badminton. They have produced a Newsletter for current students, and the Christmas Party was particularly well attended. The Events Secretary is planning a number of possible events for KCLEA members and details will be announced on this website.
The first committee meeting for 2009 took place on Thursday 15th January, at 6.00 pm in Room 112 of the Strand Building, with the following Agenda. Following on from the decision to alter the structure of membership of the Association, a meeting has been held with the Alumni Office and they have agreed to add any inserts about KCLEA into the next In Touch magazine and send them to all Engineering Graduates on their mailing list. They can also help with reunions, and provide numbers of engineering graduates related to a UK region, or country. The KCLES reported on their activities, which have included football, pool, and badminton. They have produced a Newsletter for current students, and the Christmas Party was particularly well attended. The Events Secretary is planning a number of possible events for KCLEA members and details will be announced on this website.
