UNITED KINGDOM Association NEWSLETTER

Now that Wimbledon is over, the rains can stop and summer can happen. Your new Committee is moving full steam ahead towards the customary barbecue. Last year we visited the fine setting in the Henley Rowing Club grounds on the bank of the Thames. Happily the same prospect beckons this year. All that is required from the social subcommittee, apart from supporting beverages and foods barbecued roughly as Albert Roux would like them, is another clear fine day, softly breezed to blow the smoke gently to one side, and a water temperature just right for dangling feet in. A slow moving scene of varied shapes and sizes of boats gliding past will just about complete a specification to the satisfaction of the E*******.

Now for the details:

Location:	Henley-on-Thames Rowing Club, about a mile from the town centre across the river and right into Wargrave Road (A321) as shown on the enclosed map. Rail travellers use Thames trains from Paddington or Reading
Date:	Sunday, 3rd August,
Time:	1200 noon onwards
Price:	£5.00 per head (children free) plus some help please with salads, deserts, and furniture as described below,

Please gather your guests, complete the reply slip and return it without delay so that preparations for your delectation can proceed in good time. Melissa Kirker (Tel 0118 934 2437 in evenings) will co-ordinate your offerings to avoid, as far as possible, imbalances in our provisions. Please let her know what you propose to bring. In general, requirements are:

from committee members and partners -	a salad or desert plate
from other members and partners -	a desert plate if you wish,
from all of you -	some garden chairs, tables, sun umbrellas, if you have them,

Finally be sure to come and enjoy a nice day out. Don't forget hats, sunscreen etc.

Combined Technical Talk

Our spring programme started with a flourish as we joined IEAust for a talk on Oil Engineering. Mr Brian Smith started the evening by describing the many and varied types of oil platforms. Dr John Williams completed the picture with a more detailed look at the design of manned and unmanned floating platforms for use in deep water. The sea into which floating platforms require to be moored are becoming deeper and fields are becoming, smaller so mobility and recycling of Floating Production Systems are posing their own challenges. Our thanks to IEAust and Odebrecht-SLP for organising such an interesting evening.

Trip to Bristol

A select group gathered at the S. S. Great Britain in Bristol on Saturday 7th June and inspected the handiwork of one of Britain's famous engineers, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. In addition to the published programme there were also visits to the Blue Glass factory and the Transport Museum. All inspections of the SS Great Britain (including a glimpse of the substantial 1st class accommodation - a room barely the size of a normal single bed), the docks, Clifton Suspension Bridge and Bristol Temple Meads Station made for a varied and interesting weekend.

Discussions in local hostelries between visits revealed several additional interesting facts and figures.

We all appreciated John Webley's efforts to make it such an enjoyable outing.

AGM and Annual Reception

The AGM was well attended thanks to some late bookings via the notice in NZ News. Several new members joined us and gave us insight into the current situation in New Zealand with regard to graduates. The Mentoring system for Graduates was discussed at the AGM and it was felt that a Graduates evening should be organised on a regular basis so that graduates can meet possible mentors and discuss what they need to do in terms of training to comply with Professional Review requirements.

Fred Hughes resigned after 25 years as a committee member as he felt it was time to take a back seat. We have not lost him entirely as he will continue to organise the Professional Interviews in conjunction with Brian Anderson and Lindsay Barr.

We all extend our thanks to Fred for his tireless work on our behalf and hope to see him at all our events in the future (sailing willing).

The following members were elected/re-elected as committee members:

Chairman:	Ian Kirker
Honorary Secretary:	Joanna Saywell
Honorary Treasurer:	Selwyn Aickin
Committee Members:	Brian Anderson, Keith Armstrong, A. K. Balaskanthan, Graham Barber, Lindsay Barr, Malcolm Davidson, Gerry Hetherington, Nicholas Smith, John Webley, Graham Withers.

Ian Kirker, as Chairman, has managed to maintain our enthusiasm despite being sent all around the world at a moment's notice. He is currently in Malaysia but has arranged to be back here in time for the barbecue.

Our Hon. Treasurer is also overseas on a regular basis so some committee conferring is conducted using email. However, this has not affected his ability to manage our finances effectively to maintain our healthy status.

Honorary Auditor

One problem that arose at this year's AGM was the difficulty in appointing an Honorary Auditor. In the absence of an Accountant with an IPENZ contact we have been forced to appoint an accountant for a fee. If any member knows of anyone willing to check our accounts we would be very appreciative. It was decided that a change of rules may be required, to be voted upon at a special meeting. We will keep you informed of our progress. If you have any suggestions please contact the Hon. Secretary.

Contact Details for Paid up Members

Now that most of you have paid your subscriptions, 33 members have requested to be on the list of members to be circulated. For those 33 members we enclose a copy of the contact list. Those members who have not paid to date may find that they are removed from our mailing list. Please contact the Hon. Secretary if you are unsure whether you have paid or not.

I E Aust Family Outing 1997

The Australians have asked us whether we care to join them on their Family Outing which this year will be held on Saturday 19th July. It will comprise a visit to Brooklands - Birthplace of British Motorsport and Aviation - followed by a barbecue in David Danson's garden. David is one of their members living in Odiham which is about 35-40 minutes drive from Brooklands.

For a detailed description of Brooklands you need to refer to IEAust's Newsletter. However, I will try and reproduce the salient features of the day's events below and leave it for you to contact IEAust if you wish to join them.

Location

Brooklands Museum may be found on OS 1:50,000 scale map No. 176 at grid reference TQ 069 629. For those arriving by car, take exit 11 off the M25 and take the A3 towards London. After about 2 miles exit off the A3 and take the A245 towards Byfleet. After 1½ miles turn right onto the B374 towards Weybridge. The entrance to the museum is about 1 mile along this road, on the left. The museum is, in any case, quite well signposted.

Those travelling by train from London should catch the 10:24 from Waterloo, arriving at Weybridge at 10:51. The museum is 5 minutes walk from the station.

The price, which will cover entrance to the museum and the barbecue food, is given below. If you are a Friend of Brooklands entrance to the museum is free; thus a reduced price to cover the cost of the barbecue food only will apply.

IEAust Family Outing Cont.

The above rates are for a party booking, therefore the money should be given to IEAust direct with any cheques made payable to "Institution of Engineers, Australia - UK Association."

To book a place phone Arthur Richard of IE Aust on 01245 321 941 as soon as possible.

No guided tours are available for the museum at weekends. However, we recommend that you arrive around 11:00. Give your name at the gate and the fact that you are in the IEAust party, and if the system works you will be let in.

You may stay as long as you like at museum. However, I expect you will be starting to feel hungry around 13:00 to 13:30 and suggest you make your way to David's house where barbecues will be starting to serve food at around 14:00. To get there retrace your steps to Junction 11 on the M25 and head North (clockwise) on the M25. Take the next exit (No. 12) which is the M3 and go in the direction of Southampton. Continue along the M3 to Junction 5 and then follow signs to Odiham. Go down Odiham High Street and just before you leave Odiham turn right into Archery Fields. Archery Fields is shaped like a capital Q and you are now on the tail of the Q. When you reach the circle turn right. Continue round the circle and take the second turning on the right which is Reyntiens View. David's house (2 Reyntiens View) is the first house on the right. If you get lost, the map Reference is SU 745 511 (Map No. 186 in the OS 1:50,000 series), or phone David on 01 256 703 535.

David has enough barbecuing equipment; there is no need to bring any. However, please bring your own drinks, cutlery and glasses and, if you wish to be seated, a couple of collapsible garden chairs. Paper plates and food to put on them will be provided.

As was the case last year, there will be no fixed hour for ending the proceedings but one supposes that things will dribble to a standstill at about 18:00. For those returning to London, lifts to Winchfield station, from which there is a half-hourly service to London, will be provided.

"The Engineer's Art" Exhibition

On a further note the trip to France to visit the "The Engineer's Art" Exhibition in Paris, by IEAust has been rescheduled for 23-25 August 1997 should you wish to join them. Please contact the Hon Secretary if you would like further details.

Dates For Your Diary

19th July 1997	IEAust trip to Brooklands
3rd August 1997	Summer Barbecue at Henley-on-Thames
23-25 August 1997	IEAust visit to France
Autumn 1997	Trip to Canning Town
27th November 1997	Pre Christmas Soirée with IEAust in New Zealand House
April 1998	Trip to Big Ben

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