News

The AGM of the Northern Branch was held in Newcastle on Saturday 26th March at the Great North Museum: Hancock.  Nine members were present and we were very pleased to welcome Justine Williamson to the meeting.

Dr Clifford Wood was re-elected Chair and Dr Michael Rowell Secretary.  The rest of the committee were re-elected: Professor Sandra Edwards, Vice-Chair; Dr Christine Masterson, Events Secretary; Mrs Muriel Woodward, Dr David Brignall, Dr Douglas Wilson, committee members.  The Secretary was acting Treasurer since the resignation of Professor Lee.

The Chairman reported his thanks to retiring committee members Gerry White and Donald Lee for their long services to the branch and expressed the great pleasure of the committee for the award of the President's Medal ( the first of the new Society) to Donald Lee.

The committee would be delighted to hear from any members who would like to join the committee.

The 2011 Charter lecture will be given by Professor Peter Olive on the topic of marine sustainability.  The date and final title of the lecture are yet to be confirmed.

Following the meeting, Dr Douglas Wilson from Durham University gave a fascinating talk entitled Biological Rhythms in Health and Disease in which he considered ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and the intensive international research which is being carried out on the derivation and use of chronobiological parameters in the detection and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Douglas Wilson with Justine Williamson and Dr Christine Masterson

BIG BANG NORTH_EAST

For the last few years the Northern Branch has offered a prize to a winning school in the North East Science and Engineering Fair.  The Fair attracts a wide range of exciting science and engineering projects from schools in the region and there are also many interesting and stimulating presentations offered on the day.  The Branch regularly takes part but we and the organisers would be very pleased to hear from anyone who would be interested in helping to judge the entries.  Projects are assessed by teams of judges who should be prepared to appraise a wide range science and engineering topics.  The Fair is hugely enjoyable and a fantastic opportunity to see at first hand the immense amount of science work being carried out in the region's schools.  A valuable experience for anyone concerned with education or industry. 

The fair will be held at New College, Durham  on Tuesday 12th July 2011 and if anyone is interested in helping to judge the event, please contact me <michael@rowell189.fsnet.co.uk> I will pass on details.