Proceedings 2002/2003 - IRSE

NINETIETH ANNUAL REPORT 107
Fabbian and Mr P K Wai; Hon Secretary, Mr F L Hui.
Southern African Section: Chairman, Mr B
Steyn; Country Vice-President, Mr A le Roux; Vice-
Chairman & Hon Treasurer, Mr J C van de Pol; Hon
Secretary, Mr V Bowles.
North American Section: Chairman, Mr W
Scheerer; Vice-Chairman, W Petit; Secretary, C
Tinkham.
Central European Members: Convenor, Mr H
Uebel.
Benelux Members: Convenor, Mr W Coenraad.
UK
Midland & North-Western Section: Chairman,
Mr C Williams; Vice-Chairman, Mr I Mitchell; Hon
Secretary, Mr W Redfern; Hon Treasurer, Mr A
Walker.
Plymouth Section: Chairman, Mr D Helliwell;
Vice-Chairman, Mr J Stiles; Hon Secretary &
Treasurer, Mr D Came.
Scottish Section: Chairman, Mr P Humphreys;
Hon Secretary, Mr A King; Hon Treasurer, Mr A
McWhirter.
Western Section: Chairman, Mr M Glover; Hon
Secretary, Mr D Gillanders, Hon Treasurer, Mr M
Brookes.
York Section: Chairman, Mr D Bowlby; Hon
Secretary, Mr J Maw; Hon Treasurer, Mr R Price.
Younger Members’ Section: Chairman, Mr J
Haile; Hon Secretary, K Goodhand.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Institution functions effectively as a result of
the efforts of our team of staff and volunteers, whose
achievements have resulted in a gradual expansion
of the scope of our activities whilst retaining the
personal contacts that maintain the sense of
community within our relatively small Institution.
I am most grateful for the able support given me
by Ken Burrage our Chief Executive, our two
Vice-Presidents, Colin Porter and John Corrie, and
our Treasurer Martin Govas, particularly during a
period when my availability was reduced due to
family circumstances. Throughout the year I have
been fortunate to have the support and advice of
many former Presidents several of who continue to
give active support to our activities.
The choice of Australia as a convention venue was
not difficult, given the invitation and programme put
together by the Australasian Section. The resulting
convention was very successful and a tribute to the
efforts of the Australasian Section chaired by
Richard Bell and then Les Brearley and their
organising committee. I was very grateful to Trevor
Moore for answering all my queries and to Peter
Symons, Country Vice-President, who assured me
that all I need do was turn up and smile. They
delivered the programme as promised to the
satisfaction and enjoyment of all concerned; I count
myself very fortunate to have been in that position.
Once again Keith Walter continued to take on the
planning and organising of our European and UK
technical visits, for which I thank him along with
Peter Winter, Urs Dolder and the team of Swiss
engineers who delivered a remarkably detailed
introduction to the Luzern – Olten ERTMS Level 2
line, also to Richard Waterman, Dave Delaney and
colleagues from AEA Technology Rail who laid on a
glimpse of the latest developments in technology for
train planning and control.
My thanks for their considerable efforts also go to
David Crabtree who continues to develop and maintain
the IRSE website, coping with frequent changes
and ensuring its continuous availability, Quentin
Macdonald who once again organised the Annual
Dinner, a veritable master of getting quarts into pint
pots – or so it seems, and John Haile who has
worked hard to promote activities for our younger
members which will be enhanced by a conference
attached to Aspect 2003.
My heartfelt thanks also go to those who agreed to
present papers and make presentations at seminars,
and on visits. It is their efforts, with those of many
volunteers who serve on committees and take on
other Institution responsibilities, which make our
programmes of events a success.
I must also record my appreciation of the support
and work of my wife Carol, who has accompanied
me on several visits and looked after my office
admin and shown great forbearance of the demands
on time and travel that the Presidential year entails.
Finally I offer to my successor, Colin Porter, my
very best wishes for a successful year. I do not know
if the Institution has ever before had a President who
has served as Treasurer for many years and who
knows so much of its detailed workings. Certainly
Colin has been a most prodigious worker on our
behalf and I know that the Institution could not have
a President more committed to its future development
and to its continued success.
P W STANLEY
President
Savoy Hill House
Savoy Hill
London WC2R 0BS March 2003
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