Issue No.12 Summer 2012 - Minerals Engineering Society

Horizons
Mining & Minerals Industry Joint Annual Dinner Dance
The Midland Institute of Mining Engineers, The South Midlands
Mining and Minerals Institute, and the Minerals Engineering
Society got together for their annual joint dinner and dance at
the Holiday Inn Royal Victoria Hotel, Sheffield on Saturday 21 st
April 2012.
After the usual pre-dinner drinks and chat, 189 members and
guests gathered in the dining room to welcome the top table.
MES President Greg Kelley and wife Jean were joined by
Nicholas Scholey, President of the MIME, Mike Richards,
President of SMMMI, Mr John Blackwell and their respective
partners.
The MES was represented on an adjacent table by Past-
Presidents David Baillie, Peter Cooper, Brian Everitt, Mike Gurr
and Andrew Howells, along with their 'better halves'.
After a hearty dinner and the sale of raffle tickets, the formal
toasts began. Greg gave a polished performance in proposing
the Toast to the Institutes, combining humour and thoughtfulness
in a concise address. The Raffle Draw was made as
usual by Charles Rhodes, Hon. Sec. MIME, and his wife Pat.
Dancing to DJ Alan Jones then commenced, and went on to
the small hours.
Greg & Jean with other Top Table Guests
The only disappointment was that so few Society members attended - only 6% of the total. The continuing downturn
in the economic climate has presented many challenges, but the need to provide activities such as this event has
always been important, and the friendship and camaraderie which is a hallmark of our industry needs these events.
The Mining Institutes recognise the Society's role and importance to their industry, so please make an effort to join
us at next year's event.
Report by Peter Cooper, photo Mike Gurr
New MES Representative on IMechE Bulk Materials Handling Committee
For many years, MES Past-President Graham Jones has represented the MES on the Bulk Materials Handling Committee
of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, which provides a focus for technology transfer and the dissemination
of best engineering knowledge and practice in the bulk materials handling industry. The Society owes a debt of gratitude
to Graham for giving sterling service on the committee on our behalf. However, all good things come to an end,
and some time ago Graham indicated that he wished to step down and asked Council to nominate a successor.
The new representative is Peter Skinner. Peter started his career as a Mechanical
Craft Apprentice at Bentley Colliery and went on to achieve AMEME(Hons) in Mechanical
Engineering and the Colliery Mechanical Engineers Certificate. After leaving
the pit, Peter was involved in organising site maintenance of materials handling plant
in a variety of industries, including steel works, chemical plants, quarries, power stations,
food plants and coal handling plant. Since joining Norec Ltd in 2000 as Site
Manager responsible for Operation & Maintenance of the Coal, Ash and Dust Plant at
Longannet Power Station, he has advanced within the company to currently hold the
position of Business Manager, responsible for overseeing the current business and
site requirements of the company. He is a Fellow of IOM3 and of the MES, and is registered
with Engineering UK as an Incorporated Engineer
Peter has already attended a meeting of the committee and believes that it should be
possible to see more interaction between the Society and the activities of the committee.
He has been co-opted onto the MES Council, and Council are sure that he will
carry on the good work that Graham did for so many years.
Peter Skinner
Page 6