This edition is the third of the "Live" Newsletters As items are received by the editor they will be included in this newsletter. This edition will contain items submitted by members - notably one submitted by our new President John Coneybeare. More items will be received with gratitude. These will be attended to on receipt and included in the "Live Newsletter".
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Marcus Palmén
The Autumn Luncheon 2009
On the 18th of November we held our Autumn Luncheon in the Walton Park Hotel with an attendance of 56. This year we met with no obstacles in the form of roadworks on the approach roads and access was speedily obtained. The lunch and service standards were maintained at their previous high level. Our Secretary Julian Todman arranged the lunch which in the past was Michael Clinch's prerogative. No doubt guidance was given and Julian was congratulated by our chairman Andrew Smith for the result.
Following the meal our newly appointed president John Coneybeare talked of the founding of RPEC and in particular of our retired president Michael Clinch and his role in the formation of this club for retired professional engineers of all disciplines. In the first seven years the leading lights were the two Michaels, Mike Hield was Chairman and Michael Clinch was secretary. (Mike Hield was made the first President of the club when Michael Clinch succeeded him as Chairman).
Michael as our first Secretary made a great contribution to the creation of the club and in recognition of this and his service to the club as secretary,chairman and president a collection had been made by the membership to enable Michael to give a donation to the IET Benevolent Fund. This was Michaels choice of a gift from the club.The members contributions were made up to a total of £1000 from the clubs funds.
Presentation By Michael Clinch To The IET Benevolent Fund
Here we see from left to right John Coneybeare Prsident RPEC, Ollie Wells Member of IET Ruling Council, Michael Clinch Retired President RPEC and Andrew Smith Chairman RPEC. Michael is handing a large cheque to Ollie.
Following the presentation our president has received this letter fron the the Chief Executive Officer IET Connect which operates the Benevolent Fund:-
The Falkirk Wheel
A Feat of Scottish Engineering
From Wikpedia the Free encyclopedia
The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. It is named after the nearby town of Falkirk in central Scotland. The two canals were previously connected by a series of 11 locks, but by the 1930s these had fallen into disuse, were filled in and the land built upon.
The plan to regenerate the canals of central Scotland to reconnect Glasgow with Edinburgh was led by British Waterways with support and funding from seven local authorities, The Scottish Enterprise Network, the European Regional Development Fund and the Millennium Commission. It was decided early on to create a dramatic 21st century landmark structure to reconnect the canals, instead of simply recreating the historic lock flight. Designs were submitted for a boat lift to link the canals, with the Falkirk Wheel design winning. As with many Millennium Commission projects the site includes a visitors' centre containing a shop, café and exhibition centre.
The difference in the levels of the two canals at the wheel is 24 metres (79 ft), roughly equivalent to the height of an eight storey building. However the Union Canal is 11m higher than the aqueduct which meets the wheel, and boats must pass through a pair of locks to descend from this canal onto the aqueduct at the top of the wheel. The aqueduct could not have been positioned higher due to conflicts with the historically important Antonine Wall.
The structure is located near the Rough Castle Fort and the closest village is Tamfourhill. On 24 May 2002, Queen Elizabeth II opened the Falkirk Wheel as part of her Golden Jubilee celebrations. The opening had been delayed by a month due to flooding caused by vandals who forced open the Wheel's gates.
The Falkirk Wheel - having rotated 90º
Click on picture for show - then click on right hand icon at bottom for full screen presentation . The rather stilted commentary is due to my computers attempts to emulate a female voice.
