The President writes…

The past two months, normally a quiet time, have been very busy. We had the Grand Opening of Corrosion House on the 6^th September. This was well attended and enjoyed by all (See separate report by Dr Cox.). We have now moved from Leck House, but are unlikely to be fully ship-shape much before Christmas. Please note that the telephone numbers are unchanged, but we now have additional lines and dedicated e-mail access to each office member. We have had a good start to the 250 club managed by Dr Edyvean, with the very first donation coming from the USA. We shall shortly enrol the names of donors onto the Honour Boards which will adorn the walls of the Conference Room and were presented by Sigma International Coatings.

Our Vice President David Deacon on behalf of SPC, has offered to donate a ‘made-to-measure’ apple-tree wood boardroom table and twenty chairs, while our General Secretary, Eddie Field, is going to provide the remaining matching furniture of tall shelf units and cupboards to house our library. We believe that our office is on the site of an old orchard. I am deeply grateful to both of them for their generosity and thoughtfulness. We should shortly have a Conference Room that we can be truly proud of and which we will be able to hire out to our neighbours.

Mid-September saw the Corrosion Science Division 3 day Symposium at the University of Wales in Swansea and our successful Edinburgh Conference in full swing together with a well attended Council meeting. The visit to Edinburgh Castle was most enjoyable and was a suitable setting for the HG Cole awards to Roger Hudson and Peter Morgan. These awards being of a mounted presentation poniard (dagger). (See separate reports on both events).

However we did miss our many friends from the USA who had planned to attend. A letter of condolence following the events on September 11^th was sent to the American Embassy in London and to the British Ambassador in Washington. A letter received in reply is published below.

The other sad news was that Harry Bray died unexpectedly in his sleep. I have known Harry for over 25 years from when he turned up, during his teaching vacation as my Site Coating Inspector on the construction of the high pressure storage vessels at Eastbourne. This was just one of his ways of keeping in touch with the industry. Harry will be missed by everybody who knew him including my son who knew him at Imperial College.

Plans are well underway for our 2002 Conference in Cardiff in partnership with Advantica Technologies Limited and supported by the International Institute of Marine Surveyors. The Organising Committee is headed up by Professor Frank Walsh of Bath University and supported by Mike Brown, Principal Engineer at Advantica and Ian Wilkins, Secretary of IIMS. Peter Morgan, Andrew Marsh and Sally Deacon have already finalised many of the arrangements while Trevor Osborne’s team are very active in producing a first class list of speakers and topics.

I am pleased to welcome two new Trustees. Roger Walker of Long Products has taken over as Hon Treasurer from Eddie Field who became our General Secretary and Dr Sue Impey of Cranfield University succeeds Marion Challis as Assistant Hon Secretary. The Council approved the formation of a new Branch to be known as Young ICorr. This is a National rather than a Regional Branch and although started by a core of student members from various Universities, it open to any ICorr member under 35 years old. I am very grateful to their Organising Committee and Dr Allison Davenport of CSD. Their enthusiasm and commitment will help enrich our Institute and I would ask all our University Lecturers to encourage their students to join this exciting group.

In October we were confirmed as Professional Affiliate Members of the Engineering Council and work has already started to gain Nominated Status. Negotiations are also in hand to form bilateral agreements which will allow our members to progress to Engineering Registration (C.Eng, I.Eng and Eng.T ) in the meantime.

Many thanks to all those who helped our recruitment drive and in order to promote our corporate identity we now have a new stock of IC logo ties. These have a four inch blade and they’re available in silk at £17 and in Terylene at £7. These will make wonderful Christmas presents to yourselves or your friends.

As this is the last issue before Christmas, may I thank everyone for their support during the past year and wish you and your families a Very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

John T. O’Shea, President