On Saturday, 7th November 1998, over very civilised tea and biscuits, the National Committee Meeting thrashed out matters arising over the past and coming years, and details for the AGM in the afternoon. At a well-attended AGM we listened to the new president of the OUCS, Ruth Williams, performing her first President's Report, giving a very interesting overview of the changes in the coming years to the Science Department, and to the Chemistry Department in particular.
Bob Matthews took over from Frank Hollis as Chair and presented a report, alongside the Treasurer's proxy report and a resume of membership.
During the regional reports, two new regional reps were appointed, in regions 4 (Birmingham) and 11 (Scotland), and a general invite is given to members in unrepresented regions to help organise in their area.
The AGM was followed by a multimedia presentation on energetic materials - utilising video, slides and spectacular demonstrations. Dr Michael Cartwright gave a topical lecture so close to Guy Fawkes Night on the history of explosives, his experimental wasp killing machine using nitrogen triiodide and honey, and the various fuels and oxidisers needed to keep our ears ringing and eyes streaming. There are some blurry pictures of the event on the Web taken by Frank from eight feet in the air. Dr Cartwright also wanted to bring in his stun grenades but elected to keep his friends at the OU.
A short break to recover (and to repair the slide projector) was followed by Prof. David Williams' Beer as Nutrition lecture, giving an insight into the development of beer over the centuries, and putting forward the case for beer being good for you - a fact I wouldn't argue with. A tasting of various kinds of beers from around the world concluded the talk.
A fabulous meal with wine ensued and the day was rounded off with a light-hearted quiz subtitled Spot the Chemistry Question.
On Sunday, those awake enough attended a lecture by Prof. Ray Jones on molecular architecture using monocycles, bicycles and heterocycles. It combined his loves for new molecules, copying nature, new chemical reactions, and generally having fun doing chemistry. He also showed us his holiday pictures, his enthusiasm for chemistry, and his Academic Pathways.
Lead by two intrepid sightseeing explorers, the group visited Stratford in the afternoon and eventually got to see Hall's Croft, a Shakespearean medical museum, and dine in the adjoining restaurant. The weekend was completed with a trip back down the motorway to Cadbury World to stock up for Christmas (although I think another trip will be needed before December 25th.)
Words by Paul Everett. Pix by Frank Hollis