Member Networks Annual Report Form 2013

To enable us to better support our networks and their activities all member networks (Local Sections, Interest Groups and Analytical Division Regions) are asked to complete this form and return it . The information is shared with the members of your networks, staff and governance Boards and Committees (inc. Division Councils).

Or by post to; Dr Fiona McMillan, Royal Society of Chemistry, Thomas Graham House, Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WF.

This report form will be uploaded to the appropriate web page (signature deleted) unless requested otherwise.

GROUP NAME / Thames Valley Local Section

Submitted by

/ Dave Knox (Chairman)
Signed (may be signed electronically) /
Date / 20thFebruary 2014

Please list below the dates of your planned AGM and Committee Meetings (where applicable).

Annual General Meeting (if being held)

Date: / 25th March 2014
Venue: / University of Reading, Chemistry Building Lecture Theatre

Proposed Committee Meetings Dates

Date / Venue
tbc / tbc

Financial Accounts for the year ending 31 December 2013

Deadline for receipt of Financial Accounts by RSC Finance Team: 14th February 2014

Deadline for receipt of Annual Report by Networks Team: 21stFebruary 2014

EVENTS

Please attachany meetingreports, newsletters or other reports which are relevant.

Please report below on activities undertaken in the past year. If you have more detailed information about any particularly successful events, or advice to shareplease use a separate sheet. For more events continue as necessary.

EVENT KEY:

  • Education Event
  • Public Lecture
  • Retired Members Event
  • Scientific Conference - 1 day
  • Scientific Conference - multi day
  • Social Event
  • Training/workshop
  • Award Lecture

Event Name / Family Lecture: 'As if by Magic' by Dr Andrew Szydlo (6 February 2013)
Event Type (key) /
  • Education Event
  • Public Lecture

Comments / This year’s family lecture titled 'As if by Magic' was given by Dr Andrew Szydlo, and took place at the School of Chemistry, University of Reading.
The lecture theatre was packed out with over 130 attendees, enjoying flashes and bangs. The lecture was aimed at the families of RSC members, particularly primary school to early secondary school age.
Event Name / Joint Lecture: 'Functional foods: good science or marketing hype?' (7 March 2013)
Event Type (key) /
  • Education Event
  • Public Lecture

Comments / This year's Joint Lecture with the local Branch of The Royal Society of Chemistry was organised by the Society of Biology Thames Valley Branch, and was held at the Harbourne Building, University of Reading.
The event was well attended with around 30 people, with the evening starting off with light refreshments. The topic was mostly on health benefits with good bacteria in food such as yogurt drinks and spreads. A good discussion followed at the end. The speaker was Professor Bob Rastell, who is Head of the Department of Food and Nutritional Studies at Reading, and his main research interest is the development of biotechnological manufacturing methods for functional food ingredients.
Event Name / AGM, Mixer and Silversmithing Lecture (19 March 2013)
Event Type (key) /
  • Education Event
  • Public Lecture
  • Social Event

Comments / This year’s AGM was held at the School of Chemistry, University of Reading. The evening began with an opportunity to mix with other RSC members, and the RSC Thames Valley Committee, over a buffet dinner and drinks.
The AGM followed, and then an enjoyable and enlightening lecture given by John Huddleston on the art of Silversmithing. The lecture proved very interesting sparking a number of questions, and an opportunity to see some of John's pieces. For more information about John and his silverware and jewellery please visit his website.
Event Name / Mixer Meeting - Oxford (11 April 2013)
Event Type (key) /
  • Social Event

Comments / A mixer organised by RSC HQ, held at The Magdalene Centre on the Oxford Science Park. Members enjoyed this opportunity to mix with other RSC Members, and representatives from the RSC, as well as some bonus benefits for attending (including discounts on new membership subscriptions). The mixer also included food and drink.
Event Name / CCFE and Diamond Light Source Tours (15 May 2013 and 01/02 June 2013)
Event Type (key) /
  • Education Event

Comments / This year, RSC members within the Thames Valley were made aware of available public tours around both CCFE (Culham Centre for Fusion Energy) and the Diamond Light Source: 'Inside Diamond - Public Open Days'. These tours sell out quickly, and so 15 spaces were reserved for RSC members for the CCFE evening tour, and an early bird email sent out to members for the 'Inside Diamond' open days.
Event Name / Guest Evening - 'Everyday Chemistry' (14 June 2013)
Event Type (key) /
  • Education Event
  • Public Lecture
  • Social Event

Comments / This year's Guest Evening was hosted by Dr John Oversby who gave a fun and entertaining talk which illuminated the unexpected and the familiar…… those who were not chemists understood that chemistry is indeed everywhere, and the chemists appreciated a rather whacky way of seeing their discipline! The evening, attended by over 20 members and their guests, was held at Johnson Matthey Technology Centre, Sonning Common; and included a drinks reception, and a buffet dinner.
Event Name / Mixer Meeting - Zero Degrees, Reading (11 September 2013)
Event Type (key) /
  • Social Event

Comments / ZERODEGREES has received many awards for the quality and range of own-brewed beers coupled with tasty wood-fired pizzas and other gourmet dishes made using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
This free informal networking event saw over 30 people attend, with members and their guests invited from across the Thames Valley and Chilterns & Middlesex Local Sections. The evening started at 6.30pm with a welcome drink and buffet, with a tour of the brewery also included for those interested.
Event Name / Mixer Meeting & Careers Surgery (23 September 2013)
Event Type (key) /
  • Social Event

Comments / A mixer, 'industry hour' and 1-2-1 careers surgery organised by RSC HQ, held at the Holiday Inn, Peartree, Oxford. Mixer Meetings are informal events which encourage RSC members within a local area to network with one another. They offer an ideal opportunity to introduce non-members to the RSC, and bring many organisations and institutions together. You may also find it useful to bring a quantity of business cards along with you. The meetings are very informal and a buffet is provided along with wine, beer and soft drinks which are available throughout the evening.
Event Name / Retired Members Pub Lunches (June-October 2013)
Event Type (key) /
  • Social Event
  • Retired Members Event

Comments / This year's retired members pub lunches have been based at Zoology themed pubs! These lunches are held across the Thames Valley throughout the sunnier months, so that retired members can gather together over a meal and drink.
  • Thurs 27 Jun- The Lamb Inn, Wantage
  • Wed 10 Jul - Roebuck, Drayton
  • Thurs 25 Jul - Three Frogs, Wokingham
  • Wed 7 Aug - Trout,Wolvercote
  • Thurs 22 Aug- Perch and Pike, South Stoke
  • Wed 4 Sep - Stag, Ascot
  • Thurs 19 Sep - Cunning Man, Burghfield
  • Wed 2 Oct - Woodpecker, Wash Water, Newbury
  • Thurs 17 Oct - The Swan, Basingstoke
  • Wed 30 Oct - The Red Lion, Blewbury

Event Name / Annual Dinner (18 October 2013)
Event Type (key) /
  • Social Event

Comments / 37 people enjoyed this year’s annual dinner which was held at the Tower of the Winds, Radcliffe Observatory, Green Templeton College, University of Oxford. Included during the evening was a walk around the observatory gardens, drinks reception, three course dinner with wine, and coffee followed by a short talk covering the history of the observatory by Mr M. Pirie.
Event Name / The Phil Smith Trophy Competition (Autumn 2013)
Event Type (key) /
  • Education Event

Comments / The Phil Smith Trophy was first awarded in 2008 to a local Thames Valley school. The trophy commemorates the great work done by the late Phil Smith for schools in the Thames Valley area. Every year the trophy is awarded for a local schools competition run by the committee. This year, local school pupils were invited to submit Christmas card designs with the theme of Chemistry in the Thames Valley. Congratulations to this year’s first place winners Chloe, Emelia and Hannah of Didcot Girl’s School, who will hold the Phil Smith Trophy for the next year.

Event Name / Chemistry Challenge Heats
Event Type (key) /
  • Education Event

Comments / The Section held a local heat to select a school team to represent it in the Regional final to be held in Spring 2014. Question papers were sent out by e-mail to local schools resulting in 20 entries being received from 7 schools.
The results were:-
first: Wellington College,
second: Oxford High School team Teapot,
third: d'Overbroecks team 5.
Event Name / Top of the Bench Heats
Event Type (key) /
  • Education Event

Comments / Seven schools applied to take part in the Section’s heat for the RSC Top of the Bench competition which was held at the Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory of Oxford University. The task for the teams was to use their ingenuity and chemical knowledge to construct a timer that would switch on a light at a specified time. Although the task was given a ‘James Bond’ scenario, no team was seen to spy on their rivals but all enjoyed the event. The winning team was fromd’Overbroecks College.
Event Name / Chemistry Week – November 2013
Event Type (key) /
  • Education Event

Comments / RSC TVS pledged £400 to The Holt School, Wokingham in conjunction with Oxford University Chemistry Outreach. We also pledged £100 to Oxford High School, Oxford, for 12 science lessons on the theme of health; where 89 Year 8 school pupils experimentally determined the amount of sugar and iron in breakfast cereals.
Event Name / Science Oxford – Jack and the Beanstalk (3rd January 2014, *2013 budget)
Event Type (key) /
  • Education Event
  • Public Lecture

Comments / Event sponsored by RSC TVS in exchange for free entry to RSC members and their families. Event held at West Oxford Community Centre, and organised by Science Oxford.
There was flashes, bangs and exciting experiments in this interactive family science show, presented by Dr Sarah Bearchell and Science Oxford Live. They explored the science behind one of our favourite fairy tales (Jack and the Beanstalk), aimed at ages 5 to 11. 2 sold out shows, and 176 people in total.

AWARDS AND BURSARIES

Please list any awards or bursaries presented by your committee in 2013 and indicate any which will be open for nomination/application in 2014.

The Phil Smith Trophy award. (left) Photo shows Dr John White of the RSC TVS committee presenting the Phil Smith Trophy at the end of term assembly at Didcot Girls School, together with copies of The Elements of Murder book for the three artists (photo attached, one girl absent from the Assembly). (right) The winning entry voted for by the committee.

Article included in RSC News, January 2014.

PLANNED ACTIVITES

Please report below on activities proposed. For more events continue as necessary.

Event Name / Joint Lecture: ’Superfoods' by Prof. J Spencer, Reading (prov - April 2014)
Comments / This year's Joint Lecture with the Society of Biology Thames Valley Branch is currently being organised by RSC Thames Valley Local section, and will hopefully be held at the University of Reading.
Event Name / Senior Members Pub Lunch
Comments / The Lamb Inn, Wantage, United Kingdom
07 May 2014 12:30
Boulters Lock, Maidenhead, United Kingdom
22 May 2014 12:30
The Swan, Basingstoke, United Kingdom
04 June 2014 12:30
Red Lion, Didcot, United Kingdom
19 June 2014 12:30
Nag's Head, Abingdon, United Kingdom
02 July 2014 12:30
Jolly Boatman, Kidlington, United Kingdom
17 July 2014 12:30
Summer Sail
30 July 2014 11.00
Salters Steamers trip from Oxford to Abingdon return,including refreshments on board.
Olde Reindeer, Banbury, United Kingdom
13 August 2014 12:30
Three Frogs, Wokingham, United Kingdom
04 September 2014 12:30
Little Angel, Henley, United Kingdom
17 September 2014 12:30
Cunning Man, Reading, United Kingdom
02 October 2014 12:30
Lock, Stock and Barrel, Newbury, United Kingdom
15 October 2014 12:30
Victoria Arms, Oxford, United Kingdom
30 October 2014 12:30
Event Name / Family Lecture - Colourful Chemistry (July 2014)
Comments / An entertaining lecture to be given by Laurence M. Harwood (University of Reading) suitable for ages 14+.
Synopsis: “Try out "vibrochemistry", watch chemical amoebae run around, see how gold can sometimes be purple, tell the time with chemical reactions, listen to hydrogen atoms, find out how insects brighten up their sex lives by getting the chemistry right or simply turn water into wine. A light-hearted demonstration lecture looking at chemical phenomena associated with light and colour with a few explanations thrown in for good measure.”
Event Name / Visit to Highclere Castle
Comments / This will be 6th August 2015 at 10:30, with a maximum of 50 members and guests.

COMMITTEE

(this information will be used to update our membership database and your web page where appropriate)

Position / Name / Dates on committee
(20xx – 20xx)
Chair / Mr David Knox / 2012 – 2014
[2008]
Secretary / Dr John Oversby / 2012 – 2014
[1992]
Treasurer / Dr David Matkin / 2012 – 2014
[199?]
Ordinary Members / Dr Bryan Pierce
(Honorary President)
Dr Ellen Norman
(Immediate Past Chair)
Dr Tuan Ly
(Vice-Chairman)
Dr Victoria Smith
(Vice-Chairman)
Dr Pauline Gavan
(Benevolent Fund Rep)
Dr John White
Dr Michael Jenkins
Mrs Rameya Arulanantham
Ms Katie Mollon
Dr Richard Gardner / 2010 – (Indeterminate)
[19??]
2012 – 2014
[2008]
2012 – 2014
[2010]
2012 – 2014
[2010]
2012 – 2014
[2010]
2012 – 2014
[199?]
2011 – 2013
[1996]
2012 – 2014
[2010]
2013 – 2015
[2013]
2013 – 2015
[2013]
Co-opted members and their affiliation / Prof. Russel Egdell
(Oxford University)
Dr Ghulam Shabir
(Oxford Brookes University)
Prof Graham Richards
(ex-officio)

COLLABORATION

The issue of communication and collaboration between all member networks has been raised by members at recent events including the regional meetings and the general assembly. There have been instances of committees running very similar events when, had they known about their shared interests, they would have preferred to work together and to share their experiences.

As all of the networks cover such a broad range of topics it would be helpful if you could complete the following information to assist staff in proposing potential collaborations. Please include the topic of an event which you would consider collaborating on with another committee and the contact name for that area (if left blank we will assume that the contact is the Secretary). To facilitate communication if you are happy for us to pass your contact email on to the appropriate person to discuss potential collaboration please indicate below.

This information will be shared with all other member network committees.

Area of interest / Contact Name / Permission to share email
YES/NO

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