Scottish Branch Peebles Weekend Conference

This year’s Scottish Branch weekend conference, held as usual at the Peebles Hydro Hotel, was a great success with more than 60 delegates and partners in attendance.

The event kicked off, following a welcome from Branch President, Dr Tom Paterson, pictured far left, with a presentation by Andrew Turner, pictured second from left, about his current work through his company Apostles carrying out the Secretariat for a number of foundry related organisations; The World Foundrymens’ Organization, WFO, the Foundry and Equipment Supplies Association, FESA, and the Pattern, Model and Mould Manufacturers’ Association, PMMMA.

Andrew was able to explain how the organisations have comparable goals and all how working for each of them gives him opportunities to enhance the services and networking opportunities for members of all the organisations that he is involved with.

Andrew is also the Clerk and a Trustee of the Tor Lodge and Applecross Trust and was able to remind the delegates that the Charitable Trust is able to offer financial support towards the costs of training and professional development to individuals in the castings or related industries. The trust has been able to help a number of individuals recently including a supporting a number of people to attend conferences and exhibitions including GIFA, the PMMMA congress and METEF/Foundeq exhibition in Italy. In addition a number of individuals attending short courses have been supported as well as on-going support for a number of undergraduates and post graduates undertaking university qualifications. Andrew was able to remind those present about how easy it is to apply and how the Trust would like to be able to support more individuals to take advantage of training opportunities.

The next speaker was Malcolm Macnaughtan of the Eurac Group and PDC Ltd. Malcolm, pictured second from right, was able to give a very informative presentation about the demands that are placed upon on brake discs that we all rely on in our cars. He explained about the thermal stresses that are imposed upon brake discs and why the mechanical and thermal properties of grey cast iron make it the ideal material for this application. Malcolm also took delegates through the business rationale and investment strategy that has enabled the Eurac Group to develop to their current position as one of the world’s pre-eminent suppliers of brake discs. In addition Malcolm noted that the company has benefited from the application of thermal analysis systems (ATAS) to further understand the material.

The session was chaired by John Paterson, pictured far right, of Striko (UK) Ltd, the incoming Scottish Branch President.

During the evening the branch hosted a drinks reception during which Willie Howson was presented with the National Presidents’ Chain of Office, and a Dinner Dance. The branch was delighted to have seven ICME national presidents in attendance.

The session on Sunday was chaired by Tim Whittaker, MD of Doubletee Ltd and contained two very interesting, if less technical presentations. Doug Hills of Maybrey Reliance Ltd and Graham Hood gave a talk about the history of the Hatcham Iron Works which is now the site of the Maybrey Reliance Foundry. It was here that George England, an early pioneer of locomotives, ran the General Engine and Boiler Company and built his distinctive England locomotives. The talk contained a large amount of fascinating information including some very old photographs of some of the early locomotives.

John Lee, Broxap Ltd, then gave a talk about his first walking trip to the base camp at the foot of Everest. This was well received by all the delegates and included some photos showing the spectacular views across the Himalayas.

The branch was also pleased to host the ICME AGM during the weekend and this will be covered by a separate report.