Message from the Branch Secretary
May 2012
Dear Members,
We attracted 150 members and their guests to Cranage Hall for an
evening of food, wine and conversation.
Matt Windsor provided our entertainment, doing close up magic
tricks at the tables during dinner (and pocketing 10 watches from
unsuspecting guests in the process) and then proceeded to baffle us
with a series of slight-of-hand magic routines.
The prize draw raised £1,100 for the Cors Goch National Nature
Reserve. We have been promised a report later in the year on how
the money has been spent.
If you would like to see or download any of the photos from the
event then have a look at the gallery
Some of you may remember Glyn Ellis, who was Branch Secretary up
until his untimely death from cancer in 2010. His friends in the
Branch have created the Glyn Ellis Prize in his memory.
If you are between 16 and 30 years of age (inclusive) and would
like to take part, all you need to do is write and give a 15 minute
presentation on a topic related to water or the environment. You do
not need to be a member of CIWEM to take part.
As promised last month, we have been working on the membership
workshop.
This will take place on 1st May. United Utilities have kindly
allowed us to use two meeting rooms and the conference centre at
their Lingley Mere offices in Warrington.
Tom and Laura from the membership team at HQ will be hosting the
sessions.
The workshop will comprise of the following:
• One to one consultation sessions from 14:00 to
17:30.
• A workshop on the Mandatory Competencies from 17:30
to 18:00.
• A presentation on the new routes to membership that
will come into effect this summer. This will be the "interval act"
whilst the judges make their decision for the Glyn Ellis
Prize.
Prior booking is essential so please contact Briony Harvey.
Notice of the North Western and North Wales Annual General
Meeting
In accordance with the Branch Rules, notice is hereby given that
the Annual General Meeting of the North Western and North Wales
Branch will take place on 25th April 2012 at 18:00.
This will proceed the meeting on the opportunities and challenges
of shale gas.
Have you tried localism?
My working (and private life) involves a lot of travel. I'm
always on the move, on the train, in the car and sometimes in a
plane (I know as an environmentalist I shouldn't, but sometimes you
have to). Like most of us I suspect, I thought nothing of driving a
15 mile round trip each week to a supermarket for food.
However, for the last six weeks I have had my wings clipped.
Following a recent operation, I have not been able to drive.
My horizon has been restricted to the distance I can walk, which is
currently about a mile and a half.
I have had a lot of time to reflect over the last few weeks
(daytime TV really is appalling) and I decided to try an
experiment. How much of my weekly shopping could I buy within
walking distance of my house and how much would I have to get via
on-line supermarket deliveries?
I was pleasantly surprised that in our small village there was
quite a range of shops. I already used the local butcher and barber
(where I get a discount due to lack of raw material) but I found
that I could get most of my routine stuff. I even found a shop that
sold oak furniture and healing crystals (an odd mix). The only
problem I found was that the range of fruit and veg at the local
independent convenience store was a bit limited.
Whilst I am not saying that I will never step into a Tesco,
Asda, Morrison's or Sainsbury's again, I am certainly going to
support the small retailers in my village more. OK, some of the
prices are a little higher but the service is better plus the walk
does me and the environment some good.
Why not try a little localism for yourself?
In the Branch news this month, we welcome Briony Harvey, who
succeeds Martin Cross as Chair. Briony, who is an Environmental
Geologist working for Mouchel, was voted in at the AGM on
25th April. Our thanks go to Martin for his leadership
through some challenging times.
We also welcome Simon Cole who was confirmed as Treasurer.
Also, congratulations to Abhay Mahta who took away
the inaugural Glyn Ellis Prize at the membership day on
1st May. You can see the photographs on the Gallery page.
Alasdair
