1996 BSSG SYMPOSIUM REPORT

1996 BSSG SYMPOSIUM REPORT

By Ian Pearson

At long last I am able to report the activities ( well most of them )
that went on at this years BSSG Symposium. The reason for the delay is
that I have finally recovered so we must have had a good time!!!!

The evevt took place at Gourock not to far away from Glasgow, Scotland
from the 19th to 21st september 1996. Over eighty glassblowers from
all over the world were in attendance. The Chairmen of the Dutch and
German scientific glassblowing societies were present as were
glassblowers from Australia,Canada and Switzerland. The lectures
covered a wide range of subjects including;
Laser cutting of glass by Jan Vervest of Louwers Harpet
Privitisation by Fred Leslie rom Toronto University
Training by Norman Ellis and Denis Goodwin from Bibby and Glass
Training Ltd.
Computing by Martin McCann of Glasgow University
Semi conductors by Prof. J. Marsh of Glasgow University
Polmers by Prof. David Sherrington of Strathclyde University
Jacobite Glass by George Neilson of Drambuie
Looking at lampwork by Brian Blench

As well as these lectures there were several poster sessions, one by
Willie McCormack concerned the making of a glass flute. Willie
demonstrated the finished article by playing some Scottish tunes.
Fred Leslie gave a poster session on flat flanges, unfortunately this
was curtailed somewhat by the fact that the hotel had to be evacuated
at this time due to an overzealous glassblower with a big flame! I
blame Fritz Akerboom from St Andrews University.

Amongst the posters was the Internet notice board which created much
interest and I wish to take this opportunity to thank all those who
responded to my appeal. I will contact you individually, in the
meantime thaks and I haven’t forgotten about you.We must do this again
and suggest other Societies follow our lead.

There were several trade stands including;B & C,Bibby Sterilin, Glass
Training ltd,Heathway, Heraeus, J. Young, Louwers Harpet, Plowden and
Thompson, Radleys, Schott, Sun Life of Canada, and U.Q.G. ltd.

The Symposium could not have been possible without the generosity of
the sponsores;Bibby Sterilin, Chance Bros, Hampshire R& D Glassware,
J. Young (scientific glassware )ltd,Scotia Glass Technology
Village Glass, Schott G lass Ltd and Sun Life of Canada who sponsored
the companions programme on the Friday.

At the BSSG AGM important changes to the rules were passed. these
include Corporate membership, and dropping the taking of an exam to
become a full member. There will be no full members,just members and
certified members, other grades remain unchanged.Also it was decided
to connect the BSSG Society office to the Internet and construct a WWW
Page- watch this space!!

The annual dinner took place on the Friday evening and included the
presentation of awards. Past BSSG Chairman Fred Porter was made an
Honorary Member,Paul le Pinnet who has been BSSG Treasurer in the past
for many years was given a special award decided by the Thames Valley
section for a member who has made a special contribution.As always
there was an artistic competion and this years winner was Ian Pearson
( hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) The literary prize for the best article
in the BSSG Journal went to Frits Akerboom.

Entertainment for the Symposium took the form of a whisky tasting and
highland dancing evening, ( in that order all one could do was to
dance after all that whisky).After the Annual Dinner the speaker was a
local Sheriff, ( without horse) who kept the audience amused with
tales of the court room.

Further information on the Symposium can be obtained by E mailing Ian
Pearson Ian.Pearson@ukaea.org.uk

A full report will appear with photographs in Jan. 1997 BSSG Journal.

Next years BSSG Symposium will take place in Weston Super Mare, SW
England on 18th-20th September 1997. Further information will be
issued soon.

Ian Pearson BSSG Editor

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