L&SE AGM and other things

Yes, I know snow. I would prefer no snow. Enough said!!

Attended Council on Tuesday of last week, ably chaired by Mark Johnson, soon to be President (September is not that long away, and this year is going very quickly) Some good discussion and feedback between Regional Councillors and Vice Presidents.

Been a great week with a Professional Industry Partnership (PIPs) Forum on Obtrusive Light.  Watch out out for an article by Carl Gardner in the LJ.

Absolutely delighted to attend my first of seven Regional AGM's at the London & South East Region, and well done to Laurie Socker for a good year as Chairman and congratulations to Eddie Henry - his first words on receiving his Chairman's chain of office -
"Now that's some real bling."
A big hearted man, that has a passion for this Institution. I wish him well , in what I know will be a great year for the L&SE Region.
I hope those of you from the L&SE region will give Eddie all your suppport.

This week (today being Sunday ) is a little quieter, with an Easter break at the end. Went to church today and our Pastor reminded us what Easter is really all about - Jesus  - his death and resurrection. Whatever or however you celebrate the Easter break - have a good one. I have paint purchased and jobs lined up. It amazes me how enthuiastic Trix is, when I said, I could do a few jobs around the house. I blinked and we were at B&Q. Ouch
The picture was taken on a warm sunny day in July in the Scilly Isles. Warmed me up !

Have a good week. Pete

A busy President

I am sitting in the kitchen watching a lesser spotted woodpecker getting peanuts from a bird feeder. It is stunning and I feel very privelged. Heading towards spring, although, snow and a cold week may make you think otherwise!

A very useful Executive Board Meeting, with several clear strategies being developed, some of which I will be speaking about next week at the first AGM of the year - the London & South eastern Region. Looking forward to meeting everbody and see Eddie Henry become the new Chairman. I am delighted the dinner after the AGM is sold out and the event promises to be a sucess - well if you survive my AGM speech!!

Went to the Lightmongers Annual Members Dinner and was able to present to their Master - John Harding an Honorary Membership Certificate. A worthy recipient.

Next week is also Council - chaired by Senior Vice President -Mark Johnson. This is one of the key meetings of the year, as all the Vice Presidents and Councillors from each region, get together to discuss ILP strategy and how the various strands will be developed and taken forward by the appropriate VP. I hope you have been feeding into your region with issues that your Councillor can take to this meeting.

I have also got a lot of reading to do. I now have my copy of Professional Lighting Guide 04-Guidance on Undertaking Environmental Lighting Impact Assessments.  Working as a Local Authority Lighting Professional, I get involved in planning and lighting and this guidnace will be very useful.

I have also got my copy of BS 5489 - Part 1 :2013, which again has taken lighting forward and taken into account the latest knowledge and thinking.

Will also be attending a Professional Industry Partners discussion forum on Obtrusive light. Something that is so critical in understanding the impact of light of people - back to PLG04 again. This will be written up and published in the LJ.

Last thing to mention is the Charles Marques Memorial Lecture - see the website for information on Professor Semir Zeki - and what promises to be a fascinating talk on subject truths - how do we see colour. Have a read on the ILP website news page and don't forget to book your place at what I think is going to be a very special Charles Marques Memoral Lecture - well I would say that wouldn't I.  have a great week. Pete

 

ECO Build and Docklands Light Railway

Sometimes, it is good to get ahead of the curve!  So for a change this blog is with you a little earlier than usual. Tuesday I went to Eco Build, to meet with Jess and Chantal on the ILP stand, see the lightscene exhibitors and have a quick look around some of the renewable energy stands. ECO Build is huge. I have never been to the Excel before and never been on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) .

Tuesday was a warm misty day, so good light and seeing the docklands complex, with the sun and mist was quite amazing. I was able to sit right at the front of the train and take in the views, consider the brilliant engineering that went into building the DLR. A very pleasurable experience.  One the way back, I changed stations to catch a train to Bank and back on the Northern Line to Kings Cross. I noticed how strong a reflection was showing on each window as a train pulled into the station, so phone in hand, I took a self portrait of my reflection in the carriage window. Different!

Had a great time at Ecobuild and met the Light Scene Exhibitors, and fielded a number of questions from interested visitors. THe picture below is of the ILP stand and a conversation with Lynn Jones of Sight Designs (Gas lamps) the first  female gas lamp engineer in the world. Well done Lynn. Chantal will shoot me, but if you look to the left of the picture you can see Chantal talking to (I think) Dave Burton

On Wednesday went down to Gloucester on my motorbike to meet with the Midland Region Committee and attend a joint Western/Midland Region Technical Meeting. The standard of Technical meetings remain high and as ever I learnt a lot. Great to see so much good lighting being shared and knowledge being imparted. I also appreciated an opportunity to give the national perspective on a number of issues raised at committee. Also good to see Elizabeth Thomas, your new VP Higways and Infrastructure. I think you will be hearing  a lot from Elizabeth over the coming months!

Next week, I have Executive Board, as usual lots going on, which needs careful consideration by the Board. I will also be representing the ILP at the Lightmongers Annual Dinner. A busy week, but I am enjoying getting around meeting so many people.

Have a good week.  Pete

Keeping busy

Been a busy week.
At home, digging out stinging nettles and re-shaping ground for 50m2 of lawn. Enjoying a lesser spotted woodpecker feeding on the peanuts. It is a pleasure to start seeing the sunrise again after the dark mornings of winter. So on the home front busy, but in a satisfying way.

The picture is one I took of Trix flying. I was in another plane flying a parallel heading, with me sticking the camera out through the door window. Great fun. Sad thing was it was misty day, so not great light.

Last week I met with the Vice Presidents and we reviewed their work and discussed plans for this year. The main issue will always be communication, to each other, to the regions to the membership. I hope communication and all the work the Vice presidents do will get out there. Two things that should be happening in relation to the the Vice Presidents is a populated web page ofr each VP and each month in LJ there will be a page from a VP, letting you know what is happening and what will be happening.

This week is Ecobuild, I will be atending on Tuesday, so if you are going that day, come and say hello.
Wednesday I will be going to the joint Midland/Western Region Technical session at the Gala Club, Gloucester and meeting the Midland Regfion committee.

Busy week. Have a good week . Pete