November Update

It seems like only yesterday I was writing Octobers Blog and here we are the End of November with Christmas rapidly approaching.
It’s been another full and hectic month
This year HEA conference was a great event once again a very different format to our own Summit but again very well attended a huge congratulations to all the winners of the respective awards on the night not least our own Alistair Scott (Past President) who won the Service to Industry Award.
Thank you to Gareth, Sue and the HEA team for a great event and looking after me on the night. I wish Jerome and Karen well in their forthcoming year as Chair of HEA and HEA / HEMSA respectively
The HEA event was quickly followed by Luxlive, another tremendously well attended and successful event. From the Institution’s perspective this year was our best year at the event. The team managed to sign up over 40 new members a welcome boost to the regional membership. The stand was busy both days and the HQ team were willingly assisted buy Guy Harding, Elizabeth Thomas and Jon Hall. Both seminars hosted by the ILP on day two were extremely well attend (approx 30 in each) This year the Best Practice in Competency Award was awarded to Elizabeth Thomas from Walsall MBC, as I’m sure you are all aware the Engineering Council require us to audit 1% of our members CPD and as a way of re cognition and encouragement we now have this award. CPD submissions are mandatory requirement for all members and our EC registrants be you an Eng Tech IEng or CEng.
Our congratulations must go to Philip Avery who was the winner of this year’s written paper submission for Young Lighter of the Year (as voted by the ILP). My thanks go to Jon Hall and Graham Festenstein for judging the four papers. My congratulations must also go to David Kretzer who won best Paper Presentation (on the day) and finally to Rachael Nicholls who won the Young Lighter of the Year at the evening award dinner and indeed to all the other award winners on the night.
The YLP also held their AGM this month where Chairman James Wright handed over to Fiona Horgan for the forthcoming year. Well done to James who had a fantastic year as Chairman and good luck to Fiona for the year ahead. Following the Executive Board  Strategy meeting changes were made with regard to the YLP and how they will integrate within the ILP. The YLP now report to the Immediate Past President and have a direct link to the Executive Board where their thoughts ideas and visions will be fed into. This is  in recognition of the importance the Board places on the YLP, after all they are the future of the Institution and they need a voice.    
Finally I attended the ELD module 3 and spent some time with this year’s students. I wish them all well in completing their project and look forward to seeing who the Student of the Year will be at the September 2014 summit.

My thanks must go to my employer Skanska (IS) for supporting me with the time required to fulfil the duties as your President. Without this full support it would be extremely difficult.

You can also now follow me  @mjrugby1968
Until next time
Mark

October Update

Well here we are and October has gone!! so time to update you all as to what’s been going on since my last blog.

Earlier in the month the Executive Board held it’s annual strategy day in London , the aim of which was to review the progress of growth for the Institution over the past year to learn from any issues raised by the members and to produce a strategy going forward for the next 5 years. More will follow on this as the year progresses and decisions are taken, I will keep you all informed.

Following on from that the CEO and I attended the IET Presidents Address held at the Royal Institution the home of The Charles Marques Lecture with over 200 of their members. Barry Brooks, the new President of the IET, used his Inaugural lecture to remind their members of some of the many engineers who have been the leaders and innovators and  who have made a difference to the world, and how their example needs to be followed by today’s engineers and technicians. Along with a familiar call for volunteers to support the IET and announcements of further events we also had the winners of the recent Lego League in attendance

For the first time in the competition’s history, a UK team was crowned Champions at the FIRST World Festival in the USA.

Over 20,000 teams take part in FIRST LEGO League globally. The teams have a multitude of tasks to complete each season, and are mentored by volunteers.

The team, Untitled 1, and their robot called The Beast, won the Champion’s Award  in St.Louis, MO, USA, beating 79 other teams taking part in the festival. Over 21,000 teams from around the world had taken part in the past year’s competition.

 

Team members Freya Alder, Tom Mason, Dani Workman, Rafi Borries Gruber, Joe Mason, Max Workman and Claudia Moorhouse are all students at two Bath schools – Ralph Allen and Kind Edward’s.

The team came up with a revolutionary doorbell fingerprint scanner, a project which took more than 300 hours to complete that impressed the judges at the event. The team also had to build and program their own LEGO MINDSTORMS robot, a task which they spent more than 500 hours on.

A huge congratulations to all of them from the ILP.

Many contacts were made at the event and I hope to see some collaborative working with other Institutions happening over the next few months.

On 23^rd October the Executive Board met with the Vice Presidents as a follow up from the strategy day. Further ideas were put forward with regard to improving communications and structure. A great meeting and very productive; the ideas now need to be moved forward and implemented.

Finally I attended the L&SE evening event on the 24^th Oct. Fantastic trip and a pleasure to catch up with people The landmarks of London looked amazing lit up in all their splendour. Well done Eddie and the committee for sorting out a great event. I was unable to attend the technical session due to the day job but kept up to date on twitter, the feedback was again very positive and so encouraging that so many people attended the session for the day and found the papers interesting.

My thanks must go to my employer Skanska (IS) for supporting me with the time required to fulfil the duties as your President without this full support it would be extremely difficult.

Finally I am now on twitter you can follow me  @mjrugby1968
Until next time
Mark

Marks 1st blog

The ILP Summit at Glasgow

 

Welcome to my first blog as ILP President

It seems like only yesterday we were in Glasgow for the summit yet almost two weeks have passed so I must apologize for the delay in posting my thoughts.

Despite the time elapsed I am still on a high from the event and extremely thankful for the encouragement and support from so many of my peers and friends. I just want to take the opportunity via this blog to say THANK YOU to you all.

I will not apologize for saying this yet again but a huge thank you must go to Jess, Jo & Chantal(who were at the event) to all the HQ team involved with the event, to Alan Jaques (VP Events) and finally to Richard Frost for making sure I was ok! all have worked so hard to make the summit the success it was.

To the Thistle Hotel staff - fantastic venue, fantastic service and great food.

To the Exhibiters - I am glad I had time to visit you all and to say thank you. Your support is so appreciated and a huge thank you to those who have already signed up for next years summit in Solihull.

To the speakers and Session Chairs – Thank you all, some fantastic and informative papers and for those of you that didn’t see Doctor Peter Hughes from Primary Engineers you missed something very unique!!!.

The celebration dinner – Great food, great company Thank you to Peter Hughes and Bailie Allan Stewart who kept me entertained with their stories and to the amazing mind of Drew McAdam I still don’t know how he got Steve Anderson Number!.

Finally to the award winners well done all.  

I hope all who attended the summit enjoyed it as much as I did.

On Tuesday(10^th Sept) of this week following an Executive Board Meeting the Board attended the launch of Light School. This event will be part of the Surface Design Show at BDC in February next year. The event is being run by Light Collective Light School consists of three parts: The School Room, Product School and the School Newspaper.

The aim of Light School is to provide you with some education about lighting design and lighting products. Light and Surface are inseparable partners and they want you to leave the show having learnt something that will change the way you see light.
They have asked leading members of the lighting design community to take a lesson in the school room. They want to explain how light works, why we love it and why you should too. Come and be inspired…
More details will follow
Finally I am now on twitter you can follow me  @mjrugby1968
Until next time
Mark

Pete's Last Blog

To those of you that followed my sporadic blogging, my thanks.
I hope you have enjoyed the photo's and my diverse ramblings.
You have followed me through the seasons of the years as I have sought to make this blog personal.

So today is no exception. I went to a business meeting this morning and I was so saddened to hear that a person I had worked with (civil engineering - not lighting) and who had become a friend, took his life this weekend. We all sat at the meeting stunned and in the end, decided that it would be better to re-schedule the meeting.
 I have just finished reading the book Ecclesiastes - written by King Solomon and the verses
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven
a time to be born and a time to die - Chapter 3:1-2
came to my mind.

Life for me only makes sense, when I acknowledge and have a personal relationship with my Creator. Nuff said

I am looking forward to handing over the badge of office to Mark Johnson, who I know will do an excellent job.

Looking back over the year I have really enjoyed getting out to the Regions and meeting the members and those who give of their time to run the committees. It has been great to wish outgoing Chairman, The ILP's thanks for a job well done and to welcome in the new Chairman and wish them the very best in their year.

One thing that so many Chairman have said in their summing up of their year, is how quickly it passed. All I can say is it is exactly the same for this President. The year has passed so quickly.

I love the diversity of the regions, all committed to lighting and yet all with slightly different perspectives. All doing a similar thing, in a slightly different way. Long may it continue.

It would be wrong to single out a specific favourite, to me you have all enriched my life in so many different ways - So to all of you, each region, each member - My grateful thanks.

To all who work so hard for the ILP at Rugby, my thanks. To the Executive Board members that give so much of their time, thank you.

Lastly to Richard Frost the ILP CEO, thank you for putting up with me on all those train journeys and flights. Thank you for all the wisdom and patience you have given to get this current President through his year. From memory, Richard has steered and patiently guided 17 Presidents through their years.

So, when Mark starts his Presidency, please read his blog and give him the support he will need.

Shalom

Pete

ps- the last photo is a sunset, it has been my screen saver for a year

"Time Waits for no man" - especially Presidents

First of all an apology for not writing a blog for quite a while! Time passes by so quickly, and in the business of our lives we prioritise. I confess the blog went on the back burner. However, yesterday it was pointed out to me that it has been a while, so here is the August blog. I recently took a short break from work and went over to see Trix's family in Italy. I had a couple of opportunities to take photographs, two of which are shown. The main thing was seeing family. Trix is a great Aunt to triplets and to see them was a joy. The more I reflect on life, the more I realise that realtionships, whether work, social or family are the most important things. People and the relationships between them is the most important thing (for me) of the institution. All that we do, I hope, is for the members, who are not just names on a spreadsheet, but people, with lives and aspirations. So, spending time with family, having some great meals, sitting out late and enjoying a bbq and the conversation was for me, the best part of the holiday. I also got to enjoy a 100 year old brandy. A bit special and very very smooth!! i know August is the quiet month - holidays etc, but come September the ILP will be getting very busy. The Summit in Glasgow and a new President. I am looking forward to seeing mark Johnson taking on the role of President and doing this blog. So I hope to see you at Glasgow. The pictures. The lantern and bracket are attached to the ruin of a castle, which sits high on a hill. I particularly liked the moon and sky that evening. The second picture is of the sun setting. The rich colours and the grasses. So the contrast is between manmade and natural - enjoy

Summer is here!

We really are enjoying some warm sunny days, plum trees are covered in plums, so looking forward to September for more than one reason.1- Plums,  2- Handover Presidency to Mark Johnson!!


Decided that our cottage will now be known as Plum Tree Cottage. How original is that. I suspect if I had named it in Welsh, I could have got away with a snappy little title - y bwthyn ar y bryn gyda choed eirin a barcutiaid coch yn hedfan uwchben. Which translates as -the cottage on the hill with plum trees and red kites flying overhead.

Longest day has gone and each evening the sun sets a little earlier. I have two pics , the first was the sunset on longest day - that is the sun set behind a cloud, but the pic came out ok and the next pic was  the actual sun setting a couple of days later.
I have one last sunset to show, which is my screen saver and will be my last blog. (7th September 2013)

So, the last week had the Charles Marques memorial Lecture, which was given by Prefessor Semir Zeki. How does the brain perceive colour. A fascinating look, with sorting scientific testing, at how our brain works with colour. We see absolute colours, intensity and time of day does not come into it. Green is green, etc.  There was a good half and hour of questions, followed by more discussion over drinks. A great evening.

The next day was the Surveyor Conference, which I chaired in the morning and gave a paper in the afternoon. I think that is my last official engagment. A good conference, with the challeges of cost saving and how technology can help, + a look at some of the ILP Prefessional Guides.

This week is my last Executive Board Meeting. Lots to engage us, and we will have Mark Cooper (Senior Vice President - Designate) sitting in on the meeting. Just to remind you, Mark's job as VP membership is available, so if you think you could make a difference, do apply. Talk to Richard Frost (richard@the ilp.org.uk)

I wish all who read this well until my next blog - whenever!!

Pete

7th AGM - Irish Region

In the middle of last week, I attended the SLL AGM and awards. My congratulations to Iain McCrae for a good year as the SLL President. We met at several events and even had a glass of whisky together at the Scottish Spring meeting. I wish Kevin kelly all the best,  as the new SLL President.

Not long before I hand over to Mark Johnson at Glasgow. I also wish Mark Cooper well as he is the SVP designate. Mark's role as VP Membership is available. Put your name forward if you think this is a role you could do.

I have just got back from a fantastic few days in Ireland. The Irish Region AGM, dinner and technical seminar was held at the Marine Hotel, Howth. A great venue and my congratulations to Michael Doherty for a sucessful year as Chairman. I wish the new Chairman, Colm Carton all the best in his year. It was a well organised AGM and John Walsh gave an excellent presentation on CMS. My thanks to Paddy Craven for all his hard work as the Region's Secretary. Not only a past Chairman and past ILP President, but still working hard for the ILP in the Irish Region.

Not only did the AGM and dinner go well, but I was able to get 18 holes in at Howth Golf Club. Picture below gives you an idea of the spectacular views overlooking Howth and beyond to Dublin.

 

 



I have been enjoying the weekend and today June 1st is the first day of summer, so I hope we all have agreat summer!!

 

Don't forget Lightscene at Uttoxeter on the 4th June.

 

I won't be blogging next weekend as I am away walking in the Peak District.

Have a great week. Pete

Catch up

First of an apology. I have not managed to blog in May, until now.
I have been very busy with ILP duties that occupied some weekends, and left me with no time to sit down and write a blog.

So back tracking to 30th April
The afternoon was the Executive Board (EB) Meeting. First thing to report was the appointment of Jo Wilkins. I wish Jo all the best in her new job at the ILP.
Jo@theilp.org.uk

The  EB is grappling with Marketing and will be looking to take on a part time marketing specialist. We can then assess how effective this role is in promoting the ILP and what we do.

I then had four hours to kick my heels waiting for the sleeper from Euston to Edinburgh for the Scottish Spring Technical Meeting - Dinner and AGM ( and a bit of golf!)  Sleeper is a bit of a mis-nomer for this train. I may have dozed but was not over refreshed when the train pulled into Edinburgh at 7.30am. No worries. A three station hop down a local line and met David Duncan (the Scottish Region Councillor)   Had a great game of golf at the local course and congratulations to Past President - David McNair, who was the winner. I did not disgrace myself with 31 points. Good but no cigar.
A great evening dinner and a Glaswegion Footballer regaled us with stories. I had a glass of Talisker Whisky with Ian McCraie, who is President of the SLL and also one of the speakers at the Technical Session the next day.

I would like to congratulate Bobby Borland on an excellent year as Scottish Region Chairman, and also wish Darryl Bullock a great year as the new Chairman.



Thursday 9th May was the Past Presidents Meeting. Great to see Alsitair Scott ,Chris Hardy , Paddy Craven and Shaun Capper, our distinguished Past Presidents. Sorry Mark Burrows  and Allan Howard had to give apologies . Watch out for the porposed nomination for the next Senior Vice President and a need for a replacement Vice President in the next E News letter.

The next event was the Midland Region Dinner Dance, held at the Forest of Arden Hotel and Golf Club on saturday 11th May.

Another opportunity for an enjoyable game of golf. Manged joint 1st with Dave Beniston, but lost on count back

I would like to congratulate John Hall and the committee on an exceptional event. After the dinner thjere was an Elton John Tribute band. Great songs and several pictures of people wearing silver or gold star shaped glasses!  Everybody had a superb evening.

Friday 17th May was the North Eastern Dinner Dance, held at Durham and Emily Bolt's first official event as the new Chairman. Well done Emily and the committee. A super evening. Trix and I left early on Saturday to go to Suffolk for some time with Grandson. Fish and chips at Southwold on the Suffolk coast line. A lovely weekend with family.

I went to Rugby on 21st of May. No not to the ILP offices, but to he National Association of Memorail Masons (NAMM) for a city and guild exam on assessing graves in church yards. I work for a local authority and we have a number of closed church yards that have to be inspected. I am now qualified and classed as competent. As you can see, competency affects several areas of my work. Not just lighting!

Yesterday was the Lighting Industry Association Luncheon. I sat next to Bill Wright, the New Light Monger Master and Lou Bedocs. We got talking about LED's and how they may affect the human physiology. More research needed.

So that brings me up to date.
Bank Holdiay weekend, so I thought I would get this blog done now and leave the weekened for family.

I hope you all have  a great Weekend. I would like to wish Alistair (Scott) and Mandy (soon to be Scott) all the best for their forth coming wedding. I hope all will go well for them.

Next week is the seventh and last Regional AGM. I will be in Ireland for three days. I am really looking forward to going over. Paddy Craven, I hope to have a whisky or guiness with you.

All the best and have a great week

Pete

In difficult times there is light at the end!

It's about people

Sitting at my kitchen table, I am looking out over a sea of beautiful white plum blossom. Lots to still do in the garden, but it is taking shape. Missed my blog last week as I took a short break in Portugal. Refreshed, I have returned and had two engagements to carry out.

Firstly I went over to the Exterior Lighting Diploma (ELD) Course to present an Honorary Member Certficate to Malcolm Mackness, lecturer on the ELD course. This was Malcom's last lecture, and it was a privelge to honour him. Malcolm taught me, when I did the course many years ago. Malcom has lectured for over thirty years. I know that the ILP, many others and myself are grateful for all that Malcolm has given to the Institution.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Anthony Smith, who has taken on Malcolm's lecturing duties.

Great to see the ELD continuing to be such a success. I would also like to thank Jean Norton who has taken on the running of the course. I need to keep her sweet, as she books my flights and hotels!

Second engagment was  the North Eastern Region AGM, which was held at the Black Sheep Brewery at Masham. The do brew a good pint!! I was delighted to be there and see Emily Bolt become the first Lady Chairman. Well done Emily, wishing you and the Region a great year. I will be going back to their Dinner Dance, and I am hoping to get to one of their technical seminars, when Anthony Smith speaks about Durham Cathedral lighting. Should be good!!

Next week is Executive Board and then up to Scotland for the Scottish Region AGM.

I hope you the reader have a good week.
Pete

It's warming up!

I guess living on an island next to the atlantic ocean does make us susceptable to very variable weather, couple this with spring finally coming in, and I sitting in my kitchen looking out on bright sunshine (great), 18 degrees (great) and strong winds (not so great). however two out of three is not so bad!.

It really is good to start to see that subtle hint of green coming out on the hedges, as the buds finally start to burst out. I love this time of year, as the rich vibrant colours emerge. The greens are all fresh, and it won't be long before they start to deepen and become set for summer, before again changing to the range of browns and winter. Now lets not rush, we have only just got spring on the go. Across the road, the farmer has been preparing the field for planting, so if it is the same crop as last year, the green wheat shoots will soon start appear.

Also been enjoying watching the Masters, and seeing not only great golf, but beautiful blossoms on a stunning golf course.

Last week I went to a llghting liaison group meeting and the second of seven regional agms. This time it was the Western region, with Roger Joy taking over as chairman. The Western Region have been through some challenging times, which they have faced up to and dealt with. I wish Roger and the Western Region well for the coming year.

Next week is the Midland Region AGM at the NEC and the Northern Region at Warrington. Two motorbike journeys for me. I will then be out of the country for a short break, so won't promise a blog next week.

The  photo is of Scar Fell on a similar day to the Western Region AGM, rain and mist, but some blue sky.

No Title!

Finally the weather is warming up!  I have been busy with home projects, fitting a kitchen and enjoying Easter.

Enjoyed going to the Lighting Design Awards and presenting the ILP sponsored award for external luminaire to ACDC for the Fusion.  A great night celebrating good lighting design. Since Easter, I have been to  L&SE Committee meeting and the first technical meeting, under new Chairman Eddie Henry. It was great to get along to my own regions Technical Meeting.

As I have said before,  the next few weeks will be very busy, with six more Regional AGM's to meet many members around the regions.

This week I will be attending a Lighting Liaison Group meeting and then on thursday going to the Western Region AGM. A short blog and to finish a picture of a Vulcan Bomber photgraphed on a warm sunny day.

 

Have a good week . Pete

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

Durham Cathedral Exterior Lighting

As I mentioned in my last blog,  I was going up to Durham for the official switch on of the cathedral floodlighting. I am so glad I was able to attend. Firstly I was able to spend some time talking to two of the designers - Steve Edwards and Dave Williams, both work for Anthony Stainton (who sadly could not be there)  Steve went through some of the design processes and the different types of LED "floodlights" that were used. How they did test runs trying out different floodlight combinations. Something like this, is the meld of knowledge, experience, software modelling and art. They even had infill floodlights to lesson the shadow effects. A lot of care, skill and expertise has gone into this project.  Dave  explained that the scheme uses 70% less energy than the old scheme. So I am delighted that the ILP was involved in the original competition brief and that ILP lighting Professionals were involved in this stunning, winning design.

I learnt that the Cathedral and Castle form a World Heritage Site, and that the co-ordinator of the site used to look after the pyramids.

After the speeches was the switch on. I had the privilege of being in the company of Richard Frost and Roger Elphick. Roger is immensly proud of this scheme and rightly so.
 The first picture was taken by the ILP Chief Executive of me with the cathedral and castle framed behind. The second picture I took of the cathedral just after the official switch on.

This week, I will be meeting the Vice Presidents and having a full day, going through their Key performance Indicators and reviewing how they think things are going. Lots to discuss!

Have a good week. Pete

Travel and Railway Stations

Today (Sunday 17th February) has been a a glorious early spring day (at least where I live). Clear sky, sunshine, light winds and it feels warm!  Nothing like a bit of sunshine to lift the spirit. I know that those who are endure  Seasonal Affective Disorder will really appreciate such a day. It is also good for me to get Vitimam E via the sunlight.

Trix and I travelled up to Scotland on Friday by train. Long trip, but I had plenty to read. Although I do feel a bit sorry for the Chief Executive, his train broke down and as we happened to be the following train, a rescue mission was mounted at Berwick on Tweed and  he and his good lady joined us on our train. We finally got to Airth Castle and had a great evening with the Scottish Region. Chairman Bobby Borland had organised an excellent spring dinner and ball and I think everbody enjoyed the food, music and especially the good company. It was great to see Past President Rory Cameron in good form. It had been a good day for him, as he had become a gGrandfather (again).

On the way home, we had a bit of time between trains at Edinburgh, so was able to have a walk around that beautiful city and take in the sights. They have been doing a lot of work at Edinburgh Waverly station. It should look really good when finished. We also spent half an hour at York Railway Station. I do find the engineering at railway stations fascinating. York station is a long curve and has some stuuning cast pillars that support the main canopy. As I am on about railway stations, Kings Cross is the one I see most. I have got used to the revised layout and can enjoy looking at the roof and lighting, rather than trying to figure out where I am within the station. We take travel for granted, expect within 24 hours to be on the opposite side of the globe. A bit like lighting. Everybody expects it and takes it for granted until it does not work or is switched off.

Having talked about trains, I have taken a picture of a watercolour I did of a steam locomotive pulling freight , working hard up a gradient in winter.

I am keeping busy with day job and the ILP. Things are coming together nicely for the Charles Marques Memorial Lecture and I hope the ILP  can soon confirm who the speaker is. I am quite excited about the CMML, but must be patient and wait until all in place -  watch this space and the website for an announcement. I am also looking forward to going to Durham this week to see the official switch on of the cathedral's new exterior lighting scheme. Well done to those members of the ILP who have been involved in the cathedral lighting. More about that next week. I will be taking my camera, so I hope to get a few night time shots, one of which I hope will be good enough to be in my blog.

Have agood week  - Pete

Getting on with it!

Last week was interesting. I succumbed to a cold and am just about over it. Weather continues to be variable, from freezing rain, to snow and back again. I have been pushing hard to get trimming of trees done in the garden before they start to leaf. When Trix and I moved last March we inherited an overgrown garden, with a number of unpruned plum trees, stinging nettles and brambles. It is great to have a little more daylight.
I have a chain saw, which I have learnt to keep oiled, adjust the chain, sharpen the cutting blades and mix two stroke petrol. Exciting stuff, although the newly pruned trees have left a lot of material, that I can use for logs, recycle or burn. So gardening at the right time of year is critical.

Yesterday evening I drove to Peterborough to attend our evening chuch meeting, and the journay takes me   past a parish church in nearby Great Gidding. I always enjoy driving by it at night, as it is floodlit, and has a six sided tower, with narrow beam floodlights uplighting alternate faces of the tower. The church stood there as a beacon of light, with the swirling snow picked out by the spill light. It was eerie and beautiful. I was not able to take a picture, but a great memory.

Photograph for this week is not one of mine, but provided by Allan Howard during a visit to The Light Show at the Hayward Gallery London. Worth a visit, as the lighting is stunning.

Last week was Regional Officers at Rugby and it was good to meet with the Honorable Secretaries and Vice Chairs of the Regions. Lots of issues were talked through and hopefully some clarification on a number of practical issues, which will be fed back via the Secretaries

I will be thanking the Regions for all the good work that they do at their AGM's, but wanted to take the opportunity now to thank those Vice Chairs, who are busy preparing for their years, working with the committees, planning events, working out budget against venue and all the hard work that has to be done. I wish all the Regional Vice Chairs the very best, during their preparation and in coming year as Regional Chairs.

Trix and I are looking forward to going up to Scotland this Friday to the Scottish Spring Dinner Dance at Airth Castle. I hope you all have a good week, safe journeys and get to see some great lighting. Pete

Changing seasons

The nights have begun to draw out. It is nice to have a little more light in the early evenings. We might live in a 24 seven society, but some things are still done by the seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. This is the time of year for the cutting back hedges and getting an overgrown ditch next to our  garden, dug out and cleared of brambles, nettles  and ivy. The ditch looks good, but I am paying the price - sore back.

I have been staggered by the number of creatures that are looking for food. I posted a photograph of birds feeding on the fallen crabapples. Well, now the snow has gone there is still a carpet of crab apples, and we have a small deer (muntjac) coming into the garden to eat the apples - amazing.

This March Trix and I  will have lived in our cottage for a year and will have gone through our first year of seasons in the country side. I am looking forward to early sunrises and late sunsets. So I am glad the winter is coming to an end and spring is ready to come in. When I get the time, I like to fish, so in anticpation of early mornings at a lake, here is a picture of the last fish (carp) I caught a couple of summers ago. I think this may be the last fish I caught. Been busy!!



 

Last week was Executive Board, and we continue to deal with the challenges of limited budget.

 

One of the things that has also come out of recent discussions with members is how to show inclusiveness to all our members. I would like to make it clear that being an Associate Member, Member or Fellow does not require an applicant necessarily going for Engineering Council registration at EngTech, I Eng or CEng. Engineering Council Registration will require compliance with either the technical qualifications or a technical report, which has to meet EC criteria and be assessed accordingly. Some of you may want to upgrade from Affiliate to Associate Member or Member without EC registration - this is an option, but will require an upgrade application, an assessment of knowledge/experience, but this can be work based as well as through qualifications. So if you want to upgrade and don't necessarily want EC Regisration, then give the ILP a ring.

 

This week is Regional Officers, so I look forward to meeting Regional Secretaries and Vice Chairs - should be interesting. This meeting happens to be on the same day as the CIBSE Awards in the  evening. So I intend to be at the awards representing the ILP.  Have a good week . Pete

Hooray, the snow has gone. One night of heavy rain and howling winds, and at least where I live, the roads are no longer white. I noticed as I was driving back from church tonight , how dark it was again. I was beginning to get used to seeing across several fields at 12 midnight , due to the reflective characteristics of the snow. No longer. Also pleased to enjoy some dry roads and milder temperatures. I know the British talk about the weather, but it has dominated of late. Of course, with the snow melt came flooding. I popped down to the next village to check how badly it was flooded. Road closure notices, but the water has dropped. Interestingly, it must have been a full moon, and driving towards it, I could see the road quite clearly. Probably only a couple of lux in terms of illuminance, but good enough to turn off the headlights (kept the side lights on)  and still be able to drive along the road. Coming back with the moon behind, could not see a thing. Trix, commenting as a pilot , mentioned the teaching " in an emergency at night land towards the moon". As always, lighting principles seem to come into play in some many areas of life.   Enough of snow rain and wind, here is a picture of a bumble bee. Reminds me of the promise of warm sunny days to come

 

Last week I met for dinner with fellow past chairmen of the London and South eastern Region. I am very aware how important the regions are  - those who serve on the comittees and the members that support all the work the regions do. I am looking forward to visiting each region during this year. . Also last week I received my copy of the Lighting Journal, the first under the editorship of Jill Entwhistle. This is a pilot of the new monthly version and some comments have already been fed back about the layout, style and print. As Jill said in the editorial, she welcomes feedback, positive or negative.

This coming Tuesday 29th January is the next Executive Board meeting. Many issues and things to discuss and progress.

 

All the best - Pete

Snow and Sun and next Summit

I have finally got back to doing my blog on a saturday morning!  Routine can be a good discipline, but with a sprinkling of non-routine now and then. I look out of the window and I am sure, like those of you who read my blog this week, you will see snow. Fantastic stuff when you are a kid or are on a sking holiday, but for the vast majority of us, tricky stuff.  I was watching the news last night and one of the great images was of a motor way, slow moving traffic in heavy snow and the twin lanterns in the middle of the motorway picking out the snow as it fell. Good to know the lights keep working, rain or snow, summer or winter. To those of you who look after the lighting and keep it running - Well done. I know it is taken for granted by many, but from me, thank you.

A couple of winter pics taken from my home. One of the sun as it headed towards the evening horizon. I looked up from our kitchen table and saw the fiery orb surrounded by cloud with snow on the ground. Quite stunning. Tried to capture it. Second picture is of a flock of birds in the garden, feeding on the fallen crab apples.

I have been keeping busy as President, replying to various invitations to represent the Institution at a number of events and dinners. It is an honour, and I hope I will be a good ambasador for the ILP and where ever and when ever I can - get the message of lighting out to these who don't know what we do.  I am delighted to see that the announcement for the next lighting summit has come out this week.

So I hope you will put the summit dates in your diary for the 11 and 12 september 2013. It will be in Glasgow. Have a look on the website. Have a good week . Pete

Holiday pics and getting back to work

I hope you have had a great Christmas and New year.
No doubt, like me, you are getting back into the work routine!
It was a bit of a shock to the system, coming back from relatively warm Italy, with several days of blue sky's (great for taking pictures) and temperatures in low double figures.

I really enjoyed taking some walks up into the hills around the city of Perugia. I got high enough to get above some inversion mist layers to see white capped snow mountains. I really struggle to know what photograph to show, so as I have not done a blog for a while , I am showing a daytime shot of this beautiful city, a nightime shot (you can work out how good of bad the lighting is and one, of many shots across a tonal graduated  range of hills. Finally, I managed to play with my camera settings, to get the orb of the sun as it dropped over the hills. I guess most shots again show a recurring theme of how amazing sunlight really is.Enjoy




Perugia, seen above the inversion layer with mountains in the distance

 

 

 

 

 



Stuart Bulmer (ILP Professional Services Manager) and I met recently with the Lighting Liaison Group (LLG) to discuss what is going on in our various organisations.  I was interested to hear how the different groups are promoting lighting in many different ways - education, trade, research, publishing etc. I think the one key fact that we all agree on is - how to get the message of lighting,  its importance and effect -  out to the person in the street. As lighting professionals we know about each other and what the different parties are doing. Certainly the profile of lighting was raised when an issue becomes newsworthy. Often that can be because of something sad or negative. So switch off grabs the headlines and we respond. People take lighting for granted, and those of you like me who appreciate just how much effort goes into design, installation and maintenance of whatever type of scheme, wonder how we can get people to understand a little more about good lighting. So next time you have an opportunity to talk about lighting to somebody who is not a specialist, go for it and be proud of what you are involved in. Looking forward to visiting  the regions and seeing you at agms and other events. Have a good year. Pete