Welcome to the Southern Branch Web Site and apologies for the slight delay in updating. Even our webmaster is entitled to a well deserved vacation!

Despite the last minute change of venue for the Seminar I am very pleased to say that delegate feedback has been very rewarding and encouraging. Over 55% of our delegates let us have their views and of that 98% stated that their overall impression of the event was favourable with us even achieving a rating of 97% confirming our view that it was "best value". We also received high ratings for the manner in which the event was organised, both leading up to and on the day itself. Thank you to those members who took the trouble to let us have these opinions which is very helpful.

As last year, we are arranging for delegates who wish to have sight of the various presentations to be made available on the web site and an email will be sent to those requesting this facility in the near future.

I am sorry that we had to use the larger King Alfred Hall rather than the usual Conference Chamber but we were warned on the morning itself that the Chamber was highly likely to be affected by noise from building operations (over which The Guildhall manager has little control). Rather than disrupt proceedings once started we elected to hold the entire event in that location. We are assured that the Conference Chamber will be available next year and it will have been completely refurbished.

I and some Southern Branch colleagues followed the event by an extremely enjoyable evening Dinner that coincided with the IHE Annual General Meeting and installation of Steve Spender as Institute President. My thanks go to Sandy Lopes at HQ for the splendid arrangements and for also achieving a second "best value" event of the day.

In the Seminar questionnaire, a question was asked whether more members would be likely to attend our regular events, currently held in the afternoon, if they were held in the evening. This was just to "dip the toe in the water" to obtain a sample view. A high number indicated that they preferred the afternoon events but we shall be considering this aspect further at our committee meetings.

Plans for future events are in progress so check up on the Future Events page for more information. I did mention that we had managed to arrange a visit to the A3 Hindhead site in September. Unfortunately we may have "hit a glitch" with this proposal. We are leaving the event on the calendar for the moment, but it may have to either change or, hopefully not, be cancelled. As soon as we have positive information we will update the entry.

Summer weather does appear to have arrived and I hope it is sustainable (where have we heard that word before) for the next few months as people take their annual vacation. If you are amongst those people I hope you have safe journeys and enjoyable breaks. Try leaving the mobile phone and lap top at home – it really does make a difference!

Chris Stark Eng.Tech. MIHE. Branch Chairman