As we are about to enter 2012, I can look back at 2011 as a challenging time for everyone in the highway industry as Government financial restrictions cut in at Highway Authority level. I am sure that no one has escaped some form of employment review and, sadly, some colleagues have been displaced. Equally many of us remain and I sincerely hope that conditions will settle down so that we can enjoy some stability (until the next review!) and follow our chosen career.

In a similar situation, IHE has been going through a significant restructuring during 2012 to produce a leaner but more effective organisation to serve its members. These changes are still being implemented and hopefully 2012 will see us better placed to represent our loyal members and hopefully build on that for the secure future of the organisation.

Members are the life blood of the IHE and recruits are always welcome. If you have any colleagues who are keen to develop their career then please encourage them to see what IHE has to offer - remember we are the only Institute that is dedicated directly to the development of an engineering career in highways. The UK has a huge varied highway network and, regardless of any government cuts, it will always require constant attention by specialists to maintain its viability as an essential national asset.

At a Branch level, we have finished off 2011 by maintaining our objective in providing 6 CPD events in addition to our annual Seminar and our recent traditional charity fund raising evening. We are working to achieve the same in 2012 and, as ever, please keep an eye on our forthcoming Events Page for details of each event as topic, date and venue is available.

As mentioned above, our Annual Wine & Wisdom Quiz was held on Friday 25th November at Ripley Village Hall when 11 teams contested for the winners Challenge Shield and, as a new venture, The Wooden Spoon. No guessing who that was for! Congratulations to Malcolm's Marauders for taking the Shield, after many years of support and trying and also to Faulty Towers for winning the wooden spoon. No names, no pack drill etc., but it does look good hanging on the wall in my office.... Rivalry aside, it was a very enjoyable, sociable evening when we hope to have raised many hundreds of pounds for Chestnut Tree House, a children's hospice based in Arundel, West Sussex. Many thanks to everyone who supported and organised this event which reflects well on the Institute and Southern Branch.

Our Winter Newsletter is in production and we very much hope this will be distributed so as to arrive with members over the Christmas/New Year period. If you are a member and have not received your by early January can you kindly let the Branch Secretary know and he will forward you one.

It just remains with me to wish you and your families a pleasant and safe Christmas and successful 2012

Chris Stark Eng.Tech. MIHE. Branch Chairman