June summary: a memorable month for varying reasons

MEI Conferences in Falmouth occupied the first full week of the month, Biomining '23, followed by Sustainable Minerals '23. Although the conferences were successful, we have decided rather reluctantly that these will be the last in the UK for the foreseeable future. Travel to Cornwall has always been an issue because of its remoteness, but this time it was exacerbated by trains strikes, flight cancellations and some Brexit related issues such as delegates from many countries having problems obtaining visas. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently pledged that the UK would become a power-house of science, so it seems absurd to make it difficult for scientists to enter the UK for a 2-day conference, and in many cases having to pay substantial amounts for the privilege.

We will miss the conference evening coastal walks,
particularly in June when the wild flowers are in bloom

The warm sunny weather during the conference week was a welcome bonus and the evening coastal path walks were enjoyed by all but I felt a little ashamed of Government policies when we passed the Falmouth Docks, and looked down on the huge dry dock which held not a fine sailing ship but a large ugly barge. This was being refitted and once prepared will be sent to the Dorset coast to provide accommodation for around 500 male asylum seekers. Many would say a cruel way to deal with desperate people escaping the perils of their homeland. The barge arrived on May 9th, for a scheduled two week refit. It is still here, presumably because it has been found to be not fit for purpose.

Two days after the Falmouth conferences Amanda was in Wadebridge, north Cornwall, with members of the Helford River Gig Club, at the Royal Cornwall Show, a major annual event which is represented by people who live in farming communities in Cornwall. 

The Cornish pilot gig is a six-oared rowing boat, and the club has become a major part of Amanda's life- I've no idea why:

Three days after the Falmouth conference Barbara and I flew from London Heathrow Airport to Johannesburg, en route to the SAIMM Copper-Cobalt conference by the Victoria Falls near Livingstone, Zambia. It turned out to be a nightmare three days in which we spent 7 hours at the airport in Johannesburg before returning to Cornwall (posting of 12th June). I am pleased to hear, however, that the Zambia conference was a great event.

The major event in Cornwall in June was the national celebrations for Armed Forces Day which was held in Falmouth. Crowds flocked in to see over 1,000 service personnel and bands parade through the town centre in the largest and longest military parade ever held in the UK.

On a stunning day, the crowds on the seafront were entertained by aerial displays led by the Red Arrows, now familiar visitors to Falmouth.

The Red Arrows perform over Falmouth Bay...

...watched by crowds on Gyllyngvase Beach

And last Thursday was a very pleasant ending to the month; Barbara and I were invited to join the reunion of the Camborne School of Mines Class of '65 in Falmouth. I graduated from Leeds University in 1966 but never have there been such reunions, which speaks volumes for the pride that CSM Alumni have for their alma mater.

It was fascinating to talk to these now retired mining engineers about their interesting lives in the industry. Probably no more so than Tim Wadeson and his wife Jennifer, who have moved house 30 times in the course of Tim's travels around the world.  They now live in the Isle of Man, after Tim's retirement as Group Technical Director with Anglo American. Tim was underground manager at Nchanga during my time there in the early 70s.

Tim and Jennifer Wadeson

It was particularly good to catch up with Ron Easteal and his wife Rose, all the way from Canada for the reunion. 

With Ron and Rose Easteal

On leaving CSM Ron had studied for a higher degree at Queen's University, Canada, and in 1977 brought the Queen's University squash team over to Camborne, where they thrashed the CSM team! He did confess that the team was seeded with a high ranked Canadian squash player, and I conceded that we had recruited Russel Harris, the Cornish #1, who is centre on the photo below. Ron is 1st left on the back row, and I am 1st left on the front row. Ron had a complete career change while at Queen's, ending his professional life as a Professor of Anatomy!

A great ending to an eventful month.

@barrywills