b'Member News November 2023 27CommunitiesIET NorthumbriaLooking forward Network Retiredto a future in Members section is 26!Starting from an informal meeting at Vanengineering Mildert College, University of Durham in 1997,Kimuthu Sumanasena the IET Northumbria Network Retired MembersYear 10 student at The Abbey School, Readingsection recently celebrated its 26 thanniversary. I am currently exploring future directions as a With around 60 members, thebecame the first chairman,student and am particularly fascinated by STEM, network is a valuable asset towith Robert Tindale asso I organised an event to learn more and share the local community.secretary and Alan Harknessthat fascination with my peers. I presented my as treasurer.proposal to request funding for the event from IET Member Ed Dinning MIET reflects on the last 26 yearsThe late Arthur Sheel, aBerkshire, and on 9 February 2023, the IET and I of success: member of Westerhopepresented a Future in Engineering to an audience Methodist Church, was able toof about 300 students, teachers, and parents.26 years on and still going.hire the hall at an advantageous Our thanks go to Alanrate and here we have remainedHonours list for services to Harkness, one of the originalever since. Robin Brooks, ourengineering through public members, for his memories thatcurrent Hon Sec is both aengagement. She gave an are detailed below. retired engineer and Methodistinspiring speech about her In October 1997, Alan JarvisMinister with a long associationprojects and inspirations contacted a few retiredwith this venue.through her years as an members of the then NEHaving served his time asengineer. Professor Georges centre, with the suggestionchairman, Alan Jarvis was givenspeech was fascinating of forming a Retiredthe title of Hon President,and inspirational to listen Members Section. The ideawhich he held until his deathto, and I am beyond happy was well received, and Alanin 2010.Kimuthu opening the event that I got the opportunity to meet and speak with her.I gave an introductory speech sharing myOverall, it was a Possibly the most remembered Hon Sec will beexperiences in planningspectacular event with a John Cure, who served both the Local Networkthe event and the researchlovely atmosphere. I was and the Retired Members section for manyI did about engineering.thrilled that I got the job I then introduced thedone with the help of the years. He continued to be an active memberspeaker, Professor Danielleschool. I also built trust until his death in his 90s in February 2021. HisGeorge, a Professorwith the IET Berkshire widow, Judith, still attends our meetings. in Radio Frequencycommittee to support Engineering and Associateme in organising more Vice President at theevents like this in the University of Manchester.future. The event inspired Many thanks to the Northumbria Retired Members SectionShe was IET Presidentmany students, and I look for sharing their story. If you are interested in joining or even2020/21 and appointedforward to other events starting a Retired Members section, please get in touch:MBE in the 2016 Queenslike this in the future. communities-support@theiet.org'