|
| |
 WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH OF THE INSTITUTE OF QUARRYING VISIT TO SALT UNION LIMITED WINSFORD ROCK SALT MINE
The West Midlands Branch 2003-2004 activities started with a visit to “The De-Icing Business” at Winsford Rock Salt Mine on Thursday 11 September
2003.
The meeting started with a description of the history and geology of the Winsford Salt Mines and the current range of products and services offered by Salt Union Limited.
|
 |
 |
The visit went underground where a tour of the underground workings took place and the attendees were able to see some of the 100 miles of caverns excavated, approximately 50 metres beneath ground level.
The delegates were able to view the infrastructure involved in running a large-scale mining operation underground and a particular highlight was the ability to watch the miner in close operation.
|
|
The underground section of the visit concluded with the delegates being able to view the document storage capability, which uses the cavities created by past excavations to provide a safe stable environment in
which documents may be stored.
The visit concluded with further discussions regarding the activities of Salt Union Limited. |
BRIMONN SCREEN MESH AND EFFECTIVE CONVEYOR BELT CLEANING
The first two technical papers for the 2003/2004 season were presented on Tuesday 7 October 2003 at The Oaks at Redhill by Mr Brian Marshall of Brimonn Screen Mesh manufacturers and Mick Griffin of Steeldale. |
|
|
The paper presented by Brian Marshall gave the branch an insight on the types of mesh and screen available together with their capacities and versatility in their use within the quarrying industry. Mick
Griffin complimented the talks given by Brian Marshall by describing the various types of scrapers and other methods available for cleaning conveyor belts and the benefits of thorough effective belt cleaning. |
 |
Wine tasting evening at “Tanners”
On Tuesday 4th November 2003 members of the West Midlands Branch of the Institute of Quarrying enjoyed a wine tasting evening at “Tanners” Wyle Cop Cellars in Shrewsbury
After a welcoming glass of white wine members were given a short but informal talk about the eight different wines which we would be sampling and a tasting sheet. |
Very soon we were experiencing the sensuous delights of wines from France, Span, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile and Lebanon.
Thanks to our hostess bouquets and flavours were identified within the wines – after smelling a fresh strawberry it is very easy to recognise the intense strawberry fruit on the palate from a red wine! We were also encouraged to think of what flavour of food would accompany the wine – with a surprise ‘find’ of a white wine which compliments spicy food (“Gewurztraminer” with its rose petal nose and firm, fruit filled
palate).
Upon completion of the tasting we embarked, whilst sipping a glass (or two) of champagne, on a guided tour of their historic cellars and then members partook of some retail therapy in Tanners’ well stocked shop. Whilst many members were heard to utter the words “this will make an excellent Christmas gift for Dad” it is doubtful whether many of the purchases will still be corked by December 25th!
THE USE OF COMMERCIAL EXPLOSIVES IN THE FILM AND DEMOLITION INDUSTRY
The activities of the branch for 2003 were closed with a bang by the giving of a talk by Malcolm Ingry of Etchem Explosives on the use of commercial explosives in the film and demolition industry.
The talk was extremely well received by the branch and Malcolm provided an interesting and lively insight into the use of explosives including describing the explosives and systems used in providing the special effects for a number of high budget film productions and his involvement in the largest controlled building explosion in Europe, perhaps appropriately being the tax office in Bootle, Liverpool.
The branch having heard of the destruction of the tax office we will able to enjoy and settle down to the Christmas festivities which included a Christmas Lunch organised by the branch at Penkridge.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND NEW ASBESTOS REGULATIONS
The 2004 season started with two technical papers being given on Wednesday 14 January 2004 on the subject of Energy Management and the Asbestos Regulations 2003.
Dr Stephen Cripps of Carraig Associates presented an informative paper on Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme and the initiatives for the efficient management of energy and resources which included a basic guide through the maize of government and non-government bodies responsible for energy matters.
Howard Joynes of JMS Construction Engineers provided a practical guide to the effects of the Asbestos Regulations 2003 which included a number of practical steps to be taken on site in order to comply with the Regulations.
JOINT MEETING WITH CMPE AT FINNING (UK) LIMITED WATLING STREET, CANNOCK
The best supported event of the 2003/2004 programme was a joint meeting organised in conjunction with the CMPE at Finning, Cannock.
The branch was given an insight into the internal procedures and structural changes within the Finning organisation and how this will help improve the levels of service together with on-site support to the quarrying industry.
It is always one of the heavily supported events in the calendar for both the CMPE and the Institute with a very respectable 25 members attending.
The one site presentation was led by Roy Poole, Gerry Ray and Ben Rhodes who provided the technical information. They also hosted a tour around the workshops with new machines and reworks on display. The evening was rounded off with a generous buffet.
The growth of this company is quite staggering following the purchase of Lex Harvey and Hewden Stuart. They are entering into the market place of opportunity at every tune. Cannock depot is the Centre of UK heavy construction, quarrying and specialist fabrication. Together with the new Orbital site for Materials Handling plus Power Systems, all administered by separate impressive operations.
WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH OF THE INSTITUTE OF QUARRYING VISIT
TO RMC DOVEHOLES
On a dry but windy day, a party from the West Midlands ventured up into the wilds of Buxton for a site visit to RMC’s quarry at Doveholes. After an initial presentation on the operations of the quarry, plant layouts, production volumes etc, a full tour of the quarry and its operations took place.
Our sincere thanks to Keith Wills – Area Operation Manager, Chris Firth – Quarry Manager, Kim Shilcock – Work’s Manager for their hospitality and for a first class site visit which was appreciated by all.
|
DINNER DANCE FUND RAISER
|
For the second year running we selected the Ramada Resort at Sutton Coldfield for our Annual Dinner Dance and once again selected the County Air Ambulance based locally at RAF Cosford as our fund raising charity.
|
 |
 |
Thanks to the generosity of the companies who donated tombola prizes and to those members / guests who generously bought tombola tickets, we raised over £1,100 which was presented to the Air Ambulance by Rachel Stone and Ian Jones.
A new venture of “Sit down/Stand up” Bingo was introduced on the night with great success and the winner receiving a ‘Gallon of Scotch’ and the runner up the ever present “cuddly toy”! Our thanks to RMC Aggregates (Western) Ltd for this year donating two “gallon of scotch” prizes and a special thanks to Martin Wood, our Master of Ceremonies for once again “persuading” those present to part with their cash! |
|
