Below is a collection of news stories that focus on the activities of our members. You can scroll through them using the arrows left and right.
Lord Mayors Show 2024
On 9 November 2024, SIM combined with five other organisations under the grouping Our National Quality Infrastructure to join the Lord Mayors Show. The float consisted of representatives from UKAS, WCSIM, BSI, NPL, CQI|IRCA and CTSI. The float (named after…
Measuring the Monument
SIM are proud to have been so closely involved with this project. Go here to find out more.
SIM at Honourable Artillery Company Light Cavalry annual inspection
On Sunday, Master elect Jim Webster and Senior Warden elect Jane Fishwick were guests of the Honourable Artillery Company Light Cavalry at their annual inspection by the Honorary Liveryman and Lord Mayor of London, Michael Mainelli at Windsor.
Secret Kensington Walk
On Saturday 07 September 2024 Past Master, Martyn Wheatley, organized another fun and fascinating history walk for twenty-one SIM members around Kensington. Photo taken by John Caunt.
Remembering Past Liverymen – Maria Watkins
Maria Watkins was a very active Liveryman in the 1980-90's and a keen supporter of Apprentices. She died in 2010 and you might like to read the following written about her in 2019 under the heading Magnificent Women (in Engineering).…
Jodrell Bank Trip organised by the Manchester Hub
The WCSIM enjoyed a great day out at the Jodrell Bank Observatory, organised by the Manchester SIM Hub, on Saturday 13th April 2024.
Freeman Meng Wu in Ingenia
One of our newest Freemen Meng Wu has recently featured in Ingenia where he mentions one of his biggest achievements as becoming a Freeman which is praise indeed given his other ahievements. Go here to read more about Meng Wu…
Freeman Anna Davis publication
We are pleased to share details of Anna Davis’ recent publication ‘”Playing with fire”: implications of Russia’s Occupation of Chornobyl and Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plants for the global nuclear order,’ St. Antony’s International Review (STAIR). 18:1, October 2023. pp. 137-149(13).…
WCSIM Webinar – Sharing a National Objective: UK Exporters, Science and Government
Liveryman Carl Hunter of Coltraco Ultrasonic Technology, delivered the WCSIM webinar “Sharing a National Objective: UK Exporters, Science and Government” on Nov 28, 2023 To view a recording of the event please go here. Passcode JA*3Pk#&
Admission Court Dinner
Mr Aubrey Dunford newly installed Master, assisted by the new Senior Warden Mr Jim Webster and the new Junior Warden Mrs Jane Fishwick, hosted the Admission Court Dinner of the Scientific Instrument Makers’ Company held in Scientific Instrument Makers’ Hall…
Youngest Freemen of the City
We are very pleased to have a number of new members become Freemen of the City over the past month. In the photo are Simon Moore, Peter Claque and Gautam Kambhampati. Also admitted recently are Malcolm George, Callum Stirlinig and…
WCSIM Hub Manchester September 23
The recent Manchester SIM Hub meeting, four members attended: David, Irene, Mason and myself. We had a good catchup and great discussions on a number of topics including space, robotics, technology, physics, global politics and travel.
WCSIM History Walk – The Secret City, West of St Pauls Report
On Saturday 09 September, on the hottest day of 2023 so far, fifteen SIM members turned up at Caffé Nero, to take part in the Past Master, Martyn Wheatley’s, latest history walk, The Secret City, West of St Pauls.
WCSIM Bristol Hub
The SIM Bristol Hub met on Saturday 24th June for a guided tour of the Aero Space Bristol museum
WCSIM Manchester Hub Second Meeting
The second Manchester SIM Hub meeting was held on Thursday 3rd of August, once again at the Wharf pub.
Liveryman Michael Stanley Rocky C.Eng MIEE Obituary
Mike as he liked to be known, joined the Livery in 1970 after a career in the UK Atomic Energy Authority. He later joined the Central Electricity Generation Board and Nuclear Energy plc retiring in 1992. He joined the Livery…
Read More Liveryman Michael Stanley Rocky C.Eng MIEE Obituary
Economic lessons from the J-value for covid response
The Master Prof. Philip Thomas gave a lecture to Aldermanic Sherriff Michael Mainelli’s FS, Financial Services club. Click here to watch.
Livery Climate Action Group Conference
Liveryman Shelley Charik recently attended the annual conference of the Livery Climate Action Group, which was held at Merchant Taylors’ Hall. This is his report on the event.
Livery Careers Showcase – Guildhall
A number of WCSIM members, organised by Liveryman Ian Gilbert, have been at the Livery Careers Showcase this week. Supported with equipment kindly lent by NPL. The Master sends his thanks to all those who helped with this stall sharing…
Usk 2023: the Master’s Weekend
Guests and summer arrived together on our first afternoon at Cwrt Bleddyn, the historic manor house hotel playing host to this year’s Master’s Weekend, in Usk, South Wales, from 12 to 15 May 2023.
Primary Engineer Celebration Day June 16th 2023
The celebration day on 16th June was to showcase how well the children had done building their vehicles and how well they understood about the technology in the cars.
Manchester Hub meeting
The first Manchester SIM hub meeting occurred on 15 June at the Wharf Pub. Organiser Sam White is pleased to announce it was successful. There were 5 company members in attendance, a soon-to-be member and 2 further guests. They had some great…
Past Master Prof Ray Hills obituary
Professor Raymond (Ray) Hills passed away peacefully in his sleep on the 17th May 2023 following a short illness. He was a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers.
Following The Walbrook River – A SIM History Walk
On Saturday 11 March, twenty SIM members joined Past Master Martyn Wheatley, and his wife Valerie, for an informative and fascinating London History walk, Following the Walbrook River.
WCSIM Group to All-Party Parliamentary Engineering Group in House of Lords
On Wednesday 22 February, Liveryman Ian Gilbert, Freeman Edward Talboys and Apprentices Noa Barcons Daniels and Oliver Bridge were hosted by Professor The Lord Mair CBE at the All-Party Parliamentary Engineering Group (APPEG) discussion and lunch in the House of…
Read More WCSIM Group to All-Party Parliamentary Engineering Group in House of Lords
Primary Engineer Training Day
Primary Engineer Training Day, 3rd February 2023, Glaziers Hall
Launch of the Centre for Underwater Acoustic Analysis
Press Release Coltraco December 2022 – from Liveryman Professor Carl Stephen Patrick Hunter OBE
Liveryman Prof Lisa Hall awarded MRC Prize
Congratulations to Professor Hall, Professor of Analytical Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge, as one of only two winners of the 2022 MRC Millenium Medal. She is recognised for her pioneering multidisciplinary work and key translational impacts in biotechnology and…
Past Master Ken Reay profile
The Company is pleased to share the following link to the Washington, Old County Durham, local history site which has recently posted a profile of Past Master Ken Reay titled Memories of a Washington Physicist/Astronomer.
SIM Hon Liveryman admitted to Order of Merit
Sir Paul Nurse, who is an Honorary Liveryman in the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers, was one of six people whom the King appointed, in November, to the Order of Merit.
Oxford Hub meeting
The SIM Oxford Hub held a meeting on the 22nd November at the Rose and Crown. As usual there was good and informed conversation, catching up with everyone’s news and progress, and generally putting the World to rights. The evening finishes…
WCSIM at the Lord Mayor’s Show
What could be better than a stroll in the warm, autumn sunshine, through the heart of the City, with no cars to bother you, because, thoughtfully, all the roads have been closed to traffic, just to preserve your peace of…
Another Floating Livery Event
The WCSIM own two vintage cutters, which we enter, in various events on the Thames throughout the year, such as The Tudor Pull and The Great River Race.
The first floating Four Liveries Event – hosted by Lightmongers
On an unseasonably balmy 13th October, four livery companies took to the Thames to sail under the nine London bridges that have been lit up as part of the Illuminated River Project – the longest art installation in the world.
Past Master David Anthony Wallis 1932-2022 Obituary
David was Master in 1995 having become a Liveryman in 1977. He died on 7 August 2022.
Reflections Flotilla
On Saturday night the 24th September, the Thames Festival put on a poignant Reflection in honour of our late Queen.
Sheep Drive 25 September 2022
On Sunday 25th September, Liveryman Dr Alessandro Raimondo exercised his right as a Freeman of the City to take sheep across London Bridge. The weather was fortunately kind, and Alessandro and his wife Clara and son Efrem had a wonderful time. …
Apprentice Gabrielle Feenan wins brief description prize
Earlier this year the Freeman and Apprentice Wardens conducted a survey of younger members. We received many good suggestions on how to briefly describe the company and Gabrielle’s contribution won the approval of the Membership Development and Promotion Committee. Click…
Read More Apprentice Gabrielle Feenan wins brief description prize
Liveryman Dr Tom Davis’ company Oxford Sigma update
Oxford Sigma hosts university students Lauren Mentiply and Alistair Darnton for the UKAEA Fusion Industry Programme Summer Placement Scheme
Freeman Ruth Amos in Top 50 Women in Engineering list
Congratulations to Ruth for making it into the Inventors and innovators, Top 50 Women in Engineering 2022 list. Click here to read more.
Review of Atoms and Ashes by Senior Warden Philip Thomas
Senior Warden Philip Thomas’ invited review was mentioned by Literary Review on its front cover. It argues against the pessimistic view on the future of civil nuclear power held by Harvard historian, Serhii Plokhy, and might be of interest to…
Read More Review of Atoms and Ashes by Senior Warden Philip Thomas
Prince Michael of Kent presents Royal Charter
The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress Alderman and Mrs Vincent Keaveny,were present when Prince Michael of Kent, a Liveryman of the Company of Scientific Instrument Makers, presented the Company’s Royal Charter to Mr C A Holroyd, Master, at Mansion House…
Standing the test of time: the bespoke, architectural sundials of Joanna Migdal
Please click on the following link to see news of Liveryman Joanna Midgal who has been creating bespoke sundials (perhaps one of the oldest scientific instruments?) for decades. Joanna designed the Millennium Measure that can be found below the Millennium…
Read More Standing the test of time: the bespoke, architectural sundials of Joanna Migdal
Masters Weekend in Geneva
The WCSIM trip to Geneva has been a long time in the making and it marks the Masters’ weekend for both the current Master, Charles Holroyd, and Deputy Master, Martyn Wheatley. The organisation of this trip could not have been…
Ron Howard Memorial Dinner 2022
Past Master Ron Howard most kindly bequested a sum of money to the Livery, to be spent on an annual dinner for members of the Court and their consorts. This year’s dinner was arranged by our Clerk Emeritus Neville Watson. …
Minerva Webinar – Advanced Measurement Technologies of Ballistic Toolmarks by Dr Katie Addinall
Recording of the Minerva Webinar delivered by the 2021 Beloe Fellow Dr Katie Addinall can be found here.
ReHaus (refugee accomodation) update
Freeman Jordan Griffith has let us know the first prototype is complete. It was shared with the offsite show last week in excel where the show organisers allowed us to exhibit to shelter for free.
Professor Carlo Rubbia becomes Honorary Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers of London
Nobel Laureate, Professor Carlo Rubbia, was appointed as an Honorary Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers at its Court meeting on 27th April 2022.
Free Lecture
Delivered by IPEM and City, University of London at 11:00 – 12:00 BST on Thursday 23rd June 2022. Online – Follow this link for more details and booking page.
British Company Coltraco Ultrasonics Wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise, for Second Time
Liveryman Carl Stephen Patrick Hunter OBE Chairman of Coltraco Ultrasonics is honoured that his company has won The Queens Award for Enterprise 2022. High-exporting, advanced manufacturer Coltraco Ultrasonics won the Queens Award for International Trade in 2019 and are honoured…
Read More British Company Coltraco Ultrasonics Wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise, for Second Time
Apprentice Gabrielle Feenan’s entrepreneurial venture
Gabrielle has been included in Belfast Telegraph 30 Under 30 Northern Ireland Entrepreneurs for setting up a sustainable cork furniture business based on her final year project.
London’s Tyburn River Revisited by a WCSIM History Walk
Twenty fortunate WCSIM Members and their guests were privileged to be guided by Deputy Master Martyn Wheatley and his wife Valerie on a wonderful history walk following the course of the underground Tyburn River across London.
Congratulations to Tom and Anna
Liveryman Dr Thomas Paul Davis and Freeman Anna Jewell Davidson were married on 19 February 2022. The wedding was attended by close family members at the Torbay Register Officer in Torquay. Tom and Anna will travel soon to Florida, where…
Apprentice Rosie Edwards on BBC Radio Wales
Rosie had an Aston Martin day at school on 11 February 2022, which was very exciting. She was picked by the school to go on BBC Radio Wales and be interviewed alongside their motorsport driver Jessica Hawkins. If you’d like…
Why the Omicron wave won’t overwhelm the NHS
Senior Warden Philip Thomas’ latest COVID update – Read the latest Spectator report here.
Singer Instruments winners of the Workplace Culture award
Singer Instruments (CEO Liveryman Harry Singer) are super happy to have won the Workplace Culture award at the amazing Tech South West event in November this year!
Latest from COVID modeller Senior Warden Philip Thomas
Latest Spectator article here. With detailed modelling and reference to Omicron. Daily Mail article here about the bewildering blizzard of mixed-message madness.
Senior Warden Philip Thomas COVID update
Read the daily Mail report here. Don’t panic! He’s the expert who’s got every Covid prediction right. Now read PHILIP THOMAS’s peerless analysis of the new infection fright – and why there’s nothing to fear
Congratulations to Past Master Professor Kenneth Grattan OBE
Professor Kenneth Grattan OBE FREng granted the International Measurement Confederation (IMEKO) Distinguished Service Award Please go here to read more.
Liveryman Stephen O’Connor appointed a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering
Congratulations to Liveryman and Court Assistant Stephen O’Connor for being appointed a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering
The Masters 03Q21 Blog
It is hard to believe that it is three months since my last Master’s Blog. Life at SIM, is busy, and especially as The Master.
Freeman Bridget Donaldson awarded the Marshall of Cambridge Gold Medal
Bridget felt extremely honoured on 8 September 2021 to be awarded the Marshall of Cambridge Gold Medal at The Air League first Parliamentary reception in two years.
WCSIM History Walk – Following the Westbourne River
The start with Paddington at Paddington……………
Apprentice Andrey Gizdov charity mountain race appeal
Andrey has decided to celebrate his 21st birthday, by competing in a 21-kilometer mountain race with over 2000m of altitude climbing – to raise money for people suffering chronic skin diseases. The race will be from Samokov (a city in Bulgaria)…
Read More Apprentice Andrey Gizdov charity mountain race appeal
Apprentice wins prestigious City of London award
Apprentice Ukendar Vadivel, (17) from North-West London is awarded the Lord Mayor’s COVID-19 Livery Award recognising the contribution made by Livery Company members in 2020 in support of the City and communities impacted by the COVID19 pandemic.
Apprentice Gabrielle Feenan
Congratulations to Gabrielle Feenan for graduating with 1st First Class Honours in Product Design from Ulster University She is thankful for all the help and guidance from peers and lecturers along the way! 🥂. Her final year project – Korkki…
Annual Banquet 2 July 2021
Back to normal (nearly) at the Summer Banquet – report from Junior Warden Philip Thomas
New instrument developed during COVID19
Portascanner details by Liveryman Carl Hunter, Chairman Coltraco Ultrasonics Ltd
Beloe Fellow 2021 – Katie Addinall of University of Huddersfield
Every year the Company awards a number of post-graduate Scholarships to reseachers advancing the field of instrumentation. The most prestigoous award is that of Beloe Fellow and we are pleased to announce this year’s award goes to Katie Addinall of…
Read More Beloe Fellow 2021 – Katie Addinall of University of Huddersfield
More on COVID from Junior Warden, Philip Thomas
The Spectator, TalkRADIO and Daily Mail cover Prof Thomas’ work
Suez Canal comment
Letter to the Editor of The Daily Telegraph from Liveryman Carl Stephen Patrick Hunter
Freeman Daniel Saul, Conquers Spanish Innovation Competition
British Cyber Security Startup, founded by Freeman Daniel Saul, Conquers Spanish Innovation Competition
Networking in the Livery
All Party Parliamentary Engineering Group and Freeman Bridget Donaldson
Liveryman Philip Thomas writing in the Spectator
Liveryman Philip Thomas has had two articles published recently in The Spectator.
Apprentice Andrey Gizdov – lockdown internship
Just before the worldwide lockdown in February, I unwittingly flew to the Weizmann Institute to do a 3-month internship in Artificial Intelligence.
Liveryman Anne Thorne – a member for 30 years
Anne Thorne was admitted as a Liveryman in 1992 but her connection with the company started a few years before that.
Freeman Amy Congdon gives talk on biofabrication
On 27th October 2020, Freeman Amy Congdon, of Biofabricate, delivered a talk introducing the field of biofabrication.
Junior Warden contributes to struggle against COVID 19
Junior Warden Philip Thomas has devised a way of measuring a range of parameters for the monitoring of Covid-19.
Apprentice Piotr’s Lararek’s battery management system for solar powered UAVs
A video is available that describes Piotr’s approach to producing a battery management system for solar powered UAVs.
Scholars Mairi Dorward wins research grant
One of our Scholars, Mairi Dorward, has won a grant for renewable energy research – measuring complex marine currents for use in the tidal energy sector.
Diana Virgovičova – a very busy apprentice
One of our Apprentices, Diana Virgovičova, has certainly been very busy in the last year, collecting a number of awards.
Liveryman Ben Fernando reports on his time at the AGU
The Company helped Ben with a grant to support his attendance at the American Geophysical Union conference in California.
Apprentice at forefront of medical mask printing
Josh Mitchel, currently an Apprentice is involved in 3D printing of face masks as part of the fight against COVID 19.
Freeman James Forsey represents UK at G7 Youth Summit
Freeman James Forsey has been selected to represent the United Kingdom at the G7 Youth Summit.