Minutes of a Meeting of the SPG held on Thursday 18th October 2018
in the Badger, Ponteland

Members convened at 8pm. Those present were, in round the table order, David Robinson, Maureen Angus, Mary-Clare Robinson, James Henry, Brian Angus, Adrian Morley and Chris Wright. Apologies were received from Phil Sloan, who was presiding over a meeting of his Odontological Society. Apologies were also received from David Appleton. Members were sorry to hear he had been ill and had spent a week in RVI, returning home on the day of the meeting. Some members had spoken to him and were pleased to hear he was making a good recovery. Tom had recently received a visit at home from Adrian and he also gave his apologies.
 
As usual the range of topics discussed was wide ranging from bird ringing, through the effect of the summer “heat wave” on fruit yields, and predictions on the future career of Professor Sir Nicholas Wright, all foretelling more success; he still has four PhD students for example. Some members did not know he was as successful in rugby as in academia, leading the Barts team to the top of the local hospital league. James discussed current government moves to centralise pathology on a regional basis. The motive appears to be financial (cost saving). The role of digital pathology in the project was discussed. Whilst there was agreement that digital pathology had many valuable roles, some members doubted that presently it could not match conventional microscopic diagnosis. Allotments are an endeavour shared by quite a few members, and several matters were discussed including the contributions of landowner the Duke of Northumberland to this popular communal cultivation activity.
 
Adrian announced that he was about to reach a milestone birthday but would not say which one. He invited us to dinner at the Rat for a celebration, to be combined with our usual Autumn meal. Members unanimously accepted his invitation. Adrian said he would investigate a suitable day in November, and that an announcement would follow. The food served at the Badger was excellent, and much fine ale and other beverages were consumed. Badger stew was not on the menu.
 
The meeting closed just before 10pm

Dr Brian Angus
brianangus@fastmail.fm
45 Willow Way
Ponteland
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE20 9RF

Phone 01661 825776
Mobile 0771 8596981