History of Physics Group Committee Matters

Introduction
As incoming chairman, my report is, of course, based on information given to me by the committee members.

Membership
This has now risen to 505 members (from around 400 last year), which is quite respectable for a group which is not one of the big battalions.

Administrative Matters
John Roche, together with other acting and retiring chairmen of groups, on 7th September had a meeting with Dr Alun Jones, Chief Executive of the Institute of Physics, and with various other officers of the IOP. Two matters of interest to our group emerged at this meeting:

(a) They pleaded with us to run a meeting of our group during the Annual Congress of the IOP. We have co-operated with the congress from time to time in the past, but not on a regular basis.

(b) We now have the freedom to use our funds as we please - provided it "serves the interest of the Group". This means that we can run one day meetings if we wish without having to charge heavy registration fees to our members and prohibitive fees to non-members. This is good news, indeed, for the Group. With an annual budget of £4000 (£1500 + an additional £6 for each member) we ought easily to be able to run two one-day meetings.

The IOP has received a gift of four 78 rpm records of lectures by Sir William Bragg. We have been given a tape recording and asked if we have any suggestions concerning what can best be done with the records.

Public Meetings
On the corresponding day last year, on 23rd October 1999, Stuart Leadstone, with the co-operation of Willem Hackmann and the History of Science Museum, Oxford, ran a meeting in Oxford to celebrate Volta's discovery of the electrochemical battery. Since the museum there was closed for refurbishment the meeting was held in the History Faculty Building. Appropriately, two Italian historians of physics gave interesting lectures about the work and travels of Volta. Neil Brown has given a very full account of the meeting in the latest (Spring 2000) issue of our Newsletter.

On Saturday 26th February 2000 our Honorary Secretary Sophie Duncan, with the help of Neil Brown and colleagues at the Science Museum organised a meeting on Time and its measurement - to celebrate the end of a millennium. The meeting became very lively indeed when Einstein's theory of time was raised - in particular the interpretation of the twins paradox.

On June 12th 2000, Howard Watson gave the group the benefits of his extensive research into pubs with connections to Physics. This was followed by a very enjoyable meal in a local pub.

Planning Meeting (Committee)
On Saturday 4th December 1999 the Committee had a very productive planning meeting hosted by Sophie Duncan in the Science Museum. Nine committee members were present. The convenors of various meetings planned for 2000 reported the progress in organising the meetings - in particular the meeting on Time in February 2000 and the concept meeting on Quantum Theory in October 2000.

Newsletter and Website
Lucy Gibson brought out her second issue of the Newsletter (Spring 2000, No.13) and Mike Thurlow again put it on the website. This was even better than the first Newsletter, absolutely packed with interesting information, and with a high standard of editing and production. Lucy and Mike are to be particularly congratulated on creating a website and contents which have received the highest number of "hits" this year.

Elections
John Roche and Neil Brown retired as chairman and honorary secretary at the AGM in 1999. I - although I was unable to be present - was elected chairman (without opposition, I understand!) and Sophie Duncan, Honorary Secretary. I am delighted that our link with the Science Museum is maintained. Indeed, it should be strengthened since Sophie and I are now near neighbours.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank John Roche and Neil Brown for their services as Chairman and Honorary Secretary to this group.

Ian Butterworth, Chairman