The ICE Water Expert Panel recently visited the ICE West Midlands Region for its annual regional meeting. The meeting was hosted by Professor Ian Guymer and took place at the University of Warwick.
The ICE West Midlands was represented at the meeting by Regional Director, Steve Feeley and Graduate and Student Committee Chair, Naomi Hacker. Both Steve and Naomi provided informative presentations on the work that the ICE staff and members have undertaken in the region, particularly with regard to heightening the reputation of civil engineers and communicating the importance of civil engineering to the public.
The Water Panel was also joined by Hugh Fell from the Royal Institution of British Architects (RIBA). In his role at RIBA, Hugh has been leading their work on the valuation of water. This is a subject that the Water Panel has been debating and discussing of recent and RIBA’s report Valuation of Water as a Separate Resource is an excellent document highlighting the continuing importance of the value of water as a natural resource.
There was also a celebrity present at the meeting. The Water Panel had the great privilege of being in the presence of Brunel the Bear. Brunel was in the West Midlands as part of his tour of the UK as he collects money for charity. Brunel had some interesting thoughts on the transfer of private sewers and enjoyed the marmalade sandwiches that were provided for lunch.