The SCTE Annual Dinner, 2002

The SCTE Annual Dinner, Dance and Awards, 2002. The City of Westminster was the venue for the SCTE Annual Dinner, Dance and Awards evening. Members and their guests gathered at No 1, Whitehall Place, the former Liberal Club and now a banqueting suite, for an enjoyable five and a half hours in one another's company. The venue boasts grandiose interiors executed in ceramic tiles, and dark woods that speak of imports in the days of Britain's former colonial glory. Chandeliers shed soft electric light on serried ranks of books, and an imposing circular staircase greets arrivals in the entrance area. The building has many interesting nooks and crannies that eventually lead to, unfortunately, locked doors. A further welcome was awaiting arrivals in the shape of flutes of Champagne or glasses of splendidly refreshing iced orange juice. The call to dine came slightly after eight o' clock and the meal that followed was both interesting and tasty - and there was something to suit everyone's palate - including red and white wines and mineral water.		The President, Dr. Roger Blakeway proposes the toast to the Society

Tom Hall, Director of the SCTE, responds.	Toasting the End of a Difficult Year. The after dinner proceedings began with a loyal toast to her majesty by the Society's President, Dr Roger Blakeway, who also proposed the toast to The Society. Dr Blakeway spoke of the troubled times through which the cable industry was passing at present. The Society had also felt the cold draught that was blowing through the cable world in reduced membership and dwindling monetary reserves. He made a plea for present members to go out and recruit new ones and hinted at possible incentives for signing them up. In response to this, Tom Hall, the Society's octogenarian Director spoke with his usual fervour and optimism for Cable and the future of the Society.

Awards and Presentations As coffee and Petit Fours time arrived, and the liqueurs were being dispensed, the presentation of awards was made. First was The Tom Hall Award for Outstanding Services to Cable Engineering 2002, and it went to a very surprised Ken Quinton MBE. The deserving recipient of this award was a prominent member of Rediffusion before his retirement and had served the cause of British cable engineering well in his years with them.		Ken Quinton receives the Tom Hall Award

Dr. Roger Blakeway presents an Honorary Fellowship to Chris Swires.	Honorary Fellowships Three Honorary fellowships were granted this year, to Russell Eberhardt, Dan Smart and Chris Swires. Unfortunately neither Russell nor Dan could be present to receive theirs, but Chris Swires rose to the occasion with a characteristically witty speech of thanks. All three members have served the Society well for many years. Chris has served the Society in many ways since he first became a member and is renowned for his enthusiasm for the industry and the Society in particular.

A very informative and entertaining evening continued until 1 A.M. with dancing to the group "Choice", a four-piece band returning by popular request. All in all, an enjoyable event spent in an historic and interesting venue amongst colleagues and friends.

	Thanks and Acknowledgements Events like the annual dinner could not be held without the hard work of the secretariat headed by Beverley Allgood, National Secretary, and the support of our sponsors. The Society is pleased to offer its thanks, here, to - Harmonic (UK) Ltd for the dinner wine Teleste UK Ltd for the dinner gifts Segnet Ltd for the menu cards And, of course, Bev


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