The SCTE Annual Dinner, 2003

The SCTE Annual Dinner, Dance and Awards, 2003. Held in the Great Hall of Warwick Castle, the Society's Annual Dinner and Awards proved to be a memorable occasion. Greeted on arrival by a merry fellow in blue we were conducted through the labyrinths within the castle walls to our tables. Throughout the feast music of the gentlest nature was provided by a trio of musicians, two gentlemen and a lady. Each course was heralded with great ceremony as befitted the excellence of the victuals provided. "A Great Success" was the verdict of the members and their guests attending the SCTE Annual Dinner and Awards, held this year at Warwick Castle. Always a prestigious occasion, the venue, the excellent Mediaeval Supper of 5 courses, the well-deserved awards and the continuous thread of entertainment that ran the entire course of the evening was heralded as outstanding by all those fortunate enough to attend.		Guests assemble for dinner.

The President, Dr. Roger Blakeway, looks forward to our 60th anniversary.	Toasting a Good Year for the SCTE As members and guests relaxed after dinner, the President, Dr Roger Blakeway rose to toast Her Majesty the Queen and went on to toast the Society with the hope that it may continue to gather in those enagaged in the business of cable telecommunications. In his address to the gathering the Society's President, Dr Roger Blakeway, expressed optimism for the future flourishing of the Telecommunications Industry and, with it, the fortunes of the SCTE. Our involvement with IBC was one of great mutual benefit, our progress towards a stronger presence in mainland Europe was gathering momentum, and the decline in membership has halted. He added that his main worry now was over how we would be able to celebrate the Society's 60th anniversary in more style than tonight's event! The Vice-President, Chris Swires then arose in reply, complimenting Dr Blakeway for the excellence of his leadership and expressing his thanks to those gathered in the Great Hall for their loyalty, amply displayed by their presence there that evening.

Awards and Presentations The time had come to honour two members for services to the Society and to Cable Telecommunications. For his long and devoted services to the SCTE, Alan Whitlock was made an Honorary Fellow, a well-deserved privilege shared only by seventeen others. The Tom Hall Award for outstanding service to the Society went to Chris Swires, the Society's Vice-President. Like Alan, Chris has given much time and effort for the benefit of the Society. The presentation was made by last year's winner of the award, Ken Quinton. The recipient of the award is a well-kept secret. This year Chris had busily e-mailed several people asking for nominations for the award but had received no replies. Ken Quinton presents the Tom Hall Award to Chris Swires.		Alan Whitlock receives Honorary Fellowship

	Thanks and Acknoledgements The Society would like to thank Tratec Telecom BV for sponsoring the menu scrolls. Thanks also to Graeme Young for this report and the pictures. Events like the annual dinner could not be held without the hard work of the secretariat headed by Beverley Allgood, National Secretary.


© Society of Cable Telecommunication Engineers.