Ron Whittam, Leicester

https://doi.org/10.36866/pn.102.6c

I don’t do nostalgia, with one exception which is Physiology News. The reason is that all the news I get from Oxbridge Colleges and redbrick Universities is linked to donations. The good thing about the Phys Soc and the Roy Soc is unfettered giving without soliciting money.

I much enjoyed your items in the latest News. The pieces about 1965 meetings made me realise how lucky we were to enjoy the bonding of old and young and of members from different branches of physiology. When we sat through sessions we could appreciate advances across the board. It was perhaps a grave error to compartmentalise the subject. The reason for writing is to praise your publication of old minutes, I just want to ask if you might refer to the writer. In this case in 1965 it was Eric Denton. He was such a good secretary and wrote the Minutes on the train home after a meeting. I joined the Committee in 1967 and really valued the camaraderie of the dinners and meetings. Do you think young members today have any concept of the thrill of rubbing shoulders with the top people? Meetings were convivial, cohesive, full of confidence and vitality.

I hope you have a good run as Editor.