Transcribed by Roger Thomas

https://doi.org/10.36866/pn.107.23a

Leeds Meeting, 14-15 April 1967

At the invitation of A Hemingway, a meeting of The Society was held in the Department of Physiology, Leeds University, on 14 and 15 April 1967. Beginning at 2 pm on Friday, five papers were heard before tea, which was followed by a very full programme of demonstrations, including several of the risky, live sort, all of which behaved splendidly. Members and guests were then transported to Bodington Hall for sherry, dinner, an informal resumption of the meeting in the bar until 11 pm and finally a good night’s rest. After dinner, E Neil, in proposing The Society’s thanks to its hosts, mentioned that this would be the last occasion on which A Hemingway would be the Chairman at Leeds. He remembered with affection the time spent working in Professor Hemingway’s department, and paid tribute to his many sterling qualities including that of fitness through regular exercise which he, E Neil, in his own fashion, constantly emulated. RJS McDowall also spoke appreciatively of A Hemingway, whom he had both taught and later had on his staff at King’s. In reply, A Hemingway welcomed Members and guests, thanked the members of his staff for their work in preparing for the meeting and hoped that when next The Society visited Leeds it would be in a new department, part of the ambitious and exciting development of
the University.

On Saturday, the remaining part of the programme was taken in Bodington Hall, where Members, deeply ensconced in armchairs, remained remarkably vigorous, though sometimes invisible, in discussion. Under the successive chairmanships of A Hemingway, WJ O’Connor and RJ Linden, the remaining 15 papers were given and the meeting ended at 3.30 pm with tea. Demonstration 5 and Communication 3 were withdrawn.

Friday 14 April – Saturday 15 April Signed: Bryan Matthews

Tea 100, Coffee 91
Dinner 107, Lunch 91
Tea 73

Cambridge Meeting 7 July 1967

At the invitation of BHC Matthews a meeting of the Society was held in the Physiological Laboratory, Cambridge on 20 May 1967, beginning at 10.30 am.

Although this meeting had the almost expected pleasure of an unusual Demonstration by GS Brindley who, on this occasion, played a recorder at both ends and showed a power-assisted bassoon, the meeting did have a number of unusual features. Because of the rising number of Communications, the meeting had been divided and 18 Communications were given in one theatre, with BHC Matthews in the Chair, while 16 Communications were given in a second theatre with WAH Rushton and EB Verney as Chairmen. Although one was withdrawn, there were three extra demonstrations bringing the number to 11; the Chairman modestly regretting that there were not more to an audience which is annually astonished by the efforts of departments which, in and out of term, can like Cambridge, demonstrate so well year after year.

Later, after sherry generously given by the University, Members and their guests had the unusual priviledge of dining, in term time, in the Hall of Pembroke College – a particular triumph for J Hickson who had persuaded the undergraduates to dine early and the Fellows to dine elsewhere. Here there were many distinguished foreign Members and guests including R Stampfli, Y Zotterman and SA Krolenko; with HH Dale at the high table the dinner became a special occasion.

After dinner, Y Zotterman, in a typically vigorous speech, thanked the Chairman and his colleagues. BHC Matthews in reply welcomed The Society’s guests, especially the Master of Pembroke College.

Everyone present drank to the health of HH Dale who in return entertained them by accounts of earlier and more robust meetings when Chairmen could tremble with rage and irritation. On this amiable note this very agreeable meeting ended.

Signed: GL Brown 7 July 1967