Questers’ Visit to Diamond Light

Our party was greeted by Amy who manages all visits amongst many other functions, and we were first directed to their relatively luxurious canteen for a reviving cup. The 2-hour guided tour commenced with a short history and function of the synchrotron, and we realised just how fortunate we were to be able to secure the only general visit available this year to Diamond Light at Harwell which is the UK’s national Synchrotron science facility.

Under the huge doughnut shaped roof electrons are accelerated to near the speed of light, emitting a stream of light which is many million times brighter than the sun. The electrons are directed into what they call ‘beam lines’ and are then used to conduct at sub-atomic level experiments/investigations into various engineering, medical, metallurgical, chemical, biological, veterinary, archaeological, etc problems.

Because it is a ‘not for profit’ organisation, much of the work is basic research in co-operation with universities around the world (but very often Oxford) which must be published so that mankind may benefit from the discoveries made. It is the UK’s contribution to a genuinely international enterprise, and it was no surprise to learn that the 740+ staff were recruited from 43 different nationalities.

Some 10% of their work is confidential and conducted for commercial companies who retain the information and we saw a portion of a very large hollow fan blade as used in the latest engines by Rolls-Royce. Apparently, the company wished to know how the outer surface of the blade reacted to certain load conditions. This information was provided after an investigation by Diamond Light.

At each of the 33 beam lines located at tangents around the outer periphery of the of the beam accelerator we saw descriptions of the research project being undertaken. Of particular interest was the continuing investigations into Cov2 type viruses with the ultimate intention to try to develop a new vaccine which will be effective against all future mutations. This same technology could also be used to combat the influenza virus which mutates every year and currently requires annual immunisation. We noted several other beam lines were conducting other investigations into such diseases as Parkinson’s and cancer.
Several advance technology companies have offices close to Diamond Light (as shown in the attached photo) and they, presumably, utilise their facilities on a regular basis. The present accelerator is now some 20 years old and must be replaced. Components are currently being manufactured and the accelerator will be closed for about a year in the autumn whilst the new one is being constructed. The intention being to maintain our leading role at the cutting edge of a number of scientific disciplines.

This proved to be one of the most interesting visits organised for the Questers group and the necessarily limited number of attendees found all aspects to be fascinating. Our thanks, as usual to Robert our mini-bus driver for safe delivery and return.

Norma Bryan

Questers’ Visit to Stannah

On December 8th 12 of us met at the Andover Headquarters of Stannah at the Portway Estate. This was an oversubscribed trip because numbers were limited by the company due to the factory floor being a working environment.
We were greeted on arrival with a welcome hot coffee in an area overlooking the factory floor and then taken to a training room for an introduction given by Andy Hasilow, Managing Director, followed by a presentation from the Manufacturing Manager Martin Cannon.
Martin told us that this family owned and run company began in London in 1867 when it was manufacturing lifts and cranes for the capital’s docks and by 1900 was also producing passenger lifts. The last 3 pandemic years had been very challenging and had caused the company to make major changes with a growth target set to reach £500 million by 2027
‘Pop’ was the third generation of the Stannah family and it is Pop’s sons who are co-chairs in the company today. Five family members are still active with the 5th generation becoming involved. The company has a scheme enabling every employee to take an equal share of a percentage of annual profit so that the lowest paid and highest paid are rewarded equally . The company can boast a loyal staff with many family members working for them. We were also told that apprenticeship schemes and further education and training at all levels is supported.
Following WW 2 when the London factory was destroyed, Stannah moved to Andover where it has three manufacturing sites in the town and is currently building a vast world class production facility on the Andover Business Park. This will be ready for use in early 2024 when the Anton Mill and Stephenson factories will be shut and moved to the new development. Whilst many people associate Stannah with stair lifts they also make commercial lifts, platforms and escalators and have a major contract with Network Rail among others for these. Stannah has 11 subsidiaries in 43 countries worldwide and manufacturing centres in Newcastle (UK) the Czech Republic and most recently in the USA.
For the planned growth, Stannah will recruit and train local people, currently they employ around 600 from Andover and its surrounding areas. The factory runs on a three-shift basis 7 days a week meaning that domestic stair lift production can be completed within a week from the date of the order. The rails supporting the chair must be manufactured to individual orders because no two staircases are the same, even in identical houses. The company uses its own workers for the installation and is proud of its reputation for speed of completion.
Martin was joined by Stephanie, the Supply Chain Director, and we split into two groups for the factory floor tour and the display/ demonstration centre for domestic lifts and stair lifts. We followed the production line from the arrival of sheet metal to the welding and casting of plates, the powder coating of components [click images to enlarge}

 

The final part of the production line is where the testing (for weight bearing ) of the chairs takes place before they are packed ready for distribution. There was time to try out various stair lift designs and ride in a domestic lift before being treated to a very generous lunch.

 

Before giving our thanks and leaving we were each given a notebook and pen/ruler/spirit level and had a group photograph beside a chair with upholstery designed for Christmas!
Jane Leishman

Questers Group Visit to Thatchers Cider Mill

This proved to be a most interesting and enjoyable visit, although the generous inclusive tastings of some of the many ciders produced on site certainly helped provide a feel-good element to the day!

We arrived in plenty of time to commence our guided tour with the ever-informative Sally at 11.00. Our visit coincided with the busy period of main crop cider apples, and there were three large loads awaiting processing at the crushing mill. It is at harvest time that the mill is busy, processing all the apples into juice which goes into extended storage, with the residue sold on for cattle food.
They make cider all the year round, blending different apple varieties to produce the desired flavour. Depending upon the weather, apple flavours can vary sufficiently to require different proportions of each type to produce a consistent taste over the years. Over time tastes change, and Thatchers are constantly innovating. They make three or four unique new blends each year which are test marketed over the bar at the company owned on site Railway Inn.
Thatchers are the largest independent cider manufacturer in the UK, and are second only to Strongbow (owned by Heineken) in total sales. The company is a real success story and has grown its turnover under the present father & son (fourth generation Thatchers) from £2 million to £138million during the past 20 years. We noticed new and extensive investment all around us during this tour which was completed with an excellent meal at the Railway Inn (and more cider).

Ron Bryan (on behalf of Norma who was unable to attend)