Comment by BVAA Director, Rob Bartlett

Triumph & Tragedy

Published: 18th November 2014 | Issue 31 Share article:

It has been an extraordinary few months for the British Valve & Actuator Association in the short period between this and the autumn issue of Valve User magazine, incorporating a wide spectrum of major developments, and indeed emotions.

Our ‘Triumph’ has to be the very successful move on 1st September 2014 to our new headquarters in Banbury (UK). There is a full report on this on page 9. The BVAA Board’s bold decision to equip the Secretariat with a much bigger premises fits perfectly with the Association’s sustained expansion and appetite for further growth, coupled with the fast-track development of the valve professionals of the future. The new BVAA HQ is twice the size of its predecessor, and already we have hosted a whole series of Training courses and multiple meetings on site.

Our ‘Tragedy’ however was the swift and incredibly sad passing our beloved Technical Consultant, Peter Churm on 1st October, after a short illness. There is an obituary on page 7 of this issue. Peter was a very close friend as well as a colleague, and was a guiding light in the valve industry, both nationally and internationally. It is hugely fitting therefore that the vastly-improved training facility at the new BVAA HQ will bear Peter’s name. He will be sadly missed.

Developments at BVAA continue apace however, and the BVAA Secretariat is delighted to announce it has expanded its staff again with the recent addition of Isobel Goldthorpe, who will assist with both the Marketing and Administration activities.

As I write, we’re also gearing up for the PILOT Share Fair in Aberdeen, the BVAA Annual Meetings in County Durham and of course the biennial gathering of Valve industry experts, suppliers and customers that is ‘Valve World’ in Dusseldorf. Do call in to the BVAA Group Stand in Hall 4 if you get the chance (4C21) or indeed the ‘British Reception’ being held at 4D23 on the evening of 2nd December.

You might have noticed too that the magazine has had a design refresh – we hope you like it!

Finally let me take this opportunity to wish all our members, customers and readers a wonderful winter holidays and a very happy and prosperous New Year!

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