Institution news
The Institution’s
Bath and Bristol Young Members Panel has organised Bristol’s annual Cardboard Boat Race, part of the Bristol Harbour Festival, for the last three years. The race is a headlining event within the maritime programme, providing an entertaining insight into the creativity and ingenuity of engineers and engineering.
Giles Richardson, a development engineer at Rolls-Royce as well as one of the organisers from the Young Members Panel, helped run proceedings on the day. He said: “The event shows how people can use their skills to enjoy themselves outside of work – anybody can take part. We had one-man-boats as well as a victorious three-oarsman squad, and it was a close-run race!”
This year’s contest was won by the Isamcardboard Kingdom Brunel, created by Peter Redhead, Steve Brasier and Rob Hems, who met while studying engineering and physics at Bristol University and now work in business and industry.
Constructed from cardboard and held together with reasonable quantities of tape, glue and varnish, the winning vessel was successfully rowed across the harbour and back by the team, all of whom sported stylish homemade top hats. Redhead said: “Winning was a complete surprise, after sinking on the return leg last year. We used Brunel as our inspiration, paying homage to the SS Great Britain and Clifton Suspension Bridge. For an engineering event in Bristol, he seemed like the obvious choice.”
The Institution sponsored the participation of 60 primary school children in a ‘Learning Ships’ workshops organised by My Future My Choice for The Bristol Initiative Trust, a body which has held workshops for over 3,000 children over the last five years.
Will McLay, from Magnox Limited as well as the Young Members Panel who helped organise the Cardboard Boat Race, also volunteered in the Learning Ships programme. This involved Will helping small groups of children research, construct (from prepared parts) and decorate a model historical vessel. Dozens of these Young Shipwrights’ vessels then raced during the festival, much to the children’s delight.
Hugh Thomas FRSA, Director of My Future My Choice, said: “The IMechE is an excellent source of motivated and creative volunteers. We have made ships, aeroplanes and even robotic arms and puppets. Many volunteers have spread the word with their companies, which has led to further sponsorship and support for our activities.”
For more details contact the
Bath and Bristol Young Members Panel.