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11 May
2005
Royal seat of approval awarded to
George
 When George Linekar retired from Dounreay at the end of April his
colleagues presented him with a chair, or more correctly, a very special
chair! In the late fifties, the late Queen Mother visited the site, and to
ensure she had her customary post-lunch nap a club-style loungue chair was
specially acquired. Since then it has adorned a number of manager’s
offices. Having looked after the chair for the last number of years, it
was felt that both George and chair should remain together in retirement.
George, a metallurgist, commenced at Dounreay in 1965, and since then has
held a number of senior posts on site.
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He was a recipient of the George Kinchin award given to people who made a major contribution to science and
technology at Dounreay. George’s contribution was determining rating
limitations in fuel pins, and for work on neutron induced void swelling in
fast reactor materials. Colin Gregory, head of director’s support
office, thanked George for his contribution to science and technology at
Dounreay. In responding, George said he was privileged to have worked in
the field of nuclear technology. “I also had the honour of working with
some brilliant engineers and scientists during my time on site,” said
George. A poem, written by his daughter Aimee was read at the opening of
the new Scottish Parliament. George and his wife Zelda live in Thurso. |
Queen Mother With A Group of scientists
in the late 1950's |
5
May 2005
Lawson Rosie Retires
 Lawson
Rosie, a native of Thurso, joined UKAEA in August 1961, and for all
but three years, spent all of his service in the Pensions Office,
formerly Superannuation. On his last day in the office, alongwith
his wife May, he was met by colleagues both past and present, and was the
recipient of gifts and money, the latter to be used to but a digital
camera and a painting. Alan Cormack, Pension Office manager, spoke of
Lawson's sterling service and the respect he was held in. "Over the years
Lawson has worked with a great number of UKAEA staff both locally and from
other sites and, because of the service we provide, staff from BNFL and
NRPB. All have been impressed by his calm, logical and professional
manner."
Brian Hughes
 Brian
Hughes was born in Tonypandy in the Rhondda South Wales, the son of a
Welsh miner. He qualified as a metallurgist, and after for a local steel
firm, joined UKAEA in January, 1965. What made him leave the famous Welsh
valley for the rolling, open landscape of Caithness? "I saw at first hand
what mining was doing to my father's health and many others in the
community. I wanted to work in an industry that created electricity
cleanly and safely and I saw nuclear energy as the perfect medium. I still
think that." He began in post irradiation examination of experimental fuel
for DFR and later PFR. He later joined Site Nuclear Safety Group before
moving to his last posting with Environmental Monitoring. Brian said he
was retiring with many happy memories of the site and in particular its
compassion. Shortly after joining UKAEA there was an accident in the pit
in which his father worked. Arthur Parry, who was deputy director, took
Brian to the Personnel office and instructed them to find out details of
the accident which were somewhat sketchy. Eventually they got through to
the police in the Rhondda who confirmed that Brian's father was safe,
although thirty-two miners perished. Mr Parry arranged that Brian be
awarded compassionate leave and free travel home. Mr Parry, who came from
a mining family and would have understood the community's grief said:
"This is a day when everyone in the valley belongs to each other." On his
last day at work, David Lord, Environmental Compliance Manager, presented
Brian with a radio-controlled clock and a framed photograph of Sandside
Beach. Brian and his wife are to remain in Caithness.
Dounreay
Senior Manager Retires
 Dr
Stephen Cowlam joined UKAEA Harwell in 1975 and transferred to Dounreay in
1992. He retired from Dounreay at the end of April. Stephen, a chemical
engineer, is a graduate of Loughborough University and Georgia Institute
of Technology. USA. His first post at Dounreay was as a Department Manager
in Plant Operations Group with the remit to ‘get the fuel plants back into
operation’. Thanks to the drive, energy and teamwork of the people
involved, much was achieved, including running two re-processing plants
simultaneously, a Dounreay first, and making fuel products for a number of
customers. In 1999 he became the site’s Head of Business Support Group,
during which time annual funding was doubled and over 300 new staff were
recruited to support the planned decommissioning programme. This work
included the modernisation of staff development, streamlining management
systems, and the preparation of a planning document that provides Highland
Council with information on Dounreay’s forward plans. “It helps Highland
Council to detail the Caithness local plan with Dounreay’s plans to
decommission the site.” Stephen and his wife Elisabeth, a piano
teacher, plan to remain in Reay, where he will pursue life-long interests
in astronomy and aviation. |