London and South East Milling Society
The UK's biggest milling society bringing together people in the industry
An audience of c.50 people attended 21 Arlington St. for a talk by George Marriage, Chairman of W & H Marriage & Sons. George gave a fascinating insight into a 200-year-old milling business that was thoroughly enjoyed by all present.
Fifty members and eight guests attended the 77th annual general meeting, held on Tuesday 10th October 2023, at 21, Arlington Street.
The President, Daren Wade thanked everyone for their support during his term of presidency, and nominated Gerry Falvey to be elected President,
The AGM concluded with talks by The chief executive of UK Flour Millers, Alistair Gale and the president, Gary Sharkey and an award ceremony for recipients of the UK Flour Millers’ Advanced Milling Diploma.
The 2023 Summer Technical Conference proved to be a not to be missed event !
Day 1 saw almost 50 members and guests attend the Whitworth Bros. Ltd facility at Whitley Bridge for a presentation and tour of the most technologically advanced flour mill in the world. All attendees agreed that the visit was impressive in many respects.
The evening of day one culminated in a most convivial dinner evening at the Midland Hotel Manchester, with tombola’s, prizes, and some wonderful guest speakers, including Mr. John Beecroft and Mr. John Giles, who gave a fascinating insight into the early years of the Rolls Royce car company, in the very hotel where Mr Rolls & Mr. Royce are said to have met.
Day 2 was spent at Buhler’s service centre in Manchester, where our hosts demonstrated some of their latest milling technology and provided some fascinating speakers on subjects such as information technology and sustainability.
Overall, the STC was a great success, expertly coordinated by our gracious and generous hosts, Whitworth Bros. Ltd and Buhler, and thoroughly enjoyed by all attendees.
At the recent AGM, the committee were delighted to award honorary membership of the Society to long standing member and former President, Mr. Alan Cave following his retirement from the industry.
A well-attended 76th AGM at 21 Arlington Street was enjoyed by all as we celebrated 75 years of the Society. After the business of the AGM, Joe Brennan from UK Flour Millers gave an interesting talk on the milling industry, followed by Nick Hinton presenting a talk about the history of the LSEMS & its past Presidents.
A group of members and guests enjoyed a visit to the Codimentum mustard mill (formerly Colman’s) in Honingham, near Norwich. The mill has been built by Satake/Alapala, who have supplied a turnkey project from seed cleaning through to large and small bag packing. The machinery, however, bears the name Henry Simon as Satake/Alapala have decided to re-use what is a name with considerable heritage.
The very welcoming hosts provided a thorough and informative tour of the site and a comprehensive insight into the business.
Society members were treated to a fascinating insight into the Premier Tech business, including tours of both the Systems & Automation and manufacturing sites.
The second day involved a short journey into Antwerp, Belgium to visit the mill of a Premier Tech customer, Paniflower, to see a Premier Tech packing machine in operation.
Overall, the STC was a great success, expertly coordinated by our gracious and generous hosts, Premier Tech, and thoroughly enjoyed by all attendees.
April 26th
An audience of c.50 people attended 21 Arlington St. for a talk by David Wright, Managing Director of G.R. Wright & Sons. entitled “The Story of a Family Business” which covered the last forty years of the business. This was a fascinating insight into a successful business and enjoyed by all.
Tuesday 11 February
Members met on a very blustery day on the south bank of the river Thames by City Hall. After a short lift ride, a walk up many, many flights of stairs, they were introduced to the tour guides for the afternoon.
The group split into two parties and went off for a guided tour of the bridge and the old motor room.
2017
19 September Visit to National Mills Archive and the Museum of English Rural Life, Reading.
10 October AGM followed by an address by Mr Duncan Monroe, President of nabim, and prize giving. 6.15pm at 21 Arlington Street.
12 December Christmas Extravaganza Your festive cheer with international fayre to sustain the evening. 6.15pm at 21 Arlington Street.
2018
13 February “An Evening of Whisky” A talk by Guy Newsome and Peter Robson, Muntons including tasting, 6.15pm at 21, Arlington Street.
21 March “A Celebration of the Southern Millers” An evening meal in conjunction with the Southern Millers. 6.15pm at 21, Arlington Street
June Summer Technical Conference Visit to Bühler, London, followed by a boat trip around the Olympic Park.
September [TBC]
All normal meetings will be held at nabim, 21 Arlington Street, London unless stated otherwise. Details will be forwarded in the calling notice.
London & South East Millers Society – March meeting
Tuesday 7th March 2017, London
Roger Gilbert’s presentation – ‘Feed Milling for the 21st Century’ was enjoyed by all 30 attendees.
Slideshow of images from the LSEMS’ 70th AGM (Annual General Meeting) at nabim, 21 Arlington Street, London on Tuesday 11th October 2016:
Your contacts for LSEMS:-
President – Mr Nick Hinton
Technical Sales Director
Peter Marsh & Sons Ltd
Canal Street
Bootle
Liverpool
L20 8AE
Tel: 0151 9221971
Mobile: 07775880084
nick@petermarsh.co.uk
Treasurer – Mr David Ferns
Tel: 07774 102649
david.ferns@btinternet.com
Secretary – Mr Graham Bruce
Tel: 01954 718221
g.m.bruce@btopenworld.com
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS:
2016:
13 September
Visit to Charles Wells Brewery, Bedford.
11 October
AGM followed by an address by Mr Duncan Monroe, President of nabim, and prize giving. 6.15pm at 21 Arlington Street, London.
13 December
Christmas Extravaganza, festive cheer with international fayre to sustain the evening. 6.15pm at 21 Arlington Street, London.
2017
Tuesday 7 February
An Evening of “Great Expectations”.
A meal at Bourn Golf Club with a
Dickensian theme, preceded by a talk, 7.00pm.
Tuesday 7 March
Talk by Roger Gilbert, MD of Milling and Grain magazine and directory
Perendale Publishing, entitled “The Role of the Milling Industry in the 21st Century”.
6.15pm at 21 Arlington Street, London.
Tuesday 20 June – Thursday 22 June
Summer Technical Conference
Visit to Fawema, near Cologne, Germany as well as nearby flour and aquatic feed mills.
Tuesday 19 September
Mills Archive and Museum of English Rural Life, Reading
Tuesday 10 October
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Tuesday 12 December
Christmas Extravaganza
All normal meetings will be held at nabim, 21 Arlington Street, London
unless stated otherwise. Details will be forwarded in the calling notice.
A visit to Charles Wells Brewery – Tuesday 13th September 2016
With summer over why not celebrate the coming of autumn with a visit to a brewery? Charles Wells, Havelock Street, Bedford, MK40 4LU, have kindly agreed to show us around their operation and then provide some food along with a tasting. For those of you more used to drinking beer rather than understanding the complexities of its production, now is the time to put that right. The itinerary is shown below:
5.45pm: Arrival
6.00pm: Tour followed by a buffet, tasting and cash bar.
For members, this meeting is free, but for guests will cost £10.
For those of you that might wish to imbibe without the worry of having to drive afterwards, your committee has arranged a hotel in close proximity to the brewery area, namely, Embankment Hotel, The Embankment, Bedford, MK40 3PD (01234 261332) and will only cost £82 B&B as long as you mention the name Sue Panter.
This should be a great opportunity to learn about the brewing process, understand about such iconic brands as Bombardier and have a drink or two in the convivial company of your President and friends. Please let me know [g.m.bruce(@)btinternet.com] if you wish to attend.
Yours sincerely
Graham Bruce
LSEMS Secretary
London and South East Milling Society (LSEMS) is one of the UK’s largest flour milling societies.
Read more about the visit to FWP Matthews‘ flour mill via The Global Miller blog and the article in Milling and Grain magazine: http://gfmt.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/22082016-fwp-matthews-combining-modern.html
London and South East Milling Society 