Revalidation of Invalids

Colin Howie contemplates the mysteries of male pattern baldness (he has a theory involving showering with supermodels which he will explain at a suitable alcohol level...)

The symposium went well.   Carol Cox told us of trapped foreskins, wet CPR,  keeping patients still, cooking jellyfish bites and something involving canoes that may result in either marital bliss or unexplained nautical accidents.     Colin revealed that although we may consider ourselves 'hip' now we may well be setting off more metal detectors before the next reunion.  Ndu delighted the audience with an eclectic presentation-not many speeches include clinical slides of the lecturer with a mysterious 9mm lesion on their chest!

Then the second session - with a few bleary-eyed late attenders like Ian Bashford  (How few things change...) arriving to hear Dave Gault talk about aesthetics and ears.  Liz Hare dragged us into the Twitter generation and Gordon Wright described a humid cycle tour of England.  He also revealed that his subscriptions clearly incude both The Lancet and The Racing Post.    5/4 on we'll see him again next time.  Roger Smith had unexpected family commitments and unfortunately couldn't make his presentation, but this had the unexpected result of radiology shortening rather  than prolonging a list.

A few in the audience didn't seem as sharply focussed as usual, which may not be entirely unrelated to Dermot's George Osborne impression as he revealed significant and unexpected fluctuations in forecasted alcohol expenditure on the previous night.

update from Grace

Five years on; same house, same men, same kilts but new dress and new daughter-in-law of one week - seen here entering by the garage on the way to the 'stag gallery' where they were married.

These were the wedding cars for those more interested in engines than fashion, might even date back to the seventies?
We are still working hard but less able to party for two nights in a row and for two weekends in a row but we will give it a go this weekend in Edinburgh. See you then!

Caterers organised

Edinburgh University encourages co-operative enterprises with the Private Sector.  You will note that the Regius Professor (wearing a white coat to satisfy the Infection Nazis) is in fact sponsored by '7 Day 4 U Catering'.

Getting Close Now

Looks like into the 80's for dinner on Saturday night. Will always do what we can to squeeze in late deciders-but do let us know asap.

Hopefully see many of you at Ciao Roma on Friday evening, and the symposium on Saturday has a really good mix of presentations-plenty for anyone's revalidation folder!

Gilly Dickson has already suggested that it will be 'Fifty Shades of Grey' at the reunion...

Best

Dermot and James

In case you haven't got our email, details here:

DocSoc 1977 35 Year Reunion



Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

31st August - 2nd September 2012



Time for an update on arrangements for the planned 35 year reunion.  We are
pleased that many of you have let us know that you are coming. There has
been a very good response for an Edinburgh meeting!  We still are keen to
ensure that all have been contacted - we continue to get the occasional
surprise from someone who has heard from other sources rather than from our
contact list.   

We've had several folk from years above and below 1977 graduation who were
part of the year at one time or another - they are more than welcome if they
get in contact.

Please sign in and let us know what you are up to and what you'd like to do
at the weekend. We have planned core activities but those who wish to
arrange additional large or small group activity should feel free to so do.



Programme:

Friday 31st August: 20:00 onwards:

Informal meal at Ciao Roma <http://www.ciaoroma.co.uk/> , a good value
Italian place at 64 South Bridge just down from the College of Surgeons and
opposite Old College.  There is a separate dining area that will give us
some 'informal' privacy and allow late comers to join at any time from
20:00-midnight.



Saturday 1st September 09:30-14:00:
We are based at the Symposium Hall <http://www.surgeonshall.com/index.aspx>
on Hill Square, behind the main Royal College of Surgeons building on South
Bridge.



There will be a registration/coffee area in the reception area, and from
about 10:00 a symposium (tax deductability for those from overseas is
everything...).  We are keen for this to be entertaining and informal, so
let us know if you can speak for 10 minutes or so on something that
energises you, or that we should know.



Light lunch at Symposium Hall and more networking at 12:30-14:00. The
afternoon will be free but several year members are working on suggested
activities. The golfers, as ever, we are sure will organise themselves!




Saturday 1st September 19:00-23:00:


Reception and Dinner


We will have a drinks reception in the Royal College of Surgeons Fellows'
Library, followed by dinner in the Playfair Hall.   The College caterers do
a fantastic job, and have been particularly primed that we are a discerning
group so we can look forward to that. We will make sure it's well washed
down....

Sunday 2nd  September

Nothing formal organised as yet, but let us know if you would like us to
organise a lunch venue.

For those staying on,  the Festival Fireworks are that evening. The
bandstand tickets are, as ever, sold out, but Gardens tickets are still
available here
<http://www.eif.co.uk/virgin-money-fireworks-concert-priority-entry-princes-
street-gardens> .

There are spots around where you can get a distant, but excellent, view
(Craighouse, for example, for those who remember the Great Hall with stuffed
animals!).




Accommodation

It is Festival time, but Edinburgh still usually has a good selection of
rooms for all tastes and wallets.  There may still be some rooms available
at the College hotel, 10 Hill Place <http://www.tenhillplace.com/> , (let
them know you are with us if booking).

What about money?

We have some funds from previous years which have allowed us to book the
venue.  Dinner at the Italian on Friday would be £20.00 a head. The events
of Saturday, including reception and dinner, depend a bit on numbers but
should come in at about £100 per head.



It would be helpful to us if we could take note now of what you can attend
so please could you complete and return the attached form.  We also need a
deposit now so that we can firm up numbers at the venues, restaurant and
with caterers. This should be £50 a head and cheques made payable to 'Doc
Soc 77':



or, for transfers, it's the RBS Edinburgh University Branch, 61 Forrest
Road, EH1 2QP



Sort Code:    83-19-09

Account:       00167082



IBAN:           GB21 RBOS 8319 0900 1670 82

SWIFT:         BIC RBOS GB 2L



Drop us an email if transferring so we can look out for it.









o.j.garden@ed.ac.uk

dermot.mckeown@ed.ac.uk

Ran into another year member today who hadn't heard, and is keen to come along.

Please keep passing the word!

Best

Dermot

August 31st - September 2nd 2012

Hopefully we have managed to contact most of you - we've certainly got a good number who have confirmed they are going to join us in Edinburgh for the weekend.

What's really important is to ensure that you all know.    Please check with any of the year friends who you are in contact with and encourage them to be in touch if they haven't already done so to:

dermot.mckeown@ed.ac.uk

or

O.J.Garden@ed.ac.uk

There are some individuals who perhaps didn't graduate with us because of intercalated degrees etc. who  are keen to join us, and they are welcome-just let us know. We certainly have at least 3 of those coming along.

Best

Dermot