This summary on the history of the association has been taken from the Keighley Association of Enginners, The First Hundred Years booklet.
The booklet was researched and written by E. Donald Haigh, Honorary Life Member and Past President of the Association. He was assisted by Melville Barker C.Eng, M.I.E.E, President (1999-2001) and Honorary Life Member, and Michael Laycock C.Eng, M.I.Mech.E. Vice-President (1999-2001) and Past President (2001-2003).
The Founding Fathers
It was during a meeting of the Keighley Engineering Society around Feb 1900, that it was proposed for a new Engineering Society to be founded. At this meeting, Mr Miley (The Miley Engineering Company) gave a lecture on the subject and Pumps and Hydraulics. He talked of the competition from the United States of America and the need to educate our engineers to meet this challenge. Mr Miley proposed the formation of a new society with an emphasis on the education of our engineers.
In March 1900, a meeting of the Keighley Engineering Society held at the Keighley Mechanics Institute, it was decided to change the name of the Keighley Engineering Society to the Keighley Association of Engineers and a provisional set of rules of the new society were accepted.
To illustrate how little the rules have changed over the ensuing 100 years, here is the original objective for the association:
To further the study of subjects connected with Engineering by means of Lectures, Papers, Discussions and Visits, also the formation of a Library of Standard and Scientific Works. The Asoociation would not in any case discuss the Politics of the Trade, i.e. Trade Disputes between workmen and masters.
The current objective for the association is:
The objects of the Association shall be to further the study of subjects connected with Engineering by means of talks, films, discussions and the visiting of places of engineering interest and to promote Social Activities.
The Association shall not on any occasion discuss the Politics of the Engineering Trade.The Association shall be a not for profit organisation.
Officers elected at the inaugural meeting
- President: Mr H CC Longsdon
- Chairman: Mr J Miley
- Vice Chairman: Mr W S Clapman
- Hon. Treasurer: Mr George Grace
- Hon. Secretary: Mr J H Wright
Between 40 and 50 members enrolled into the new association at this meeting.
View the association’s Past Presidents
Lectures
The lectures presented at the association demonstrate the changes in Engineering and industries in Keighley that have occured over the last 100 years.
From lectures on
- Some modern developments in steam engine practice by W. Eastwood M.I.Mech.E A.M.I.C.E
- Some points in the driving of textile machinery
- Progress in Electrical power plants by Harry Webber, Borough Electrical Engineer and Tramways Manager
- Transition from reciprocating steam engines to steam turbines for driving electricity generation
- Foundry practice, mechanical tests for cast iron
- Junior Section Machine Tool Drives Lecture 1935 (PDF)
- Lubricants – the relation between Laboratory and Engine Tests Lecture 1934 (PDF)
To more recent lectures/talks, where it can be noticed that the subject matter now cover a wider range of topics, the emphasis being on creating and maintaining an interest in all aspects of engineering.
- Born again, the restoration of Spitfire PS 915
- The Electrification of the East Coast Main Line
- Early use of steel castings in aircraft structures
- Salford Sewage Talk (PDF)
- Flexible Manufacturing Systems
- History of the Textile Engineering in East Lancashire
- Why Nuclear energy can help with CO2 pollution and global warming
- Building the new P2 locomotive Prince of Wales – Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive
- The history of drones through to modern day uses
- Things that go bump in the night
Visits
One of the key objectives of the association is to visit of places of Engineering interest.
The first recorded activity was a visit by 60 members to the Leeds Steelworks based in Hunslet. A tour of the steelworks was given by Mr Richards, the Managing Director and a number of managers from various departments.
Recent visits have been arranged to
- Ferrybridge Powerstation
- Denford Limited
- Outhwaite Rope Makers, Hawes
- Wyedean Weaving Co. Ltd
- Thomas Broadbent and Sons, Huddersfield
- Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
- CarnaudMetalbox Engineering
- Byworth Boilers
- Stells Cardboard Tubes and Cores, Keighley
- Craftsman Tools Ltd
Anniversary Dinner
Throughout the 100 years of the Association, attempts have been made to include social activities, the prime example being the Annual Dinner.
The Chief Guest at the 1943 -1945 Dinner was Roy Chadwick, who was the designer of the Second World War Avro Lancaster Bomber.
Essay Competition and the Frank Watson Prize
The Association ran an Essay Competition firstly open to all members.
Mr Frank Watson was a prominent member of the association and a Past President (1933 – 35). Mr Watson gave a donation of £100 which invested in a Keighley Town Council bond. The interest from this bond was used to provide the prize money for the Essay Competition. Junior Member Michael Laycock (and future President) won the prize in 1954.
Following the reorganization of local government in 1974, a donation was received from Frank Watson & Sons Ltd, the Essay competition became the Frank Watson Prize of the Keighley Association of Engineers which was opened to encourage, recognise and reward engineering apprentices who have come through their training.
