Spring 2004 Newsletter : UK Branch Annual Meeting & AGM

University of York, 6 and 7 April 2004

We return to the excellent campus facilities of the University of York for the fourth successive year for our Branch Annual Meeting. Attendance at the previous ones is a sure indication of what members feel about the venue and the scope of the meeting. The fact that about one third of members regularly attend the Annual Meeting is terrific compliment to the Programme Committee and a strong recommendation to those still unsure about joining in. We have a very conveniently situated venue, ideal for our purposes and, once again, we will be joining both BSAS and ISAE, whose annual meetings run concurrently with our own. Last year over 100 delegates registered for the WPSA meeting and we look forward to another successful event in 2004. 
You will, by now, have received the full Programme and Application Form for the Meeting which includes a record number of twenty original communications within its six major sessions. We commence at the slightly earlier time of 10.15am on Tuesday 6 April with a session on Poultry Nutrition followed by an introduction to a selection of the 24 posters which will be on display throughout the Meeting. The afternoon commences with a WPSA/BSAS Joint Session on "Poultry Diseases and Zoonoses" with three important invited speakers. This is followed by a further session of original communications on the same topic. 

The 2004 Gordon Memorial Lecture will take place at 5pm, when Dr Janet Bradbury of the University of Liverpool will discuss "Poultry mycoplasmas: sophisticated pathogens in simple guise". This will be followed by the Gordon Memorial Reception and then, at 8pm, by the WPSA UK Branch Annual Dinner in Langwith College. This is always a pleasurable occasion and should not to be missed. 

WPSA (UK Branch) AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the Branch will take place at 8.45 am on Wednesday 7 April in Room L001 of the Exhibition Centre. This is the only real opportunity that members have each year to contribute their views to the running of the Branch and to influence its future direction. A number of new initiatives have been introduced this year and ideas are always welcome to help us to remain an attractive and vibrant association. This year we have a Secretary and no less than five Council Members to elect or re-elect. You will also be receiving preliminary information on the arrangements for the 28th Poultry Science Symposium to be held in Bristol in September 2005, likely to be entitled "Avian gut function, health and disease". Please come along to the AGM, early as it is in the morning, and be involved in the running of the Branch. 

Final papers and posters

The morning then continues with a further session on Poultry Nutrition and a final one on Poultry Physiology and Behaviour. Please give the Programme Committee, under its Chairman Dr Paul Rose, the support which they undoubtedly deserve.

The two 2004 President's Prizes, each worth £100 and a framed certificate, will be awarded at the conclusion of the morning session to the two young scientists who are judged to have presented the best paper and the best poster submitted for the Meeting .