Summer 2004 Newsletter : Annual Meeting

Nearly 100 members from home and overseas gathered at the University of York at the beginning of April for the UK Branch Annual Meeting, celebrating 58 years of the Branch's existence.

Following the introduction of a new format last year, the Meeting was divided into four themed sessions with the addition of a poster presentation session and also a very successful WPSA/BSAS Joint Session on Poultry Disease.

The first morning kicked off with a session of four original communications on the subject of Poultry Nutrition, having papers from both experienced scientists and students. Next there was a lively session providing the opportunity for the authors of some of the 24 posters submitted for the Meeting to briefly present their findings. Not only is this session intended to give the poster authors the opportunity to discuss their work, it also provides a chance for the more inexperienced public speakers to address their peers, some for the first time.

After lunch the highly successful Joint WPSA/BSAS Session on Poultry Disease saw three papers from world class speakers bringing us right up to date on important issues in their areas of work. This was followed by the 22nd Annual Robert Fraser Gordon Memorial Lecture. This year's lecture was given by Dr Janet Bradbury who gave a fascinating lecture looking at 'Poultry mycoplasmas: sophisticated pathogens in a simple guise'.

A change of venue for the Branch Annual Dinner then provided an interesting menu and the opportunity to enjoy the company of fellow members.

After the Branch AGM, the final morning's sessions were on Poultry Nutrition and Poultry Physiology and Behaviour, with a total of thirteen further papers, bringing the total number of papers presented at the Meeting to a very impressive 24.

Dr Janet Bradbury being presented with her Gordon Memorial Medal by Prof Peter Biggs.

Once again members commented on the high quality of the papers presented, a tribute to the authors and also to the Programme Committee under Dr Paul Rose.

At the conclusion of the Meeting, the two Annual President's Awards were presented (see below).