THE READING CONVENTION 2001

As is customary the meeting of the Reading Microscopical Society was held in the Church Hall of St Peter's in Reading in March. Organised by Mike Woof and Kit Brownlee, it provided an enjoyable 'gossip' session in the morning, followed by three very different but equally entertaining lectures in the afternoon.

Barry Ellam had a well-prepared and well presented display, including phase contrast and polarised specimens.

Two of his shots are shown below: a Dytiscus beetle leg on the left, and Mallow pollen on the right.

The meeting was well-attended, with many familiar faces. The free tea, coffee, cake and biscuits dispensed by Mrs Woof ensured a convivial atmosphere

 Kit Brownlee had another good display of 'pond' life mostly found in a dish on her windowsill

After lunch we had three varied lectures: the first of which was a virtuoso demonstration (right) by Klaus Kemp of how to manipulate a diatom or butterfly scale to within a nanametre or so.

Then Don Thompson (below) showed that it was still possible to get good results from video without going digital, and using simple equipment.

Finally Phil Robinsonb (below right) talked of some of the fascination to be found in using polarised light in microscopy

All in all a thoroughly enjoyable day !