THE President welcomed members and speaker Dr Peter Hughes OBE who spoke about Primary Engineering Programmes, an organisation whose aim is to inspire young people in, and develop an understanding of, engineering, science and technology.

Dr Hughes is a metallurgist and has had a wide and varied career in engineering which he spoke about with enthusiasm and passion. His non-vocational interests are music and he is part of a folk group playing guitar and mandolin, he is junior vice president of the Burn World Foundation.

Dr Hughes is currently chairman of Primary Engineering Programmes which introduces engineering into primary schools throughout the UK.

In this capacity he travels widely visiting schools to highlight the excitement and satisfaction attained from a career in engineering or science.

In his talks he uses music to capture the pupil’s attention and to entertain them.

Primary Engineering Programmes is sponsored by engineering companies. The organisation works with local councils to introduce the scheme into schools, and it conducts workshops and provides equipment for teachers to enable them to organise and operate the scheme in their school.

The scheme is competitive with local and national competitions in engineering projects.

One competition he described, had teams of two pupils designing and building a vehicle from a variety of parts and materials. Vehicle tests were distance and straightness of travel, ability to reverse and climb inclines. The designs shown indicated an amazing imagination and ability of these young people.

He also spoke about the Scottish Engineering Leader Awards scheme which allows pupils to take an engineering test to achieve certification from the Institute of Primary Engineering (IPE) and Institute of Secondary Engineering (ISE) allowing participants to put IPE and ISE after their names, encouraging them to further achievement.

Dr Hughes talk was highly entertaining and informative and it was gratifying to know that such organisations exist.

Biggar Probus New Year Lunch is on January 10 and the next meeting January 20, 2015 when Brian Majoribanks talks on 40 Years of Broadcasting.