|
Year Review
RSM Freshers Week
An introductory talk on the RSM followed by a drinks reception provided a great opportunity for freshers to speak with existing members of the RSM in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. For the first time in recent years two talks were given, a separate one for both the ESE and Materials department. The week continued with the Pub Crawl around the 'South Ken 10' and the Freshers Bar Night, where 12 freshers took part in the freshers' yard competition. Attendance from freshers was a record high.
RSM Freshers Dinner
The RSM Freshers' Dinner attracted 160 guests this year, a mixture of freshers, older students and some alumni. The dinner was generously sponsored by Anglo American. All guests enjoyed an evening of good food, wine and a late night party hosted in the MDH of the South Kensington campus.
New Office
The start of the academic year saw the opening of the new RSM office. Although much smaller than the previous year's office it is located on the central stairwell, allowing for a much more effective open-door policy. Members of the committee occupied the office most lunch times, so other students could always pop along to buy tickets/regalia or just hang out. The sports equipment has found a new home in the Bessemer building, freeing up some much-needed space in the office.
RSM Christmas Dinner
A successful Christmas Ball was held on the last weekend of November in the Kensington Close Hotel. Some 120 guests arrived in their finest attire for an evening of dining and wine, generously sponsored by Rio Tinto, to get into the festive mood as we rounded off another successful year for the RSM. A number of academic teaching staff attended the ball and all commented on how much they enjoyed the evening and all said they'd try to attract more staff to come along next year.
Materials New Year Dinner
The Materials Society (MatSoc) kicked off the New Year with a well attended dinner at an Italian restaurant in South Kensington. Matsoc have also run the traditional Matsoc Vs DLB Paintball trip with ~30 students taking part.
RSM Bar Nights
RSM held two bar nights in the autumn term, including the fancy-dress Halloween bar night. We held a further four bar nights in the Spring term, including the 'pre and post Bottle Match bar nights' - the 'post' being the largest RSM bar night in recent years, over 150 students paid entry into the Union Bar. We were complemented by Union Staff on how well behaved we were, especially with the lack of any stewards present. All bar nights showed strong attendance, especially from the new first years. The RSM have also had a presence at the three Guilds bar nights - trying to promote some inter-college rivalry
The Return of the Davy!
Sunday 3rd February saw Skinner's Bottom's take revenge upon CGCU. Following the appearance of the Davy on Facebook, and after a tip-off from a certain ICU DP, the RSM learnt of the Davy returning to the SK campus. An elite team of 13 strapping young men assembled at college early on the Sunday morning. After a lengthy scout of the area, evidence suggested the location was none other than the CGCU office. First year student Bogdan Golenkov was an inspiration to the team showing no mercy as he ploughed through the Guilds office, grabbing the Davy and making a quick exit holding the Davy in just one arm. After the violate Davy was safely secured we ventured over to the Union with the practice Davy, where in true RSM-style, a heavy day of drinking and singing followed.
Tri-Union Bar Night
Thursday 7th February saw the first tri-union bar night held in recent years. Members of RSMU, RCSU and CGCU flooded into DB's for £2 entry and £1 drinks. The fun started with the RSM winning both the presidents' and freshers' yard. Unfortunately, the RSM's Chaps Club lost out to the Links Club in the tie clubs' boat race. The evening's entertainment continued afterwards with a good deal of drunken dancing.
The Bottle Match
On the weekend of 22nd-24th February, the largest event of the RSM calendar took place: the 106th Bottle Match. Hosted by the Camborne students, 110 Royal Miners' made their way to Cornwall to play and support in this year's line-up of golf, squash, hockey, football and rugby matches. It was a fantastic weekend...I can't remember too much though the Bottle was reclaimed and the men's hockey team won for the first time in 7 years.
Lord Oxburgh Talk
Lord Ron Oxburgh gave a lecture entitled "Out of oil, into hot water" on Tuesday 26th February for the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Society of Economic Geologists student chapter and the De Le Beche Society in the Department of ESE. The lecture explored new emerging technologies in order to map out a possible course for the future of energy supply given the finite nature of global oil reserves. Lord Oxburgh has taught geology and geophysics at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. At Cambridge he was head of the Department of Earth Sciences and President of Queens' College. From 1993 to 2000 Lord Oxburgh was chief scientific adviser to the Ministry of Defence, and rector of Imperial College. He has also acted as the chairman of Shell UK and until recently was chairman of the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee.
SEG Student Chapter
The RSM has made strong connections with the Society of Economic Geology Student Chapter in the ESE department this year. Together we have worked hard to attract students to attend various talks from a variety of speakers from industry. The 'Students into Mining' event took place in March where 100 students and professionals from various universities (Southampton, Leicester) and companies attended. A series of presentations from various mining companies was followed by an informal networking session in the UDH with food and drink.
Regalia
Another great year on the regalia front. We have sold over £2500 worth of stock, and ordered in over £3500. We are well stocked for next year's autumn term, and have sufficient sports and colours ties to last approx. 10 years. The RSMA members have continued to purchase items such as cufflinks and tie pins throughout the year. We are currently working on creating a new page on our website where we hope to advertise a full catalogue of RSM regalia that can be bought online.
Newsletter
The Pit, the official newsletter of the RSM, has been of a very high standard this year and has consistently been released on time every fortnight. The Pit is primarily aimed to advertise upcoming events and to display articles from different RSM clubs and societies. A Bottle Match special of the Pit was also printed, which served as a program for the weekend. I have to congratulate the Pit editor, Steve Smith, for his continued hard work this year
Website
The RSM website is now active again and being regularly updated after a 6 month gap of non activity due to problems with replacing the web officer. The website is widely used by students and alumni. We are currently in talks with RSMA to merge their website and ours together therefore enabling alumni to know easily when our events, such as the Bottle Match are taking place.
RSMA Connections
The RSM is working together with the RSMA to increase awareness of the association to students of all levels. The highlight of the RSMA calendar this year was the Annual Dinner held at Ognisko Polish Club in November. Some 30 students were sponsored to attend the event. A fine meal was followed by a trip back to the Union Bar, where many of the alumni got involved with various drinking games of ours. The night finished off with myself and a former RSM Rugby Captain racing each other with a yard.
Other Events
RSM has held two 'End of Exams Parties' also 'RSM try to play Rounders' was held in June in Hyde Park.
The RSM 'De La Beche' Club
The De La Beche Clubs has kept us entertained on the geology front with a whole host of events throughout the year. Talks have ranged from 'The Evolution of Mountains: Orogen' to 'Meteorites in Antarctica', all followed by "Gooma-Loomas", the famous cocktail parties held in the department. The highlight of the DLB's first term was the weekend fieldtrip to Isle of White, led by PhD student Seb Turner, the trip was ideally aimed at first year students, who made up 75% of the participants. The trip was over subscribed and all students had a fantastic time. The annual Symposium (a day of themed talks followed by a formal dinner) held in June was the final event for the DLB this year. The day was very well organised and was the most successful symposium we've had in the last 5 years, all talks were well attended and over 50 guests arrived for the dinner. The symposium was generously sponsored by Anglo American.
Clubs and Societies
Finally a quick note on the RSM clubs and socs. All have been closely looked after by the RSM junior treasurer and clubs and societies officer. RSM hockey has had a successful year with membership at an all time high. I'm hoping inter-college rivalry will expand further next year - RSM Rugby played C&G Rugby last term, hopefully this will continue with RCS getting involved, then we could look at expanding this into other sports. The recently formed Geophysics soc. looks set to be a very successful society next year with a full team in place and many activities already planned.
Elections
RSM has delivered another successful round of elections this year without any hitches. All current positions have been filled with many being contested by freshers. After a lengthy Hustings in the RSM building, a ballot box was placed at lunchtimes in the foyer for voters to make their choices. Adam Baldwin, 3rd year geologist was elected as RSM President.
Final Finale
The Annual Final Finale took place on Friday 13 th June. The evening comprised of the RSM's AGM and presentation of RSM Awards, Colours and spoof awards. The event was generously sponsored by Gold Fields. A buffet and a selection of unlimited drinks were available. The event was hosted in the Union Dining Hall. The evening was a cracking end to the academic year. I proudly fulfilled the handover of RSM presidency with the exchange of the president's pink knickers and a yard race by current president and president elect.
|
