Whitworth Summer Meeting, Preston 9th & 10th July 2025
The 2025 Whitworth Society summer meeting took place in Preston, northwest England on 10th-11th July 2025, hosted by President Rachael Hoyle. The base for the 2 days was the impressive Delta Marriot, and many guests met the evening before for informal drinks.
The meeting took us to visit to 2 sites at BAE Systems, where we toured 3 areas:
The meeting took us to visit to 2 sites at BAE Systems, where we toured 3 areas:
- Eurofighter Typhoon manufacturing and assembly line - an insight into the techniques, machining, tooling, formworks and processes used to manufacture the Eurofighter Typhoon.
- Additive Manufacturing Facilities - how BAE are investing in additive manufacturing (AM) for both polymers and metals and how they plan to integrate AM into their future aircraft platform, Tempest
- Academy for Skills & Knowledge - BAE's 20 million pound+ investment in a centre for lifelong learning with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.
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On Friday 11th July, Rachael kindly hosted us at the Helmshore Mills Textiles Museum, set in two original mills within Lancashire. These mills are known for bringing the story of the textile industry to life, especially the wool and cotton processes that were once central to the region. It's a place where history feels alive - quite literally, as we were treated to live demonstrations of the original machinery still running.
The formal part of the Summer Meeting concluded with a speech from outgoing President Rachael Hoyle, who handed over the Presidential medal to David Clamp, accepting it on behalf of incoming Society President Rupert Shute who was unable to attend. David also read a few words on Rupert's behalf, and the Society extends its best wishes to Rupert for his presidential year ahead.
Members may log in to read a full account of the event jointly written by Nathan Willis, Umer Patel and Kevin Urquhart, with thanks to the photo contributors David Eaves, Chris Sidney, Alex Schofield and Kevin Urquhart.
Celebrating 40 Years of the New Whitworth Awards Scheme - a 4 Part Series
Did you know that 2024 marks 40 years since the Whitworth Scholarship Awards scheme was relaunched to rejuvenate the offer and improve its accessibility?
To celebrate this momentous milestone, members can login to read 4 related articles from across the decades:
| 1. An introductory personal reflection by 2023-24 Past President Kevin Urquhart CEng MiMechE WhSch (1997) on his own 30-year milestone since becoming an Award Holder, observing how the Whitworth Awards scheme and the Whitworth Society are continuing to expand and improve. |
 | Kevin Urquhart receiving his award in 1994 |
| 2. Visionary senior officer of the society Michael Wood, (WhPz 1950, WhSSc 1953, past president 1980) outlines the underlying reasons and challenges that ensued in creating and maintaining the "New" Whitworth Awards Scheme that most of the current membership has benefitted from. |
 | Michael Wood presenting his Whitworth Award to David Clamp in 1985 |
| 3. The inspiring personal story of one of the very first Award holders to benefit from the new Whitworth Awards Scheme, Colin Rich CEng, MIMechE, Dipl.Ing, BEng (Hons), WhSch (1987). |
 | Colin Rich with other 1984 Award Holders |
| 4. Last but not least, we have an inspiring contemporary personal account by Katy Moseley BEng (Hons), 2022 Award Holder confirming the vision of Sir Joseph Whitworth is thriving over 150 years since the first Awards were made. |
 | Katy Moseley at the 2022 Awards Ceremony |
Whitworth Society Summer Meeting 2024
The Whitworth Society gathered in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne for the 2024 summer meeting on the 18th and 19th July 2024, hosted by 2023-24 President Kevin Urquhart CEng MIMechE WhSch (1997).
To highlight some of the region's rich engineering heritage and current innovations the meeting comprised visits to Red Engineering, Cragside and Newcastle University, with an evening meal at Blackfriars, a 13th Century dining venue close to the centre of the city, followed by after dinner cocktails for the late night revellers!
Please enjoy the video reel of the event attached kindly compiled by Chris Sidney , BEng (Hons), WhSch (2010), Whitworth Society Past President 2022-23.
Members may log in for a more detailed written account of the event also written by Chris.
To highlight some of the region's rich engineering heritage and current innovations the meeting comprised visits to Red Engineering, Cragside and Newcastle University, with an evening meal at Blackfriars, a 13th Century dining venue close to the centre of the city, followed by after dinner cocktails for the late night revellers!
Please enjoy the video reel of the event attached kindly compiled by Chris Sidney , BEng (Hons), WhSch (2010), Whitworth Society Past President 2022-23.
Members may log in for a more detailed written account of the event also written by Chris.
Celebrating the Centenary Whitworth Society Commemoration Dinner, 8th March 2024
On March 8th 2024, 70 Whitworth Scholars assembled in the impressive setting of the House of Lords for the centenary Whitworth Society Commemoration Dinner, a week before the 156th anniversary of Sir Joseph Whitworth's letter to then Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli that laid the foundation for the Whitworth Scholarships those present had gathered to commemorate.
Website members can login to read a detailed account of the event written by 2020 Whitworth Scholar Dean White, accompanied by photos from the evening supplied by Peter Whyman, Martin Comer, Rachael Hoyle and Chris Sidney.
Website members can login to read a detailed account of the event written by 2020 Whitworth Scholar Dean White, accompanied by photos from the evening supplied by Peter Whyman, Martin Comer, Rachael Hoyle and Chris Sidney.
 | President Kevin Urquhart WhSch (1997) speaking to the room |
Whitworth Award Holders Lunch 2024
 | Whitworth Award Holders Group Photo Inside Holland House, 9th February 2024 |
Ten of this year's new Award Holders met with host Vice President Rachael Hoyle, President Kevin Urquhart and Chair of the Whitworth Society Trustees and two-time Past President Brian Coaker for a fulfilling and delightful day.
Website members can login to read a full account of the event written by 2023 Award Holder Ella Bartley, which is accompanied by photos from the day supplied by Rachael, Brian and Kevin.
Whitworth Society Centenary Celebration - Autumn 2023
A special event was held in Liverpool on the 17th and 18th November 2023 in celebration of 100 years of the Whitworth Society.
Since being founded by Dr. Henry Selby Hele-Shaw in 1923, the society has provided a means for Whitworth Scholars to connect, as well as continuing to promote Sir Joseph Whitworth's vision of bringing Science and industry into closer relation with each other. The event was organised to recognise the benefit the Society has brought to those involved throughout the past century and included a visit to the University of Liverpool School of Engineering, a celebratory evening meal and a visit to Liverpool's World Museum. The event also included reflective talks by President Kevin Urquhart, Vice President Rachel Hoyle and past presidents Chris Sidney and Geoff Ward.
Website members can login to read a detailed account of the event written by 2016 Whitworth Scholar Rikki Jones, accompanied by photos from the event.
Since being founded by Dr. Henry Selby Hele-Shaw in 1923, the society has provided a means for Whitworth Scholars to connect, as well as continuing to promote Sir Joseph Whitworth's vision of bringing Science and industry into closer relation with each other. The event was organised to recognise the benefit the Society has brought to those involved throughout the past century and included a visit to the University of Liverpool School of Engineering, a celebratory evening meal and a visit to Liverpool's World Museum. The event also included reflective talks by President Kevin Urquhart, Vice President Rachel Hoyle and past presidents Chris Sidney and Geoff Ward.
Website members can login to read a detailed account of the event written by 2016 Whitworth Scholar Rikki Jones, accompanied by photos from the event.
