A lot of people are saying that they will be glad to see the back of 2020, I understand as it has been a very challenging time for everyone, but there has been some good to come out of this year, at least from the UKSTTs perspective.
Undeterred by all of our events being cancelled we have introduced a number of online initiatives, which have proven popular and educational. Partnering with Westrade we were very proud to offer No-Dig Live Digital, a two-day webinar on Sewer Rehab in 2020 and beyond. Thanks again to all of our patrons and other WaSCo’s who took part for a wonderful programme, and to Iain Naismith of IKT who not only moderated the event but was largely responsible, alongside Julian Britton of Wessex Water, for putting it all together.
So what else have we been up to? Well there have been more Member Webinars, Trenchless Bytes, and Trenchless Tea Breaks since our last edition of the Trenchless Buzz – there has even been a podcast! I’m not sure if you would consider it a good thing or no, but I am planning another one with Lynn before the end of the year. On the other hand, something that has been highly anticipated is the Trenchless Tea Break with Ian Pemberton of OFWAT on the Innovation Fund, and the importance of innovation within the water industry; moderated by Jo Parker. By the time you read this it will have happened! We will let you know how it went next month.
Have you taken a look at our website lately? Head over to www.ukstt.org.uk to check it out. A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes to make our website even more informative on all things Trenchless, and to make the experience more positive with fresh branding. I am particularly excited about the upcoming ‘Members’ Area’ which adds further benefit for our Members with exclusive access to a number of opportunities. A big thank you to each and every one of our members who have stuck with us throughout an incredibly unusual year, and to our new members for recognising the value that the UKSTT provides even during these times.
As you know we are fairly active on social media, and you can now follow us even more closely on LinkedIn with a dedicated showcase page for our UKSTT Awards, as well as a UKSTT Admin page (Lynn) and a separate UKSTT Chair page (currently me). We want to keep you informed at all times, so please like, follow and share wherever possible!
Talking of news, congratulations to our Vice-Chair Ian Ramsay who has been elected as one of the new Board of Directors for the ISTT (see below). What an achievement, we will look forward to forging even closer links with the ISTT moving forward.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our marvellous Council; for those who have left we thank you for your support while you were in office, and for those of you have just joined us, we are so excited to have you on board! You all do so much for the Society and for Trenchless, thank you.
Last but by no means least, I would like to extend my gratitude to Lynn Maclachlan who works tirelessly to take care of our members and run the Society, and Linda McKenna who supports her – KUDOS to you both!
We have so much to look forward to next year, including No-Dig Live and our Annual Awards and Gala Evening where we can all finally catch up and raise a glass together, until then keep safe, have a lovely Christmas and happy New Year for 2021 when it finally comes – Sláinte Mhath!
