The sun shines on the righteous, or so they say, and shine it did as more
than 100 delegates from all over the country, arrived in Winchester for the
27th National Safety Symposium (NSS).
Entitled Practicalities of safety, the three-day event took place at King
Alfred’s College, Winchester on 2-4 September.
The college is named after one of Winchester’s most famous residents and
during his keynote speech, the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Winchester,
Councillor John Steel, made several references to the pride his city has in its
historical past, while noting that the NSS itself has a history to be proud of.
This year’s symposium was particularly special for Rhona Wells as it was her
last as chair of the Public Services Group before being succeeded by John
Holden, the current chair of the NSS working party. Rhona made special
reference to this in her speech at the symposium dinner where the guests of
honour included the IOSH president elect, Eleanor Lawson, and the college’s
vice-principal, Tommy Geddes.
The Zurich Municipal Safety Awards were also presented at the dinner and
presentations were made to representatives of Caerphilly County Borough
Council, Warrington Borough Council, Renfrewshire Council and QLM.
Let’s hope that the spirit of Winchester can be retained for next year when
the NSS travels up to the University of York, on 1-3 September.
