Saturday 24th September 2005. Branch Visit to Rushton Triangular Lodge, Northamptonshire. Meet for tour and talk at 11.00 a.m.
The Triangular Lodge at Rushton is a sensationally strange little building– “ Little known in Britain, let alone lauded as one of our wonders, in my book it should rate as one of the world’s seven wonders.” (Lucinda Lambton, Guardian, 3 April 2005). Built in the 1590s by Sir Thomas Tresham, everything about the building revolves around the number three. The bizarre lodge has three 33 foot sides, three storeys, three gables on each side. In addition the exterior is littered with trefoil windows, three to a row, and the central chimney has, inevitably, three sides. All this hints at the Trinity, but Tresham himself also comes into it – “Tresham spent 15 years either in prison or in confinement for his beliefs. Thank the Lord they inspired this beautiful building. Its quality and rarity deserve worldwide fame.”
Tuesday 4th October 2005. The Geometry of Mediaeval Gothic Windows. A talk by Hugh Williams. 7.30 p.m. in the Heap Lecture Theatre, Kedleston Road Site, University of Derby.
Abstract: Books on mediaeval architecture break Gothic architecture down it various styles but nowhere in the literature are there actual specific criteria on how to distinguish between them. I found at least one case where different authors classified the same window into different styles. This lead me into a mathematical investigation of the underlying geometrical rules for the various styles. There were interesting geometrical problems of which rules you can deduce by observation from a photograph or the window itself and which would require detailed measurements. Luckily it was found that classification rules could be based on observational rather than metric properties. The work lead to new classifications and throws insight on how the various sub-styles are related to each other and evolved. The talk will include illustrations of interesting examples.
Friday 11th November 2005. Are we Star Dust or Nuclear Waste? A talk by Robin Catchpole. 7.30 p.m. in Room B13, Maths & Physics Building, University of Nottingham.
Abstract: Everything we see around us, with the exception of the hydrogen in water, was made in stars. In this talk we will see how this happened from the moment when the universe was a few seconds old and look into the future to see the ultimate fate of our Sun.
Robin Catchpole works at the Institute of Astronomy Cambridge having recently retired as Senior Astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich. He has authored and co-authored over 100 research papers and articles and has used a number of telescopes around the world including the Hubble Space Telescope. His research interests include the composition of stars, exploding stars, the structure of our Galaxy and galaxies with black holes at their centres.
Wednesday 7th December 2005. Good Vibrations: Some Counter-intuitive Experiments in Vibration. A talk and demonstration by Hugh Hunt (Cambridge University). 7.30 p.m. in Room B13, Maths & Physics Building, University of Nottingham.
Abstract: Mechanical vibration is often taught as if it were a simple science. The mass-on-a-spring, uni-axial vibration of a rod, viscous damping, modal analysis – all these are the bread and butter of vibration science. But real vibrating systems just don’t behave like this. There are pitfalls in even the simplest cases and some will be demonstrated: a tuning fork; a bottle of cola; a glass of champagne; a bending beam; a turbocharger wheel. All of these systems behave counter-intuitively.
The “simple” examples above have simple explanations, and wouldn’t it be great if all engineering problems were simple? The talk will also touch on the methods presently used to control vibration from underground railways. Some very counter-intuitive theoretical predictions will be presented; these were widely dismissed as rubbish until recently when measurements were made !!!
Friday 24th February 2006. Juggling – Theory and Practice. A performance by Colin Wright. 7.30 p.m. in Room Q1.10, Queen’s Building, City Site, De Montfort University, Leicester.
Abstract: Juggling has fascinated many for centuries. Seemingly oblivious to gravity, the skilled practitioner can keep several objects in the air at one time, and weave complex patterns that seem to defy analysis. In this talk the speaker demonstrates a selection of the patterns and skills of juggling while at the same time developing a simple method of describing and annotating a class of juggling patterns. By using elementary mathematics these patterns can be classified, leading to a simple way to describe those patterns that are known already, and a technique for discovering new ones. The talk is suitable for all ages. Those with some mathematical background should find plenty to keep themselves occupied, while those less experienced can enjoy the juggling and the exposition of this ancient skill.
The Speaker: Colin Wright graduated in 1982 from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, with a B.Sc(Hons) in Pure Mathematics. He received his Ph.D. from Cambridge, England, in 1990, having learned on the way how to unicycle, juggle, fire-breathe and ballroom dance. He has worked as a research mathematician, a computer programmer and as a hardware designer. He also enjoys sailing small boats and playing bridge, although not (so far !!) at the same time.
Saturday 11th March 2006. Branch Dinner at the Country Cottage Hotel, Easthorpe Street, Ruddington, NG11 6LA.
The Branch Dinner is an informal event to provide a congenial atmosphere to meet with fellow members of the IMA and their guests. Many members will attend with their partners. Vegetarian options are available. Other special dietary requirements can usually be catered for with prior notice. Wines and other drinks are available on a cash basis.
Tuesday 28th March 2006. Imaging Skin in the Infrared and Visible Regions of the Spectrum. A talk by Bryan Jones (Derby University). 7.30 p.m. in the Heap Lecture Theatre, University of Derby, Kedleston Road Site.
Abstract: This talk shows how mathematics has been used to help doctors assess the quantity and quality of healing in wounds. Previously there had been no real measurable means to assess such healing. This talk shows how the mathematically based analysis of images of the skin is important in monitoring the progress of disease and presents a challenge to image processing techniques improving on the current use of expert opinion.
Wednesday 17th May 2006. Keeping the enthusiasm for mathematics. A talk by Neil Challis (Sheffield Hallam). 7.30 p.m. Edward Herbert Building, Room J002, Edward Herbert Building, Loughborough University.
Abstract: In the mathematics community many would like more young people to study more mathematics and for longer. University, college and school staff are devoting much attention to 14-19 mathematics curriculum and pathways as they work through the repercussions of the well-received report of Professor Adrian Smith’s Inquiry into 14-19 Mathematics. Let us suppose that by measures taken in schools and colleges, we succeed in making it seem a more attractive prospect to study mathematics, or indeed mathematically related disciplines, at university. How should this then affect what is done in universities? What can be done with the curriculum, the teaching and indeed what assumptions can be made, to ensure that the enthusiasm for mathematics generated in a wider range of school students is still there at the end of their degree? Speaking from a university, how should this sector set it’s own lands in order?
Wednesday 21st June 2006. Joint Branch Social Event at The Wheatsheaf Inn, Leicester Road, Thurcaston, Leicester.
Members and their guests from both the IMA East and West Midlands Branches are invited to attend a summer evening of social activities centred around the The Wheatsheaf, Thurcaston, Leicestershire. Thurcaston is a village conveniently situated near the A46 Leicester Ring (Link from A46 Fosse Way to the M1 Junction 24a). Early participants are invited to spend an hour investigating the interesting features of Thurcaston, guided by a quiz. Later we will retire to the skittle alley where matters mathematical (with equations both simple and quadratical) and more, can be discussed over a challenge skittles game and a pub meal.