The VT Society was established in 1949 as the John I Thornycroft Old Pupils Association for graduates of the Company Apprenticeship Scheme. The Society is for past and present professional members of VT Group plc. and is aimed at promoting friendship and the exchanges of views and experiences between the many diverse engineering and management disciplines within the group. The Society organises a programme of evening events and/or visits on subjects of technical interest throughout the year with an AGM and Dinner for members and guests, held usually in November.
A Waterlily was chosen as the emblem for the Society because it was the name of one of the very first vessels to be built by John I Thornycroft, when he started his small boatyard at Hampton on the banks of the Thames in the 1860s. The Waterlily herself, an elegant steam driven river launch, still survives and may be seen on display at the National Maritime Museum, Falmouth.
Recent and forthcoming events
| Date | Event |
|---|
| 23 September 2008 |
Critical Services in a Critical Environment, Steve Cobbold VT Critical Services |
| 28 November 2008 |
61st Annual Dinner, Mountbatten Room, Royal Marines Museum, Southsea |
| 24 February 2009 |
The Nuclear Future, Dr. Bob Page, VT Nuclear |
| 28 April 2009 |
The Big Class, Yacht Racing in the Thirties, Mrs Rosemary Joy |
| 23 June 2009 |
Communicating Climate Change by Dr. Simon Boxall - National Oceanographic Centre |
| 22 September 2009 |
Wakefield Waste Recycling by Rob Dustan - VT Environmental Engineering |
| 27 November 2009 |
62nd Annual Dinner, Royal Marines Museum, Southsea |
Joining the society
Membership is broadly open to existing or previous employees of VT Group or its subsidiaries and joint ventures who have three years continuous service and have professional qualifications. Membership is also open to previous or existing Executives of the company. Subscriptions are £15 p.a. for existing employees and £10 p.a. for retired members.
Members are required to be nominated by an exisiting member of the society. Download a membership form, or for more information, please contact Mrs Lynne Cox ( lynne.cox@vtplc.com T:02392 339 305)