A wet and windy Worcester welcomed the 43 Institute delegates at the modern centre at Worcestershire’s Royal Hospital. Early arrivals were treated to a free parking space, coffee and a chance to chat to the trade stands, in contrast late arrivals such as ourselves had a £7 parking charge, a long walk and a good soaking (we were warned).

After introductions the programme kicked off with the gentle tones of our host, Ian Collins describing the construction of custom titanium plates on rapid prototyped models; the use of advanced technologies continued with Alan Bocca’s well illustrated presentation on 3D planning. Lastly ‘Worcesterite’ Gareth Robinson posed the question-should we be On Call ? Not a fiery debate but certainly one that could have continued longer.

Coffee break allowed further time to populate the stands and try for that elusive free pen or post it notes. The return to the lecture room revealed a change in the programme as Mr Sat Parmar, was keen to present on free flap reconstruction, this was a concise and informative insight into the armoury at the disposal of a Maxillofacial Reconstructive Surgeon, and would warrant a repeat showing at our congress.

Having the restaurant adjacent to the lectures meant a fast access to tasty food but those with an appetite were disappointed as there wasn’t a lot to go around; still when you haven’t seen your colleagues for a time there is more talking than eating.

Kevin Page welcomed us back to the afternoon session with an introduction to our President Elect, Mrs Sheila Fisher, Consultant in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Leeds Teaching Hospital, taking time out of her busy schedule to attend the meeting was not lost on delegates who welcomed her warmly.

Barry Edwards presented first, with an interesting case study on a soft bicep implant followed by his colleague Sarah Quinns cautionary tale on facial carcinomas and there multiple occurrence. Yours truly was the last to present before the break on the new website and as you are reading this article I need say no more.

By coffee time most of the trade displays had probably realised they were talking to the converted and had made for the hills but its always advisable to have a strong beverage before an extraordinary AGM.

David Allen gave two presentations in the final session, the finer aspects of ocular prosthetics and an A4C a strange mix you might think, perhaps Dave was encouraging us to keep an eye on our banding outcomes.

The last job of the day was to vote on the accounts and a motion to increase the membership subscription from £40 to £60, both were carried.

Lastly it fell to our Chairman to close the meeting with well earned thanks to Ian Collins for an extremely interesting and well run Autumn Seminar.

Peter Evans MIMPT