BAA’s annual meeting a big success

The British Aggregates Association (BAA), which is now the recognised as the voice of independent quarry operators, is hoping to have 100-plus members in the next few weeks. This news follows the recent very successful annual meeting when over 90 people registered and 56 attended the annual dinner. The association says there was also enormous interest from members and many others at its trade stand at the Hillhead event, and “with BAA membership already at 98 it looks certain to smash through the 100+ in th
July 10, 2012
BAA
Delegates at the British Aggregates Association’s annual meeting in Buxton, County Derbyshire, England

The 887 British Aggregates Association (BAA), which is now the recognised as the voice of independent quarry operators, is hoping to have 100-plus members in the next few weeks.

This news follows the recent very successful annual meeting when over 90 people registered and 56 attended the annual dinner.

The association says there was also enormous interest from members and many others at its trade stand at the 427 Hillhead event, and “with BAA membership already at 98 it looks certain to smash through the 100+ in the next few weeks with those looking to join up with us.”

Delegates at the annual meeting have already received the presentations, and members will be able to access them on the restricted area of the BAA or on request.

The annual meeting proved to be thought-provoking with ten high-quality speakers contributing to the seminar proceedings.

A broad range of topics were discussed and these included best practice in health and safety; apprenticeships; quarry restoration; water issues; biodiversity, and archaeology.

Speakers included Phil Slater (SLR) on Water Issues Update; Will Bedford (CgMs consultants), Coping with Archaeology; Martin Layer (Smiths), What's good for the goose...inert waste restoration update; Robin Hamilton  (Home Revolution), Zero Cement Concrete.

In the afternoon session speakers included Colin Mew (HM Principal Inspector National Quarries Team) on Good Health and Safety, Good for Everyone; Julian Smallshaw (MPQC Skills Centre/Institute of Quarrying), A New Approach to Higher Apprenticeships; Ian Lamond (partner Stephens-Scown), Life After MPGs [Mineral Panning Guidance]; Peter Prior (chairman, Summerleaze) on A snowball's chance in hell.

Exhibitors included:

  •  6152 Archaeological Research Services
  •  6153 CgMs Consulting
  • Home Revolution
  • 6154 Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC)
  •  3707 Nature After Minerals (NAM)
  • (2900 Royal Society for the protection of Birds/RSPB NE)
  •  2974 Stephens Scown and Stephenson-Halliday

Eric Darlow I(chairman) presented the BAA Assessment of Operating Standards Scheme awards.