The Queen meets staff and officials at the new headquarters of The Institute of Physics During the visit Her Majesty was introduced to past and present Officers of the Institute, members of staff and other individuals who are affiliated to the Institute or who have been specifically involved in the comprehensive remodelling and refurbishing of the existing office building and the design and construction of the brand new Rutherford Conference Centre. The Queen was shown around a small exhibition showing the role of physics and its importance in fields such as medicine, communications, the environment and education. There was also an exhibit on astronomy and particle physics, which included a replica of Rutherford's original 'scattering' apparatus, and a further display which highlighted some of the key people and events from the history of physics. These exhibits will remain in place on Thursday 12 December which is an Open Day from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm for anyone who wishes to view the new conference centre facilities and to learn about current applications of physics and the activities of the Institute itself. Later that day an invited audience will attend a gala evening recital by the world-renowned pianist John Lill and the Medici String Quartet.
All visitors are welcome.
Nuclear Electric, Barnwood, Gloucestershire Physics and the Environment Institute of Hydrology, Wallingford, Oxon. Physics Great and Small Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council, Swindon, and Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, Oxon.