AN IMPRESSION OF THE 1954 BRITISH 

 ASSOCIATION MEETING AT OXFORD 



'T'HIS year the British Association met at Oxford, a city which presents 

 ^ an arresting picture of medieval ideas and modem problems. The 

 older colleges drowse amid their wonderful green lawns, while an in- 

 cessant stream of heavy traffic sweeps past their gates. The senorous 

 Latin of the presentation speeches in the Sheldonian Theatre was spoken 

 under the shadow of the atomic threat embodied by Harwell. 



The note of urgency and fear for civilisation ran as a warning note 

 through many of the speeches — notably that of the President, Dr. 

 Adrian, and that of Professor Coulson on Sunday evening. 



Though there were nearly 4,000 delegates, the programmes went 

 like clockwork ; it is worth noting that the excursions started, and 

 returned, strictly on time ! The same was true of most of the addresses, 

 though some discussions had to be drastically limited ! The mornings 

 were usually given up to serious work in the seventeen sections, which 

 met separately in the Lecture Theatres of the Science Area, but it is 

 impossible in a brief survey to comment on the many original and striking 

 views expressed by the speakers. In the afternoons excursions took 

 place and there was ample opportunity to study various aspects of the 

 countryside. 



On Sunday morning many Members attended a special service at 

 Christ Church Cathedral. Each Section arranged a Dinner and Social 

 Evening ; and there was a Garden Party in the grounds of Trinity 

 College, which was graced by bright sunshine. On the Tuesday, 150 

 delegates were received by the Mayor of Abingdon, and had the privilege 

 of viewing the treasures in the Guildhall. 



Delegates came from the far corners of the world — from America, 

 Africa, the East ; they represented diverse interests, many lines of re- 

 search and they met in an atmosphere of delightful serenity and happy 

 intimacy. Oxford showed to them all a vision of culture and of charm 

 which could only have come from centuries of communion with the 

 great men of all time, whether in Science or in Art. 



M. Walton, f.r.h.s., f.z.s. 



26 



