Dear Colleague

As we come to the end of 2009 we can both look back on a successful year for the Veterinary History Society and look forward to another interesting one ahead. Last month we held our 41st AGM (although in years we have a slightly longer life). If you were present you will know it was a good, well-attended meeting with a diverse programme, blending both an academic study of the 19th century profession (Dr. Abigail Woods), a fascinating overview of the development of veterinary work with zoo and circus animals (Philip Ryder-Davies) with a delightfully interesting “conversation” with Mary Brancker CBE, FRCVS – talking about her 72 years of professional life. A good programme to round off the year.

2010 Programme
Netherlands, 13th-15th April. A joint meeting has been arranged with our Dutch colleagues to be held in Utrecht at the veterinary school. The plan is to meet on the evening of Tuesday 13th for a dinner prior to holding a joint meeting at the veterinary school on the Wednesday. We are planning to field three speakers with a similar number from our hosts, and a joint dinner in the evening. On the final day, Thursday, there will be visits to the University, old Utrecht and the surrounding area with a farewell supper in the evening and departure on Friday.
A suitable hotel has been chosen near to the veterinary school. Travel should be convenient, either by car or by train.
If you wish to join the group please let Jean Mann (contact details below) know as soon as possible – she will keep you informed of the programme and plans.

Newmarket, Spring Meeting, Wednesday 2nd June. The venue is the Newmarket Equine Hospital CB8 0FG. There will be a speaker programme as well as the first group of our “10-minute talks”. As the Newmarket location provides the opportunity to visit other places of either veterinary or equine racing history, we may offer an extension into a second day, when we can then look over the wing and stables of Charles II’s 17th century palace. This is where both the Gallery of the British Sporting Art Trust and the new National Horseracing Museum will be housed.

London, Autumn Meeting and AGM, Wednesday 24th November at the RCVS, Belgravia House. It is hoped that, as well as more formal papers, we will be able to include as part of the programme to see and discuss a display of some of the more interesting veterinary artefacts and ephemera that are preserved in the Royal College collection.

Do not forget, in a previous Newsletter we asked for suggestions for Spring meeting venues – preferably these should have a veterinary or possible agricultural or science connection as well as providing a pleasant outing!

Publishing
If our plans proceed as we envisage the first of our books, The Diary of a Victorian Veterinary Student (provisional title) by Dick Lane should be available early in the new year. A second book 20th Century Veterinary Lives is now also well into its writing and we hope will be in print in the first half of next year.
Are there other prospective or intending authors within our membership? If so please send your thoughts and a possible synopsis to Bruce Jones.

Finally, the minutes of the AGM held on the 25th November are also enclosed; please read them, it is your Society, let us know if you want any changes or if you have some new ideas. And, don’t forget to look at the VHS website:
www.veterinaryhistorysociety.org.uk   - it can keep you up to date, has addresses, programme plans and news.

At the AGM Bruce Jones retired as Chairman after five years. Tim Cox was unanimously elected as our new Chairman.

The Cox Library, a vast collection made over his lifetime, includes many old veterinary books and ephemera, as well as being the most complete history in the country of the Thoroughbred; it is evidence of our new Chairman’s interest and active enquiry into our profession.