Cartographic professionals and enthusiasts from around the world gathered together for four days of presentations, debate, networking and social activities at the British Cartographic Society’s 50th Annual Symposium. Set in the historic surroundings of the 18th century Hothorpe Hall in Leicestershire the anniversary event took place from 3-6 September and attracted nearly 200 attendees.
“This was a hugely rewarding event for all involved,” commented Mr Peter Jones MBE, President of the British Cartographic Society, “truly fitting for our 50th year. We are now looking forward to further anniversary celebrations continuing into the autumn when we will be delighted to welcome Jack Dangermond, sometimes referred to as ‘the father of GIS’, and well known broadcaster Nicholas Crane to forthcoming events.”
About the Symposium:
Sessions included the Map Curators workshop, Special Interest Group (SIG) meetings as well as presentations from commercial organisations and academic institutions. The opening ceremony was followed by the Helen Wallis Memorial Lecture delivered by Nick Millea, Map Librarian at the Bodleian Library in Oxford. This included the hugely relevant quote from Alfred Wainwright’s A Pennine Journey ‘Give me a map to look at, and I am content’.
One of the highlights of the Symposium was the heads of the five British Mapping and Charting agencies coming together to discuss the future of mapping. This keynote presentation – ‘probably the most important conference session held in the UK, this year, on the future of mapping’ – saw Vanessa Lawrence CB, Director General and Chief Executive of the Ordnance, extol the importance of cartography in an age when so many people had become map makers while Paul Hancock, Director of the Defence Geographic Centre explained how geography had become a vital element in conflict. John Wilkinson, Chief Executive Land and Property Services, Rear Admiral Ian Moncrieff, CBE, Chief Executive of United Kingdom Hydrographic Office and Professor John Ludden, Executive Director of the British Geological Survey all contributed to the session which was well received by the audience.
Forthcoming Events:
Jack Dangermond, founder of global GIS company Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri), will present ‘GIS and Web Cartography’ at the Royal Air Force Club in London on Friday 25th October. This is a rare opportunity to here from this acclaimed speaker and tickets, including refreshments, are available from £15. Nicholas Crane, presenter of notable BBC series such as Coast, Great British Journeys, Map Man and Town, will also present. ‘Reflections of a Map Man’ will take place at the British Library Conference Centre, London on the 25th November with tickets starting from just £5.
Tickets for both these events are now available online at www.cartography.org.uk. Early booking is recommended. To find out more about these and other events in the BCS 50th Anniversary Calendar follow the society on: twitter@bcsweb, facebook https://www.facebook.com/bcsweb or visit the webpage www.cartography.org.uk
The 2013 BCS Annual Symposium was kindly sponsored by the Society’s corporate members Cadcorp, ESRI (UK), Harper Collins, Leica Geosystems, Newgrove, Ordnance Survey, Star-Apic, The GeoInformation Group and Victoria Litho and was organised on behalf of the Society by Training4GIS.
About the British Cartographic Society
The British Cartographic Society promotes the art and science of cartography through awards, events, publications and special interest groups. 2013 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Society, a registered charity, and is being celebrated with a year-long programme of promotional, lecture, social and outreach events. The 2013 calendar of events is sponsored by society corporate members Cadcorp, ESRI (UK), Harper Collins, Leica Geosystems, Newgrove, Star-Apic, The GeoInformation Group and Victoria Litho. www.cartography.org.uk