SCI Members’ Lunch and Lecture 2023

Synopsis

Mark Hardman, Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills (WARGM)

Mark Hardman is a volunteer at Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills (WARGM) - a 170-acre heritage site with over 300 years of making explosives, propellants, and space rocket technology.  In his professional life, he is secretary general of the European Association for the Safety in production and use of Propellants (EASSP) and board member of the Institute of Explosives Engineers (IExpE).
 
Mark's talk will tell the story of the discovery of explosive materials and how propellants were developed from black powder to modern day compounds. Since the 17th Century, the site of the Gunpowder Mills at Waltham Abbey has been at the heart of that story and was instrumental in the development of new materials, and the manufacturing processes to improve the quality and performance of propellants. At the same time WARGM arguably led the way in advances in safety practices for the benefit of the workforce and the industrial sector as a whole.
 
Several of the UK's famous chemists, scientists and engineers have worked at WARGM. Starting with Sir William Congreve (who transformed the quality of black powder manufactured on the site when it was nationalised in 1787); Sir Frederick Abel (who was key to the development of high performing cordite manufacture in the UK); and Barnes Wallis (of WW2 Bouncing Bomb fame). They all carried out work in one way or another at the Waltham Abbey site.

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Programme

Friday 1 December 2023

Accessibility Grants

SCI accessibility grants are available to support SCI members with disabilities, long term health conditions, those who require a carer, and members who are nursing parents to attend SCI events. Download an application form to apply for a grant.

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Venue and Contact

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Fees

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Booking terms and conditions

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