"Mike Vincent 12 November 2010 - a memorial"

This page is dedicated to the memory of Mike Vincent who, up until his sudden death, was our President for 2010-2011. Anyone wishing to leave a dedication on this page please contact
either our Secretary or our Membership Secretary

The first contribution is from Richard Aldridge, Treasurer(2009-present) and Past President(2008-2009). It was sent to Lynda, Mike's wife, on behalf of the Society.

"Dear Lynda

It came as a great shock to all members of the Norwich Engineering Society (NES) to hear of Mike’s death. We will all miss his enthusiasm and his tireless energy and effort in all that he did for the Society. When he became a member in 1991 he made it his mission to add value to the Society’s activity. All those who have spoken to me since hearing the tragic news, whether they are ordinary Society members or experienced senior Council members, confirm my view that he certainly succeeded in this regard.

Mike was one of the leading players behind the significant reorganisation undertaken by the Society in the past few years that has resulted in a more team based approach to the way we run ourselves. Sadly his passing means that he will not be able to enjoy the fruits of his labours in his role as President. We can assure you that we will make every effort to continue his good work!

One of the impressive facets of Mike’s time with the NES was his interest and boundless enthusiasm for a wide range of matters engineering be it avionics, automobiles, bridge design, computer chip fabrication, or alternative methods of generating energy. At talks, whatever their nature, Mike was always ready with an interesting question; many speakers noting that at least one member of their audience had grasped the major points of the talk.

Mike took a keen interest in any visit the NES made; in many cases he was the driving force behind the inception and delivery of the visit. Those of us that were fortunate enough to be on the Sizewell B Training School visit a couple of years ago have fond memories of the antics Mike got up to on the reactor control simulator trying to prevent a nuclear incident. Needless to say like everybody else who had a go, he failed. However, he certainly did it in style and had a lot of fun trying! We also remember a visit a couple of years ago to Rymerston Hall to see Wing Commander Wallis’s autogyros where Mike did his level best to get airborne.

The NES will be eternally grateful to Mike for all that he has done for us, especially as we were but one among his many other interests, all indulged in with his signature enthusiasm; photography, industrial archaeology and classic cars. He played a major role as Secretary for many years and was the Visits Coordinator for a similar period. In recognition of all this activity he was unanimously and popularly elected our President for 2010/2011. He will be sadly missed.

Please accept our heartfelt condolences."

The second is a tribute in Mike's memory given by Past President(2007-2008) Ray Hannent at the NES Meeting 29 November 2010

"MIKE was born and schooled in Exeter, subsequently he joined the RAF and became a qualified engineer at RAF Halton.

One of his technical roles in the RAF was as an air electronics officer responsible for making sure that the electronic equipment on board our nuclear deterrent Vulcan bomber aircraft was kept in working order. He was later posted to RAF Swanton Morley, near Dereham, where he served for more than 20 years, largely as a technical author. After leaving the RAF he was able put this skill to good use to meet the demands of industry in civilian life. Mike told me that when he worked on the Vulcan bomber, being small was a distinct advantage. Those members who took part in the visits arranged by Mike to Bruntingthorpe and Norwich aviation museum can appreciate this.

Though not very tall, Mike’s stature in the NES was immense. He was a key member of Norwich Engineering Society for many years, and we are very grateful for having been blessed with someone with his personality and enthusiasm on the Council of the Society. Never seeking a high profile, Mike made a huge contribution in the “engine room” of the society as secretary and visits organiser. He tried to relinquish the post of secretary in 2008 but was persuaded by the Council to stay on for another “hand over” year. It was entirely appropriate that he was then elected as President for the current season. It is a great shame that having moved from the engine room to the bridge he had so little time at the helm.

Another of Mike’s passions was the restoration of classic and vintage cars. Having restored his own Talbot, he also led a band of enthusiasts and volunteers who successfully restored and maintained the 1899 Panhard et Levassor car given to the City of Norwich Museums more than 70 years ago. It was Mike who persuaded the Norfolk Museums Service to allow the complete overhaul of the car, which had been briefly owned by the Hon Charles Rolls, of Rolls-Royce fame. The car is now based at Gressenhall Rural Life Museum. When I was still at school I remember seeing this car in the Bridewell museum, little did I realise that one day I would have the privilege of riding around the country lanes of Norfolk in this venerable machine, thanks to Mike.
Mike always seemed to be busy making the most of opportunities. On a visit to a display of historic aircraft at the Shuttleworth Trust, Mike had also arranged to examine their Panhard et Levassor car. Whilst NES member Douglas Losh-Atkinson made drawings of the radiator, Mike gleaned all the technical information from Shuttleworth staff. This resulted in the Norfolk Panhard team being able to successfully construct a new radiator to overcome the overheating problems associated with a substitute radiator which had previously replaced the original.

Mike was a former chairman and long-serving committee member of the Norfolk Industrial Archaeological Society and a keen member of the Norwich Photographic Club. As with the NES he was always willing to join in and do his bit. In so many ways, he was a "doer", who liked to make a difference.

Not only has the Society lost a hard working member and President, we have lost a good friend. We will certainly miss him.

Ray Hannent"