Midland Institute of Mining Engineers Trust Fund

The Trust fund originates from the 1960’s when it was proposed and subsequently agreed that there should be a merger between the National Association of Colliery Managers (NACM) and the Institution of Mining Engineers, (I Min E).

In Yorkshire the two bodies were represented by the National Association of Colliery Managers (Yorkshire Branch), and the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers.

The merger of The I Min E and NACM was eventually approved, with NACM surrendering its Royal Charter on the 29th July 1969. Following much deliberation, the amended Charter and Bye Laws of the Institution of Mining Engineers were approved by the Privy Council on the 28th July 1971.

Following the merger, the Institution of Mining Engineers changed from a being a Federal Body to one of geographical Branches, with subscriptions being collected at national level by the Institution of Mining Engineers, rather than through the individual Branches. In Yorkshire donations were collected by the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers.

With this reorganisation the Council of the Midland Institute considered its financial position. Over the years through the wise guidance of the treasurer, Major Noel Webster, and the support of the Council, the investments held, under a recognised charitable status, were considerable, with the declared aims of providing funding to meet the objectives of the Midland Institute.

As protection for these funds and to continue the required support for the future it was decided by the Council to establish a relevant Trust Fund. Legal advice at the highest level was obtained through the guidance of the then National Coal Board, Yorkshire Division Legal Advisor, Mr Charles Glover, and an eventual Trust Deed was signed on the 26th April 1971.

Under the terms of the Trust Fund Deed, the funds were to be utilised primarily to enable the objectives of the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers to be met. The Trustees being given the scope to fund other related sections of the Institute provided they had similar objectives and offering similar opportunities for their members.

The objectives of the Trust Fund are declared as the advancement of Science and Practice of Mining Engineering, and related activities.

Of the original Trustees, Mr Jack Blunt gave long and valuable service from the formation of the Trust in 1971 until his death in May 2002, His work as Secretary and Treasurer continued until 1984 when he became Chairman, a position held until his resignation in 1992. He remained as an influential and valuable member of the trustees until his death.

Following the establishment of the Trust Fund, The MIMinE was able to finance its annual activities, without the need to take any of the annual financial support available from the Institution of Mining Engineers at National level.

However, in recent years funding from the Institute of Mining Engineers has been utilized on account of rising costs of the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers due to the many mergers that have occurred and whilst the Fund provides the major proportion of the annual funding it has been deemed necessary to accept an annual grant made available from the National Body.

Currently the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining is recognised as the national body and the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers being affiliated, applies for and receives an annual grant.

Over the years, due sound investment by the Trustees, the funds have continued to remain on a sound and generally improving basis. Consequently the present situation enables the Fund to maintain substantial and relevant support to the current activities of the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers.

The Trustees welcome the diversification that has occurred from the mergers and the need for widening the interests of the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers participation and membership, whilst, at the same time, maintaining the highest standards. All of which are acceptable in relation to the overall declared objectives of the initial Trust Deed originally formed in 1971.