ABMEC strengthens collaboration with CIS Networking Group
23.02.2021
ABMEC, the only Association representing the British mining supply chain has forged a collaboration with the highly-regarded CIS Networking Group, by agreeing to carry out the Group’s administrative services.
The Coal Industry Society was originally founded in 1929, as a Luncheon Club, for gentlemen involved in the coal industry and allied trades, meeting six times a year at the Metropole Hotel in London. With a timeline, depicting classic landmarks in history, the Society welcomed its first lady speaker; Barbara Castle MP, Minister of Transport at a lunch in 1967. Remarkably this was the same year women were allowed to attend lunches. It wasn’t until 1974 that women could join the Society.
The list of past speakers reads like a Who’s Who of politics and royalty with Harold McMillan, Harold Wilson, Margaret Thatcher, James Callaghan, David Owen and Tony Benn, plus Joe Gormley, trade unionist during the great British coal mining days, not to mention HRH, Prince Philip.
The Government’s decision to approve planning for the West Cumbria Mining at Whitehaven will create jobs in the coal mining sector, as well as construction, transport, logistics, ports and ancillary services. This project will mine metallurgical coal for use in steel production; to make such things as wind turbines – requiring steel for their foundations, generators, blades and towers.
In normal times the CIS holds business lunches twice a year at the Principal Hotel in York, but with the current pandemic, virtual meetings are taking place.
Despite the traditional past of the Society, the CIS today is a vibrant group that welcomes members from the wider energy industry and related businesses. Membership is free of charge and awarded on approval. Please download the application form here.
