Welcome to the RCEA(Sussex)
An Association for Retired Professional Engineers
President: Derek Webb CEng FIEE
We are always looking for new members of the RCEA (Sussex). We welcome all retired engineers living in Sussex. For those not being Incorporated or Chartered Engineers there is an Associate Membership available.
As a member, you can look forward to some interesting talks held on the second Tuesday afternoon of each month from September until April. The talks are of a technical nature and are given by external speakers or by our own members who have had varied careers.
In the summer we have visits of technical interest and outings that are a more social occasions when we are accompanied by partners.
Each month we hold coffee mornings; one at the Spotted Cow (Angmering), and the other with partners at the Swallows Return (on theA259 west of Worthing).
If you are interested, you can have a look at past events by looking at the archived Newsletters on this web site ‘Archive – Newsletter’ and for membership information, go to ‘About Us – Membership’ where you can download an Application Form.
Derek Webb
Hon Secretary: Tony Tomkins MA CEng MIEE CITP MBCS
Field Place, The Boulevard, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 1NP
Jim Buckland in Memory
Jim Buckland 1920-2018
Jim Buckland, the creator of the Worthing Wurlitzer, passed away on December 30th, just a couple of weeks short of his 99th birthday. He had suffered a broken leg during a fall and, although the operation to pin the bone was successful, he died in hospital a few days later.
Jim was one of the pioneers of the Brighton Hammond Organ Society, but had the ambition to 
create a high quality theatre pipe organ in a public hall, an ambition that was realised with formation of the Sussex Theatre Organ Trust and the acquisition of the 3/10 Wurlitzer formerly installed at Buckingham Town Hall. Jim used his skills and experience as a professional engineer to lead the team that meticulously rebuilt the organ and installed it at Worthing Assembly Hall, where it was launched in 1981.
A continuing period of enlargement and refinement brought the instrument to its present high standard, being recognised as one of the finest Wurlitzers in the country. Jim invited leading organists from around the world to showcase the organ, not just as a solo instrument, but also in conjunction with the Worthing Symphony. This included commissioning from Rex Koury, US organist and TV music composer, the world’s first Concerto for Theatre Organ and Orchestra, which was premiered at the Assembly Hall with Rex at the console.
A determined and single-minded individual, Jim was not immune from controversy, not least for his decision to use parts from the former Blackpool Empress Ballroom Wurlitzer to enhance the Worthing instrument. But it is the determination to achieve great things and inspire others for which he will be remembered, and his legacy is a musical instrument that will continue to entertain and inspire for, hopefully, many more years.
Jim Buckland 1920-2018
Next Meeting:
Feb 12th The History of Westland Aircraft Ltd
Coffee mornings with Partners at the Swallows Return; last Thursday of the month.
Members coffee morning at the Spotted Cow; third Thursday of the month.