‘Letter from America’ – How it all began…

My first article appeared in the January 2009 issue of NDT News, titled: ‘How it all started’ and my Letter from America column has featured in each monthly issue ever since – that is a total of 205 articles over 17 years!

‘Letter from America’ refers to both a historical radio series by Alistair Cooke and a song by the Scottish duo The Proclaimers. Both sources were clearly acknowledged. Alistair Cooke had completed his remarkable and historical radio series and the Proclaimers were one of my favourite musical groups. Each of them explored themes of culture, identity and communication.

Thus, back in January 2009, I was able to piggyback on the title ‘Letter from America’. The series of monthly submissions covered significant items of interest in non-destructive testing in the USA and Canada, with occasional diversions into other cultural events.

For many of these years, there was a rich source of non-destructive testing and humanity-related material in both of these countries. Each month was an opportunity to research and source current and humanitarian information and news. Each monthly submission provided me with great pleasure and satisfaction.

Most recently, I have had difficulty in sourcing material of interest to my faithful readers and I have been obliged to reconsider the monthly submissions. My decision is to terminate the monthly programme and provide further articles on an occasional basis, as and when suitable topics arise.

Time marches on and I have recently enjoyed my 90th birthday.

So, my dear and faithful readers, this is not farewell, but will see us meeting on a less regular basis.

With love and best wishes.