The Society for the Study of Ancient Egypt

Students attending these courses wanted to extend further their own knowledge and to meet other people with similar interests. The course tutor Tony Harkus, brought together many of these like-minded souls and, in November 1992 (by a happy coincidence - the 70th Anniversary of the rediscovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun) the Society was formally established, with Tony as its first Chairman.

Unfortunately, ill health forced Tony to stand aside as Chairman soon afterwards, the office of President was especially created for him so that he could continue to play a leading role in its development.

Sadly, Tony died in December 1997 and, as a token for the lasting debt which the Society owes to its "Founding Father"; the first lecture of each year is named the "Tony Harkus Memorial Lecture".

The SSAE has continued to grow from strength to strength and now has over 160 members, not just here in the East Midlands, but throughout the United Kingdom. An extra-special event to celebrate our Tenth Anniversary Year was the "Ravers of the Lost Barque" Garden Party held at Rolleston-on-Dove, near Derby on Sunday 9 June 2002.

The Society's events of course centre on the regular series of Illustrated Lectures, given by distinguished Egyptologists. These have included Geoffrey Martin, Kenneth Kitchen, Harry James, Rosalie David, Aidan Dodson and David Rohl, to name just a few. Please see our EVENTS pages for details of our exciting and varied Programme for the coming year.

Topics have been equally as diverse, with new and challenging theories being just as enthusiastically received as the perhaps more traditional wisdoms.

There are normally 5 or 6 lectures each year, with spread between our main centres at Chesterfield, Derby and Nottingham. From time to time, special Study Days are arranged, giving the opportunity to focus on a particular topic or theme, with distinguished Egyptologists from the field giving their respective opinions.

The Society's Newsletter is normally produced at least 4 times a year and keeps members in contact with each other and advised on Society events. It is filled with the very latest news and comments from Egypt and about Egyptology in general. We try and provide advance information on forthcoming exhibitions (at home and abroad), so that members can arrange a visit. Of particular interest are the articles written by our own members themselves. These illustrate the very broad range of interests and cover all aspects of the Ancient Egyptian civilization, as well as Egypt's many lasting legacies to the modern world.

"The Scribe" is sent postage free to all members. A limited number of Back Issues may be obtained from Paul Lappage, the Editor, at a cost of £1.50 each (including postage & packaging). Please state clearly which issue(s) are required.

The New Committee was voted into office at the Society's Annual General Meeting
held at the Library Lecture Theatre, Chesterfield on Saturday 26 April 2003

	Chairman Peter Cope
Vice-Chairman Gill Speed		Secretary Rhoda Payton
Publications Secretary & Librarian Paul Lappage		Social Secretary Angie Gillespie
Programme Secretary Alan Speed		Treasurer Jill Wilson