Hugh McIlvenna

Transcript from a letter sent to the Secretariat upon receipt of his 50 year Long Service Certificate

Hello, I wish to pass on many thanks for the certificate of 50 years membership with the Institution.  It brings back many find memories of times gone past, we had the privilege of visits to many engineering firms and talks on many interesting subjects.

I wish to share a few comic things during my employment as field repair on farms in Northern Ireland.  I took an apprentice with me to assist stripping an engine from a tractor and I warned him to carefully keep all parts together on a steel tray.  Suddently a chicken flew down from the roof of the hayshed, landing on the tray of parts and scattering them on the floor.  The lad looked at me and said "Hugh, I think we have got the fowl pest!"

A farmer called me one night and said "My van has severe vibration in the engine to the extent that my wife is just a blur!"

Finally a poem for the Institution:

There is an Institution of Agricultural Engineers
It embraces many clever members that work like well meshed gears.

They consist of many branches spread across the land
Now if you have a problem they are pleased to lend a hand.

Be sure the Northern Ireland Branch is special we would say
By having branch associates they help in every way.

Now many of these members will soon be round the clock
Perhaps a branch associate could hacksaw through their lock?

The Northern Ireland Members send greetings far and wide
Just send to them your problems, they will take it in their stride.