256 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN Annual Dinner-Dance THE ANN•JA•. Dinner-Dance of the Society was held at the Caf• Royal on 7th February, and was acclaimed the best ever by over 200 members and guests. The toast of the Society was proposed by Dr. J. H. Skellon, T.D., M.Sc., F.R.I.C., Head of the Department of Chemistry and Biology at the new Brunel College of Technology at Acton. Dr. Skellon, who has played a most important part in •:he development and conduct of the courses in Cosmetic Chemistry sponsored by the Society, spoke of his decision to promote the third year Diploma Course to a position of honour in the new Brunel College, which provides for advanced studies in the sciences. The decision had received the blessing and approval of higher authority and the way was now open to continued progress, perhaps, he hoped, with the endowment of a Research Fellowship in Cosmetic Chemistry. Postgraduate training and research were, in Dr. Skellon's opinion, vital to the prosperity of the industry. The Diploma Course he considered to provide a very high standard of training for those who were desirous of entering or advancing in the industry. The President, Mr. J. Pickthall, F.R.I.C., responding to the toast, thanked Dr. Skellon for the great interest he had always shown in the cosmetic courses sponsored by the Society and said that the evening's programme was shaped to emphasise the Society's appreciation of that interest. The toast of "Our Guests" was proposed by Dr. K. G. Johnson, B.Sc., A.R.I.C., the Hon. Education Officer of the Society. He paid tribute to the ladies, as not only our most important guests but also as the mainspring of the day-to-day business of the cosmetic chemist. Even in the field of cosmetics for men, the influence of the ladies was very strong. It was part of the function of the cosmetic chemist to educate them in the application of his products to achieve the optimum benefit. The response was made by Mrs. D. L. Wedderburn, B.Sc., Lecturer in Bacteriology in the Society's Diploma Course. Mrs. Wedderburn described the improvements in cosmetics in recent times as dramatic and providing women with great joy in their use. Disappointment might follow the build-up provided by rather exaggerated advertisements, but her own attitude was that of an eternal optimist who always hoped that advertised claims were true and that some miraculous change would occur overnight. As one connected closely with the industry, Mrs. Wedderburn recognised the work of the cosmetic chemist to be skilled and imaginative.

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