Pioneers celebrate with BEPO
December 12, 2008
One of Harwell’s most distinguished ‘residents’ turned sixty this year. The research reactor BEPO – the British Experimental Pile – started up its first nuclear chain reaction in 1948 and was operational until 1968. BEPO was the first large reactor in Europe and the UK’s second reactor. At one time, it was one of Europe’s main suppliers of medical isotopes.
To celebrate BEPO attaining OAP status, a reunion of more than 150 former reactor staff and local stakeholders, as well as an exhibition and presentation, was held on 12 December. “I’m really pleased that so many people who worked with BEPO could come today. BEPO was not just important as a research reactor, it was the start of reactor development for the UK,” said Harwell Reactors Manager Ed Abel, “Talking to these nuclear pioneers, some who were here from the beginning, has given us new material to help plan the decommissioning more safely and efficiently, and improve our knowledge management of BEPO.”
Picture Left to right:- The first BEPO reactor manager, BobJackson, with Cllr Alison Rooke, Chairman of the Vale of the White Horse District Council and Ed Abel, Harwell Reactors Manager
For more information please contact: Angela Vincent, RSRL (Harwell) Communications Manager
Please also see David Fishlock's article published in the Nuclear Engineering Intl - Feb 2009
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