FELLOW chemist and former Bolton MP Dr Brian Iddon shares speaks about his good friend Sir Harry Kroto and the importance of remembering and celebrating the town's Nobel Prize winner.
"Harry Kroto first came to my attention when I was presenting a series of lectures entitled Fascinating Organic Molecules to undergraduate students at the University of Salford.
"Buckminsterfullerene was the most fascinating molecule that I had come across at that time. Its discovery too is an interesting story.
"Shortly after my election to Parliament in 1997, I was appointed as an adviser (unpaid!) to the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and was invited to give reports on ‘science in Parliament’ at their Council Meetings in Burlington House (situated next to the Royal Academy in Piccadilly, London), which is where I first met Harry, and we became good friends. "Like me, he was interested in communicating science to children and adults alike.
"Harry Kroto served as President of the RSC from 2002 until 2004.
"I discovered that Harry Kroto had attended Wolfenden Primary School in Bolton where I had chaired the governing body.
"Initially as a joke, I told him that, if ever the school was knocked down, I would present him with a ‘souvenir’. When the school was demolished I presented Harry with ‘the last brick from Wolfenden School’ at a dinner in the Palace of Westminster.
"I should add that it was mounted on a plinth. I had never given a speech on bricks before that.
"Harry Kroto discovered Buckminsterfullerene (C-60) in 1985, the Nobel Prize for Chemistry was awarded to him in 1996 and now the town of Bolton is honouring ‘one of its greatest’ through its university holding this prestigious event.
"How about a buckyball climbing frame in one of our parks next (Lady Margaret Kroto’s suggestion; a buckyball corner perhaps)?
"I believe that Bolton should not forget its past heritage but make it part of its cultural future too. I was disappointed when the name of George Tomlinson disappeared at one of our schools.
"He is another Bolton son who should be remembered. I am sure that people will think of others, daughters included."
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