The Solar MHD Theory group has a very active programme during the session with Wednesday afternoon being set aside for group activities. The more energetic amongst us start off playing indoor football as part of a Solar Group booking.
This is followed by a group lunch, in which all the members of the group sit down together to eat, whilst discussing anything and everything from the latest high powered solar research down to the fine goals and footballing standard displayed during the previous hour.
The group afternoon then culminates in a seminar in which a member of the group or a welcome visitor present their latest research. This presentation is always followed by questions and lively discussion.
It is traditional, also, that a series of 'postgraduate lectures' is run. These involve all the postgrads and younger postdocs in the group taking it in turns to lecture on some aspect of solar theory away from the scrutiny of senior group members (who are banned from attending). They are typically informal and at a lower level, allowing less experienced members of the group to ask those 'stupid questions'.
There are also annual events such as the Solar Group Christmas Party which is held at the home of one of the staff members. The cabaret is normally at the expense of the dignity of the senior staff!
From a more global point of view, all the members of the group regularly attend both national and international conferences, with the senior members often invited to give review talks. Junior members are always encouraged to present their research at such meetings.
Several member of the group are/have been involved in organising meetings. The summer school on 'MHD Waves and Turbulence in Solar and Laboatory Plasmas', the 'National Astronomy Meeting 1998', the Royal Astronomical Society Meeting on 'Our New Sun: Highlights from SoHO' and the summer school on 'Solar System Plasmas' being examples of a recent meeting, and the workshop on 'Magnetic Reconnection and the Dynamic Sun' and the 'Annual PLATON Meetings' being examples of forthcoming meetings.