Welcome to the March issue of the AGS Magazine.

I would like to start by congratulating the Early Careers team for their successful delivering the Early Careers Webinar Series – Common Risks of GI’s, Identification and Mitigation. In total, 849 people registered for the event. The event received an overall 4.4 star review and if you missed it, it is now available for replay on the AGS website.

I would also like to thank those of you that took the time to respond to the Sustainability Working Groups questionnaire which was issued with the membership renewal. A series of questions were asked including which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals should be priorities for the AGS. Look out for the results of the survey, which will be used by the AGS to prioritise areas of working.

In this edition we present our bitesize Guide – Pile Design Based on Calculation – Ground Model Method. Our previous bitesize guides were in the top three publications in the last month and I hope you also find this one useful.

Our other main topic explored in this magazine looks at BRE365 Soakaway Testing: Discussion on Safety and Alternatives. The AGS are keen to hear examples of good practice for safely undertaking the BRE365 methodology and examples where SuDs design has been informed by alternative methods. Please contact the AGS at ags@ags.org.uk with examples or comments.

Also in this edition: Tomasz Daktera takes us on a look inside SoilCloud.

We have several events coming up, in March: BS8574 – A Guide to Data Management Plans and in April we have our Annual Conference, an in-person event which will have a sustainability theme. This year we are also trialling a drinks reception after the event. I hope you will be able to join us.