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Yorkshire Geological So

150TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR A message from the President

This year has been one of celebration for the Society and give opportunity for discussion, but no one was lost in we have marked it with a special programme of the mist". Mercifully the weather was superb for our trip meetings. Here I mention some of these meetings with on the slopes of in 1988. special bearing on the anniversary celebrations. At the centenary meeting Dr W. S. Bisat, a former Firstly, the Annual Dinner in December 1987 was President of our Society, was given an Honorary Master held on a date very close to that of the original of Science degree by Leeds University. One of our field inauguration of the Society. The spacious Assembly trips this year, led by Dr N. J. Riley, was designed as a Rooms in York were the venue for the dinner. A short tribute to the work of Dr Bisat on goniatites as zonal account and two of the speeches are quoted in the fossils. following pages. The Geological Society was founded (as The four full weekend field meetings included a the Geological and Polytechnic Society of the West Grand Reunion field meeting at Cober Hill, Cloughton Riding of Yorkshire) by owners and managers. It near Scarborough. This took place in superb weather, was particularly appropriate, therfore, that the subject and included a visit to the home of Lord Derwent at of 'Recent Advances in British Coalfield Geology and Hall, where William Smith, the founder of Geophysics1 was chosen as our topic for the session British geology, was land agent. At Scarborough jointly organised by British Coal and the Yorkshire Museum we saw a mural devised by one of the founders Geological Society at the Seventh Meeting of the of our Society, John Phillips. An account of the full Geological Societies of the British Isles at University programme for the Cober Hill meeting is given below College, London this September. (p. 105). At the close of this anniversary year for which I have For our centenary, Professor H. C. Versey, one of our been privileged to be President, I will be making the first honorary members, penned an account of the first award of the Moore Medal. This is a silver medal hundred years of the Society. In the following pages Dr generously contributed by the alumni of Sheffield G. A. L. Johnson, a former Secretary and President, has University, to be awarded for the best undergraduate written an account of the last fifty years which he first dissertation in the northern universities and colleges. delivered as a Special Lecture at the Cober Hill meeting. Finally, may I thank the Officers and Council of the

Earlier in the year, a field trip, led by Dr Eric Johnson Society for their ready support and to our members for and Mr Murray Mitchell, was located in Horton in coming to the anniversary celebrations. I wish our Ribblesdale, close to the venue of the centenary field Society continued success in years to come. by guest on September 26, 2021 by guest on September

meeting. At this latter meeting the "summit of Ingleborough was shrouded in mist driven by a strong ALBERTA. WILSON wind. Very little geology could be seen nor did the wind http://pygs.lyellcollection.org/ Downloaded from Downloaded from http://pygs.lyellcollection.org/ by guest on September 26, 2021

The third fifty years: 1938-1988

The Centenary of the Yorkshire Geological Society was arrears. The record numbers of members joining the celebrated in Leeds on the 4th June 1938, A series of Society in one year were in 1971 and 1978, when 103 and special meetings and a dinner with many guests was 104 new members are recorded. In the 1970's and 1980's followed by an anniversary field meeting at Ingleton membership rose to 1205 in 1977, 1310 in 1978 and a from the 5th to the 8th June. E. J. Garwood was the maximum of 1401 recorded in the Annual Report for President for the second occasion. Membership of the 1984; this represents a 778% increase in membership Society stood at 180 of which over 50 were present at the over the fifty year period. Since then, owing to reduction Centenary celebrations. Revenue for 1938 balanced at in the number of persons coming forward for £135 9s. 9d. and postage and printing costs were £47 3s. membership, together with normal losses, membership 7d. Not surprisingly, it was a time of optimism and H. C. had declined to 1243 active members in 1987. The Versey wrote at the time that the Society was going current membership of the Society in April 1988 in the through one of its successful periods and that, owing to various categories laid down by the Council, is as generous benefactors, it could continue its efforts with follows: no financial anxiety for the future (Versey 1939, p.8). By Patrons 9 the 1930's a familiar pattern of indoor meetings during Honorary Members 5 the winter months and field meetings during the summer Life Members 29 was well established and this has continued through the Ordinary Members 810 following fifty years with little change except for the Concessionary Members (over 65 years) 55 period of the Second World War. Similarly, the pattern Student Members 32 of publication of the Society's Proceedings in the form of Associate Members 47 annual or twice yearly parts that evolved by 1840 has Institutional Members 198 continued without a break to the present time. Clearly Institutional Members (Schools Discount) 4 during the first hundred years the Society developed a Honorary Institutional Members successful pattern of affairs that has carried it through to (Copyright offices etc.) 8 the 150th anniversary with a minimum of change or fuss. Honorary Associate Members (Circular exchanges with other societies etc.) 24 Hardly had the euphoria of the Centenary dissipated when Europe was involved in war. Under W. S. Bisat, 1221 who followed E. J. Garwood as President in 1939 and 1940, the Society strove to keep up its activities, but inevitably they had to be curtailed. R. G. S. Hudson In addition: Proceedings exchanges with other Societies etc. 75 held the fort between 1941 and 1942 acting as both President and Editor of the Proceedings. He by himself and with co-authors kept up a steady production of The pattern of indoor meetings has remained very papers on the that kept the Proceedings constant over the period since the last war. Six and alive during this difficult time. Between 1940 and 1945, sometimes seven meetings have been held regularly in 40 papers were published of which 13 were by Hudson the winter months from October to March, with and his collaborators. Unfortunately, Hudson occasionally an April meeting. The venue of meetings discontinued publishing the Annual Report in the has gradually changed, with a regular pattern emerging Proceedings after 1942 and it was not published again over the last twenty years. Initially the Society met at until P. C. Sylvester-Bradley was editor in 1953. This various towns in Yorkshire including — Barnsley, gives a gap in the record of the affairs of the Society that , Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds, Middlesbrough, is difficult to fill, but membership certainly kept up with Sheffield and York. But experience showed that the 194 persons and institutions listed in 1944. The needs of members and lecturers was best served in the immediate post-war years are also undocumented well equipped lecture rooms attached to the northern except that 32 original papers were published between universities. Thus a pattern of regular meetings each 1946 and 1953 and the Proceedings records up to six field year in Durham, Hull, Leeds, Newcastle upon Tyne and meetings held annually during this period. Sheffield, with the Annual General Meeting in York, has now become established. In the continuing tradition By 1952, membership had reached 306 and the post• of the Society, several meetings each year have been war expansion of the Society was well on the way. For devoted to the presentation of original papers and the next 20 years the Society continued to grow each between five and eleven of these presentations had been year: 441 in 1956, 509 in 1958, 652 in 1960, 721 in 1962, read each year. At other meetings invited lectures have 814 in 1964, 913 in 1967, 1025 in 1969, 1168 in 1971. been presented and every year one or more of these Reduction in membership numbers in 1972 and 1973 and meetings has been made open to the general public. The in some later years was caused by periodic revision of the symposium meeting was introduced in 1949 under the membership list with the removal of those long in title "The constitution and origin of sedimentary iron 97 Downloaded from http://pygs.lyellcollection.org/ by guest on September 26, 2021

ores"; papers presented by the seven speakers were and black heads), below the white rose of Yorkshire; published in the Proceedings Vol. 28, Part 2 (1951). underneath was the motto "OMNEM MOV ERE Another symposium was held in 1966 when six speakers LAPIDEM" ("leave no stone unturned") in black addressed the topic "The sub-Carboniferous basement letters on a gold scroll, the whole embroidered on a blue in Northern " at a meeting in Leeds attended by ground (Circular 207, January, 1959). This badge was 209 members and guests. Shortly following on this, a approved by Council in 1958 and went on sale (price joint symposium meeting with the Geological Society of 6/6d) in February 1960. Enamelled metal lapel badges London was held in Durham in Januaray 1968 under the and a ladies brooch with a bar each bearing the Society's title "Displacements within Continents". It was badge and motto were also produced by Mr. Waller and attended by 330 members and fellows of the two went on sale in 1964 at 4/- each. Just over ten years later, societies, 200 of whom were present at a reception and in April 1976, the Society tie was announced with a banquet in Durham Castle at the end of the meeting. single motif of the Yorkshire white rose above crossed From this beginning a valuable series of symposia has hammers; several colours were available and the tie was been arranged by the Society and the frequency of these advertised in the circular until 1980. The new logo of the meetings has increased over the years until currently Society, produced for the 150th Session, retains Mr. there are between one and five symposia each year. Waller's white rose above crossed hammers, but adds Other joint symposium meetings have been held with foliage. other organisations such as the East Midlands The Annual General Meeting and Presidential Geological Society, British Sedimentological Research Address has always been a focal point in the Society's Group and in connection with the "Geological Societies activities and this meeting was held at a variety of venues of the British Isles" conferences. in Yorkshire during the 1930's. In the post-war years it has become established to hold the Annual General The Society's summer field meetings have numbered Meeting in York, a centre that most members can reach between 3 and 6 each year with 3 or 4 being the norm. conveniently. In 1958 Council decided to hold a dinner One-day meetings and three-day weekend field in the Merchant Taylor's Hall, York after the meeting meetings have held varying popularity, perhaps partly and this was well subscribed and such a success that it dictated by monetary inflation in the country. Certainly was repeated the next year and every year since then. the popularity of the weekend field meetings during the George de Boer, the General Secretary, made 1950's and 1960's diminished as the cost of field meeting arrangements for the first few dinners until this task was accommodation rapidly increased. Specialised field taken over by Geoffrey Gowing in 1964. In 1974 David meetings and technical field meetings for experts in Rowe took over the dinner arrangements and he has various fields of the geology of northern England were managed this function in subsequent years. John Dossor introduced in the 1960's and have been organised from and his family did much to assist in making the annual time to time. Joint field meetings with other dinner a popular event. organisations including the Sorby Natural History Society, Leeds Geological Association, East Midlands A pleasant feature of the Annual General meeting Geological Society, Edinburgh Geological Society, over the past 25 years has been the presentation of British Association, Geologists' Association, Russell medals and prizes. The Society's first Sorby Medal was Society and British Sedimentological Research Group presented to W. S. Bisat in 1961. In the Centenary have been most successful. A general point about celebrations it was recorded that no investigations had Society field meetings over the last fifty years is that brought the Society to public notice more than that of members are reluctant to travel long distances. The Bisat (Versey, 1939, p.6). Fifty years later this statement more distant meetings, outside the north of England, is equally true. The Sorby Medal was made possible by have tended to be less well supported. the generosity of Professor W. G. Fearnsides and was established in 1960 to be awarded not more frequently A factor that makes a significant contribution to the than biennially as an acknowledgement of distinguished Society's field activities is the presence of personalities. contributions to geological knowledge. In the same year There was a period in the 1950's and 1960's when several W. S. Bisat gave funds to the Society to establish the leading members of the Society with their families were John Phillips Medal to be awarded not more frequently regularly present at field meetings and a convivial house- than biennially as an acknowledgement of distinguished party atmosphere developed. A sense of belonging and contributions to stratigraphy and palaeontology in the comradeship was generated at this time with much north of England. The first John Phillips Medal was loyalty to the Society and support for its officers. A awarded to E. W. J. Moore in 1962. Thus Sorby medals climax of this perhaps occurred at the Dun Fell field are awarded in odd years and John Phillips medals in meeting in May 1956 when the President's and even years. Further funds given to the Society by W. G. Secretary's cars used during the meeting flew suitably Fearnsides allowed the establishment of the Fearnsides embroidered pennants. Prize to be awarded not more frequently than biennially At the same meeting J. F. Waller decided to design a to a person associated with the north of England, under Society Badge and produced a blazer pocket badge 27 years of age, who has shown promise in geological consisting of crossed geological hammers (gold shafts research. The first prize was awarded to G. E. Farrow in 98 Downloaded from http://pygs.lyellcollection.org/ by guest on September 26, 2021

1969. Subsequently, in 1977, Council amended the as a book entitled "Geological aspects of development regulations for the Fearnsides Prize so that candidates and planning in northern England", which was edited by up to the age of 30 years may be considered for the P. T. Warren. This volume became No. 1 of the award. A new medal, called the Moore Medal in honour Occasional Publications Series. It was well received and of Professor Leslie Moore and his late wife Peggy, was has been used as a text book in some courses. Perhaps announced by Council in 1987. The medals, in silver, influenced by this success, Council announced in 1973 and a fund have been generously donated to the Society another volume entitled "The geology and mineral by friends, colleagues and students of Professor Moore. resources of Yorkshire" and to be edited by D. H. This medal will be awarded for the first time in 1988 and Rayner and J. E. Hemingway; the book was published in after that annually, by competition, to an outstanding the summer of 1974. Again it was an immediate success student of one of the northern universities and colleges. and sold readily such that by 1978 stocks were nearly The Society's Proceedings have expanded and exhausted. In March 1978, Council announced a third developed strongly in the post-war years and its value volume entitled "The geology of the Lake District" to be can be gauged by the continuous increase in institutional edited by F. Moseley; this was published in 1978 and membership from around the World. From being the provided the first comprehensive account of the geology journal of a regional society it has moved up market to of the Lake District since J. E. Marr (1916). This book being of national and international status. This was also well received and good sales were recorded progression is much connected with the professional helped by a sales drive mounted by the Council. At the expertise of a succession of editors but particularly same time a "Geological map of the Lake District" Dorothy H. Rayner, editor for 10 years, and Philip D. postcard was printed by the Society and this was sold in Lamming, assistant editor for 14 years. These and other relatively large quantities and is still available; 6,000 of editors have kept up high standards and in doing this the cards were sold in 1987. The "Geology of the Lake have attracted scientific work of importance to the District" volume went on discount in 1982 and the last Society's Proceedings. Authors have come forward with copies were offered to members and bona fide students papers sufficient to fill the pages year by year, but not in October 1983. Two further Occasional Publications always at the steady rate desired by editors. Editorial were produced in 1979 and 1980: No. 4 "The management has successfully smoothed over the times Carboniferous of the U.S.S.R." edited by R. H. of crisis many times, be it an excess of papers or Wagner, A. C. Higgins and S. V. Meyen and No. 5 temporarily too few. The Society has been fortunate in "Andros Island, chalk and oceanic oozes" edited by C. having able and co-operative printers such as A. Brown V. Jeans and P. F. Rawson respectively. In retrospect, and Sons Ltd of Hull, who served us well for 25 years the Society's venture into the publication business was a until part of their printing works closed in 1979. Since mixed success. It proved that there is a ready sale and then William Sessions Ltd of York have given excellent some profit for carefully priced books on the geology of service and so have A. Wigley & Sons Ltd of Bradford, the north of England, but that the potential market for the current printers. books of broader subject matter is limited. Despite generous discount offers, the Society still has large The most significant change in the Proceedings has stocks of all its books except "The geology ... of been the change in page size from A5 to A4, partly to Yorkshire" and the "Geology of the Lake District". give larger spread for illustrations and partly to save waste and reduce printing costs. Serious discussion, in Over the past fifty years the Society has been Council and in committee, on this innovation began in fortunate in having the support of influential leaders in 1979 and concluded in 1983 when it was decided that the professional geology and many of them have from time A4 size should be used for the Proceedings in the future, to time acted as officers of the Society. Our longest starting with Vol. 45, Parts 1 and 2. Although disliked by serving member is Professor H. C. Versey, elected in librarians because it spoils the run of the journal on the 1914, honorary member of the Society, and successively, shelves, the change has been highly successful. Librarian (35 years), Editor, General Secretary (10 During the 1950's the Society produced three field years), Trustee and President (1947-1948). He is one Gf guides that were published in the Proceedings. These the few members who were active in the Society at the guides to the Ingleborough, Alnwick and Market time of the Centenary celebrations fifty years ago. Weighton districts were popular and the Ingleborough Another of these members is the late Dr G. H. Mitchell, Guide was the best selling of any of the Society's elected in 1930, President in 1955-1956, a good friend publications for many years. Even this had its and leader of many successful field meetings, disadvantages, however, because the local farmers and particularly in the Lake District. Also present at the land owners became displeased by the increasing Centenary was Professor J. E. Hemingway; elected in numbers of visiting geologists and latterly it became 1932 and honorary member of the Society, he was difficult to obtain access to parts of the area. General Secretary for 11 important years at the Another important development in the Society's beginning of the post-war expansion, and President in publications was the decision to print the papers 1960-1961. Dr Dorothy H. Rayner, elected 1940 and presented at a three day symposium in Sheffield in 1970 honorary member of the Society, as editor piloted the 99

Society's Proceedings to their present eminence and was honorary officers. Keeping costs to a minimum, yet a most distinguished first woman President of the continually raising the standards of the Society's Society in 1969-1970. Professor Sir Kingsley Dunham, business has been most effectively pursued. The Society elected in 1947 and honorary member of the Society, owes a deep debt of gratitude to all of its past and present was President in 1958-1959 and has been active in the officers for their devotion to all the time-consuming and Society's affairs for more than 40 years; his influence has thankless tasks that have to be completed to strict time been instrumental in organising many of the major schedules. As the Society has expanded over the years, symposia and field meetings. The late Sir Peter Kent, so more honorary officers have had to be recruited: elected in 1947, was President in 1965-1966 and found assistants to the Secretary, Treasurer and the Editor time to attend the Society's meetings regularly and to and, recently, a Programme Secretary. This is the right lead its affairs. Similarly, Professor Sir Frederick pattern of evolution for the Society for successful Stewart, elected in 1944, has taken a keen interest in the progress into the 21st Century. Where I come from, an Society's affairs. These and many other members of the eloquant Bidding Prayer is said on certain occasions of Society have given of their time most willingly to further the year and one passage is particularly appropriate to our interests. Their contribution has been paramount in us: "... and (we pray), that there may never be wanting promoting the smooth running of the Society's affairs a succession of persons duly qualified for service ... in over the past fifty years. church and state . . ."To this we can add the Yorkshire Geological Society for, without our willing leaders, we The support of institutions is also important and in would surely founder. particular the Leeds Office of the British Geological Survey from 1959 to 1985, which provided many willing officers and leaders and much expertise and encouragement to the Society. Since 1981 the Society has had the additional support of Patrons, institutions References and companies, who have given financial assistance VERSEY .H. C. 1939. The history of the Yorkshire Geological towards the printing costs of the Proceedings. This help

Society. Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological and contributions from other sponsors have been of Society 24, 11-16. much material assistance. MARR.J . E. 1916. The geology of the Lake District. Cambridge

In conclusion, the pronounced success of the Society University Press. in the 20th Century rests on prudent financial management by a staff of capable and enthusiastic G. A. L. JOHNSON by guest on September 26, 2021 by guest on September http://pygs.lyellcollection.org/ Downloaded from Downloaded from http://pygs.lyellcollection.org/ by guest on September 26, 2021

MEMBERS OF THE YORKSHIRE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY AT COBER HILL, 13TH MAY, 1988

16 23 ,24, 125 [22. '17 |21 11 ,13

-xJ. 61 P.Stainthorpe 25 BJacobsen 37 W. A. Read 49 P.Kennett 1 D.W.Holliday 13 J.G.O.Smart 62 E.M.Pattison 26 N.Smart 38 C.Whyte 50 R.Westerman 2 D. A. C.Mills 14 XC.Benfield 63 J.Watson 27 SJ.Benfield 39 A.Whyte 51 J.Kennett 3 L.B.Eagle 15 M.Whyte 64 P.Bradford 28 C.J.Whyte 40 A.Rutherford 52 N.E.Butcher 4 A.C.Dunham 16 R.Oshorn 65 J.Pattison 29 H.Bumip 41 C.R. Edwards 53 G.Ritson 5 G. A. L.Johnson 17 B.Osborn 66 J.Hodgson 30 J.A.Can 42 R.G.Brown 54 B.Smith 6 (Sir) K.C.Dunham 18 P.J.Holliday 67 E.F.Bradford 31 W.B.Evans 43 N.Aitkenhead 55 R.Skevington 7 (Lady) M.Dunham 19 J.Holliday 68 R.Wilkinson 32 N.S.Evans 44 R.Roberts 56 I.Gray 8 A. A. Wilson 20 H.Dunham 69 D.Skevington 33 I.A.Williamson 45 P. L.Edwards 57 R.Myerscough 9 H.Wilson 21 P.M.LJohnson 70 A.M.Spencer 34 P.M.Williamson 46 M.Aitkenhead 58 D.Blythe 10 J.E.Hemingway 22 H.M.Johnson 71 M.G.Allderidge 35 S. Rogers 47 R.W.Hey 59 P.Rogers 11 J.W.Neale 23 H.Read 72 E.Allderidge 36 A.Sergent 48 A.Eccleston 60 D.A.Spears 12 D.B. Smith 24 P.Neale 73 T.Whvte Downloaded from http://pygs.lyellcollection.org/ by guest on September 26, 2021 Downloaded from http://pygs.lyellcollection.org/ by guest on September 26, 2021

150th anniversary dinner

The 150th Anniversary Dinner, which was held in the Hutton, whose paper on the "Theory of the Earth" Assembly Rooms in York, was attended by a record appeared in the first volume of our transactions. We feel number of 162 members and guests. The Guests of sure that, like our own Society, the Yorkshire Honour were the Lord Mayor of York, the Sheriff of Geological Society is already confidently looking York, Professor and Mrs. B. E. Leake, Professor Sir forward to another 50 years devoted to the advancement Kingsley and Lady Dunham, Professor J. E. of knowledge'. I might add that, since tonight we are Hemingway, Professor and Mrs T. S. Westoll, Dr and remembering protracted periods of time, James Hutton Mrs F. Moseley. must surely hold the record for the length of time it took After the Loyal Toast, proposed by the President, Dr him to publish his 'Theory of the Earth'; conceived A. A. Wilson, the Lord Mayor of York, Councillor before 1765; abstract published 1785; volumes I and II Malcolm J. Heppell, welcomed the Society to York. The 1795; volume III (which was lost and found by toast to the Guests was proposed by Professor A. C. remarkable coincidence) 1899, and finally the lost Dunham and responded to by Professor B. E. Leake, drawings, even more remarkably discovered and D.Sc, Ph.D., F.R.S.E., President of the Geological providentially recognised above some stables, 1978: a Society, as follows: span of 200 years. A mere nothing compared with the age of the Earth. Geologists always have a glowing "My Lord Mayor, Mr Sheriff, Mr President, Ladies and feeling of achievement if they measure their activities Gentlemen, I wish to thank the Society for its invitation against the age of the Earth and without doubt there are to this dinner to represent not only the Geological those competing with Hutton for measured Society of London, but also the other geological consideration. societies of Great Britain. The Geological Society of London, founded in 1807, There is an academic tradition that when a University arose out of the defunct British Mineralogical Society, celebrates a centenary it invites representatives from all founded in 1799. The Geological Society of London is the Universities which were in existence on the date of the oldest geological society in the world — you its foundation to great junketing with a series of understand my approval to venerable institutions. The ceremonies and dinners. Of course, as you will surmise, Council asked me to convey this message to you. The this is a means by which the Old Boys in the oldest institutions ensure a good time for themselves and Council of the Geological Society sends hearty exclude any young upstarts. As a member of the 4th congratulations to the Yorkshire Geological Society oldest University in Britain, Glasgow, founded in 1451, upon joining that select group of senior geological I can confirm that this is a thoroughly sound tradition societies which have attained 150 years or more. We without which the fabric of our University system would recall with pleasure the giants of the past that have collapse, if not immediately, certainly before this nurtured the Yorkshire Society and we ask our President Society could celebrate its 200th anniversary. to convey our good wishes for the next 50 years'. The second oldest geological society in Britain is the Let us look therefore at the societies which predate Royal Geological Society of Cornwall, founded in 1814, our own (for I am a Life Member of this Society) and being only 7 years younger than the London Society, and from which I have greetings to convey. You will be its President, Mr C. V. Smale, asked me to transmit the relieved to know that it is only from these societies — following message: The Council and Members of The four — that I have extended messages. Royal Geological Society of Cornwall offer the The oldest society in which really important Yorkshire Geological Society their most sincere geological discussions — indeed the first such scientific congratulations on attaining the 150th anniversary of its discussions — took place was the Royal Society of inauguration, and welcome you to that band of Edinburgh, in the foundation of which in 1782 the provincial earth science societies who have a century and acknowledged Father of Geology, James Hutton, was a half of existence. We are reminded of our own 150th involved. As a Fellow of that Society I have a message anniversary in 1964 and would encourage your Society from the Council and President, Sir Alwyn Williams, to celebrate in style, looking upon the occasion not only himself a geologist of no mean repute: The Council of as the culmination of 150 years, but equally important, the Royal Society of Edinburgh learned with great the view in sight of your bicentenary in 2037. You should interest that the Yorkshire Geological Society is be proud of your contribution to the Science of Geology celebrating its 150th anniversary and wishes to in fields far beyond the boundaries of your county. We congratulate the Society on its internationally sincerely hope that The Yorkshire Geological Society recognised vigour despite its advanced age. The year is will continue to flourish and that it will be a significant especially auspicious because the Royal Society of promoter of geology well into the next millennium". Edinburgh jointly with the Royal Society of London recently promoted a symposium on the origin of granites The Geological Society of Dublin, formed in 1832, to celebrate the bicentenary of the work of James ceased to exist in 1889 when the last of the one inch 103 Downloaded from http://pygs.lyellcollection.org/ by guest on September 26, 2021 geological maps of Ireland was published so the third societies, including our own, for the members to dine oldest Society, and the only remaining British society to together before the scientific meeting. You will note that predate the Yorkshire Geological Society, is the the sequence is now reversed and judging from the Edinburgh Geological Society and as a member I have records we have of some of the dinners held around the the pleasure to read this message from the President and time of this Society's foundation we can understand Council — 'The Edinburgh Geological Society extends why. Lyell writes in 1838 'After the anniversary evening, its warm congratulations to the Yorkshire Geological Lord Cole pressed me so hard to go and eat pterodactyl Society for surviving its first 150 years. Both Societies (alias woodcock) pie in his rooms that I went with . . . cast their nets much wider than the places they are and there we were until 2 o'clock, fines inflicted of named for. Contrary to the past when the Scots raided bumpers of cognac on all who talked any "ology". Cigar south and the English raided north, we now have cross- smoke so strong as half to turn ones stomach. I lost the border fertilization in geology. Edinburgh honours, with enjoyment of Murchison's dinner next day and for 5 days its Clough Medal, a Yorkshireman who did seminal only did half a day's work or less'. Clearly Lyell's state work in Scotland. Murchison, a Scot, who received was reminiscent of that of the student who wrote 'nine- important training from William Smith on the to eighths of an iceberg is normally under water'. Scarborough cliffs, led the Geological Survey to a great Enough now of the past; what of the future as we see success in England, Wales and Scotland1. The the Geological Survey and British Universities seriously Edinburgh Society was formed in 1834 following, and run down despite the independently assessed reputation stimulated by, a right bust-up at the 1834 British of British Geological Research as being in the first class Association meeting in which Werner's theory was international league? Part of this excellence has finally overthrown. The first members were "gentlemen stemmed from the important role of geological societies all of whom were engaged in business but who were in Britain. These have two simple functions: to organise inspired with a desire to dignify and adorn their hours of lectures and field meetings and to publish. More and recreation by scientific pursuits" — different from the more the scientific literature is being brought under the first members of the Geological Society of the West wings of big publishing houses — Pergamon, Elsevier, Riding of Yorkshire where the emphasis was clearly on Springer etc. many of whom charge outrageous prices. the practical utility of geology in the coal mining industry Consider Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology although they too appreciated the importance of pure which costs around £660 per year for 540 pages. As one scientific investigation. publisher buys another we have to face the possibility of It must give members of this Society a particular a near-monopoly situation arising in the not too distant pleasure (which I can join in for all my ancestors back to future. Independent societies, publishing on a non• before 1600 were Yorkshire folk) that this Society profit or low-profit making basis are the only realistic nipped in just before the Manchester Geological and protection scientists have against potential and present Mining Society was formed in 1838. Indeed I noticed exploitation. For this reason, and in order to enable recently that having exhaustively described the Mineral geological books to be sold at a price individuals and Resources of Yorkshire you impudently went on to cross hard-pressed libraries can afford, the Geological Society the boundary and propound on the geology of the Lake of London is venturing forth as its own publisher, a step District, in a book which even includes Lancaster itself taken by many other scientific societies — Chemistry, in the area described. Physics, Biochemistry etc. We aim to set up a strong geological publishing house which will not only serve The next flush of societies to form in Britain included Britain but also Europe as English increasingly becomes the Geologists' Association (1858), the Glasgow the scientific language. We look to the Geological Geological Society (1858 but preceded by ones in Society of America and the American Association of existence in 1840 and 1851) and the Liverpool Petroleum Geologists as models of what can be achieved Geological Society (1859) and as a member of all three in the way of quality and price and yet cover costs. This societies I am pleased to convey their hearty Society has an important role to sustain and indeed congratulations to this Society. expand its highly regarded Proceedings. I ask all of you It is interesting to note that at almost the exact time to support Society-based books and journals in the long (14th December 1837) that this Society was being term interest of freely available scientific publication. formed, Lonsdale, in London, conceived the idea of the System, 'It was immediately after the reading I repeat my congratulations on behalf of the of Mr Austen's paper "On the geology of the SE of geological societies of the British Isles; I am reminded of Devonshire" that I formed the opinion relative to the the unwiseness of asking Professors to give after dinner s of Devonshire being of the age of the Old speeches by the story . . . ' Red Sandstone and which I afterwards suggested to Mr The toast to the Society was then proposed by the Murchison and then to Professor Sedgwick and at a later President, Dr A. A. Wilson in the following words: period (in 1838) to Mr de la Beche and other Fellows of "My Lord Mayor, Mr Sheriff, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Geological Society'. At the outset I would like to thank the President of the It was a common 19th century custom in many Geological Society for his kind remarks and for sending 104 Downloaded from http://pygs.lyellcollection.org/ by guest on September 26, 2021

us the greetings of the senior geological societies of 35 years and wrote our Centenary history. He is now 93 Great Britain. and sends us his best wishes and regrets he cannot be I am honoured to be your President in this our 150th here tonight as our guest. In the years following the war Anniversary Year. It is 150 years almost to the day since Professor John Hemingway was our Secretary for 12 40 founder members met in Wakefield to launch our years and conducted affairs with style and enthusiasm. I Society. 1837, the year of our foundation was am delighted he can be here tonight as our guest. The Coronation Year — the start of the Victorian era — a high reputation of our Proceedings owes much to Dr period of high endeavour, great new engineering works Dorothy Rayner whilst Editor. She sends us her best and scientific advancement. wishes and is sorry she cannot be present tonight as our guest. Our first President, Earl Fitzwilliam was advised by John Phillips, curator of the Yorkshire Museum, here in Henry Sorby, our member who pioneered thin- York. We remember John Phillips every two years when section microscopy, was a Sheffield man. The Sorby we award our medal — his books on Yorkshire geology medal and Fearnsides Prize were donated by Professor are masterpieces and include ideas decades ahead of his Fearnsides of Sheffield University and now we have the time, like rose diagrams for joint directions and detailed fine new Moore medal so kindly donated by old figures of goniatite sutures. One might say John Phillips Sheffield students. We are grateful to the University for was born to it, he was the nephew of William Smith, the providing many officers and much support to the Father of English Geology. Society. Membership of the infant Society blossomed and grew Hull University likewise had given much to the rapidly to 200. There was a particular interest in Society. Departmental heads from Lewis Penny coalfield geology and the first President and the onwards have given us great support and many Society Secretary Thomas Wilson were both mine owners. In officers have come from the staff of Hull. 1876 James Davis was elected Secretary-Editor and As the influence of the Society has spread over the served the society for 17 years. Membership increased years beyond the confines of Yorkshire we have had rapidly under his direction and he wrote numerous great support and hard working officers from Durham papers on fossil fish and the history of our first 50 years. and Newcastle. It is with particular pleasure that we Besides all this he was thrice mayor of Halifax. have Sir Kingsley Dunham, Professor Westoll and The Society has always attracted numerous interested Professor Hemingway as our guests tonight. amateur geologists like James Davis. Some of them The Geological Survey has had close links with the became famous for their researches. Prominent among Society for many years as evidenced by ten Presidents, these was W. S. Bisat who gave us our Phillips medal. many Society officers and leaders of numerous field Though a busy civil engineer, he made a world excursions. reputation by his work on Carboniferous goniatites. He Our links with industry have been mutually beneficial. became a fellow of the Royal Society. Much mapping in In particular, we remember Sir Peter Kent's wise terrain has been dependent on his zonal counsels and publication of much material from the BP schemes. archives and the kindness of our industrial patrons. Herbert Wroot was a lifetime journalist and Secretary I wish to thank Malcolm Nunwick who retires from of our Society. Professor Kendall and Wroot wrote the being General Secretary after 8 years, Brian Eagle from excellent "Geology of Yorkshire" which owes much to the post of Treasurer and retiring council members. Wroot's literary skills, Godfrey Bingley was a talented Thanks to all officers and council for their help. It is a photographer whose pictures are in many of our old particular pleasure to see so many wives tonight to share Proceedings. this special occasion. These and many other amateur geologists attended Our Society now has over 1200 members, a full and our meetings, notably Phillip Lamming who was our co- varied indoor field programme and a journal of editor for 15 years. international repute. We hope that our present Society Time forbids me from adequately covering the great would meet with the approval of our second and longest professional geologists who gave so much to the middle serving President, the illustrious Marquis of Ripon who years of our long history — people of the stature of served us for 52 years and was for five of those years the Kendall, Harker, Lamplugh, Gilligan, Garwood and Viceroy of India. Hudson. The reputation of our journal owes much to My Lord Mayor, Mr Sheriff, Ladies and Gentlemen I their work. give you the Toast to the Society." The Society has received great support from Leeds The Society is grateful to all who helped to make the University, which our first secretary Thomas Wilson Dinner a success and in particular would thank Dr B. N. helped to found. Our Society library has always been Fletcher and Mr D. Rowe for their sterling efforts. housed at Leeds and successive librarians have come from the University. Professor Versey was librarian for M. A. WHYTE Downloaded from http://pygs.lyellcollection.org/ by guest on September 26, 2021

150th anniversary Grand Reunion field meeting, 13th-15th May, 1988 The Mesozoic and of N.E. Yorkshire

Organisers: Mr & Mrs A. C. Benfield Excursion B began with a drive to Selwicks Bay, Leaders: Mr A. C. Benfield, Dr J. A. Catt, (TA255708), where Mr Richard Mr R. Myerscough, Professor J. W. Neale, Myerscough led the party down the rather precipitous Mrs S. Rogers, Dr M. A. Whyte steps to the foreshore to examine the flinty Burnham Chalk below and the flintless Flamborough Chalk The meeting was based in the spacious and comfortable above, both units lying within the Hagenovia rostrata accommodation of the Cober Hill Conference Centre, zone of the Senonian. The leader demonstrated the Cloughton, Scarborough. Undeterred by the date, 79 Selwicks Bay Fault with its associated breccias, together members and guests assembled after dinner on Friday, with some fine coastal erosion features. The party then 13th May, to hear words of welcome from the President drove to Bessingby Chalk Pit (TA165669) which exposes and the Programme Secretary and then the traditional beds of the Inoceramus lingua zone of the introductory talks from the excursion leaders. containing the ammonite Scaphites binodosus, where Mr Myerscough paid tribute to the support he and other Saturday, 14th May, dawned sunny and warm, and local conservationists had received from the Society in after breakfast the whole party assembled for a their recent and successful campaign to save this photograph which included the President, five past important pit from infilling. Presidents and many other past and present officers of the Society. The photograph, together with an The coach drove to the Dotterel Inn, Reighton, for identification key, is reproduced on pages 00 and 00. lunch and then to Reighton Bay, Speeton, where The majority of the group then divided between two Professor John Neale took over as leader to demonstrate coaches save for those who remained to enjoy the his work on the classic shore sections exposing the extensive grounds of Cober Hill or visit the attractions of Kimmeridge and Speeton clays. Despite the problems of nearby Scarborough. a rising tide, with which some members ultimately made Excursion A, led by Dr John Catt, began with a drive close contact, Professor Neale ably conducted the party to Brigg. The party then walked to Quay Hole through the details of his fine subdivision of the (TA125816), where the leader demonstrated a fine sequence, each bed being marked by a specially placed section of Devensian deposits comprising a lower till numbered chalk pebble! At the end of the section the resting on Corallian bedrock and resembling the Skipsey party climbed the cliff path to return to the coach and Till, an overlying unit of gravels, sands and silts, and an drive to Foxholes Quarry (TA013735) to briefly view upper till comparable with the Withernsea Till. An steeply dipping chalk affected by an E-W disturbance interesting discussion on the possible modes of belt. They then continued to Staxton Brow (TA009779) formation of the sequence ensued. Returning to the to see the famous view over the coach the party then travelled to Speeton Sands floored by the Kimmeridge and Speeton clays. The party (TA147758), where the leader commented on the nature then returned to Cober Hill via Seamer. and significance of the Speeton Shell Bed and On Saturday evening, celebrations of the Society's demonstrated its relationship to the Devensian Till 150th Anniversary began with a sherry reception which sequence. was followed by an excellent dinner. Two speeches were The party continued to Sewerby, where lunch was made and it was particularly appropriate that Professor taken at the Ship Inn before visiting the famous section John Hemingway, such a staunch supporter of the of the buried interglacial cliff (TA198684). Society both as President and for many years as Unfortunately, the relationship of the buried cliff Secretary, rose to propose the health of the Society, sequence to the Basement Till, seen here on earlier which he did most eloquently. The President responded Society excursions, was, on this occasion, not exposed. and paid a warm vote of thanks to the organisers of the The excursion continued through the Great Wold Valley meeting, the field excursion leaders, Mr Roy Osborn for to Willow Garth (TA126676), where a sequence of Late organising the group photograph and to all those other Devensian and Holocene organic deposits has been people who had helped in many ways. After dinner, the recorded. A route northwards was then followed to party adjourned to the theatre, where the celebrations Staxton Brow (TA009779), where a fine view over the continued with a Special Lecture given by another site of glacial was seen before visiting stalwart of the Society, former President and Secretary, Snever Scar (TA032788), where Dr Catt pointed out a Dr Tony Johnson, on "Highlights of the Society's past 50 recently identified sub-glacial chute. Finally, the party years", the text of which is presented separately above. returned to Cober Hill by way of the glacial spill-way of On Sunday morning, the group again divided; Forge Valley. Excursion C, led by the General Secretary, Dr Martin 106 Downloaded from http://pygs.lyellcollection.org/ by guest on September 26, 2021

Whyte, left in private cars for Ravenscar. After meeting at the National Trust Centre (NZ980016), the party walked to the fine viewpoint (NZ978021) overlooking Robin Hood's Bay, where the leader explained the overview of the Peak Fault region. Having descended to the shore at Peak Steel (NZ979024) the sediments and faunas of the Lower Mudstone Group were examined before the leader demonstrated the Peak Fault, with its associated structures, and the Staithes Sandstone Formation. The party then worked its way southwards along the shore examining the succession in the Whitby Mudstone Formation, lunch being taken on the Alum Shales. In the afternoon the party ascended by the Coombe to a viewpoint (NZ978021) above Peak Steel examining en route the Blea Wyke Formation and the overlying , Dogger and basal Hayburn ( = Saltwick) Formation before crossing the Peak Fault to view exposures of the Staithes Formation on its western side. The party then walked to the Old Alum Quarries (NZ972015) where Dr Whyte demonstrated that the Alum Shales were directly overlain by the Dogger and thus that some 50 metres of beds seen earlier in the day to the east of the Peak Fault were missing here. The party then returned to Cober Hill. Excursion D, led by the Programme Secretary, Mr Tony Benfield, left Cober Hill on foot for a morning visit to the Middle Jurassic section at Hundale Point. After "Honorary members Sir Kingsley Dunham and John viewing the sequence from Cloughton Wyke Hemingway on the terrace at Cober Hill." (TA020952), the party walked along the cliff-top and scrambled down to the foreshore (TA027948) to view from its flyleaf read Phillips' moving personal tribute to first the bioturbation within the marine upper beds of the "Father of English Geology". the Member of the mainly alluvial The party then drove to Hackness Hall (SE971905) Cloughton Formation. The leader then demonstrated where William Smith was Land Agent from 1828 to the sequence within the marine Scarborough 1834, to be met by the present owner, Lord Derwent, Formation, drawing attention to the presence of minor who very kindly demonstrated a beautifully hand- cycles and to the horizon of the limulid trace fossil coloured original William Smith map of the Hackness recently described in the Society's Proceedings by the area, together with an early coloured printed version of General Secretary and Dr Romano. Finally, the party the same sheet, both of which had been in the possession reascended the cliff to examine exposures of the of the family since William Smith's time there. Lord erosively based Moor Grit Member of the overlying Derwent then accompanied the party across the Hall Scalby Formation in which Mr Benfield pointed out grounds to visit the historic church en route to the old features of the cross-stratification. The party then quarries (SE966906), almost certainly examined by strolled back to Cober Hill for lunch. William Smith, where Mrs Rogers demonstrated the sandy nature of the Hackness Rock. After returning to After lunch, Excursion E, led by Mrs Sheila Rogers, the Hall and expressing its thanks to Lord Derwent, the left Cober Hill in private cars for the Rotunda Museum party drove to old quarries (SE969908) on the edge of at Scarborough (TA045883), which was designed by Silpho Moor which expose highly fossiliferous Corallian William Smith and which the Curator, Mrs Palmer, had beds. The party then crossed the dip slope of the Tabular very willingly opened especially for the Society. Here Hills and returned to Cober Hill. the leader drew members' attention to the circular mural showing coastal exposures from the to the Tees Finally, many of the participants in the Field Meeting which had been devised by John Phillips in 1828. At this gathered on the patio of Cober Hill for afternoon tea and point a member of the party, Dr Norman Butcher, farewells in the warm May sunshine confident that the produced the actual copy of the first edition of Phillips' Society could look forward to a similarly enjoyable "Illustrations of the geology of Yorkshire", which John gathering in 50 years' time! Phillips had presented to his uncle, William Smith, and A. C. BENFIELD.