mag30.qxd 05/05/2009 17:46 Page 1 MAGAZINE OF THE GEOLOGISTS’ ASSOCIATION Volume 8 No. 2 June 2009 Appeal for the Archives WSGS Study Tour of Guernsey Meetings July/October ROCKWATCH News Awards Proceedings of the GA Bernard Leake Retires Getting the most from the PGA Dates for your Diary Presidential Address/Lecture Reports GA Trip to Chafford Hundred Book Reviews CIRCULAR 979 mag30.qxd 05/05/2009 17:45 Page 2 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association From the President Volume 8 No.2, 2009 In writing the June presidential report, I am reminded of the vital role that the GA Published by the plays in upholding the importance of geology on a range of scales, from local Geologists’ Association. to international. For example, the GA can serve as a point of contact to provide Four issues per year. CONTENTS critical information on key geological ISSN 1476-7600 sequences that are under threat from 3. The Association insensitive development plans - in short, Production team: JOHN CROCKER, acting as an expert witness. This does Paula Carey, John Cosgrove, New GA Awards not necessarily entail opposing develop- Vanessa Harley, Bill French 4. GA Meetings July/October ment but rather looking for opportunities to enhance geological resources for 5. Awards Printed by City Print, Milton Keynes future study while ensuring that they are 6. Bernard Leake Retires appropriately protected. In addition, a major part of our national earth heritage The GEOLOGISTS’ ASSOCIATION 7. Dates for your Diary is preserved within our museums and in does not accept any responsibility for 8. GA Trip to Chafford Hundred these increasingly difficult economic times, it can be threatened by local gov- views and opinions expressed by indi- 9. Library Notes vidual authors in this magazine. ernment budget cuts. Together with a Appeal for the Archives number of colleagues on Council, I have recently written to Bristol City Council at The Geologists’ 10. Book Review - Wales the behest of local GA members to 11. CIRCULAR 979 express concern about staffing at Bristol Association Museum, where the post of Geological The Association, founded in 1858, exists to 15. WSGS Study Tour of Guernsey Curator is at potential risk of being cut. foster the progress and diffusion of the sci- 16. Rockwatch News The museum has a long and illustrious ence of geology, and to encourage history with respect to its world class 18. Proceedings of the GA geological and palaeontological collec- research and the development of new 19. Getting the most from the PGA tions. It is firmly established on the itin- methods. It holds meetings for the reading eraries of scientific researchers from of papers and the delivery of lectures, 20. Presidential Address across the UK and beyond and further- organises museum demonstrations, pub- 21. Lecture Reports more, it serves as as a focal point for lishes Proceedings and Guides, and con- amateur geological activities and the ducts field meetings. 22. Book Reviews promotion of the public understanding of Annual Subscriptions for 2009 are £40.00, science in the south-west region. There Associates £30.00, Joint Members £58.00, is simply no substitute for the detailed Students £18.00. Advertising Rates knowledge of a collection that a dedicat- For forms of Proposal for Membership and Full Page £360 Half Page £190 ed curator develops and merging posts further information, apply to the Executive Quarter Page £100 swiftly leads to the stagnation of the col- Secretary, The Geologists’ Association, Other sizes by arrangement. lections as a usable resource. This has been repeatedly demonstrated at region- Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J al museums in the past where misguided 0DU. ADVERTISEMENTS cuts have destroyed what was once a E-mail [email protected] While precautions are taken to ensure the vibrant and well-used section of earth Telephone 020 7434 9298 validity of advertisements the Association heritage. A dedicated Curator of Fax 020 7287 0280 is not responsible for the items offered, for Geology ensures that exhibitions are Website: http://www.geologistsassocia- any loss arising or for their compliance with mounted and press releases issued, they tion.org.uk regulations. serve as a central point of contact for local fossil collectors and to solicit new President: Danielle Schreve © The Geologists’ Association. donations, both of which are vital to the All rights reserved. No part of this publi- future of any museum with natural sci- Executive Secretary: Sarah cation may be reproduced, stored in a ence collections, and finally, they main- Stafford retrieval system or transmitted, in any tain research links with universities in form or by means, without the prior per- the UK and abroad, ensuring that the collections are the subject of scientific mission in writing of the author and the papers and attendant publicity. Geologists’ Association. The activities of the GA, together with those of our junior branch, Rockwatch, LAST Copy dates for the demonstrate clearly that geology has never been more popular, nor more rele- Circular & Magazine vant to society than it is today. Our March Issue January 14th museums represent a resource of enor- Cover picture: June Issue April 22nd mous significance in terms of the scien- September Issue July 22nd tific value of their geological and December Issue October 21st palaeontological collections and their The new cover of the PGA. potential to engage and inform the gen- See the articles on pages 18 Items should be submitted as soon as possi- eral public about the world in which they and 19. ble and not targeted on these dates. We wel- live. As responsible geologists with an come contributions from Members and others. eye to safeguarding the future, we must ensure that these values are not com- Closing dates for applications to the promised. Curry Fund for 2009: May 20 2009 Danielle Schreve 2 GA Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 8, No. 2, 2009 mag30.qxd 05/05/2009 17:45 Page 3 THE ASSOCIATION REPORT FROM COUNCIL Groups whereby local groups are given previous applications, Marble Arch financial support to arrange an annual Caves Global Geopark was awarded This report covers the meetings of special events. £6000 for producing a pack of Earth Council in February and March. The new arrangements to publish the Science Educational Resources/Field At this time of the year Council has to Proceedings by Elsevier is producing Guide to be distributed free of charge to consider the financial situation of the benefits other than just financial. The pupils in Northern Ireland and the Association, looking at how we have Proceedings have been completely digi- Republic on the geology of the managed our finances in the past year tised so that back copies from its ori- Geopark. It is aimed at AS and A2 level and producing a balanced account for gins to the current issue can be geology and geography students and the future year. We are very fortunate accessed via the web. The move to a teachers. in having an excellent Treasurer new publisher will dramatically increase Three of the five new applications (Bernard Leake) who, with the aid of the circulation of the journal nationally were funded, one was refused and one our Auditor, produces clear and coher- and internationally and the current was awaiting further information to ent accounts for Council to consider. Of Editor, Jim Rose, writes about this on enable a decision to be made. Dr Anjali course the funds of the Association page 18. Goswami's application for travel costs have suffered in the downfall of the The web site is always under consid- to India for a research project was Stock Market, but due to the careful eration by Council. In order to keep the refused as it fell outside the remit of the management of our resources and the site up-to-date it was agreed that the Curry Fund guidelines. We are awaiting advice of our Investment Panel, the GA office should have the necessary further information from the Dorset Association has been able to minimise software to do so. County Museum to enable a decision to the effects of the economic downturn. Council all agreed that the latest edi- be made for funding towards the cost of Council thanked the Treasurer and his tion of the Rockwatch magazine was specimen conservation. Warwickshire advisers for their excellent work. It was excellent and the all the people who Geological Conservation Group was with regret that Council noted the contributed to the magazine should be awarded £1000 towards to cost of a retirement this year of Bernard, who complimented, see page 17. leaflet on the Leamington Building has been such a successful Treasurer Council also continued ongoing dis- Stones Trail. £4410 was awarded to for such a long time . See the article on cussions about how to attract new Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery for page 6. Council was also advised by members and increase the exposure of a major activities programme and the Treasurer of the funds given to the the GA, for example by having press dinosaur exhibition and £430 to Association by legacies and donations. releases whenever the Association has Hertford Museum for a new display on It was only by such contributions to the some special event, new publications, the Interpretation of Hertfordshire Association's funds that the cost of etc Puddingstone. membership could be kept low. John Crocker We look forward to applications for Another of the major events at this General Secretary our June meeting which need to be in time of the year is the giving of awards the office by 20th May. Guildelines and applications forms can be downloaded to people who have given their time CURRY FUND REPORT and effort to the promotion of geology.