Tuesday 22nd January 2013

AGM Follow-up

The AGM was held on 16th January 2013. As a few of the officers had come to the end of their period of service there have been a few changes to the committee. The committee is now as follows:

New committee member - Janey Hasleden

Bill Bagley (outgoing Chair) commented on the very successful Welshpool Heritage Project undertaken in 2012 and a vote of thanks was given to Colin Humphrey for his work in coordinating the project. A vote of thanks was also given to Rheidol Davies for his work as Treasurer.

The AGM was followed by a talk given by Dr Sara Metcalf entitled "Fossils as Therapy". This intriguing talk highlighted how useful fossils can be in Outreach Educational work. Using two case studies:

  1. a centre for adults with learning difficulties
  2. a care home for the elderly

Sara went on to explain how the different groups could use the fossils as a learning experience and the great pleasure both groups gained from the sessions.

That both groups gained a sense of achievement whilst handling, making and discussing fossils. This form of therapy is now being widely undertaken by various establishments.

The next meeting will take place on 20th February - the talk will be given by Colin Humphrey entitled "The Age of the Earth - A History"

Tuesday 8th January 2013

AGM

The next meeting will be on the 16th of January. This will be the AGM, followed by a talk on 'Fossils as Therapy', given by Dr. Sara Metcalf.

In other news: The date for the Grinshill Quarry trip has been finalised to 6th of July, along with Shropshire Geological Society.

Tuesday 4th December 2012

Exhibition in Llanidloes

From 3 to 15 December 2012 Mid Wales Geology Club has an exhibition in the room behind the main gallery at Minerva Arts Centre, Llanidloes. For the first time this features all the club's four models (three of which made by Sue Cain), with interpretation boards, plus a display of some of Bill Bagley's splendid collection of minerals. A few volcanic rocks specimens and some fossils completes a display well worth a visit. This has been an opportunity to wheel out all the club's recently acquired kit, including the audio-slide display and the folding screens.

Tuesday 27th November 2012

The annual members evening was held on 21st November and consisted of three short talks by members and an auction of donated items.

Geoff Steele gave an account of Mica, its' chemistry, structure, occurrence in the UK and uses. Michele Becker, talked about Shark dermal denticles, structure, function and how we, as humans, have copied their advantages for new technological innovations (biomimicry).

Peter McKenzie Dyer brought along two objects for identification: a badger skull from which the cause of death could be ascertained and a plate from the tooth of a mammoth.

A total of more than £100 was made on the auction.

The next meeting will be held on 16th January 2013. This will be the AGM after which Dr Sara Metcalfe will give a talk entitled "Fossils as Therapy".

We wish all the best to Tony Thorpe who is recovering after hip replacement surgery.

Friday 26th October 2012

The Annual Summer Weekend 2013

This event is the highlight of the club's year. The 2013 venue has just been confirmed for 7-10 June, and will concentrate on Devonian and Carboniferous coastal sections of south Pembrokeshire. Members will all stay at Orielton Field Centre near Pembroke, which is organising the weekend for the club. Sid Howells, a geologist with the Countryside Council for Wales will be the leader during Saturday and Sunday and will also give talks on the Friday and Saturday evenings. Those members who do not have to rush back to work will continue on their own during Monday. Around 20 members have already signed up. Any who still wish to do so should contact Michele Becker soon as vacancies are now very limited.