Hull Geological Society
Usually
the Secretary's report consists of a proposal of thanks to the speakers,
fieldtrip leaders, committee and other helpers for making the last twelve months
run successfully. This year it is different. Not because the Society is not
grateful to all those people, but because we have seen some substantial changes.
The biggest one was acquiring a Library of over 2000 geology books unexpectedly
and suddenly. For this my thanks go to the University of Hull Library for their
generosity; to the late Huw Griffiths for making it happen; to Stuart Jones for
kindly allowing us to put the library in his spare room and hurriedly making
lots of shelving; to everyone involved in selecting and moving the books; to the
Library subcommittee who have sorted and categorised the books; and to Paul
Richards who has spent innumerable hours producing a catalogue.
Another change was the retirement of Felix Whitham as Treasurer and Lynden
Emery's relocation to Somerset. Felix and Lynden have been stalwarts of the
Society since the Reformation (of the Society in the 1960s not the other
Reformation!). Barrie Heaton has been easing into the role of Treasurer and has
also been active in representing the Society and geology in conservation
meetings.
One of our Honorary Members died in the year - Professor Michael House. Michael
was for many years the Head of the Department of Geology at the University, and
will be fondly remembered by older members and hundreds of former students.
The other new idea is wish of members to do some research. We have started one
project, but there are several other possibilities for the future. In the late
1980s we had two such groups studying the chalk and the glacial erratics, and it
is nice to see members doing their geology with a purpose, and I am sure that
the whole Society will benefit from the experience this brings.
And then there are all the usual activities of the Society, which members have
contributed to over the year. We have had our usual mix of events - guest
lectures, field trips for members, field trips for the public, conservation
visits to Rifle Butts, a Roadshow for the Science Club, a public lecture at the
Ferens Art Gallery, an annual dinner and a joint meeting with the Yorkshire
Geological Society, with home made cakes from Janet Binns (I wonder if she has
ever considered changing her name to 'Kipling'?) and displays by members. Nine
new members have joined the Society over the year and some others have allowed
their membership to lapse.
So this have been an interesting and busy year and I thank all those who have
contributed to the Society's activities.
Mike Horne, 15th March 2003.
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