How you can support one of the world's great geology museums ...
The Friends exists to support and encourage the development of the museum, and promote and publicise the collection to a wider audience.
Membership of the Friends is open to all. Our members benefit from:
- Talks on topics relevant to the museum and its collections.
- Tours behind the scenes at the museum and the conservation unit to see parts of the collections not normally accessible to the public.
- Guided visits to places of geological interest.
- Social events including a garden party and an annual dinner with a reception in the Museum.
- Newsletters to keep members informed about events and activities.
- Exclusive previews of new exhibitions.
- Opportunities to become a volunteer and be involved in the work of the Museum.
>> How to Join
>> Download the latest edition of Trilobite, the Friends' newsletter
Events and Lectures 2009/2010
Unless otherwise stated, events will be held in the Department of Earth Sciences (entry below the Sedgwick Museum). Parking is available on the Downing Site during these events, with access from Tennis Court Road. At events held in the Department, tea, coffee and biscuits will be available from 6:15pm, and the event will start at 7pm. At most events we will invite donations of £1/head towards expenses and the support of the Museum.
Talk: Arctic fieldwork, sand studies and oil reservoirs under the Atlantic
Tuesday, 13th October 2009, Department of Earth Sciences, 7pm, doors open 6:15pm, for refreshments and meeting other members.
Dr Andy Whitham, Chief Geologist of CASP, will describe an excitingly successful research project.
Talk: Icelandic volcanism and the growth of the Atlantic Ocean)
Tuesday, 27th October 2009, Department of Earth Sciences, 7pm, doors open 6:15pm for refreshments and meeting other members.
Dr John McLennan, Department of Earth Sciences, will describe some of the volcanological research that has been helping us understand processes active under Iceland and the Mid-Atlantic ridge.
Talk: The star-crossed stone - the archaeology, mythology and folk-lore of fossil echinoids
Tuesday, 24th November 2009, Department of Earth Sciences, 7pm. doors open 6:15pm for refreshments and meeting other members.
Dr Ken McNamara, Department of Earth Sciences, and formerly of Western Australian Museum, has been writing a book on this remarkable topic.
Friends' Christmas Party
Tuesday, 8th December 2009, 6 - 8pm
A lively programme of short talks, mainly by students, will be interspersed with mulled wine, bread, cheese and other snacks, for which we will ask for a donation of £5 at the door. Please book a few days ahead.
Experimental Geology Class: Understanding earthquakes
Tuesday 19th January 2010, Department of Earth Sciences, 7pm. doors open 6:15pm for refreshments and meeting other members.
Dr Mike Tuke will run another of his practical classes. Numbers will be limited to twenty. Please telephone Mike on 01480- 457068 to book.
Talks: Human evolution and migration
Tuesdays 9th or 16th, February, and 2nd or 9th March 2010 Department of Earth Sciences, 7pm, doors open 6.15pm for refreshments and meeting other members.
Details of speakers and dates will be confirmed nearer the time.
Sedgwick Birthday Dinner
Saturday, 20th March 2010, Christ's College, 7:30pm
The after-dinner speaker will be Professor David Hodell who is the new Cambridge Woodwardian Professor, and works on environmental change. Menus and prices have not yet been decided, but prices should be between £35 and £42/head depending on whether soft or alcoholic drinks are taken. Menus, prices and a booking form will be sent to those who have registered by 28th February.
Visit: Wandlebury and Linton
Saturday, 24th April 2010, 11am
A traverse across the Chalk Edge, along the Granta (Cam) valley, to see the relationship of the landscape to the Chalk bedrock, and the Pleistocene gravels and sands. Led by Peter Friend and others.
Visit: the Suffolk Coast
Saturday, 8th May 2010, 11am
It is planned to visit the fossiliferous Crag and earlier deposits and show how sea-level change has influenced this coastline.
Visit: Fossiliferous Oxford Clay, near Peterborough
Saturday, 22nd May 2010, 11am
Dr. Mike Tuke will lead us. Fossils will certainly be found!
AGM and Museum Showcase
Tuesday 8th June 2010, 6:00pm, doors open for refreshments and to meet other members, 5:15 pm
Weekend Visit to Derbyshire
Friday 11th to 13th June 2010
This visit is still being planned, and will certainly provide an enjoyable weekend in this fascinating area.
