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Newsletter - March 2008

New! Newsletter in pdf format (2 Mb)

Editorial

At the AGM last month we saw a few changes in the Council:- Our president Dr Christine Arkwright handed the gavel of authority back to Dr Joe Macquaker (temporarily ~ as she’ll take over again next year).

Michael Aiers stood down from his role as our Honorary General Secretary and was warmly thanked for his years of service. Nick Snowden was welcomed as his replacement and Kathleen Mais as our new Minutes Secretary.

All the other officers were re-elected as before and thanked for their efforts on our behalf. The Council could do with some more volunteers to fill up the ranks!... Maybe you??

We’ve enjoyed a fascinating programme of lectures this winter. Thanks Jim!... more to follow in the autumn!

Jane has a great programme of field trips for us this year; booking is essential for all our outings.

Derek Brumhead is getting to grips with our archives.. which were eventually found in the bowels of Manchester Museum... please let him know if you have any archive material... photos, books etc... Holiday geology reports follow from two of our members... why not write a short article for the newsletter this year?

Our next big event is the Local Heroes weekend April 12th/13th. If you’ve not yet booked and you intend to come, please do so ASAP. It is essential to book for this event as numbers are limited... and you would get no lunch!

So, see you there, or in the field.

With best wishes to all for a good outdoor season,
Mary Howie, newsletter editor

PS If you would like to save paper and postage and receive your newsletter electronically in PDF format, please email me on newsletter@mangeolassoc.org.uk

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MGA Archives

Following their removal to Buxton Museum while Manchester Museum was being altered, our archives are now once again placed in the geology department of Manchester Museum, and we are grateful for this.

I have gone through them and made a list of their contents. They go back to minute books and other material from the beginning of the Association in 1925, recording who set it up and why. These are valuable records and Council have asked me to consider the options as to where they should be kept permanently. Members opinions about this would be very welcome.

I am not providing here a complete list but have indicated below some gaps in the records which we would like to fill if possible. If any member can help, please would they contact me. I can email the complete list if anyone would like a copy.

Derek Brumhead 01663 744863 or email
info@mangeolassoc.org.uk

Archive material wanted by Derek:-

Notices of indoor and field meetings, any dates.
Circulars or newsletters, before November 1992
MGA excursions, before June 1992 and after October 1997
Notices and notes in respect of Council Meetings since 1967
Programme Cards and Calendars
Before 1973, and since 1998
Notices of AGM, any dates
Notices of Annual Dinner, any dates
Lists of Members of Council, any dates
Any records of the MGA library

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Membership matters

Thanks to all members who renewed their 2008 membership promptly and to those who let me know they will not be renewing. To date we have had 5 resignations and 4 new members. However, there are still 15 members from whom no response has been received. If you have had an email or phone reminder please send me your cheque ASAP to my new address - email info@mangeolassoc.org.uk for details

If you are doubtful about renewing there is another mouth-watering programme of field trips and meetings lined up for your enjoyment. Should you still decide not to renew then I would appreciate it if you would let me know so that I do not have to pester you again. Please note that members who have not paid, or otherwise contacted me, by 30 April will be deemed to have resigned and they will not receive anymore Newsletters.

Fred Owen, Membership Secretary

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Short report about Iceland

Jane Michael has written a short report about her trip to Iceland

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Greater Manchester RIGS Group

On Saturday, 23rd February, we held our AGM in Stockport Library. Our thanks to Mary Howie for her support and contribution.

In February I attended a meeting of the UK RIGS North West Region Geodiversity Partnership in Natural England’s Office, Wigan. Among items discussed were the Greater Manchester Local Geology Action Plan (LGAP) and the position of the GMRIGS data base.

On Monday, 25th February, Sue Plumb and I put up a display of RIGS activities and local geology in Bramhall Library. The display will be there for three weeks. From Monday, 14th April to Monday, 28th April, there will be a GMRIGS Group display in Stockport Central Library. We hope that members of the MGA will support us.

Marjorie E. Mosley, Secretary, Greater Manchester RIGS Group

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Report on Isle of Wight geology

John Price has written a report about the trip which he led to the Isle of Wight with his Stockport U3A group.

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Happy Birthday Fred!



The picture was taken on Fred’s 80th birthday at his class in Poynton in February.

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A Geological Treasure Hunt

Marjorie Mosley has written an article about a geological trail within Rochdale Cemetery.

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ESTA 41st Annual Course and Conference

ESTA, the Earth Science Teacher’s Association are holding their 41st Annual Course and Conference in Liverpool between the 12th and 14th September 2008. The theme this year is “Global Issues”.

The main course and conference activities will be held at Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool. Accommodation has been arranged at Liverpool University’s Rankin Hall of Residence.

Keynote Speakers :- Professor Bill Maguire (Benfield-Greig Hazard Research Centre at UCL) - “Mega-tsunamis and super-volcanoes as a cause of destruction on a global scale”

Professor Jim Marshall (University of Liverpool) - “Climate change and the impacts of climate change over geological time”

Field visits on Sunday to Brymbo, Wirral, and others.

Further details and booking forms etc can be found on www.esta-uk.org

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