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Southampton Mineral & Fossil Society Meetings Programme 2009


Unless otherwise advised all evening meetings take place on the third Tuesday of each month at The Friends' Meeting House, Ordnance Road, Southampton beginning at 19:30.
At every evening meeting, except January, there will be a Mineral & Fossil of the Month featuring specimens bought along and displayed by the members.
Guests are very welcome to come along to any evening meeting as a vistor to meet SMFS and the members before considering joining the Society.


Pyrope variety of garnet.

Pyrope variety of garnet.

January

Tuesday 20th January

SMFS Annual General Meeting followed by the best find of 2008 competition. There are prizes for the best fossil, mineral and micromount specimen found or prepared in the previous year. The overall best judged by the members wins the David Griffiths trophy. Snacks and soft drinks after the AGM. Annual subscriptions are due.

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Quartz variety amethyst.

Quartz variety amethyst.

February

Tuesday 17th February

Annual photographic competition. Prizes for best photographic print in different categories and the Philip Bampton trophy for the overall best photograph judged by the members.
Mineral & Fossil of the Month: Fluorite & trilobites.

Friday 20th February

Visit to the Palaeontology Department of the Natural History Museum. Details from Tony Holmes.

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Beryl variety aquamarine.

Beryl variety aquamarine.

March

Sunday 8th March

Oxford Mineral & Fossil Show, 10:30 - 16:00, Exeter Hall, Oxford Road, Kidlington. Free admission.

Tuesday 17th March

"Geological Time", an illustrated talk on the history and measurement of geological timescales presented by Phil James and Gary Morse.
Mineral & Fossil of the Month: Calcite & belemnites.

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Diamond.

Diamond in matrix.

April

Tuesday 21st April

Nick's Quiz Night, popular team quiz set by Nick Green. No prizes for this, just a light-hearted team event that gives everyone a chance to learn something new.
Mineral & Fossil of the Month: Polished eggs & echinoids.

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Beryl variety emerald.

Beryl variety emerald.

May

Sunday 17th May

Oxford Mineral & Fossil Show, 10:30 - 16:00, Exeter Hall, Oxford Road, Kidlington. Free admission.

Tuesday 19th May

"Darwin the Geologist", an illustrated presentation by Chairman Phil James on Charles Darwin and his geological interest. This is our contribution to the celebrations of 200 years since Darwin's birth and 150 years of "The Origin of Species".
Mineral & Fossil of the Month: Galena & fossil fish & fish teeth.

Sat 23rd - Sun 24th May

"Evolution Rocks" Lyme Regis Fossil Festival.

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Orthoclase feldspar variety moonstone.

Orthoclase feldspar variety moonstone.

June

Saturday 6th June

Society display at the Police Families Day at the Hampshire Constabulary Southern Support and Training HQ, Hamble Lane, Hamble.

Tuesday 16th June

A New Look at the Giant Pterosaurs, a talk by Dr. Darren Naish, Technical Consultant, Editor and Author.
Mineral & Fossil of the Month: Quartz & ammonites.

Sat 20th - Sun 21st June

International Kite Festival, Lordshill, Southampton, there is display by SMFS so come along and meet us.

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Corundum variety ruby.

Corundum variety ruby.

July

Sunday 12th July

Oxford Mineral & Fossil Show, 10:30 - 16:00, Exeter Hall, Oxford Road, Kidlington. Free admission.

Tuesday 21st July

Practical Evening - Crystallography - we will be making our own crystal models and demystifying the crystal systems. All materials provided.
Mineral & Fossil of the Month: Gypsum & crustaceans.

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Olivine variety peridot.

Olivine variety peridot.

August

Saturday 8th August

Dorset G.A. Fossil & Mineral Fair, Allendale Centre, Wimborne. SMFS will have a display.

Tuesday 18th August

Swap & Sale Evening. Bring along any specimens, books or equipment for sale, swap or even give away.
Mineral & Fossil of the Month: Agate & gastropods.

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Corundum variety sapphire.

Corundum variety sapphire.

September

Saturday 5th September

Hampshire Mineral & Fossil Show. A day not to be missed. Further details on the Show can be obtained HERE .

Fri 11th - Mon 14th September

SMFS Annual Long Weekend Field Trip. This year we shall be visiting Alston and the Northern Pennine orefield area. Full details will be given at evening meetings.

Tuesday 15th September

"Copper Mineralogy", an illustrated talk on the fascinating subject of copper mineralisation and minerals by Gary Morse, CChem, MRSC.
Mineral & Fossil of the Month: Native copper & bivalves.

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Opal.

Opal.

October

Tuesday 20th October

"Minerals of Cornwall - Part 3", the concluding presentation of this series by Dr. David Aubrey-Jones.
Mineral & Fossil of the Month: Baryte & fossil reptiles & dinosaurs.

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Topaz.

Topaz.

November

Saturday 7th November

Festival of Geology, the annual GA event. More details to be received.

Saturday 14th November

Sussex Mineral Show, Clair Hall, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, 10:00 - 16:30.

Tuesday 17th November

"The Palaeontology Department of the NHM", talk by Dr. Martin Munt, Collections Manager, Invertebrates & Plants Curation.
Mineral & Fossil of the Month: Hematite & fossil plants.

Sunday 29th November

Oxford Mineral & Fossil Show, 10:30 - 16:00, Exeter Hall, Oxford Road, Kidlington. Free admission.

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Turquoise.

Turquoise.

December

Friday 11th December

Society annual Christmas dinner.

Tuesday 15th December

"Recenseo Annus", Gary Morse gives a humerous review of the SMFS year.
Mineral & Fossil of the Month: Pyrite & corals & sponges.

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