GeologyRocks

I KNOW I posted a reply to this.  Where did it go?????

Adele, I actually said we will help you with any questions you might have.  Also, let us know where you are and we may well be able to push you towards a local geology society and possibly some of the mineral & fossil shows.

John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant

Hi John ,

Fantastic, thank you, that would be great. I am in the West Midlands, just between Wolverhampton and Walsall. Getting in touch with a local group would be fab.

I am enjoying reading the Tutorial section of the site, very interesting. 

Hi John ,

Fantastic, thank you, that would be great. I am in the West Midlands, just between Wolverhampton and Walsall. Getting in touch with a local group would be fab.

I am enjoying reading the Tutorial section of the site, very interesting. 

Well, someone has got to live there!

OK - only joking!.  I believe there is a local geology group in your area.  I'll get details for you.

There is a mineral & fossil show at Dudley 28/29th September.  I've got a table(s). 

Have you visited the Wrens Nest. (its on Wikipedia)   I'm told it is well worth a visit (so I must get round to it!).  I don't have an excuse not to, as I drop in on an elderly aunt in Willenhall once a month.  I'm sure I could find time to go while I'm there.

Well, do join in on this site. Some of the 'old' regulars seem to be taking a break at present, so we need new blood.

 John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant

Got it!  I thought it was the Black Country Geological Society, but was 100% sure.   And they meet in Dudley. And affiliated to the Geologists Association.

Actually its probably them running the show, although I did think it had something to do with the museum. 

Their web site is          http://www.bcgs.info/         and there is a link under 'Contact us' to make an enquiry.

One thing I will say is that as a relative beginner you may find some of the clubs lectures over your head.  Persevere! I had the same problem when I first went to the Bath Geo Soc.  Just take notes and look the things up on the web when you get home.

I will have a think and recommend some books.  In fact I've just finished one which was thoroughly enjoyable, and different in that it starts in the present and works back in time, plus it takes you all round UK explaining the geology in relatively simple terms.  Very readable. It is The Lie of the Land, by Ian Vince, publ. by Boxtree.    ISBN 978-07522-2711-5, and in fact in the last chapter there is a link to the authors web site, and having said how much I enjoyed it I received a very nice email back from him.  I am planning on using it as a basis for teaching.

There are a couple more in the general geology line which I'll look out.

Is your interest towards fossils or minerals?

John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant

Hi Adele

John and I seem to be keeping the site going for now but it would be nice to see some other regular contributors.  I'm based in Cornwall and originally from Yorkshire so your neck of the woods is kind of in the middle.  I haven't done much geology-wise in your area but I do know some good birdwatching locations.

Hi John and Gus, 

Thanks for your welcome and comments.

John I am more interested in fossils. I recently did a short course with the OU called Fossils and the Meaning of Life which I really enjoyed and learnt a lot from. The reading I did for it were great and I was allowed to keep them which was a bonus. Thank you for the web link and for the book recommendation.

I recently read a book called The Floating Egg by  Roger Osborne......I couldn't put it down and has got to be one of my favourite books. Have you heard of it? I would recommend it.

 Gus, I volunteer for the local RSPB at Sandwell VAlley Nature Reserve which is one of my local haunts to bird watch; I sawa beautiful Chaffinch there at the weekend , but as for the Geology of this area, I am sorry to say my knowledge is scarce.

There is a place called Wrens Nest in Dudley  and I do intend to go. I know that there it is predominately Silurian rock there and fossils, particularly TRilobites are found regularly there.  

Yes, the Wrens Nest is a Silurian site.  I only know because I read it!  I heard that there are trilobites there....but which of the 15,000 odd species????

 The founder of this site (Dr Jon Hill - show yourself Jon!) was threatening to organise a fossiling day or weekend, but nothing yet. 

I tried to organise a gold panning weekend last autumn, but it didn't happen, but I'm going to try again this year, and if no one wants to go....I'll go by myself - and you'll all be sorry when I strike it rich!!!!

I sometimes take students to the North Somerset Coast to collect Planorbis (first ammonoid to appear in the British Stratigraphical  Record  ) but unfortunately I took them there less than a month ago, so I won't be doing that again for a couple of years.  Don't try it alone. It is incredibly dangerous.  There is a tidal rise of 15 - 18 foot and because of the shape of the rocks (due to faulting) the sea comes round behind!

Not heard of The Floating Egg, but I'll look out for it.  Got an ISBN number please.

Most of Richard Fortneys' books tend towards fossils - but that's not a surprise since he is the Keeper of Palaeontology at the Natural History Museum.  I'm half reading his 'Trilobite' at the moment, but not getting on very well with it.

Another guy to watch for is Stephen Jay Gould..  Got two of his books here (not read yet).  'Wonderful Life' (The Burgess Shales and Nature of History (ISBN 0-14-013380-1)  and 'Dinosaur in a Haystack' (ISBN 0-224-04472-9).  I gather he has written about 14.

I suggest you don't rush out and buy stacks of books.  There are nearly always used copies at the various shows, and in fact the last one I mentioned above I see has an Oxfam sticker on at £2.49, and its quite a lumpy tome.  it would probably have been a tenner new (paper-back)

Keep either 12th and/or 13th Oct free.  That is the Bakewell Rock Exchange.  Probably the biggest mineral and fossil show in UK with all the northern and southern dealers there.  It's run by the Peak Lapidary & Mineral Society and held in Lady Manners School in (surprise, surprise ) Bakewell, in Derbyshire.  It will cost you £1.50 to get in for the day or £2 for a two day ticket.  - or free as my 'assistant'!

Well, Gus, that's Adele sorted, - so we've now got a fossil expert.  Lets leave her to it and go for a pint.

John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant

Yep, great, we've got a fossilologist on the site.

Adele, do you live far from Clayhanger?  Only there's been a few ring ouzel turning up there over the last few days (not a fossil I hasten to add).

I had to google that Gus.  I thought it was a micky take!

John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant

Hi,

 Sorry for such a late reply.

The ISBN for The Floating Egg is   

 Publication Date: 6 May 1999 | ISBN-10: 0712666869 | ISBN-13: 978-0712666862 | Edition: New Ed

I visited Wrens Nest finally last weekend and I have never seen so many accessible fossils. It was teeming with them. I didn't find a Trilobite, but found Coral and Brachiopod shells mainly (pics to follow). 

I will try to get to the Dudley Show and the Bakewell show. Would be happy to assist, but don't think I have enough knowledge to do that successfully.

Adele. 

Hi,

 Sorry for such a late reply.

The ISBN for The Floating Egg is   

 Publication Date: 6 May 1999 | ISBN-10: 0712666869 | ISBN-13: 978-0712666862 | Edition: New Ed

I visited Wrens Nest finally last weekend and I have never seen so many accessible fossils. It was teeming with them. I didn't find a Trilobite, but found Coral and Brachiopod shells mainly (pics to follow). 

I will try to get to the Dudley Show and the Bakewell show. Would be happy to assist, but don't think I have enough knowledge to do that successfully.

Adele. 

I have made a note of that ISBN.  Thanks.  You would be more than welcome to help at the shows, really! but it was actually a leg pull.

However nothing like getting thrown in at the deep end. You can serve the Heebie Jeebie who wants a bit of rose quartz to stop the radiation coming out of her p.c. monitor or microwave.  No I'm not kidding. 

John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant