50th Anniversary Celebration Weekend
–
5 July
Saturday 5 July 10.30 - 3.15: BCGS 50th Anniversary Event
with talks and an exhibition at the
Dudley Museum and Archives, Tipton Road, Dudley, DY1 4SQ
Arrive from 10.30 Refreshments coffee/tea and biscuits
11.00 Introduction from the BCGS Chair, Graham Worton
Followed by a short break for mingling, chatting, refreshments
11.30 Talk - 'Innovation and influence - the role and importance of the Black Country in Geoconservation'. Dr Colin Prosser (Natural England).
This talk will give an outline of Black Country geology, its importance as a natural resource supporting the industrial revolution and its historic value to science and education; from Sir Roderick Murchison in the mid 19th century, to the early field visits, the establishment of the museum, BCGS, the UNESCO Geopark and ongoing research today. Dr. Prosser will outline the origins and development of geoconservation both nationally and internationally, and the important part which the Black Country and BCGS have played and continue to play in this vital work.
This talk will be followed by a short break
12.30 Talk - 'The Black Country Geological Society and its key role in the development, celebration and protection of Geological Heritage in the Black Country'. Graham Worton (BCGS Chair, Dudley Museums Keeper of Geology, Black Country UNESCO Global Geopark Lead).
This talk will look at the many aspects of the activities of BCGS over 5 decades. From fundamental work on the geological collections, championing the need for a keeper of geology, being a major force in the many 'Dudley Rock and Fossil Festivals' and key geological anniversary celebrations, to the important roles and actions undertaken in the field of geological conservation, exposure recording, support to research, BCGS has been involved! Now they have become a key partner in the Black Country UNESCO Global Geopark.
1.00 - 2.00 Lunchtime and time to look at the BCGS exhibition
2.00 Talk - 'Memory, Rumour and the Murder Mine, Dudley 1961 and what geological information might lurk within an archive'. Paul Ford (Dudley Archivist).
Paul will outline his research on one of the stories often reported about the discovery of the long-dead and never reported missing body of a young woman that was discovered during engineering work in 1961 in a small limestone mine leading off Castle Mill Basin at the north end of Castle Hill, Dudley. He will explain his search for the 'facts' about this, and how distorted memory and Black Country storytelling have resulted in an exaggeration of the truth that has become local folklore in a classic British geological locality. He will provide a little dignity for the lady involved and dispel some of the myths that surround this tale, and have seen the colloquial naming of a geological feature within Dudley as the 'Murder Mine'. In the process he will give an insight into what geological information is locked within Dudley's archives.
This talk will be followed by a short break
2.45 Cutting the Cake and a celebration toast to the future of BCGS as one of the region's most important geological heritage assets!
3.15 End of event and departure from the Dudley Archives