2024 is the 50th anniversary of the founding of GCG! We are marking this momentous event with a meeting exploring the past, present and future of geological collections and those who work with and care for them. We will explore our main theme with a day of presentations and discussion at the University of Leicester, for which we invite abstracts. This will be followed by a special 50th Anniversary Dinner. We will then spend a day visiting classic localities in the nearby Charnwood Forest Geopark site, finishing the meeting with a viewing of Charnwood Forest fossils at the British Geological Survey.
Day 1: Presentations on the theme of past, present and future of geological collections at the University of Leicester. Reception at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, followed by an evening meal. Our after-dinner speaker will be Tom Sharpe, long term GCG member and author of "Mary Anning - The Fossil Woman".
Day 2: Presentations and tours at British Geological Survey Nottingham and Charnwood Forest Geopark
Event venues:
| School of Museum Studies | Seminar | University of Leicester, Museum Studies Building, 19 University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RF |
| The Belmont Hotel | Anniversary Dinner | 20 De Montfort Street, Leicester, LE1 7GR |
| Charnwood Forest Geopark | Field Meeting | See itinerary |
| British Geological Survey | Field Meeting | Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG |
Dates and times:
| Friday 17th May | 10:00 – 18:00 | Seminar (School of Museum Studies, University of Leicester) |
| Friday 17th May | 19:00 – 22:00 | Anniversary Dinner (The Belmont Hotel) |
| Saturday 18th May | 09:00 – 18:00 | Field Meeting (Charnwood Forest Geopark and British Geological Survey) |
Links
https://www.charnwoodforest.org/
https://le.ac.uk/museum-studies
https://www.belmonthotel.co.uk/
For more information and registration please see the read more below.
50th Anniversary Seminar: Geological Collections Past, Present and Future
Friday 17th May is the 50th Anniversary to the day of the first official meeting of the Geological Curators Group (GCG) at Burlington House in London. An earlier exploratory meeting was held in Leicester in February 1974, so Leicester can be said to be the birthplace of GCG. You can find out more about the early history of GCG here (In the Beginning – The Geological Curators Group Story – Geological Curators' Group Blog (wordpress.com)).
We will be marking this momentous event with a meeting exploring the past, present and future of geological collections and those who work with and care for them. Some of the concerns that led to the founding of GCG are depressingly familiar in the sector today. However, this is also an opportunity to reflect on 50 years of achievements and progress, whilst also looking forward to the future potential of geological collections.
We will explore our main themes with a day of platform and poster presentations and discussions at the School of Museum Studies, University of Leicester. Talks should be 15 minutes plus 5 minutes for questions and formatted for Windows Powerpoint. Abstracts of no more than 250 words should be submitted by 1st April to
Field Meeting
Leaders: Jack Matthews, The National Forest; Mike Howe and Simon Harris, British Geological Survey.
The fieldtrip will visit a number of localities within Leicestershire’s Charnwood Forest Geopark, taking in sites that display some of the region’s renowned Precambrian geology. Led by Geopark Geoheritage Officer, Jack Matthews, participants will have an opportunity to see examples of internationally significant geology, as well as geoconservation interventions that are being developed ahead of a possible UNESCO Global Geopark application. Later in the day attendees will visit the British Geological Survey and have chance to view bedding plane-scale casts of the Geopark’s famous fossil surfaces, and also the broader BGS collections.
Registration for the field trip includes return coach travel and packed lunch, and is limited to 50 places. We will arrange a drop off at Leicester Rail Station at 18.00.
09.00 Depart from Leicester, Victoria Park Car Park, Granville Road, LE1 7RY
09.35-13.45 Visit three localities in Charnwood Forest Geopark, including stop for a packed lunch
14.30-17.15 Tour of British Geological Survey, including refreshments
18.00 Return to Leicester, including drop off at Rail station if required
50th Anniversary Dinner
Our celebratory 50th Anniversary Dinner will be held at the Belmont Hotel, De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GR on the evening of Friday 17th May. We are offering the three-course dinner for an exceptional cost of £15.00 a head, which includes two complimentary drinks. See below for the menu, which includes vegan and gluten free options. Please include any additional dietary requirements in your registration information. Spaces for the conference dinner are limited to 50 so please book early to avoid disappointment. Once you have registered you will be sent a link to fill out your dinner preferences. These, and final dinner ticket purchases must be made before the 3rd May. The dress code is smart casual clothing.
GCG 50TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER MENU
STARTERS
LEEK & POTATO SOUP (GFa, VGa)
Chives & Truffle Croutons
PRAWN & AVOCADO COCKTAIL (GFa)
Toasted Seeded Bloomer
HAM HOCK TERRINE (GFa)
Pea and Mint Salad, Ciabatta Crisps
MAIN COURSES
ROASTED CHICKEN SUPREME (GF)
Wild Mushroom Sauce
PAN FRIED SEA BASS FILLET (GF)
Warm Tartare Sauce
18 HOUR SLOW COOKED PORK BELLY (GF)
Braised Red Cabbage and Bacon, Grain Mustard Sauce
COURGETTE & BROAD BEAN RISOTTO (GF, VGa)
Basil Pesto
ALL SERVED WITH GARLIC INFUSED POTATO FONDANT AND SEASONAL VEGETABLES
DESSERTS OR CHEESE
WHITE CHOCOLATE BROWNIE (GF)
Raspberries, Chocolate Crème Pâtissier
PEAR AND BLUEBERRY FRANGIPANE TART
Vanilla Ice Cream
WHITE RUM PANNACOTTA (GFa)
Pineapple Salsa, Coconut Shortbread
BRITISH CHEESE BOARD (GFa)
Selection of 3 British Cheeses, House Chutney, Grapes and Biscuits
TEA, COFFEE & MINTS
GF – Gluten Free; GFa – Gluten Free Available; VGa – Vegan available
Registration
Registration for this event is now closed