Conchological Society field meetings take place between late March and early November. They usually support the Society's Marine and Non-Marine recording schemes, local recording schemes, or conservation minded landowners, but may also include activities such as visits to fossil mollusc locations. It is advisable before turning up for these meeting to check you are suitably dressed and equipped; and please check that you are familiar with the Society's general code of conduct and health and safety policy. A comprehensive list of the location of past meetings is available here.
Please contact the leader in advance if you plan to attend a field meeting; and, if you are held up while traveling to a meeting, please contact the leader if possible so that you don't make people wait for you.
CONCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY FIELD MEETINGS 2023
Members are advised to keep a regular watch on this website for updates. The Co-19 uncertainties that impacted the field programme have declined and so it is anticipated that problems and restrictions will be minimal. We will, however, be keeping a close watch on any developments; specific meeting arrangements and other changes will appear on the Society website which Society Members are advised to visit regularly. It is essential for those wishing to attend ANY of the meetings, to contact the leader in advance (ideally at least a few days before) to book a place and obtain further details. Thank you for your patience in this regard.
Last checked 22 April 2024
(Please watch this space for information updates on the 2024 programme. If you would like to offer a field meeting for this year then please do contact Martin Willing (contact details below).
Saturday 4th May 2024 FIELD MEETING (non-marine) Bookham Common. Surrey
Leader: June Chatfield (drjunechatfield@gmail.com; 01420 82214)
The previous (2023) field meeting to Bookham Common was on the hottest day of the year and only two people attended, including the leader so another visit is justified. We hope to relocate species recorded there in the 1940s by A. E. Ellis and also to look for Limax cinereoniger found by C. P. Castell. Meet at 10.30am in the car park of Bookham Common railway station. Parking - Pay and display there and at the National Trust car park nearby [NT members free] others pay and display by phone. Bookham Common can also be reached by trains from London Waterloo and Guildford and by the 479 bus (Guildford – Epsom) which stops at the station.
Saturday 8th June 2024. FIELD MEETING (non-marine): Withymead Nature Reserve, Goring, Oxon RG8 0HS
Leader: Tom Walker (tom@tmwalker.co.uk; 07488-231-574)
Withymead is a small nature reserve on the banks of the River Thames with a range of habitats, mostly wooded but with areas of reed fen and marsh and some dryer open land. We plan to examine the various areas and build up a picture of the molluscan fauna of the reserve. Meet at 10.30 in the car park on the reserve.
Sunday 15th September – Sunday 22nd September 2024. FIELD MEETING (marine). Anglesey.
Leader: Simon Taylor (ukseashells44@gmail.com; 01621 810141 / 07947 388180). Arrangements in progress: further details will appear on the Society website. If you are interested in attending, please contact the leader.
Saturday 12th October 2024. FIELD MEETING (non-marine): Wyre Forest, Worcestershire.
Leaders: Rosemary Hill (rosemaryhi@lineone.net; 0121 4431459) & Rosemary Winnall. This will be a joint meeting with the Wyre Forest Study Group (WFSG). Arrangements in progress: further details will appear on the Society website.
Further field meetings are currently being planned, (including some opportunistically, often at short notice) the details of which will be posted onto the Conchological Society website. Society members are encouraged to check this regularly for notification of such meetings as well for updates on the other fixed dates.
OTHER
Meeting Programme compiled by Martin Willing. For meetings related matters please contact either Martin Willing (martinjwilling@gmail.com) OR Rosemary Hill, General Secretary (secretary@conchsoc.org).
The Programme Secretary will be very happy to receive any offers to lead field meetings.