In line with our aims as a branch, “learning by doing – in the field” we are in no way unique from other branches in that we also have fun. There is always laughter echoing around our venues, from such things as finding nice specimens of fossil “Halitosis” corals, to some excellent after dinner stand up routines during our weekend breaks.

Our AGM venue at Wool was again enhanced by the superb lunch provided by Doreen Smith and Sheila who also organised a posse of interesting lectures. Doreen herself, spoke of her Frome Valley Millennium Project work- bringing geology alive for Dorset villagers and tourists. Jane Clark shared her experiences of New Zealand with some stunning slides and John Chaffey gave us a bikini and trunks guide to the geology of Tenerife. Our main speaker, Professor Michael House, set us a few puzzles in the evolution of ammonites. Several members supported the day with excellent exhibits covering exotic rocks and minerals from around the world and some local fossil collections to die for. As ever, I was grateful for the support of the members in attendance, not least in keeping the formal business to an absolute minimum. It was also good to have the presence of our National Events Officer and Archivist, David and Elizabeth Maddocks, raising the profile of the work put into the society by the National Committee. Never one to miss an opportunity, Sheila booked Dave to give a lecture next year!

Happily all the branch officers stood for election and their services were eagerly and gratefully retained along with those of stalwart Ordinary Members, Mick Warren, Pauline Pearce and Debbie Tabner.

The first of our “firsts” occurred at this point, when Chris Phillips volunteered to set up our own website, linked to the national one with the assistance of Martin Elsworth. Chris has made an excellent job of this, utilising his skills for our benefit and taking our activities to a wider potential audience and deservedly so for the quality of the contributions made by our members.

In February we met at a sun blessed Hengistbury Head for an overview of the Tertiary Sediments and coastal sea defences in East Dorset, led by John Chaffey.

Another good friend of ours, Dave Green, led a superb weekend in the Malvern Hills in early March, teasing our own knowledge out of us in his indomitable style. Later in the month, Jo Thomas shared her extensive knowledge of Dorset Building stones and quarries in a walk around Sherborne. Michael House led another brilliant trip to West Bay and Eype where the palaeontologists among us had a particularly good day, but everyone ensured that Michael’s knowledge didn’t go untapped.

Our second “ first “ occurred over the Easter Weekend when we had our inaugural visit to Jersey. Brian Trimmer found us an excellent package deal and we were splendidly looked after by our hosts of La Societe Jersiaise who took the time and trouble to organise an itinerary that included prehistoric, as well as the varied geological sites of interest. They tell us that Guernsey is as good and so a trip is being planned here for next year, when we hope we will renew acquaintance with Warren Hobbs, Deidrie Shute, Dr. Arthur Hill , Sandra Maher and Richard Ellison. We were “overseas” again in May when we chugged over to Brownsea Island, with Dr. Mike Cosgrove, who kept a large group in good order through his ability to explain the geology on view in a knowledgeable and informative style.

Our third “first” was something of a double as, in July, we had two trips on the same day! Tony Cross led one of Sheila’s well organised trips into the West Sussex Weald and included a much clearer view of Gilbert White’s country than we managed to see on a rain curtailed trip two years ago. The other trip, less well organised by me, took us to the South Cotswolds with Neville Hollingworth, pure fossil hunting and some! Most of us didn’t want to go home and I nearly didn’t – locked in the Quarry car park by Neville hurrying to catch a plane to the far east. Luckily, his wife trusted me to forget the combination as soon as I ended my mobile phone call. I can definitely think of worse places to be stuck for a few days though.

In September we had another stab at revision field trips for S260 students. Proximity of exams and tutorials on the day before – not to mention the fuel crisis, conspired to keep the numbers low, but Worbarrow Bay put on it’s best face for those who could make it. Jane and me hopefully got some useful points across, ably assisted by Alan Holiday from Weymouth College. A fortnight later we had another go, at Osmington Mills, another first class venue for exploring a lot of the sedimentary content of S260 with the added bonus of some nice Corallian fossils. With the small number of students and an abundance of OU experienced helpers, it is certain some learning was consolidated for the exam. Next year we will perhaps try the venues as Introductory days instead.

We have recently returned from a visit to Barton on Sea, enhanced by the expertise of Paul Clasby who generously invited us into his home to view his collections. After a general overview Paul led us by the nose to find specimens of our own and to identify the subtle changes in sediments of this classic section. To round off the year, we had a lovely window in the awful November weather when we went to Cranborne Chase, visiting Martin Green’s farm, set aside for the preservation of some wonderful archaeology and some interesting geo- morphology of chalk down land. Martin showed us his skill in producing flint tools and we were honoured when Mr & Mrs Phil Harding (Time Team) , visiting the farm to check on their pottery kiln, joined us for lunch at the Pub.

Some of us have taken advantage of the National Symposium and AGM events, well organised by colleagues from other branches. We are grateful also for the work of all National Officers in looking after the overall interests of the society and contributing to our success. To them and all our friends, old and new, we very much look forward to our meeting again in the field.

George Raggett - Branch Organiser. .