News
Geology Rocks: 21 years of the Southern Wales Regional Group
23 February 2013
The Southern Wales Regional Group has come of age in style, and like all 21 year olds we had planned quite a party. Over 300 of our friends, young and old visited the National Museum in Cardiff to help us celebrate.
The main attraction for many was Professor Iain Stewart, who reminded us how effective communication of geological concepts and ideas can have a large impact, not just for us as geologist but also the wider public. In light of recent comments by the MP of choice for geologists (IDS if you didn’t know) this mission seams all the more important.
With a lecture hall full of enthused geologists the national museum opened its stores for a rare backstage tour deep into the heart of the museum. The Southern Wales Geologist association, British Geological Survey, Countryside Council for Wales and winners of the geology schools art competition put on a great display in the main hall.
The Southern Wales Regional Group was created on 8 February 1992 after an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held at Cardiff University. The EGM was chaired by Paul Maliphant who was the founding Honorary Secretary with Mike Brooks of Cardiff University taking the Chairman’s role. Amongst others on the founding committee were Mike Armitage of SRK who, alongside Paul Maliphant and David Jones are all past Chairmen of the group now serving on the society’s Council.
We have a proud history of excellent evening meeting programmes, social and field events, cross society collaboration, superb (and profitable!) seminars and the development and championing of innovative events such as our approach to careers events. Our Early Careers Geologist award and the Schools Geology Challenge all add value to the profession and wider society that our members serve.
Here's to the next 21 years!
Gareth Farr
(Southern Wales Regional Group Event Secretary)