West Sussex Geological Society
Events Programme for 2025
including Field Trips, Social Gatherings, Shows & Festivals and Zooms
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11th January 2024
This is a Zoom Meeting.
Presented by Martin Whiteley
The Peak District
Please see email notification for details and log-in about this event.
This Event has now passed
9th February 2024
This is a Zoom Meeting.
Presented by Professor Emrys Phillips
Scotland during the last Ice Age
Please see email notification for details and log-in about this event.
This Event has now passed
26th April 2024
The Worlds End Pub A27 Arundel Road Patching BN13 3UQ
The Spring Social Gathering -- meet at 6:00 for 6:30pm
A spring evening outdoors (weather permitting and if not too cold) social event at a great local location, with food and drinks -- well recommended
This Event has now passed
10th May 2024
This is the Long Weekend Annual Field Trip,
Leader Martin Whitely
WSGS Annual Long Weekend Field Outing
The Peak District is centrally located in the heart of England, easily accessible and endowed with fabulous scenery. Compact enough to walk across in a day, you can find soaring limestone ridges, bold gritstone edges, high peat-covered moorland and sylvan valleys within a stone's throw of each other. The key to this wonderful range of scenery lies in having just the right combination of old rocks beneath the surface, some hard and resistant, others weak and easily worn away. Natural agents of erosion, such as the wind, rain, ice and long-lost seas have sculpted the landscape over millions of years, aided by the hand of man in the most recent past.
This Event has now passed
22nd May 2024
This is a local Field Trip,
Leader John Lonergan
Scaynes Hill private collection
Final details to be confirmed.
This Event has now passed
15th June 2024
This is a local Field Trip,
Leader David Bone
Pebbles on the Beach
Collect the various types of pebbles for type and indentification. Part of the Worthing Heritage Featival
This Event has now passed
22nd June 2024
Leader the WSGS committee
Worthing Festival event at the Worthing Museum
As part of Worthing Festival event the WSGS are attending. We will have a stall in the Worthing Museum. There will be a 'show and tell', and we will attempt to Identify any fossil, rock or mineral specimens visitors may like to bring along. We will also have some 'come and see' examples and will be talking to anybody, young and old, interested in fossils, rocks, minerals, dinosaurs and any related subject that you are interested in, to do with Geology and Palaeontology. In addition there will be a lucky dip and an affordable original & pre-owned geology book stall.
This Event has now passed
28th June 2024
The Worlds End Pub A27 Arundel Road Patching BN13 3UQ
The Summer Social Gathering -- new time -- meet at 6:00pm for 6:30pm.
A good summers evening outdoors social event at a great local location, with food and drinks -- well recommended.
This Event has now passed
29th June 2024
This is a local Field Trip,
Leader David Bone (WSGS)
The Historic Building Stones of Chichester.
Check out the London OUGS web site to find out more and to book a place. This is a cut-down version of the full trip with several sites omitted, however, the key sites are still included. The objective of this trip is to explore some of the lesser-known parts of the city to introduce the more unusual historic building stones, many of local origin, that have been used from Roman through to Victorian times. We start 11.00 at the Market Cross in the city centre (at the junction of North Street, East Street, South Street and West Street). This trip is a full day excursion, total walking distance of the itinerary is about 2 km on footpaths with some steps. A hand lens may be useful.
This Event has now passed
1st July 2024
This is a local Field Trip,
Leader David Bone
An evening guided walk around Clapham Church.
Visiting Clapham Church of St Mary the Virgin, BN13 3UU, commencing at 7:00pm, to look at the historical church building stones. Please park at the end of the gravel track that leads off Church Close, Clapham. We may / could retire to the nearby World’s End pub at Patching for refreshment after the meeting.
This Event has now passed
10th August 2024
Geology Day at the Novium Museum
A great day out for all the family, especially the kids, to see Rocks, Minerals, Fossils. Bring your own item to show / identify. Books & Maps for sale.
This Event has now passed
15th September 2024
This is a local Field Trip,
Leader Alex Vincent
High Salvington Geology and Archaeology walk, then to the High Salvington Windmill Open Day
The meeting point for this walk is West Hill Car Park in West Hill, High Salvington at 1pm. The walk will be about the possible river cliffs where a river ran along the valley and the Neolithic village there, which is associated with the flint mines plus saying something about the flint mines themselves and the chalk & flint. Alex has been walking and studying this area since the Cretaceous. The windmill site opens at 2.30pm with a £1 admission and there are tours inside the mill also at £1 There are also refreshments available. This is the last open day for this current year.
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29th September 2024
the Geological Association Conference
Please see email notification for details about this event.
This Event has now passed
4th October 2024
The Worlds End Pub A27 Arundel Road Patching BN13 3UQ
The Autumn Social Gathering -- new time -- meet at 6:00pm for 6:30pm.
Our increasingly popular evening social event, now in the autumn, at a great local location, with food and drinks -- well recommended.
This Event has now passed
19th October 2024
This is a local Field Trip,
Leader John Lonergan
A Geology and Landscape walk of the South Downs, Amberley and South Stoke then return.
Starting in Amberley Railway Station car park, meet at 1pm. A walk of about 4 miles. This is based on Professor Rory Mortimore’s itinerary nine walk in his GA Guide, Volume two. Starting with looking at the geology in the car park, then along the valley looking at the landscape, and available exposures. John is going to avoid the tidal section for simplicity, though there will be still plenty to see ! On the day subs (per person) of £3 per guest and £2 for members.
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2nd November 2024
The Festival of Geology
The WSGS table & display at the annual Festival of Geology at Burlington House off Picadilly W1J 0BE in London.
Please see email notification for details about this event.
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16th November 2024
The Sussex Mineral and Fossil Show
With a wealth of exhibits at the show, from not just minerals, but all aspects of geology. Displays and sales of minerals, gems, fossils, meteorites, flints, books, & accessories. Mineral and fossil tombola. Children's workshop for gold panning, fossil and gem hunts. Fluorescent minerals room. Illustrated talks. Held at Haywards Heath College, Harlands Road, Haywards Heath RH16 1LT
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10th January 2025
The Worlds End Pub A27 Arundel Road Patching BN13 3UQ
The New Years Social Gathering -- meet at 6:00 for 6:30pm
A winter's evening, indoors social event, to catch up on all the Christmas talk & pressies, at a great local location, with food and drinks -- well recommended -- do turn up.
This Event has now passed
29th March 2025
This is a local Field Trip,
Leader David Bone
Geology and Fossil Palm Trees at Felpham.
A late afternoon walk along the beach on a falling tide at Felpham (Bognor Regis) to look at the Reading Formation (Palaeocene) that overlies the Chalk. Meet at 3:00pm at the promenade outside of the Yacht Club. In 1986, David published the exceptional geology at this locality, which resulted in it being designated as a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest. We will see remains of a fossil lignite reef (see photograph) with logs and in-situ stumps of palm trees. Ferns and other plants, part of a crocodile skull, and a contemporary river channel that were discovered here combine to give a picture of a sub-tropical wetland around 55 million years old. Meet 3.00pm on the promenade by Felpham Sailing Club. Bring wellies or footwear that can get wet and clothing appropriate for the weather. It can be very cold, even when conditions appear to be pleasant. Nearest car park is at Culver Road. Finish around 5.00pm. The trip will be cancelled for bad weather.
This Event has now passed
29th April 2025
The Worlds End Pub A27 Arundel Road Patching BN13 3UQ
The 2025 Spring Social Gathering -- meet at 6:00pm for 6:30pm
Another of our enjoyable get togethers -- A spring evening outdoors (weather permitting and if not too cold) social event at a great local location, with food and drinks -- well recommended.
This Event has now passed
4th May 2025
This is a local Field Trip,
Leader Alan Winter
Eastbourne to Cow Gap Sea Shore Fossil Trip.
The trip is primarily fossil hunting in the Chalk, along the sea shore between Cow Gap and west Eastbourne at the base of the cliffs. Meet at 10.00am (for 11.00am low tide) at 'the Kiosk' cafe at the junction of Foyle Way and Dukes Drive (B2103) at the start of the 'South Downs Way' at the western end of Eastbourne's Promenade. We will walk westwards on the coastal path atop the cliffs, descend at Cow Gap on the metal steps and return along the sea shore to Holywell. Once starting walking back from Cow Gap there is no access up to the cliff top coastal path until we get to Holywell. Wear appropriate gear for weather including footwear. Bring lunch and drink. Bring bags for finds. If the weather looks inclement, decisions will have to be taken at the time as rain equals dangerous and slippery, so everybody keep your fingers crossed. Get in touch if you have any enquiries.
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11th May 2025
This is a local Field Trip,
Leader John Lonergan.
Geology and Landscape of the South Downs
Meet Bignor Roman Villa Car Park at 11:00am for the geology and landscape walk, then return back to the Roman Villa for approximately 1.00pm. Here David Bone will talk about the Roman building stones which were used in the construction of the villa. We finish with tea. Bring a packed lunch if desired. (Bignor admission charges £11. Seniors/Students £9.50.
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21st June 2025
This is a local Field Trip,
Leader Alan Winter / Ray Cooper
Pebbles on the Beach.
Collect the various pebbles for type and identification. Meet at 11.00 am east of the pier at the Flag. Note low tide is at 1.40pm.
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12th July 2025
This is a local Field Trip,
Leader David Bone
Sand Mining at the Marehill Quarry, off Broomers Hill Lane.
This is a morning visit to the sand mines at Marehill, near Pulborough. Meet at 10:30am at the White Horse pub car park in Marehill village. In the late 19th / early 20th century, a series of galleries were excavated underground for the extraction of sand for iron casting. Bring a torch and hardhat to explore the tunnels whilst David Bone (geological warden) explains their geology and history. Note: this reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) owned and Managed by the Sussex Wildlife Trust and is normally locked with no public access.
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26th July 2025
Family Geology Day at Rustington Museum BN16 2NW -- 10:00am to 4:00pm
A new exhibition WSGS are promoting to have an event in partnership with the Rustington Museum. We will have a 'hands-on come and see' examples and will be talking to anybody, young and old, interested in fossils, rocks, minerals, dinosaurs and any related subject that you are interested in, to do with Geology and Palaeontology. There will also be a 'show and tell', and we will attempt to Identify any fossil, rock or mineral specimens visitors may like to bring along. In addition there will be an affordable original & pre-owned geology book sales.
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16th August 2025
Geology Day at the Novium Museum
We've been asked back again for another year. A great day out for all the family, especially the kids, to see Rocks, Minerals, Fossils. Bring your own item to show / identify. Books & Maps for sale.
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24th August 2025
This is a local Field Trip,
Leader Alex Vincent / John Lonergan
Downs Walk on archaeology (AV) and geology (JL)
Meet at 13.00 through to 16.00, JL will bring geology map. Additional details yet to follow
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1st September 2025
This is a local Field Trip,
Leader David Shilston
A walk around the Wiggonholt area.
Postponed from 2024 -- Date & Time yet to be Announced
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20th September 2025
Leader the WSGS committee
The Hampshire Mineral & Fossil Show
Oasis Academy, Southampton, SO16 8FA. Opens at 10am through to 4pm. Minerals ~ Fossils ~ Gems ~ Meteorites ~ Dinosaurs ~ Accessories ~ Jewellery ~ Books ~ Equipment. With over 50 tables of sales , exhibits and activities.
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30th September 2025
This is the Long Weekend Annual Field Trip,
Leader Geoff Downer
Annual Field Trip to Eastern Kent.
Provisional details are : Tuesday -- Building Stones in Canterbury : Wednesday -- the coasts of Herne Bay and Reculver.
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1st November 2025
Leader the WSGS committee
The Festival of Geology
The WSGS table & display at the annual Festival of Geology at Burlington House off Picadilly W1J 0BE in London. Please see email notification for details about this event.
15th November 2025
Leader the WSGS committee
The Sussex Mineral and Fossil Show
With a wealth of exhibits at the show, from not just minerals, but all aspects of geology. Displays and sales of minerals, gems, fossils, meteorites, flints, books, & accessories. Mineral and fossil tombola. Children's workshop for gold panning, fossil and gem hunts. Fluorescent minerals room. Illustrated talks. Held at Haywards Heath College, Harlands Road, Haywards Heath RH16 1LT
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Please note that on all field trips monies will be applied as follows -- WSGS Single and Joint Members are Free, Visitors are £5. (This covers Day Membership, for visitors, for our insurance).
For 'Special Event Field Trips' (led by an external non-WSGS member) the following monies will apply £3 from Single Members and £5 from Joint Members -- and be collected.
Note - additional 2025 events will be added as they are confirmed
John Lonergan
Field Trip Secretary
West Sussex Geological Society
Mobile: 07967 165 260
For 'Special Event Field Trips' (led by an external non-WSGS member) the following monies will apply £3 from Single Members and £5 from Joint Members -- and be collected.
Note - additional 2025 events will be added as they are confirmed
John Lonergan
Field Trip Secretary
West Sussex Geological Society
Mobile: 07967 165 260
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