What are your areas of interest?: Non-marine molluscs and tertiary fossils
How did your interest in molluscs begin?: Finding fossil marine shells in a cliff at Easton Bavents, Suffolk in 1950 and the Conchological Society non-marine survey in 1966.
When did you become a member of the Society? 1967, triggered by Michael Kerney
In what ways have you been involved in the Society and it’s activities? Non-marine Survey, Council from 1970’s on, President 1987-9.
Do you have a favourite “Conchological moment”? The 1000th meeting at Leeds in 1987.
If you were marooned on a desert island and could take only one book with you what would it be and why? Mollusca: The Southern Synthesis. Fauna of Australia, Vol 5. Part A and B. 1998. – a very good overview
If your house was burning down what shell (or shell related item) would you rescue first? Neogene Turrids from S.E. Australia because of their taxonomic value
Is there a mollusc that eludes you and why? Vertigo spp. e.g. V. geyeri. (the nearest site to Gloucestershire, where I live, is in Breconshire).
Where are your favourite locations for mollusc hunting? SSSI or National nature reserves. Barton on Sea for fossils.
Mollusc humour: Greeting card with New Yorker (?) cartoon – 2 snails and an object. One says to the other “I know she is a tape dispenser – but I love her.”
Words of advice to beginners: Keep trying – and get a tetanus jab!