Society activities in 2009

Council

Four Council meetings were held including a full day meeting in October. Amongst the issues considered by Council were: the Society’s finances in the current economic climate, production of a Recording Manual, obtaining insurance for Society activities in the Republic of Ireland, developing a new Society website, mollusc identification foldout guides and recruitment and retention of members.

Programme

The programme for 2009 consisted of five indoor meetings held at the Natural History Museum in London, one indoor meeting held at the Museum Resource Centre in Leeds [see report in MW issue 23 for details], nine field meetings and one indoor workshop. Ron Boyce welcomes ideas for meetings of all kinds and for speakers for the indoor meetings.

Council Positions

Dr S. Payne began his first year as President of the Society. The following Society Officers were elected: Hon. General Secretary Miss R.E. Hill, Hon. Treasurer Mr P.U. Buckle (who resigned in October and was replaced by Mr. N.J. Light), Hon. Membership Secretary Mr M.D. Weideli, Hon. Editor (Journal) Dr R.Anderson, Hon. Editor (Mollusc World) Mr P. Topley, Hon. Marine Recorder Dr J.M. Light, Hon Non-Marine Recorder Mr A. Norris, Hon. Conservation Officer Dr M.J. Willing and Hon. Programme Secretary Mr R. Boyce. New Ordinary members of Council were Mrs E. Platts, Rev. G. Long and Mr B. Rowson. Mrs C.M. Street and Mr J.P. van Weert began their second year; and Mr K. Brown and Mr P.T. Wimbleton began their third year.

Membership

Membership of the Society at the end of 2009 was 270. This includes Life Members, Honorary Members, Ordinary Members, Family Members, Student Members and Institutions. There were 12 new members in the year, but 35 members resigned or lapsed through non-payment, giving a net loss of 23 members for the year. During the year there were 67 subscribers to the Journal of Conchology which is 6 fewer than in 2008. Recruitment leaflets may be obtained from Celia Pain or Rosemary Hill.

Publications

Two issues of the Journal of Conchology (Volume 39: 6 and 40: 1) and three issues of Mollusc World (Numbers 19-21, March, July and November) were published. The Society’s website www.conchsoc.org is well worth a visit, and a new version is under development.

Research Grants

Two applications for research grants were received and one granted to Mr C.O. Oke of University of Benin, Nigeria to study ‘Land snail diversity in limestone hills in south eastern Nigeria.’

Legacies and donations

The Society is most grateful to the memory of the late Miss Stella Davies for a further sum of money raised from her donation of books, and for all small donations during the year.

Announcements of deaths

The death of the following member was announced at an Indoor Meeting: Charles Pettitt (known as Bill), member from 1961-1997.

The Society would like to thank all members of Council and Society volunteers for their valuable contributions during the year. If you would like to volunteer to help with any aspect of Society activities please contact any Society Officer.

Conchological Society members at the November 2009 workshop (photo: Peter Topley)