P. T. ‘Terry’ Wimbleton, 1938-2010

Members and friends were saddened to hear of the recent death of Terry Wimbleton. Terry was well known in the Conchological Society, having been a member for fifty years and having regularly attended both field meetings and indoor meetings throughout that period.

Terry was an enthusiastic and observant field collector of both marine and non-marine shells, and contributed numerous records to the society’s recording schemes. Through repeated visits to the same sites he was able to observe changes in occurrence over considerable periods of time; whether species’ declines, spreading populations of invasive species or cyclical occurrences. He had built up a considerable collection of British and world wide shells, both marine and non-marine, part self-collected part purchased and also incorporating the collection of an earlier member, Harry Beeston (b.1865, d.1962; J. Conch. 25(3):132), everything meticulously labelled in his distinctive neat handwriting. Terry was always helpful in providing specimens for researchers, for illustration or for other collectors. His interests extended beyond shells to artefacts made from shells or mother-of pearl, and he was an enthusiastic ‘car booter’ in this quest.

At indoor meetings Terry displayed exhibits and, following the death of Tom Pain, willingly agreed to introduce the various exhibits – a duty he carried out with quiet efficiency. He was very knowledgeable about all things molluscan, but wore his knowledge lightly. The breadth of his knowledge enabled him to contribute to any discussion, and his pertinent comments and questions to speakers added greatly to meetings. Terry had served on the Conchological Society’s council, and for some years he organised the circulation of the society’s information display boards and posters.

Terry regularly worked as a volunteer on the shell collection at Portsmouth University, cleaning, identifying, labelling and re-ordering an extensive old collection. He had mounted public exhibitions of shells and shell artefacts from his own collection, including some exquisite models of living molluscs that he made to go with the shells, at Havant Museum and elsewhere, which proved very popular.

Outside the Conchological Society Terry was elected a Fellow of the Linnaean Society of London. He was also a member of the British Shell Collector’s Club and served as president of the club from 2004 to 2007.

Born in 1938 at Southsea, Terry was educated at Court Lane School, Drayton, Portsmouth, from 1943 to 1953. Aged 16 he went to St. James’ Hospital to start nursing training. After two years general nursing at St. Mary’s Hospital he returned to St. James’ as an S.R.N. since he wanted to specialise in psychiatric care. He rose to become director of nursing, and set up psychiatric community services which were ground breaking at the time. He became a district manager based at Havant Day Hospital, where he was also responsible for the day to day running of the hospital. He took early retirement at the age of 52.

Terry married his wife Shirley in 1959, having known her since he was 14. They had a daughter and three sons and also brought up a grandson.

Terry will be greatly missed by his many friends in the Conch. Soc. and we extend our sympathy to Shirley and the rest of his family. My thanks go to Shirley Wimbleton who, at a difficult time, willingly provided biographical information incorporated here.

_{Terry Wimbleton at Portsdown Hill, Hants., March 2009. (Photo: Shirley Wimbleton)}

_{Terry explaining his display of Mother of Pearl at a Conch. Soc. meeting in December 2003. (photo: Peter Topley)}