Northamptonshire Natural History Society
| Published: 20th May 2008 20:47 |
Northamptonshire Natural History Society
Founded 1876
The Humfrey Rooms, 10 Castilian Terrace, Northampton. NN1 1LD
Registered Charity: 204250
The Northamptonshire Natural History Society was founded in 1876 by George Claridge Druce - a leading botanist of the day. The first meeting was held in the Council Chamber of the Guildhall in Northampton and was chaired by Lord Lilford, the great Victorian ornithologist. Lord Lilford went on to serve as President of the Society from 1876 to 1896.
From the very beginning, the Society welcomed naturalists and scientists from all walks of life. Social, political and theological barriers were breached, and the membership included working men and women, clerics, businessmen, lawyers, doctors, architects and others of the 'professional' class, and such eminent names as Earl Spencer, Charles Darwin, Thomas Huxley, Joseph Hooker, Nathaniel Rothschild, Sir Herewald Wake, V.D. Cary-Elwes and Lady Knightley of Fawsley.
The Society - now in its 131st year - continues to promote interest and research into natural history and allied sciences, especially relating to Northamptonshire, and consists of a number of Sections dealing with archaeology and history, astronomy, geology, natural sciences and photography. The Journal, which began publication in 1880, contains a wealth of information accrued since the formative years of the Victorian era, as many of the original members were active in their respective fields as early as the 1840s and 1850s.
Membership of the NNHS entitles you to attend any meeting from any section within the Society.
Current Active Sections of the Society
Archaeology and History
Astronomy
Botany
General
Geology
Microscopy
Meteorology
Photographic
Saturday Walks
Zoology
Scheduled Meetings
meetings begin at 7.30 unless otherwise stated
3rd (Tue) Friends and Family Evening hosted by John and Patricia Smeathers. Please contact John or Patricia of the Microscopy section for further details. MICROSCOPY
5th (Thu) Main Society AGM 7.30pm
7th (Sat) Cold Brayfield to Newton Blossomville. A walk across fields. Bus S.C. Pluto 1.30pm.*, or meet at Cold Brayfield house bus stop at 2.00pm Picnic tea. SATURDAY WALKS
8th (Sun) Your Own Weather Station. Mike Longman will explain how to set up your own weather station, the equipment and site required and how to interpret the results. 2.30pm start. METEOROLOGY
9th (Mon) Special History of Astronomy, lecture by Dr Suzie Ramsey Howlett. ASTRONOMY
11th (Wed) Open House. The rooms will be open for members and guests to look at the library books, magazines and exhibits. Tea, coffee, soup and light lunches available. 10.30am-2.30pm.
11th (Wed) Evening Photographic Stroll. An evening stroll around different photogenic locations in the county. Please contact Paul Hayes or Dave Bowen (01604 401813) for further details. PHOTOGRAPHY
12th (Thu) Aberrant Botanist Goes Down Under (up north). Popular lecturer, Seán Karley will talk to us about botanical specimens, geology and caves to be found in the area. 2.30pm start GENERAL
14th (Sat) Bradlaugh Fields, Northampton, walk. Bus F.N. 2. 1.28pm.*, or meet at 1.40pm at Holton's Lane. Tea available. SATURDAY WALKS
14th (Sat) Grand Union Canal at Yelvertoft. A look at the plants and wildlife to found alongside and in the water, a full days stroll, bring lunch. Meet ref SP 604.750, bridge nearest to Yelvertoft on the West Haddon Road. Contact Seán Karley, seankarley@tiscali.co.uk or 01933 225397 for further information 10.30am BOTANY
21st (Sat) The Flore Flower Festival. A good walk in the village and a visit to the church and chapel. Bus S.C. D2. 1.15pm.*, or meet at the "White Hart", Flore at 1.35pm. Tea available. SATURDAY WALKS
22nd (Sun) Annual Exhibition of Microscopy. This very popular event attracts visitors and experts from all over the country. The day will include demonstrations, techniques, photography, etc. Trade Stands, Displays of work. Sale of equipment and slides. Buffet lunch available for £6 if pre-booked with Cyril or Dawn. 10am-4pm MICROSCOPY
23rd (Mon) Space Science in Europe. lecture by Dr David Southwood. ASTRONOMY
24th (Tue) Food and the Importance of Certain Dishes to Specific Festivals. Angie Cooksley will give another of her popular lectures. ARCHAEOLOGY & HISTORY
25th (Wed) Evening Photographic Stroll. An evening stroll around different photogenic locations in the county. See 11th June for contact details. PHOTOGRAPHY
26th (Thu) Spiders come into my parlour. Video narrated by Peter Ustinov. The film shows the incredibly varied means by which spiders catch their prey; how they court mates and raise their young. 2.30 pm start ZOOLOGY
28th (Sat) Blisworth and Canal. Bus S.C. 89. 12.50.*, pm, or meet at the church at 1.10pm. Picnic. SATURDAY WALKS
For further details contact
Telephone :01604 602242
General Secretary:Mr. CT Sampson
President:Mr. Frank Gear
Treasurer:Mr. D Novakovic
Librarian:Mr. J Peet
