The Amateur Paleontologist Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Hi everyone Okay so, long story short, at my university we have loads of different societies for different interests and topics. Thing is, there's no paleontology society, so I got together with some friends to go about starting one. We're planning it as a general kind of association, open to all students to promote more accessible appreciation for the history of life... We're still in the experimental phase (so we're not even an official society yet!), and right now we're just working on organising the logistics, budget etc... One of the activities we're proposing for the society is a sort of "fossil preparation" workshop, where members can learn safely to extract fossils from (soft) matrix. No pneumatic, or high-tech tools will be involved, just simple dental picks. I was wondering, would some of the UK people here know from where I can buy, in bulk, common fossils that are partially in a matrix or rock. Are there any good suppliers of this kind of stuff? @TqB @Pterygotus @Welsh Wizard @Birdman @JohnBrewer @DE&i On another issue, perhaps more complex... We're also planning on organising day-trips to go fossil hunting at some noteworthy sites in south England (Dover, Folkestone, Lyme Regis etc). I'm wondering about the logistics involved with this. How difficult would it be to get risk assessments sorted out, or should it rather be one of the people from the staff at my uni who takes care of this? And also, how difficult/expensive is it to get a bus hired for ~30 people for a day trip, with 2-3hr travel going and returning? I know there are some fossil/science educators on here, what are your thoughts? @fossilsonwheels @KansasFossilHunter Thank you so much for your help, guys. Christian Opalised fossils are the best: a wonderful mix between paleontology and mineralogy! Q. Where do dinosaurs study? A. At Khaan Academy!... My ResearchGate profile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sjfriend Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Can't help but GOOD LUCK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 I have organized a few trips in your neck of the woods and a day bus rental. The one quote UI can find easily in my disorganized system is a one day rental from Lyme to London at 650 pounds. Divide that by 30 people and you are not doing too badly. PM me if you want more details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fossilsonwheels Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Unfortunately I can’t help with any logistical questions that you have. We took our fossils to the schools or venues. We didn’t do any field work programs or deal with arranging transportation though I think what you are talking about sounds awesome. Good luck and I look forward to seeing future posts about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welsh Wizard Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 10 hours ago, The Amateur Paleontologist said: Hi everyone Okay so, long story short, at my university we have loads of different societies for different interests and topics. Thing is, there's no paleontology society, so I got together with some friends to go about starting one. We're planning it as a general kind of association, open to all students to promote more accessible appreciation for the history of life... We're still in the experimental phase (so we're not even an official society yet!), and right now we're just working on organising the logistics, budget etc... One of the activities we're proposing for the society is a sort of "fossil preparation" workshop, where members can learn safely to extract fossils from (soft) matrix. No pneumatic, or high-tech tools will be involved, just simple dental picks. I was wondering, would some of the UK people here know from where I can buy, in bulk, common fossils that are partially in a matrix or rock. Are there any good suppliers of this kind of stuff? @TqB @Pterygotus @Welsh Wizard @Birdman @JohnBrewer @DE&i On another issue, perhaps more complex... We're also planning on organising day-trips to go fossil hunting at some noteworthy sites in south England (Dover, Folkestone, Lyme Regis etc). I'm wondering about the logistics involved with this. How difficult would it be to get risk assessments sorted out, or should it rather be one of the people from the staff at my uni who takes care of this? And also, how difficult/expensive is it to get a bus hired for ~30 people for a day trip, with 2-3hr travel going and returning? I know there are some fossil/science educators on here, what are your thoughts? @fossilsonwheels @KansasFossilHunter Thank you so much for your help, guys. Christian Good luck with your venture. I can’t help with logistics as I’ve not organised large group outings. I’m not sure whether there are any suppliers of bulk unprepped material in the U.K. as it’s not the sort of thing I’m on the look out for. There are a few Yorkshire based collectors who do sell unprepped stuff. Send me a PM and I can give you some names but postage may be pricey. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Rico Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 (edited) In U.K. risk assessment are normally under taken by two people . Been that fossil hunting has its real dangers, Risk assessment are important paperwork. I would leave it to the course leader and staff to complete. There used to be a fossil whole seller in Bristol but I can’t remember their name ( google it). Edited January 29, 2022 by Bobby Rico Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Amateur Paleontologist Posted January 29, 2022 Author Share Posted January 29, 2022 Thanks so much guys, I really appreciate it. I'll make sure to get in touch with y'all if I need additional help. Opalised fossils are the best: a wonderful mix between paleontology and mineralogy! Q. Where do dinosaurs study? A. At Khaan Academy!... My ResearchGate profile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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