Programme 2025
Here is the Quekett Microscopical Club Programme for July – December 2025. Many meetings are held in the Natural History Museum in London, but please check the venue carefully before travelling to a meeting. The Quekett is keen to promote links with other microscopical clubs and societies: meetings of some of the UK clubs with which we have connections are shown in the Programme, and details of their meetings will be found by following the relevant links.
Iceni Microscopy Study Group (IMSG). Most meetings in Bergh Apton, Norfolk
Leeds Microscopical Society (LMS) Most meetings in Alwoodley, Leeds, or by 
Manchester Microscopical & Natural History Society (MMS)
Kernow Microscopical Society (KMS) Most meetings in Truro.
Northamptonshire Natural History Society (NNHS)
Northamptonshire Natural History Society & Northampton U3A (NNHS)
Non-members are usually welcome at Quekett meetings, but please check with the Meetings Secretary.
Events shown indented and in italics are not arranged by the Quekett, although we will be represented at some of them. Any enquiries should be directed to the local organiser.
Here is a downloadable (.pdf) version of the Programme
July 2025
Tuesday 1st to Thursday 3rd July 2025 – Manchester
Royal Microscopical Society – Microscience Microscopy Congress
Manchester Central Conference Centre. See https://www.mmc-series.org.uk/ for further information
Sunday 6th July 2025 – 10.00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Northampton
Northamptonshire Natural History Society Annual Exhibition
Exhibition of microscopy. Includes sales, exhibits and talks. Sales and exhibits in the morning, with lectures in the afternoon. Contact John Smith, Secretary, for more information.
The Humfrey Rooms, 10 Castilian Terrace, Northampton, NN1 1LD.
Tuesday 8th July 2025 – 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. – London
Committee Meeting
Angela Marmont Centre, Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD.
…followed by…
Tuesday 8th July 2025 – 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. – London
The L. V. Martin Lecture
“Moss Safari” – given by Dr Andrew Chandler-Grevatt
Neil Chalmers Seminar Room, Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD.
The lecture will be streamed live by
Tuesday 22nd July 2025 – 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. – only.
Gossip Meeting – led by Elizabeth Beston
Marine microalgae
Watch a video of this meeting (Members only)
Saturday 26th July 2025 – 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Bee sperm
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Contact Gordon Brown for further information.
Other Clubs & Societies
August 2025
Saturday 2nd August 2025 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Letchworth
Microscopium – The Microscopists’ Fair
The Quekett sales event. Book a table
Letchworth Settlement, 229 Nevells Road, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, SG6 4UB
Please note the Club’s sales policy
More information and current Risk Assessment
Read a report of this event
Saturday 9th August 2025 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Horsham
Excursion to Warnham Local Nature Reserve
Collect and study samples at this varied nature reserve. Free parking. For details contact Graham Matthews.
Warnham Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 2RA.
More information and current Risk Assessment
Read a report of this excursion
Saturday 16th August 2025 – 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Hay infusions: pond visit
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Contact Gordon Brown for further information.
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17thAugust 2025 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Downe
Down House Microscopy Weekend
The Quekett will be participating as part of our outreach programme.
Down House, Luxted Road, Downe, Kent, BR6 7JT.
Read a report of this outreach event
Other Clubs & Societies
September 2025
Sunday 7th September 2025 – 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Chinbrook
Grove Park Carnival and Dog Show
Free family event in Chinbrook Meadows. Main entrance via Amblecote Road, SE12 9TR.
As part of our outreach programme, the Quekett will be sharing a stall and collecting specimens with Thames21.
Saturday 13th September 2025 – 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – .
Committee Meeting
Sunday 14th September 2025 – 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Wimbledon – CANCELLED
Wimbledon Common Open Day
The Quekett hopes to have a stand in the Information Centre (SW19 5NR) on Wimbledon Common as part of our outreach programme, but we need volunteers for our stand. A donation car park and the Windmill Tearooms are near the Centre. Short walk from the 93 bus route (alight at Parkside Hospital). The free Open Day features craft and charity stalls, birds of prey, reptiles, farm animals, farm machinery and arena events.
Tuesday 16th September 2025 – 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. – only.
Gossip Meeting
“Common Mineral and Rock Components of Sand”
A presentation by Julian Gray. Julian is a Quekett member and President of the
Geological Society of the Oregon Country. More details on the What’s New? page.
Saturday 20th September 2025 – 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Plant trichomes
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Contact Gordon Brown for further information.
Other Clubs & Societies
October 2025
Wednesday 8th October 2025 – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. only.
Pre-Quekex25 Lecture
“Single plane illumination microscopy” – by Professor Ted Kinsman
Watch a video of this lecture (Members only)
Saturday 11th October 2025 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Potters Bar
Quekex25 – The Annual Exhibition of Microscopy
Lectures, demonstrations, displays and members’ exhibits.
Elm Court Community Centre, Mutton Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 3BP.
Contact Lisa Ashby for more information.
Read a report of this event
Saturday 11th October 2025 – All day – Pool-in-Wharfedale
Postal Microscopical Society
Pool-in-Wharfedale Memorial Hall, LS21 1LG.
Saturday 18th to Monday 20th October 2025 – All day – London
New Scientist Live
The Quekett will have a stand as part of our outreach programme. Volunteers are welcome, please contact Robert Ratford.
ExCeL, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1XL.
Read a report of this outreach event
Thursday 23rd to Saturday 25th October 2025 – all day – Esher
National Honey Show
The Quekett will have a stand in the Trade Hall as part of our outreach programme.
Sandown Park Racecourse, Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9AJ.
Read a report of this outreach event
Saturday 25th October 2025 – 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Fungi
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Contact Gordon Brown for further information.
Other Clubs & Societies
November 2025
Saturday 1st November 2025 – 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – London
Geologists’ Association – Festival of Geology
Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BG.
The Quekett will have a stand at this free event as part of our outreach programme
Read a report of this outreach event
Saturday 8th November 2025 – 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – .
Committee Meeting
Tuesday 11th November 2025 – 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. – only.
The M. C. Cooke Lecture
“Thomas Henry Huxley”, given by Anne Barrett, Archivist, Imperial College, London.
Watch a video of this lecture (members only)
Saturday 15th November 2025 – 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Fibres and Fabrics
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Contact Gordon Brown for further information.
Other Clubs & Societies
December 2025
Tuesday 2nd December 2025 – 6.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. – only.
Gossip Meeting
“How good is my Key?”
A live microscopy session using QI (Quekettier Intelligence), in test-driving a novel Plant Identification Key developed by Chris Thomas.
Watch a video of this lecture (Members only)
Saturday 13th December 2025 – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – only.
The Christmas Lecture
“A Box of Delights” – by Tony Pattinson
The inside track on shooting videos of freshwater organisms, some results, and hopefully some lively interaction!
followed by
The Christmas Quiz
Yuletide conundra, puzzles and riddles from Robert Ratford
Saturday 20th December 2025 – 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Gemstones under the microscope
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Contact Gordon Brown for further information.
Other Clubs & Societies
Notes
Please note that for evening meetings at the Natural History Museum you need to be in the Museum by 5:30 p.m. to alleviate the problems due to the Museum’s security arrangements.
This page is dynamic, and kept up to date with alterations and additions to the programme. Changes may also be announced on the What’s new? page and on social media.
For any enquiries regarding Quekett events in this programme, please contact the Meetings Secretary.
Events shown indented and in italics are not arranged by the Quekett, although we will be represented at some of these events. Any enquiries should be directed to the local organiser.