What’s new?
This page gives notices and pointers to (roughly) the last six months’ events of the Quekett Microscopical Club, some important forthcoming events, and any other items of interest we can’t find a place for elsewhere…
Paul Smith
posted 29th August 2024
It is with great sadness that we have to share with members news of the death of Paul Smith, the Club’s Meetings Secretary, whom many of you will know from his time on the Committee. Paul was a familiar and friendly face at meetings in the south-east. He could always be relied on to help at outreach events, to bring interesting exhibits to gossip meetings, to bring fascinating gadgets to workshops, and to bring a microscope on excursions. He was largely responsible for getting us started with Zoom meetings, and was able to find ways to make them work at awkward venues. The loss will felt both by the Committee and our wider microscopy family.
Quekex24 – The Annual Exhibition
Saturday 19th October 2024
Quekex24 is here! The Club’s annual exhibition of all things excellent in microscopy will again be held at Elm Court, Potters Bar. Whether you’re interested in videomicrographic recordings, photomicrographs, or microscopy as an art form there is something here for you. Entries are invited from microscopists of all ages, experience and abilities, and award-winning entries will be on display. Lectures and informal chats and discussions are also a feature of this event. Look at the five pages for the entry categories, as well as the Top Page for a general overview. We hope to receive your entry soon, and to see you at the Exhibition!
M C Cooke Lecture 2024 – “Easily Identifiable Tiny Fungi”
Tuesday 9th July 2024
Dr Fay Newbery of the Royal Horticultural Society gave a lecture on microscopic fungi which are often found as pathogens on garden plants. She has a special interest in this group rather than fungi with larger fruiting bodies, and she widened her talk to include three groups, the fungal plant pathogens, lichenicolous fungi, and the aquatic hyphomycetes. The lecture was broadcast on Zoom and members can see a recording here.
First Presidential Address – “Going Dutch”
Tuesday 14th May 2024
Terry Hope gave his first address as President of the Quekett at the Angela Marmont Centre, Natural History Museum. His theme was the contribution of the early Dutch microscopists to the science and practice of microscopy. The lecture was broadcast on Zoom and members can see a recording here.
John Gustav Delly
Friday, 26th April 2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of John Gustav Delly. John was a member of the Quekett for many years and was made an Honorary Member in 2020. His name will be familiar to many of our members and his passing will be deeply felt within the microscopy community.
World Microscope Day 2024
Friday 12th April to Sunday 14th April
World Microscope Day was launched in 2021 and is masterminded by Quekett member Robert Ratford. It is intended to help promote microscopy, and the date commemorates the first use of the word “microscope” on 13th April 1625. It is a wholly on-line event made possible through Zoom.
See videos of the presentations.
Brian Darnton
Monday 18th March 2024
It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of one of our longest serving members, Brian Darnton, on March 4th aged 88. He had been in ill health since August. He had been an active member of the Quekett Microscopical Club for many decades. An obituary will appear in the Journal in due course.
Brian Darnton and friends
Drop-In Microscopy – Poole
Saturday 16th March 2024
This will be a display set up by a few of the Club’s local members to support the Library’s contribution to British Science Week.
It will be held in the Main Library, and is also in support of the Club’s Outreach activities.