Programme

Many meetings are held in the Natural History Museum in London, but please check the venue carefully before travelling to a meeting.

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 (revised 17th February 2024).  Please be aware that changes may be made at short notice, so ensure you check this on-line version before travelling to events or signing in to Zoom.

2024 Programme (July to December)

July 2024

Sunday 7th July 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Northampton
Northampton Natural History Society – Annual Exhibition of Microscopy
The Humfrey Rooms, 10 Castilian Terrace, Northampton, NN1 1LD.
Exhibits, gossip and sales in the morning, with lectures in the afternoon. Further details from Mike Gibson

Tuesday 9th July 2024 – 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Committee meeting
Angela Marmont Centre, Natural History Museum.

Tuesday 9th July 2024 – 6:30 p.m. Note this event will be on Zoom logo only
M. C. Cooke Lecture – “Easily Identifiable Tiny Fungi”
Dr Fay Newbery (Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley).
Dr Newbery is a plant pathologist, diagnosing diseases on garden plants. She is particularly interested in diseases caused by fungi, both in UK garden plants and in our wild flora.
blue-link-icon-18 Watch a video of this lecture

Tuesday 16th July 2024 – 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – South Kensington
Photomicrography workshop for Positive View
Quekett members will be explaining and demonstrating photomicrography to students on a photography course as part of our outreach programme.
Angela Marmont Centre, Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD.
Attendance is restricted to people nominated by Positive View.
blue-link-icon-18 Read a report of this workshop

Saturday 20th July 2024 – Crowfield
Crowfield Village Fete
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
The Anglian Microscopy Group will have a stand as part of the Quekett outreach programme.

Tuesday 23rd July 2024 – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Zoom logo
Gossip meeting
Diatoms – finding, collecting, cleaning, and viewing
Led by Mike Samworth (Postal Microscopical Society)
Please note, although the meeting will be held via Zoom it will not be recorded

Saturday 27th July 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Pollen slides; pollen identification; photomicrography
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Contact Gordon Brown for further information.

August 2024

Saturday 3rd August 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Horsham
Excursion to Warnham Local Nature Reserve
Warnham Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 2RA.
Collect samples at this varied nature reserve. Free parking.
Information leaflet (.pdf), or for more information contact Graham Matthews.
blue-link-icon-18 Read a report of this excursion

Tuesday 6th August 2024 – 7:30 p.m. London time (UTC+1)
QMC and the Bournemouth Natural Science Society – Joint Lecture by Zoom logo only
“Peering inside the ‘Black Box’ of forensic entomology: new imaging technologies for time since death estimation using the blowfly pupal stage.”
Speaker: Dr Katherine Brown

Dr Brown is Principal Lecturer in Forensic Science at Portsmouth University. She will cover forensic entomology in general, the pupal stage and age estimation using traditional and modern methods, including Optical Coherence Tomography and micro-computed tomography (microCT.)
blue-link-icon-18Watch a video of this lecture (Members only)

Saturday 10th August 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Letchworth
Microscopium – The Microscopists’ Fair
Letchworth Settlement, Nevells Road, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, SG6 4UB.
The Quekett sales event. To book a table contact [email protected]
Attendees must take note of the Club’s sales policy.

Saturday 17th August 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Bees’ legs; photomicrography
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Contact Gordon Brown for further information.

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th August 2024 – Downe, Kent
Down House Microscopy Weekend
The Quekett will be participating as part of its outreach programme.
Down House, Luxted Road, Downe, Kent, BR6 7JT.
blue-link-icon-18 Read a report of this event

Friday 24th to Monday 26th August 2024 – all day – Kirby Grindalythe
Microscopists’ weekend
Cranedale Centre, Kirby Grindalythe, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 8DB.
For more information, please contact Steve Gill.

September 2024

Sunday 1st September 2024 – 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, who will be celebrating the opening of a new wetland.
blue-link-icon-18 Read a report of this event

Sunday 8th September 2024 – 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Wimbledon
Wimbledon Common Open Day
The Quekett will have a stand in the Information Centre (SW19 5NR) on Wimbledon Common as part of its outreach programme. 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.
blue-link-icon-18 Read a report of this event

Tuesday 17th September 2024 – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Gossip meeting
Converting to LED. Presented by Gordon Brown.
blue-link-icon-18Watch a video of this lecture (Members only)

Saturday 21st September 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Insect wings; photomicrography
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Contact Gordon Brown for further information.

Saturday 28th September 2024 – 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Sunbury-on-Thames
Amateur Entomologists’ SocietyAnnual Exhibition & Trade Fair
Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex, TW16 5AQ.
The Quekett hopes to have a stand at this Exhibition as part of our outreach programme. Admission to the Exhibition is £6 for adults, £3 for under-18s.

Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th September 2024 – 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. – Huntingdon
Wild About Huntingdonshire Festival
Hinchingbrooke Country Park, Brampton Road, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 6DB.
The Milton Microscopy Group will be participating as part of the Quekett outreach programme.

October 2024

Saturday 5th October 2024 – 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Pool-in-Wharfedale
Postal Microscopical Society – Autumn Meeting
Exhibits, gossip, sales and possibly lectures. For more information please contact Mike Smith.
Village Memorial Hall, Arthington Lane, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 1LG.

Saturday 5th October 2024 – Poole
Drop-In Microscopy
Outreach in Poole Main Library
The Quekett has been invited to set up a microscopy display as part of an initiative for the library ‘Fun Palaces’ where they try to introduce new experiences. Contact Pam Hamer for more information.
blue-link-icon-18 Read a report of this outreach event

Saturday 12th to Monday 14th October 2024 – all day – London
New Scientist Live
ExCeL London, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1XL.
The Quekett will have a stand as part of its outreach programme.  Volunteers are welcome, please contact Robert Ratford for details.
blue-link-icon-18 Read a report of this outreach event

Tuesday 15th October 2024 – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Quekex24 Pre-Meeting Lecture (Zoom logo only)
Recreating John B. Dancer’s Wet Collodion Micro-photograph Technique: an illustrated lecture on the earliest method of making microphotographs developed by the inventor John B. Dancer. Given by Mark Osterman.

Saturday 19th October 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Potters Bar
Quekex – The Annual Exhibition of Microscopy
Lectures, demonstrations, displays and members’ exhibits.
Elm Court Community Centre, Mutton Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 3BP.
This year’s Quekex24 Lectures will be:
Touched with Prolifick Virtue: The Art and Science of Pollen – given by Prof. Rob Kesseler.
The Good, The Bad, and The Algae – given by Prof. Chris Howe.
Contact Lisa Ashby for more information.
blue-link-icon-18 Read a report of this event

Saturday 19th October 2024 – 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. – Grove Park
Apple Day
This family-friendly event in Chinbrook Meadows Apple Orchard clashes with Quekex, so the Club will not be able to participate this year.

Sunday 20th October 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Parasites; photomicrography
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Contact Gordon Brown for further information.

Thursday 24th to Saturday 26th October 2024 – all day – Esher
National Honey Show
Sandown Park Racecourse, Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9AJ.
The Quekett will have a stand in the Trade Hall as part of our outreach programme.
blue-link-icon-18 Read a report of this outreach event

Sunday 27th October 2024 – 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. – Milton
Milton Microscopy Group
Leaf prints and Animal Hair slides and prints using UV crystal gels
Milton Community Centre Lounge, Coles Road, Milton, Cambridgeshire, CB24 6BL. (what3words ///ally.pies.comical)
Contact Chris Thomas for more information.

November 2024

Saturday 2nd November 2024 – 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Committee meeting

Saturday 2nd November 2024 – 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – London
British Entomological and Natural History SocietyAnnual Exhibition
Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London, WC1R 4RL.
The Quekett hopes to have a stand at this free exhibition as part of our outreach programme.

Saturday 2nd November 2024 – 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – London
Festival of Geology
The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly,  London, W1J 0BG.
The Quekett will have a stand at this free event as part of our outreach programme.
blue-link-icon-18 Read a report of this outreach event

Tuesday 12th November 2024 – 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. – Zoom logo only
L. V. Martin Lecture
“The Ted Kellock Slide Collection” by staff from the Stromness Museum.

Saturday 16th November 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Owl pellets; photomicrography
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Contact Gordon Brown for further information.

December 2024

Tuesday 3rd December 2024 – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Zoom logo only
Gossip meeting on dark-field, led by Steve Trewhella.

Saturday 14th December 2024 – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Zoom logo only
Lecture and Christmas Quiz

Saturday 21st December 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Christmas plants; photomicrography
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Contact Gordon Brown for further information.


2025 Programme

February 2025

Sunday 2nd February 2025 – 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon – Wimbledon
Wimbledon Common Nature Club
“Life Under a Microscope” – Quekett members will be in the Information Centre (SW19 5NR) on Wimbledon Common (near the Windmill), showing interesting slides and specimens to local children as part of our outreach programme.

Saturday 22nd February 2025 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Cobham
Home Counties (South-West) Spring Meeting
Talks in morning, lunch and gossip with exhibits in afternoon
Church Gate House Centre, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham, Surrey, KT11 3EJ.
Contact Joan Bingley for further information.

April 2025

Saturday 26th April 2025 – Crowfield
East of England Meeting
Gossip with demonstrations, exhibits and sales, followed by talks in the afternoon.
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Contact Gordon Brown for further information.

June 2025

Saturday 28th June 2025 – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Walton-on-the-Naze
Home Counties Meeting (Essex)
Excursion to collect fossils followed by practical microscopy and talks
Naze Nature Discovery Centre, Old Hall Lane, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, CO14 8LE.
The Centre will be available from 9:00 am. Low tide is at 8:03 BST
There is a cafe and toilets as well as a gift shop. The car park currently accepts credit card payments, but please check prior to travelling. For more details, contact Robert Ratford.

September 2025

Sunday 14th September 2025 – 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Wimbledon
Wimbledon Common Open Day
The Quekett will have a stand in the Information Centre (SW19 5NR) on Wimbledon Common as part of its outreach programme. 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.

October 2025

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.

Saturday 18th to Monday 20th October 2025 – all day – London
New Scientist Live
ExCeL London, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1XL.
The Quekett will have a stand as part of its outreach programme.  Volunteers are welcome, please contact Robert Ratford for details.

Thursday 23rd to Saturday 25th October 2025 – all day – Esher
National Honey Show
Sandown Park Racecourse, Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9AJ.
The Quekett will have a stand in the Trade Hall as part of our outreach programme.

Saturday 25th October 2025 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Topic TBC
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Contact Gordon Brown for further information.

Notes

Please note that Tuesday evening meetings at the Natural History Museum start at 5:30 p.m. to alleviate the problems due to the Museum’s security arrangements.

This page is 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.

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