Programme 2026
Here is the Quekett Microscopical Club Programme for 2026. 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: details of meetings of some of the other clubs and societies in the UK will be found by following the relevant links below.
Iceni Microscopy Study Group (IMSG). Most meetings in Bergh Apton, Norfolk
Leeds Microscopical Society (LMS) Most meetings in Alwoodley, Leeds, or by ZOOM
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. (Coming soon)
January 2026
Sunday 4th January 2026 – 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 the Club’s outreach programme.
Read a report of this meeting
Tuesday 13th January 2026 – 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. – ZOOM only
Gossip meeting: My latest microscopical acquisition
See a video of this meeting (members only)
Saturday 17th January 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Basic Human Histology
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Saturday 24th January 2026 – 2.30 p.m. to 4.40 p.m. – ZOOM only
Committee meeting
February 2026
Saturday 14th February 2026 – 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – London
Gossip and Practical Workshop on Contrast Enhancement
Angela Marmont Centre, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD.
Read a report of this meeting
Monday 16th February 2026 – 9:30 a.m.to 4:00 p.m. – Norwich
Norwich Science Festival
The Quekett will have a stand at this event as part of our outreach programme.
See photographs from this event
Saturday 21st February 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Stains and Staining
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Saturday 28th February 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Cobham
Home Counties Meeting (Surrey)
Short talks, gossip and practical microscopy.
St Andrew’s Church Hall, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham, Surrey, KT11 3EJ.
Read a report of this meeting
Watch a video of Joan Bingley’s presentation
March 2026
Tuesday 3rd March 2026 – 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – ZOOM only
Gossip meeting: Foraminifera (Forams)
Watch a video of this meeting
Saturday 14th March 2026 – 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and AGM 2:30 p.m. onwards – Sonning Common
Quekett Spring Sale and AGM
Sales event followed by the Quekett AGM.
Sonning Common Village Hall, Wood Lane, Sonning Common, Oxfordshire, RG4 9SL.
Prebook your sales table by contacting [email protected]
Please join us for refreshments over lunch and a chance to socialise. For any members who would like to attend but who will have trouble getting from the local railway station please contact [email protected] to see if we can help.
Read a report of this event
Members who cannot attend in person will be able to join the AGM via ZOOM, starting at 2:30 p.m.
Saturday 21st March 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Bryophytes: Joint meeting with Suffolk Naturalists Society
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Saturday 28th March 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – London
Committee Strategy Meeting
Angela Marmont Centre, Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD.
April 2026
Saturday 4th April 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Lockington
Lockington (Leicestershire)
Practical – freshwater microscopy and a talk on Spirogyra, led by Terry Hope. Other talks are welcome. A sandwich lunch will be provided on the day.
Saturday 11th April 2026 – 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
World Microscope Day at the Norris Museum
A Quekett Outreach Event. The Broadway, St Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27 5BX. Contact Chris Thomas for further information.
Sunday 12th April 2026 – 08:00 to 21:00 (UTC) – World-wide via ZOOM
World Microscope Day
Watch the WMD videos
Saturday 18th April 2026 – Crowfield
East of England Open Meeting
Gossip with demonstrations, exhibits and sales. More details from Robert Ratford.
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Saturday 25th April 2026 – Penkridge
West Midlands Open Meeting
Gossip with demonstrations, sales and photo competition, followed by lectures. Joint meeting with Postal Microscopy Society.
Haling Dene Centre, Cannock Road, Penkridge, Staffordshire, ST19 5DT.
May 2026
Tuesday 12th May 2026 – 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – London
Gossip meeting
“Diseases & Afflictions”
Angela Marmont Centre, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD.
Read a report of this meeting
…followed by…
Tuesday 12th May 2026 – 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – London
Presidential Address
Terry Hope’s Third Presidential Address
Watch a video of the talk (members only)
Saturday 16th May 2026 – 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Pond Life
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Saturday 23rd May 2026 – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Walton-on-the-Naze
Home Counties Meeting (Essex)
Excursion to collect fossils and plankton followed by practical microscopy and talks. More details from Robert Ratford, details above.
Naze Nature Discovery Centre, Old Hall Lane, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, CO14 8LE.
The Centre will be available from 9:00 a.m.
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.
Saturday 30th May 2026 – 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Bournemouth
BNSSM, Bournemouth, 39 Christchurch Road, BH1 3NS. Gossip with demonstrations and access to the museum. For more information contact Grenham Ireland ([email protected]).
June 2026
Saturday 6th June 2026 – 11:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – South Kensington
Amateur Entomologists’ Society Members’ Day & AGM
Neil Chalmers Seminar Room, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD.
Annual General Meeting, followed by talks and exhibits; the Quekett will be exhibiting as part of our outreach programme.
Read a report of this event
Saturday 6th June 2026 – ZOOM
Committee Meeting
Saturday 13th June 2026 – 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – London
Workshop on Cladocera (Water fleas) Led by Robert Ratford, details above.
Angela Marmont Centre, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD.
Saturday 20th June 2026 – 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Plant pathogens (mildews and moulds) with Dr Fay Newbery of the Royal Horticultural
Society
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Saturday 20th June 2026 – 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Huntingdon
Community Fun Day
Organised by Wild About Huntingdon with music, games, birds of prey, barbecue, and Quekett members with their microscopes as part of our outreach programme. Free admission.
The Chase Care Home, Medway Road, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 1SF.
July 2026
Wednesday 1st July 2026 – Hereford
Herefordshire Parkland Conference
Part of the 175th anniversary celebrations of the Woolhope Naturalists’ Field Club; the Quekett will have a display as part of our outreach programme.
New Model Institute of Technology and Engineering, Skylon Campus,
Canary Lane, Skylon Park, Hereford, HR2 6RB.
Sunday 5th July 2026 – 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. This year is the 150th Anniversary of the NNHS. Contact John Smith, Secretary, for more information.
The Humfrey Rooms, 10 Castilian Terrace, Northampton, NN1 1LD.
Tuesday 7th July 2026 – 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. – London
The L. V. Martin Lecture
“The Origin and Evolution of Botanical Spirals” – given by Dr Alexander J. Hetherington, Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh.
Neil Chalmers Seminar Room, Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD.
The lecture will be streamed live by ZOOM.
Saturday 11th July 2026 – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Happisburgh, Norfolk
Fossil Hunt Excursion
Happisburgh Fossil Hunt, Wenn Evans Centre, Blacksmiths Lane, Happisburgh, Norwich, NR120QY. Contact Robert Ratford for information – details above.
Tuesday 14th July 2026 – 7.00 p.m. – ZOOM
Committee meeting
Tuesday 21st July 2026 – 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. – ZOOM only
Gossip meeting “My favourite slide(s)”
Saturday 25th July 2026 – 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Microtomy of whole insects
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
August 2026
Saturday 1st August 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Warnham
Excursion Collect samples at this varied nature reserve
Warnham LNR, Horsham, RH12 2RA. For details contact Graham Matthews
Saturday 8th August 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Letchworth
Microscopium – The Microscopists’ Fair
The Quekett sales event. Book a table at [email protected]
Letchworth Settlement, 229 Nevells Road, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, SG6 4UB.
Please note the Club’s sales policy
More information and current Risk Assessment
Saturday 15th August 2026 – 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
BBKA slide making – one for the beekeepers
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rdAugust 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Downe
Down House Microscopy Weekend
The Quekett will be displaying historic microscopes along with Darwin-related displays and activities as part of our outreach programme. Contact Pam Hamer at [email protected]
Down House, Luxted Road, Downe, Kent, BR6 7JT.
September 2026
Saturday 12th September 2026 – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – ZOOM.
Committee Meeting
Sunday 13th September 2026 – 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Wimbledon
Wimbledon Common Open Day
The Quekett hopes to have a stand in the Information Centre (SW19 5NR) on Wimbledon Common as part of its outreach programme, but we need volunteers. 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 15th September 2026 – 6.00 to 8.00 p.m. – ZOOM only
Gossip meeting: topic TBC
Saturday 19th September 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Woodlice
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
October 2026
Saturday 10th to Monday 12th October 2026 – All day – London
New Scientist Live
The Quekett will have a stand as part of its outreach programme. Volunteers are welcome, please contact Robert Ratford.
ExCeL, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1XL.
Saturday 17th October 2026 – All day – Pool-in-Wharfedale
Postal Microscopical Society
Pool-in-Wharfedale Memorial Hall, LS21 1LG.
Saturday 17th October 2026 – 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Tulgren funnels
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
Wednesday 21st October 2026 – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. ZOOM only.
Pre-Quekex26 Lecture
Speaker and topic to be confirmed
Thursday 22nd to Saturday 24th October 2026 – 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.
Saturday 24th October 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Potters Bar
Quekex26 – The Annual Exhibition of Microscopy
Lectures, demonstrations, displays and members’ exhibits.
Elm Court Community Centre, Mutton Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 3BP.
Contact Lisa Ashby for more information.
November 2026
Saturday 7th November 2026 – 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.
Saturday 7th November 2026 – 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. – ZOOM.
Committee Meeting
Tuesday 10th November 2026 – 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. – ZOOM only.
M. C. Cooke Lecture
Speaker and topic to be confirmed
Saturday 21st November 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Bacteria
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.
December 2026
Tuesday 1st December 2026 – 6.00 to 8.00 p.m. – ZOOM only
Gossip meeting: topic TBC
Saturday 12th December 2026 – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – ZOOM only.
The Christmas Lecture
“Micro-organisms of spoiled Christmas food” – by Chris Thomas and John Gregory
……..followed by
The Christmas Quiz
Saturday 19st December 2026 – 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. – Crowfield
Anglian Microscopy Group
Whole insect mounts
Village Hall, Stone Street, Crowfield, Suffolk, IP6 9SZ.