The Essex Rock & Mineral Society was founded in 1967 to promote interest in Rocks, Minerals, Fossils, and Lapidary.

(I was asked to include a history of the club and I'm yawning already. What follows is a personal view.)

Two of the founding members had a shop selling rocks, minerals, fossils and lapidary equipment. "Wouldn't it be a good idea to form a club" said one to the other. "And improve our sales be offering a small discount to members" said the other to the one. The rest, as they say, is history.

At the start, the Society comprised of about six members who used to meet in a small upstairs room above a pub which overlooked Romford market square. There we would meet on the evening of every second Tuesday of each month. The same schedule survives to this day.

Alas, the shop closed many years ago but the Society thrived and soon outgrew the meeting room and moved to one of the local community centres. The normal beverage became replaced by tea/coffee and biscuits. It was rumored that the price of beer or the watering of spirits forced the move. Anyhow, the Society continued to grow to its present level of in excess of 100 members.

Of our members, a few are academics and professionals within the field of Geology. One or two started with the Society as school children and have followed it through to a career. Whilst, at the other extreme, most of us drag our knuckles along the ground and grunt (only when we are collecting fossils). In other words our collective background is diverse. There has always been something of interest for everyone.

The Society's core activities are our monthly meetings and field visits, however we also have a keen but small group interested in Lapidary/Jewellery.

For many years the Society equipped and run a lapidary workshop at our local arts centre (Fairkytes). Unfortunately, within recent years the room rental became too expensive which forced us to abandon the workshop and put our equipment into store.

Lapidary/Jewellery work still continues but by individuals who carry on regardless in their home workshops. These stalwarts are always willing to advise and help others who may be interested.

It would be easy to write off the lapidary but they have their uses when it comes to fossil preparation and petrological work (rock under the microscope) or jewellery for the girlfriend!

From the start the Society has been keen to be seen promoting Geology. Over the years we have attended local shows and events, costs permitting. One show that has become a July pilgrimage for some of us is the Dagenham Town Show. For the past 20 years plus we have put on a display and sold a few specimens (supplied by members) to; raise funds, promote interest, and recruit new members.

The Society also organizes its own Rock and Mineral Fair. This event occurs on the 3rd Saturday in February each year at; the Community Centre, Clock House Lane, Collier Row, Romford. We have dealers and amateur collectors from all over the country selling their wares. The show is well attended by people with a keen interest in the hobby. It's not unusual for this to be the first occasion in this country to purchase new material arriving from the major trade shows held in Tucson (USA) earlier in the month. (Just think, the money we save on air fares can be spent on mineral specimens!) It really is a cracking show,one of the best and not to be missed. Next year is our twenty third year. (RC)