2025/2026 Winter Programme:

Lectures are held in WS0.06 in the William Smith Building at Keele University, typically on the second Thursday of the month between October and March. Note that the January meeting is via Zoom only.

2025/26 Winter Programme

Up Next:

Thursday January 15 2026 @ 19:30 via Zoom
Ammonites – from mythology and folklore to geological relevance
Dr Mick Oates

Members will have the Zoom link sent via the NSGGA email list.
Non-members wishing to view the talk should email nsgga.cha@gmail.com for a link.

Fossils have fascinated and inspired since earliest times; not least the coiled extinct family of molluscs called Ammonites. Even their name is derived from ancient history. The talk will explain how they were once perceived, how they evolved, up to the latest research which has tried to deduce how they worked as biological entities and their role in Jurassic and Cretaceous ecosystems. And yet despite their abundance, without direct modern analogues, we still have many unanswered questions about their living appearance and anatomy. 

Dr Mick Oates is a retired professional geologist who has had a lifelong enthusiasm for rocks and fossils and in particular ammonites! His collection is now housed at the Barrow upon Humber Geology Museum, a two-story annex to his home. Mick gained a BSc in Geology and PhD, from University College, London before working as a geologist in oil and gas exploration/development for about 40 years. He served on various Natural Environment Research Council review and advisory committees; the University of London Board of Studies (Geology), Imperial College MSc external examiner and is a Fellow of the Geological Society and member of the UK Stratigraphy Commission. He has served on the Geologists’ Association Council and Rockwatch committee since 1992. 

Coming Soon:

Dates and Titles to be confirmed:
February: Dr Oliver Wakefield
March (Chair’s Address & AGM): Dr Stuart Egan