The group is a mixture of those who have studied geology/earth sciences/geography at university and those who have little or no knowledge but are interested in learning more. Meetings are varied with members giving presentations about the geology/earth science of places they have visited or their areas of expertise. Occasionally there is a visiting speaker. We watch DVDs from our own collections and from the U3A resource centre as well as studying and identifying rocks from our own collections. Visits are arranged during the summer months, viz: a guided tour of the geology section of the Natural History Museum, Royal Geographical Society, visiting geological sites or examining building stones in various locations. For example, in May 2024 the group visited two churches in Shere, followed by lunch in the pub. Old churches are excellent places to find a range of building stones to examine and wonder over! St James Church at Shere was founded in Saxon times but like so many old churches has been added to, repaired and altered over the centuries. Many rocks, both local and more exotic are present in the walls and in the interior, and the group were set the task of distinguishing as many of them as possible, with the help of some notes and a hand lens, oh and a few drops of vinegar!

If you are interested in finding out more about rocks, fossil, minerals and geological events and processes, contact the Leader (below) and get on the waiting list!

For more information please contact us through Geology and Earth Sciences