Rockpool Ichthyosaur

Chris Andrew, Lyme Regis Museum's Education Officer, sent these photographs of an interesting new fossil find by Museum geologist Paddy Howe. Here is what Chris says about them: "Paddy found some scattered Ichthyosaur bits on Saturday 10th March. The pictures show the vertebrae that Paddy first spotted in a pale mudstone at the bottom of a rockpool. Several friends volunteered to help. Paddy had to clear the sand covering the bones, so you have a nice picture of him sweeping the rockpool. Unfortunately the mudstone was very crumbly and all the bones came out separately. Paddy got both front limb bones (humerus) and about ten vertebrae, a few paddle bones and rib sections."

Lyme Regis Museum on TV

Lyme Regis Museum was featured on BBC2‘s Britain’s First Photo Album on Friday March 16, together with the Museum's Education Officer Chris Andrew and volunteer Ken Gollop. The series, presented by the BBC's former political editor John Sergeant, travels around the country in the footsteps of pioneering Victorian photographer Francis Frith. This particular episode included a long segment filmed in Lyme Regis, and was recorded last September. Before the filming, the Museum gave help and advice to BBC researchers on the Francis Frith Collection of photographs that forms the basis of the series. The half-hour programme can be seen on BBC iPlayer until 30 March.

The picture on the left shows Museum fossil expert Chris Andrew and TV presenter John Sergeant holding fossils that were discussed in Britain’s First Photo Album.

Landslides of the Jurassic Coast

Geologist Ramues Gallois entertained an audience of around 80 people on Saturday March 10 at Lyme Regis Guildhall. Dr Gallois, Fellow of the Geological Society, spoke about the ever-moving landslides of the Devon and Dorset coast, why they occur and whether they can be predicted. He presented a fascinating archive of photographs and drawings of past landslides that explained and illustrated the spectacularly active landscape between Lyme Regis and Sidmouth. Together, these form the largest complex of landslides in Europe.

The talk was organised by Lyme Regis Museum as part of National Science and Engineering Week. Chairman of trustees, Stephen Locke, thanked Dr Gallois for his highly interesting and relevant talk. He pointed out that Dr. Gallois had mapped our area as an officer of the British Geological Survey and has taken a particular interest in the landslides. His very special understanding of the local geology combined with his knowledge of the more recent history of the landslides meant he had given us a truly authoritative account of these remarkable and important features of the local landscape.

Appeal launched to save Belmont

Belmont, the former home of Eleanor Coade and John Fowles is at risk. More risk even then when the Landmark Trust gained planning permission to return it to its prime as an 18^th Century maritime villa. The Trust has launched an appeal to raise £2.1m to save the house which is one of Lyme’s most important buildings. John Fowles was, of course, the curator of Lyme Regis Museum back in the 1980s.

Click here to learn more about the Landmark Trust's plans for Belmont and the appeal.

Museum Events in March

THURSDAY 1 MARCH 2.30pm at Woodmead Hall

The Early Years of Photography
A talk by John Marriage. Organised by The Friends of Lyme Regis Museum.

SATURDAY 10 MARCH 6.30 for 7.00 at the Museum

The ever-moving landslides of the Devon-Dorset coast
Drinks and a talk by Dr Ramues Gallois , fellow of the Geological society

TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2.30pm at Woodmead Hall

The History and Activities of the Shelterbox Trust
A talk by David Guy. Jointly with The Lyme Regis Society.

Fossil Walks

• Wednesday 7 March 2012 09.00
• Thursday 8 March 2012 09.45
• Sunday 11 March 2012 11.45
• Monday 12 March 2012 12.30
• Tuesday 13 March 2012 13.00
• Wednesday 21 March 2012 09.15
• Thursday 22 March 2012 9.45
• Friday 23 March 2012 10.15
• Saturday 24 March 2012 10.45
• Sunday 25 March 2012 12.15
• Monday 26 March 2012 12.45

Mary Anning Walks

• Saturday 3 March 2012 14.00
• Saturday 10 March 2012 14.00
• Saturday 17 March 2012 14.00
• Saturday 24 March 2012 14.00
• Saturday 31 March 2012 14.00