The Cradle of English Geology - how Somerset and Wiltshire played their part in the development of a new Science

Alan Butcher will tell us how Frome, Bath, Somerset and Wiltshire all played their part in the development of a new science-just because the local rocks had miraculously preserved fossils and structures within them.

Alan is a visiting professor at The Open University. His passion for geology began during his school days, and this has led him to work on rocks from every continent, as well as on samples from the Moon and Mars.

William Smith and Etheldred Bennet were independent pioneers who developed protocols for the systematic study of rocks and fossils in the 1800’s, at a difficult time in history when the origin of Planet Earth was hotly debated. William was based in Midford (near Bath); and Etheldred at her ancestral home in Norton Bavant (near Warminster).  They used the natural landscape, the occurrence of natural spring lines, rocks turned up by the plough, canal excavations, quarries, and underground exposures in coal mines, to unravel the fascinating geological history of our area. Learn how to do this yourself whilst out and about in Frome. Geological evidence is everywhere, even in places that might surprise you. Explore the world-class outcrop on our doorstep that geologists consider to be a place of scientific pilgrimage. Curious? This and much more will be revealed by Alan, in a follow-up talk to the one he gave to the Society in May 2026.

Booking opens to members on Friday 16 October 2026. Seats are free to members.

Booking opens to the public on Monday 19 October 2026. Seats are £5plus £0.75 booking fee.