Thanks to the Friends of Dinosaur Isle. Ed
Dinosaur Isle is hosting a free weekend on the 15th and 16th of November from 10am to 4pm for its annual Blast from the Past event.
Meet the experts
Southampton and Portsmouth Universities will give demonstrations on their current research projects and you will have the rare opportunity to meet the experts, visit their stalls in the main hall of Dinosaur Isle and get up close to specimens not normally on show to the public, including some major new finds.
Palaeontologists from the Natural History Museum will exhibit some of their collection and this will be a great opportunity to bring along your fossil finds for identification from some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the country.
In the evening, Dr Martin Munt and David Ward will be giving a presentation on their Explorations in Morocco.
Special guest: Dean Lomax
This year, Assistant Curator of Palaeontology at Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery, Dean Lomax, will be paying a special visit to the Island to sign copies of his latest book, Dinosaurs of the British Isles which features many of the island’s fossils.
He will be at Dinosaur Isle both days and will be giving a talk in the evening on the diversity of Britain’s Dinosaurs.
For children, there will be dinosaur themed face painting, fossil hunting in sand and model making.
Where, when and how much
The evening event starts at 4.30pm with presentations from Dean Lomax, Dr Martin Munt and an amusing talk from Dr Jeremy Lockwood on Dinosaurs and their Bowels.
The price of the evening event is £4 and includes a light curry supper.
The evening is likely to fill up quickly as the numbers are strictly limited so booking with Martin New at Dinosaur Isle is essential (Tel: 01983 404344).
Background on Dean Lomax
Dean R. Lomax (24) is a passionate young scientist who has not followed the traditional route of academia to achieve his goal of becoming a palaeontologist.
Instead, Dean has gained hands on experience in excavation digs in Wyoming and research and fieldwork in France, Germany and the UK and has recently accepted a position to undertake an advanced post masters research degree (MPhil) at The University of Manchester where he has been mentoring undergraduate students since January 2013.
Blast From The Past
The Friends of Dinosaur Isle have been hosting Blast From The Past since it began as a one-day event in 2011. Since then, the event has grown in popularity with national support from museums and universities.
Through their fundraising events like this, The Friends of Dinosaur Isle have not only raised the profile of the museum but also been able to fund the purchase of collections and display cases for the benefit of the wider community.
Its membership numbers are now comfortably over 100 and is run purely on the goodwill and enthusiasm of the volunteers.
Image: © Isle of Wight Council
