The Friends of Lyme Regis Museum
We are delighted to announce that we have successfully secured the fragment of Mary Anning’s letter, which was made available through auction, as a result of a successful fundraising campaign by the Friends of Lyme Regis Museum.
Museum Director Bridget Houseago said:
“I am thrilled that we have been able to acquire this important letter fragment for the Museum. It will now return to Lyme Regis, Mary’s birthplace, where it will be displayed in our world-famous Geology Gallery. The letter provides a rare and personal glimpse into Mary’s life, and it is vital that such fragile and significant items are cared for within a public collection, where they can be accessible to all.
We hope to have it on display as soon as possible, ideally in time for this year’s Lyme Regis Fossil Festival (13th/14th June) which is organised by Lyme Regis Museum.
I would like to thank the dedicated team at the Friends of Lyme Regis Philpot Museum for leading the fundraising campaign, as well as everyone who contributed to bringing this remarkable piece of history into public care.”
Read the full press release here:
https://www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk/mary-anning-letter-to-return-to-lyme-regis/
Our Programme of Events
‘Scelidosaurus: The Most Complete Dinosaur of the British Isles’ by Kieran Satchell, Learning & Engagement Officer at Lyme Regis Museum.
16th April, Woodmead Hall, Lyme Regis
This unique dinosaur is found only on the coastline between Charmouth and Lyme. Kieran will delve into the history of its discovery and flesh out what it may have looked like in life, 200 million years ago.
The talk will take place on 16th April at 2.30pm and will be preceded by our AGM at 2.00pm, lasting about 20minutes, which you are cordially invited to attend. Tickets £3 on the door.
‘Sea Monsters Past and Present’
An illustrated Talk by Darren Naish
12th June, 3pm, The Pine Hall (Baptist Church), Lyme Regis
Ever since ancient times, people have believed that giant, monstrous animals inhabit the seas. If such creatures are real, could they have a direct relationship to the giant sea reptiles – in particular the long-necked plesiosaurs – of the geological past? Join esteemed author and palaeozoologist Dr Darren Naish as he explores our developing ideas about sea monsters past and present, a subject that combines developments in palaeontology with studies of mythology and popular culture.
Dr Darren Naish is an author and palaeozoologist affiliated with the University of Southampton. His technical studies involve dinosaurs, the flying pterosaurs and ancient sea reptiles. He has published many books, the most recent including Dinopedia, Ancient Sea Reptiles and Mesozoic Art II. Dr Naish is also chief scientific consultant for the Apple TV / BBC Studios series Prehistoric Planet.
This talk is a Fossil Festival special leading into the Fossil Festival weekend which takes place on 13th/14th June. For more information see www.fossilfestival.com.
Patrons of the Friends of Lyme Regis Museum
- Sir David Attenborough, the world’s best-known naturalist
- Tracy Chevalier, author of “Remarkable Creatures”, a novel with Mary Anning as its central character
- Minnie Churchill
- Mary Godwin, Director of the museum 2008-2011
Join us and become part of the Friends community and enjoy some great benefits!
A separate registered charity in our own right, the Friends of Lyme Regis Museum exists specifically to support the museum, and we are very proud of the help we have given and continue to give, both through fundraising and practical support.
We welcome new members from all walks of life, and anyone can join at any time – you don’t have to be local to join and help support the museum!
Benefits of joining the Friends:
- Low joining fee of £10 for single membership or £15 for couple / family membership for a year
- Free entry to the museum for you and a guest (single membership), or up to two guests (couple / family membership) for a year
- Access to lots of social events throughout the year including outings, talks and fundraising events for all the family
- Museum Friend newsletter twice a year to keep you up to date – members are welcome to contribute articles or ideas!
We very much hope to welcome you soon!
Best wishes,
David Cox
Chairman
View our brochure or to find out more, email the Membership Secretary lyme.museum.friends@gmail.com
An insight into some of our many interesting articles in past Newsletters.
For our current Newsletter please consider joining The Friends using the form above.