The Society runs a varied programme of free meetings outdoors, indoors, and online, all of which are open to members and non-members. Why not join us at our next meeting, or even take part in helping organise one?
Our programme of upcoming meetings is published three times a year in Mollusc World. However, members are always encouraged to check this page for the latest updates.
FIELD MEETINGS
Field Meetings take place between late March and early November. They usually support the Society's Marine and Non-Marine recording schemes, local recording schemes, or conservation-minded landowners, but may also include activities such as visits to fossil mollusc locations.
A comprehensive list of the location of past Field Meetings is available here.
It is very important to contact the leader in advance if you plan to attend a Field Meeting. If you are held up while travelling to a meeting, please contact the leader so that you don't make people wait for you.
It is advisable before attending to check you are suitably dressed and equipped; and please check that you are familiar with the Society's general code of conduct and health and safety policy.
Saturday 28 June 2025 - POSTPONED until further notice
FIELD MEETING (non-marine): Malvern Area
Leader: Rosemary Hill (rosemaryhi@lineone.net; 0795 207 6781)
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Monday 6th – Saturday 11th October 2025
FIELD MEETING (marine): Dungarvan and nearby coast, County Waterford
The field week will follow on from the indoor Regional Meeting, and consist of planned excursions to a variety of shores in a relatively under-recorded area. There will be some opportunity for non-marine recording. If planning to attend, contact Simon Taylor (marine@conchsoc.org) or Andrew Wright (treasurer@conchsoc.org) by 1 September 2025.
Attendees can make their own accommodation arrangements, but the Society has booked spaces for a small number of people willing to share rooms in Dungarvan (4-11 October). Spaces are filling up fast so contact Simon Taylor (marine@conchsoc.org) ASAP.
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Sunday 19th October 2025
FIELD MEETING (non-marine): Llanynis, Builth Wells, Powys
Survey of ancient woodland, small woodland, stream, ponds, dry and wet pasture and garden habitats in a 6 acre mosaic of habitats. Please bring a packed lunch. There is access to a toilet. Meet at 10:30. Please contact the meeting leader for full address. Leader: Hannah Shaw hannah.shaw@
INDOOR MEETINGS
Indoor Meetings (including the AGM) are held between October and April. Most of our indoor meetings are held at the Natural History Museum, London, but we endeavour to hold at least one meeting a year elsewhere in Britain or Ireland (known as a Regional Meeting).
The main event at an Indoor Meeting is traditionally a lecture by a guest speaker or society member, with the opportunity to ask questions. Meetings also include an "Exhibits" session, and the opportunities for friendly discussions over tea/coffee, and to purchase Society goods and back publications.
Indoor Meetings normally take place in the Angela Marmont Centre for Centre for UK Nature. To find this most easily, enter the Museum at the West Entrance on Queen’s Gate through the Nature Discovery Garden (what3words: ///plenty.voter.late). The Centre entrance is to the right as you enter the building, on the ground floor, before the steps. You will need to ring the doorbell to gain admission to the Centre.
Since 2020 most of our Indoor Meetings have also been held online where possible. The usual platform is Zoom. Members should receive notifications of upcoming Indoor Meetings and links to join via email. Otherwise, to join online meetings please contact the Programme Secretary, Matt Law (programme@conchsoc.org) preferably at least one week prior to the meeting to be send full joining instructions.
For those on the Society's Council, please note Council Meetings are usually held just prior to Indoor Meetings, and in the same venue.
Exhibits
Indoor Meetings traditionally include a show-and-tell opportunity for attendees to bring and discuss specimens, books, objects or anything else of molluscan interest. The objects are normally laid out for the duration of the meeting, with each exhibitor briefly explaining theirs in turn at the end of the meeting. Exhibits can also be shown online by those attending on Zoom. If you wish to exhibit online, please email the Hon. Secretary, Rosemary Hill (secretary@conchsoc.org) in advance of the meeting.
Sunday 5th October 2025
REGIONAL MEETING in Waterford
Lawlor’s Hotel, Dungarvan, County Waterford
10:00 AM – 16:00 PM
Short talks by members and guests on a range of mollusc-related subjects. Speakers include Louise Firth (University College Cork) on “Limpets: Ecosystem Engineers” (postponed from December 2024). If you would like to attend or offer a talk, please contact Ben Rowson (president@conchsoc.org) before 1 September 2025.
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Saturday 15th November 2025
INDOOR MEETING with exhibits and lecture (NHM Angela Marmont Centre, London with Zoom link)
Guest speaker: Professor Robert Cameron - Why are there so many kinds of snail?
14.00 - 17.00 (13.45 Zoom sign in)
Council members please note that this will be preceded by a Council meeting at 12.00 (Live and Zoom)
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Saturday 6th December 2025
INDOOR MEETING with exhibits and lecture (NHM Angela Marmont Centre, London with Zoom link)
Guest speaker: Dr Dai Herbert - South African land snails: the legacy of drifting continents
Council members please note that this will be preceded by a Council meeting at 12.00 (Live and Zoom)
ORGANISING MEETINGS
The Meetings Programme is compiled by the Programme Secretary. Contacts for meetings-related matters are either Matt Law
(programme@conchsoc.org) or Rosemary Hill (secretary@conchsoc.org).
The Programme Secretary will be very happy to receive offers to help arrange and lead future Field Meetings, or from speakers with suitable subjects for Indoor Meetings.