published 1988
In this issue of Humberside Geologist we remember our late Secretary Kenneth Fenton, who died in 1985, who played such a major role in bringing the Society to its Centenary year in such a healthy state. Eric Chicken tells us of his close friendship with Ken from their schooldays until his death. George de Boer recalls the decline of the Society after the Second World War and how Ken was involved in its revival. Mike Horne chronicles Ken's work for the Society. And we include an article by Ken about the Chalk which was prepared for a W.E.A. visit to Beverley Queensgate pit, led by Felix Whitham. These articles cannot convey our sadness at Ken's death. Ken always managed to get things into perspective, never rushing things, allowing them to follow a natural order. He was always willing to share his great knowledge of the natural sciences, particularly when in the field, in a modest and quietly encouraging way. Since his death we have missed his presence on our Field Meetings, often stopping to say "Ken would have known what that is", when we find an unusual plant or bird.
This issue includes another previously unpublished report of one of the Society's earliest field meetings. Also there is the usual mixture of short papers, notes, reports and excursion handouts, written by members of the Society. Without Humberside Geologist these reports would probably go unpublished and perhaps important records, which would not merit a full length paper in a professional journal, would be lost for future generations of geologists. Small journals like ours can act as a stepping stone for amateurs, who are often intimidated by the thought of publishing in a major journal.
Also, it is perhaps worth reflecting in this our Centenary Year, upon the role an amateur Society like ours has to play in the geological community. In the past several of our members went on to become important geologists, after they began their interest in the subject by the encouragement of the Society. Now that Geology is being taught in fewer schools perhaps that role will become important again. Perhaps we could make a special effort to find and encourage beginners as part of our Centenary Celebrations.
January 1988.
copyright Hull Geological Society 2021