| South Wales Geologists' Association |
The South Wales Geologists' Association (SWGA) is an affiliated local group of the Geologists' Association.[1] It was founded in 1960 (Douglas Bassett and T. R. Owen being amongst the co-founders) and registered as a charity in 1996 (no. 1054303).[2]
The SWGA's aims are the study and promotion of geology in South Wales. Anyone with an interest in geology and the earth sciences is welcome, professional or amateur. Activities include field trips during the summer season, and lectures at Swansea or Cardiff University's geology departments during the winter season, as well as support for Rockwatch activities for young people and geological events for the public.
In addition, the South Wales Geologists' Association maintains close links with like-minded organisations such as the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority,[3] the Fforest Fawr Geopark,[4] the Southern Wales regional group of the Geological Society,[5] the Wales & West branch of the Russell Society,[6] and the Cardiff Naturalists' Society.[7]
The SWGA is also supportive of initiatives in geoconservation and geodiversity, in particular through their involvement in the creation of the South East Wales RIGS group.[8]
The group was headed by a chairman during the period 1959–1996, and by a president from 1996 onwards.
Source : Group of Chairmen 1959–1992, from "GEOLOGISTS’ ASSOCIATION, SOUTH WALES GROUP, A GEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE 1960–1992", p. 24–25, Compiled by ALUN J. THOMAS,[9] supplemented from SWGA archives and minutes.
| Chairman | Period | |
|---|---|---|
| Douglas A. Bassett | 1959–1962 | |
| David E. Morgan | 1962–1964 | |
| David J. W. Thomas | 1964–1966 | |
| T. Richard Owen | 1966–1968 | |
| John C. W. Baker | 1968–1970 | |
| Trevor M. Thomas | 1970–1972 | |
| Michael Brooks | 1972–1974 | |
| D. Emlyn Evans | 1974–1976 | |
| Rodney A. Gayer | 1976–1978 | |
| Derek V. Ager | 1978–1980 | |
| John W. Perkins | 1980–1982 | |
| John C. W. Cope | 1982–1984 | |
| Alan G. Thomas | 1984–1986 | |
| Anthony T. S. Ramsay | 1986–1988 | |
| R. Alan Stephens | 1988–1990 | |
| Alun J. Thomas | 1990–1992 | |
| Michael G. Bassett | 1992–1994 | |
| Peter Hodges | 1994–1996 |
| President | Period | |
|---|---|---|
| Lynda Garfield | 1996–1998 | |
| W. R. Gareth Davies | 1998–2000 | |
| Steven G. Howe | 2000–2002 | |
| Allan Cuthbertson | 2002–2004 | |
| Lynfa Lewis | 2004–2006 | |
| Tom Sharpe | 2006–2008 | |
| Nigel McGaw | 2008–2010 | |
| Malcolm Shaw | 2010–2012 | |
| Geraint Owen | 2012–2014 | |
| Rhian Kendall | 2014–2016 | |
| John Davies | 2016–2018 | |
| Lesley Cherns | 2018–2020 | |
| Christopher Lee | 2020-2022 | |
| John Nudds | 2022-2024 | |
| Chris Berry | 2024- |
Publications cater for a range of geological ability and include field guides, geological booklets and guided walks leaflets to areas of interest in South Wales. Amongst them are: