Doncaster Naturalists’ Society 1880-1980
Centenary Meeting
Doncaster Museum & Art Gallery; Chequer Road, Doncaster
8th March 1980; Commencing at 2.00 pm.

Thoughts for the Centenary Meeting

On celebrating our Centenary we feel a sense of identity with Fred Milner, John Kirk and Matthew Stiles as they met at 15 High Street, Doncaster on February 9th 1880 to plan the foundation of our Society. Gratefully we see how their plans came to fruition and Doncaster can share our pride in contemplating the excellent works which they and their successors achieved. The priceless photographic records left by Matthew Stiles, Luke Bagshaw, Frank Moat and others enable us to share past moments on Society outings in localities now changed. We salute members like Thomas Easterfield, Henry Culpin and William Bisat, by whom science has been enhanced, and we acknowledge our gratitude to Dr. Corbett, whose enthusiastic labour and guidance led to the establishment of the town Museum in 1900. We applaud our President’s valuable work in fostering a greater awareness of nature through his many beautifully illustrated natural history books.

But what of the future? Today’s problems are epitomised in the plight of the Gorilla, for the world has shrunk during the Society’s lifetime and once remote areas are now under threat or devastation. In common with other ecological societies worldwide we have been increasingly forced to fight in conservation battles and we expect this activity to play an ever larger role. But will human greed really eradicate five-sixths of the world’s living things by the year 2000, or will reason prevail, to make the world a better place for Man and Gorilla in the coming century?

As we look forward towards 2080 we hope that in that year our successors will be able to say of us – “They took good care of our worldwide natural inheritance, and we will pass it on unspoilt to those who come after us.”

Agenda
2.00 pm. Opening Address by President, George E. Hyde
2.10 pm. Report of Inaugural Meeting on 9 February 1880
2.15 pm. “A Century on Slides” Peter Skidmore etc.
3.15 pm. Refreshments and inspection of Exhibition
3.50 pm. “The Plight of the Gorilla” Ian Redman
4.50 pm. Closing words by President
5.00 pm. Close of Meeting

Thanks
We wish to thank the Chairman and Committee of the Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery Services, and also the Museum Director, Mr. J. Barwick for accommodating this function and for arranging the Exhibition.
We also Acknowledge special thanks to all who have contributed, and especially to the ladies of the Society and Museum for providing the catering for this meeting.

Defend our Natural Heritage for those who come after us.