The Kingswood geology collection was started in a small way in the late nineteenth century by staff, pupils, former pupils and others. It gradually accumulated over the years and was given a huge boost in 1962 by the addition of a geology laboratory in the north wing of the Ferens building, made possible by generous gifts from Kingswood Old Boy Sir Arthur Dixon FRS and by A.L. Trump in honour of his brother Robert W., long-serving member of staff (KS 1921-61).
Glass cases, cabinets and drawers were included, and together with further additions the collection became a significant and enviable collection of fossils and minerals, rare amongst schools, both for its quality and its extent of several hundred specimens. Dixon himself gave many specimens. Former Headmaster A. B. Sackett (1928-59) was actively interested in the collection, as was J.W. Gardner (1937-41 and 1946-76) who also brought in an archaeological element. The collection is also associated with several prominent and famous geologists including a friend of A.B. Sackett, William Jocelyn Arkell (1904-58), who was regarded as the leading authority on the Jurassic Period during the mid-20th century.
...a significant and enviable collection of fossils and minerals...
The collection was boosted with the help of many interested and inspired pupils - notably in the early 1950s when around 200 specimens were added from just a 50 sq. metre area when pupils helped level what is now the Lower playing field. Towards the end of his life, William Arkell had worked on the Bathonian ammonites discovered during this excavation work on the Lower and after his death the Palaeontological Society published his work "Monograph of English Bathonian Ammonites" which cited some of the KS specimens, and an ammonite species which was named after the school.
Geology at both O Level and A Level became part of the school curriculum and was well staffed by qualified and experienced geologists, namely A. (Tony) R. Bigham (staff 1968-76) and Peter J. Essam (staff 1976-2007). Christopher Steane (staff 1952-82) as Head of Geography was very enthusiastic and influential, and others from local Universities made valuable teaching contributions. The collection played an integral part in the shaping of the careers and interests of many pupils for over a century.
Sadly, from about 1995, the changes in national curriculum and external examinations meant that Geology dropped out of favour and pressure of space caused priorities to change. The need for such a fine collection in school diminished, and although some items were retained for reference and display, the majority were stored in a cellar in 2002 in the Ferens building where their safety and condition could not be maintained. It became necessary for the collection to be transferred to a safer place where its continuing value as an educational tool could once again be realised.
In consultation in 2006 with the then Head of Science Dr. N. M. Sheffrin and the Head of Geography Mr P. J. Essam (who was the most recent user of the collection as Head of Geology), it was agreed that the collection be transferred to a location near Shepton Mallet. Mrs Frances Britten, of Shute Farm Studios, Downhead, had plans to set up a local history museum and it was with very great relief that the collection was transferred there to form a key part of the project. The collection would be curated by staff of Shute Farm Studios and associated helpers. The task of initial sorting and classifying of the specimens would be undertaken by and in consultation with Mr Essam. Thereafter it would be available for use by pupils from Kingswood and other schools as well as by adults from both the local community and from outside the area.
It was agreed that the long-term transfer of the collection would be reviewed after 25 years, and it was understood that when such time came that the collection had to be relocated, for whatever reason, then Kingswood School had to be consulted and its wishes always respected. Kingswood is very grateful to Fran Britten for having safely housed the collection for fourteen years. In spite of high hopes and noble intentions, the development at Shute Farm Studio did not happen. Furthermore, the farm building where the collection had been kept needed repairing and re-purposing, so the collection had to be moved again.
By a very happy coincidence, a new educational development called The Somerset Earth Science Centre, which had been opened by HRH The Princess Royal in 2009 at Moons Hill Quarry near Stoke St Michael (near Radstock), was very interested to know that Kingswood School would consider passing the geology collection into their care and keeping. The Centre has purpose-built premises in a woodland setting next to a large lake. There is a large classroom area, with well-equipped up-to-date teaching facilities and great access for pupils and adults. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic and have many volunteers with expertise and experience in geology.
It was with very great relief that in 2020 after an inspection of the collection The Somerset Earth Science Centre agreed to take it on to add significantly to their existing stock. The task of sorting, identifying, cataloguing and displaying the material has been a mammoth undertaking, requiring hundreds of hours of painstaking work by many people, including Palaeontologist Simon Carpenter, Terry Hodges and Dr Peter Hardy (author of The Geology of Somerset, and retired lecturer from Bristol University).
The Centre is delighted to have such a huge diverse and important collection in their care.
A recent acquisition by the Centre has been display cases and storage drawers obtained from Oxford University Natural History Museum which had been undergoing refurbishment. Display panels and cabinets in the entrance hallway give an account of the Kingswood origin of the collection as well a displaying some of the specimens. Individual items have their own compartments in multiple storage trays with their identification and their KS origin clearly labelled. The Centre is delighted to have such a huge, diverse and important collection in their care.
The immediate aim after cleaning, sorting, classifying and cataloguing the specimens is to create a digital Access database. As well as geology, the Centre's educational activities also include quarrying and environmental issues. The Somerset Earth Science Centre has a varied programme throughout the year as illustrated by their flyer 'Mendip Rocks!' and links to several local quarrying companies who are also its sponsors. Their website is www.earthsciencecentre.org.uk and it is well worth a visit on an Open Day to see where the Kingswood geology collection has finally come to rest.
David M Brown (KS 1952-58, Head of Physics 1985-99, Archivist 2000-08)
With thanks for help in assembling this article to: Mr Peter Essam (KS staff 1976-2007), Mrs Zoë Parsons (KS Archivist), Mrs Frances Britten and Ms Adel Avery (Business Manager at SESC).
