Mammoths in the Cotswolds

Synopsis: This talk tells the story of the Cerney Wick site (or more accurately the corner of one field) from the initial discoveries in 2017 until its completion as a silt pond in 2025. The site is an ancient river channel that cut into the clays and sands of the underlying Jurassic Kellaways Formation and for 2 glorious summers in 2024 and 2025 Sally and Neville Hollingworth brought together a wonderful community of students (getting important fieldwork experience), experts from a range of professional disciplines and volunteers all with a love of geology and palaeontology.

This talk tells the story of their experience as well of course the wonderful finds. A range of fossil material from the dig will be on display on the evening ranging from Ice Age bones around 214,000 years old to ammonites and other Jurassic fossils ranging from 160-165 million years old.

Brief Biography: Mark has been a Finance professional for over 30 years, no longer a full-time FD he now works as a Portfolio Finance Director for several small companies including the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust where he is a Director and Trustee.

What many of his full-time roles had in common was, that although they were very enjoyable and rewarding roles, they also came with high stress and so hobbies were what helped keep him sane. So, for the last 20 years he has also been a palaeontologist; providing as it does exercise, fresh air, the company of friends, a good chat and if you are lucky the prospect of finding something nice.