The Russell Society is Britain’s leading society specialising in the mineralogy of the British Isles. The Society was founded in 1972 (see History) and named after the eminent amateur mineralogist Sir Arthur Russell. It became a charity in 1990.
The Society provides a national forum for mineralogical study, conservation and education. Through volunteer expertise, publications, fieldwork, partnerships and public outreach, it preserves and shares mineralogical knowledge for the benefit of members, researchers, institutions and the wider public.
Charitable purposes
- To promote the education of the public in the study of mineralogy.
- To contribute to the conservation/protection of mineralogical sites and material for the public benefit.
- To develop mineralogical sites in the cause of mineralogical research and to publish and disseminate the useful results of such research.
The Society delivers its charitable objectives through field meetings, lectures, online talks, publications, conservation work, exhibitions and collaboration with museums, universities, landowners, quarry operators and conservation bodies.
Membership
Membership is open to people of all knowledge levels, and members include beginners, experienced amateurs and professional mineralogists. The Society has around 400 paid-up members, including a small number based outside the UK. Modest subscription fees support the Society’s operating costs. (see Membership)
Society activities
- Runs 15 -20 field trips a year which are open to members. These are to mines, quarries and other mineralogical sites, to both study mineralisation and collect specimens. Observations and finds are reported to the quarry owner and/or the relevant conservation body and in the Society newsletter.
- Undertakes specific one- off digs at historical sites the most recent being at Penberthy Croft mine Cornwall and Benallt Mine, Anglesey. These were organised with the agreement of Natural England and Natural Resources Wales who received reports of the findings.
- Is developing guidance for responsible field collecting in consultation with conservation bodies.
- Publishes two member newsletters a year, a Junior Magazine and an annual scientific Journal containing peer-reviewed articles written by members and by external authors. The printed Journal is posted to members. Digital versions of older Journals are made freely available online as a research and educational resource.
- Provides a programme of winter online talks, occasional day seminars and an Annual Society Meeting of socialising, talks and field trips held over a long weekend in spring.
- Delivers public engagement through displays and activities at mineral shows and similar events and by organising seminars aimed at the public.
- Assists in the conservation and cataloguing of important historic mineral collections. Past projects include the Devonshire mineral collection at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, The Williams’ Mineral collection at Caerhays Castle, St Austell and the mineral collection at the Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle upon Tyne. Members continue to volunteer at various museums including the Natural History Museum London.
- Sponsored the printing and distribution of the definitive mineralogical reference book Minerals of Britain & Ireland 2009–2024. A notable amount of the source material was contributed by members.
- Hosts several significant mineralogical documents on its website, making them freely available to researchers. This includes Rashleigh’s 1765-1780 Mineral Catalogue and associated documents (see Rashleigh Archive).
Governance
The Society is run by a voluntary Council of Trustees (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Membership Secretary and General Secretary) who are elected by members. The Council is supported by additional volunteer Officers which includes the Journal Editor and Journal Manager, Newsletter Editor, Winter Talks Programme Manager, Conservation Officer and regional Field Trip Organisers.
Funding and costs
The Society’s principal income comes from member subscriptions and donations, supported by Gift Aid where applicable and sales of the Minerals of Britain & Ireland book. Key costs include production and distribution of the Journal, insurance, website provision, membership administration, field trip support, and remaining costs linked to the Minerals of Britain & Ireland publication.
Public benefit
The Society benefits the public by encouraging interest in mineralogy, supporting research and conservation, making specialist knowledge accessible, helping protect mineralogical sites and collections, and providing educational resources for adults and children.