The South Wales Geologists' Association (SWGA) is an affiliated local group of the Geologists' Association. 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).Charity Commission
Activities 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, the Fforest Fawr Geopark,Fforest Fawr Geopark the Southern Wales regional group of the Geological Society, the Wales & West branch of the Russell Society, and the Cardiff Naturalists' Society.
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.South East Wales RIGS
Past chairmen and presidents
The group was headed by a chairman during the period 1959–1996, and by a president from 1996 onwards.
Past chairmen
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,Group of Chairmen 1960–2010 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
Past presidents
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 2020-2022John Nudds2022-2024Chris Berry2024-2026Cindy Howells2026-
Publications 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:
Michael G. Bassett 1982 () Geological excursions in Dyfed, south-west Wales Howe, S., Owen, G. & Sharpe, T. 2005 () Walking the Rocks Dilys Harlow 2014 () The Land of the Beacons Way: Scenery and Geology Across the Brecon Beacons National Park
See also Geologists' Association Rockwatch
References
External links Geologists’ Association, South Wales Group, a Geological Perspective 1960–1992 SWGA Facebook page SWGA Twitter account