PIETERMARITZBURG GEM AND MINERAL CLUB
396 BURGER STREET- PIETERMARITZBURG- 3200 – KWAZULU-NATAL
Treasurer: Merle DeareNews Editor: Val Spearman
Tel: 033 - 344 2170 Tel: 033 – 3865018
e-mail :
Field Trip Manager : Craig A’Bear
082818 4204
L Muller : c/o
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2013 NEWSLETTER
WELCOME :The meetings held in October and November were well attended. A young enthusiast called Quinten, attended the October meeting to get an idea of the club activities. He met John Hudson and Abe at the hobbies fair held in August. We hope that he will join the club and participate in the activities. Unfortunately Craig could not join us for the November meeting – the storms in the Durban Metro area affected roads and required Craig to work overtime.
FEES :This is a reminder that the membership fee is R100 for a single member and R120 for family membership. Membership fees for the new financial year will be due from September 2013.An extra R100 is required if you require copies of the FOSAGAMS magazine “Southern African Gems and Minerals” for 2014.
VISIT TO THE CALCITE QUARRY : PORT SHEPSTONE : There is a planned trip to the calcite quarry in the Oribi Gorge on Saturday 16th November. Please advise Craig if attending this trip. Hard hats are essential as well as water and a packed lunch.
CLUB ACTIVITIES : A trip had been arranged in October to visit suitable sites in the Seven Oaks area with Ashley Diack to look for quartz crystals. A braai was also planned at Ashley’s home. Unfortunately due to heavy rains which affected KZN, the trip was again postponed and hopefully will take place during the drier season in 2014.
TRIP TO JOZINI : (21 – 24 September) : Craig reported that only 8 members joined this trip. They first visited the “spinning top” quartz crystal site of Friday. On Saturday they visited the local collector Paulus at his home, and then went to the amethyst site and agate area. Then on Sunday they visited the fossil site. On the Monday, they travelled around the Lebombo Mountains visiting geological sites with SiggieWeinert for the purpose of including them into our field trips. On the Tuesday, they explored the “ Border Cave” area but did not find any interesting specimens. In all, although the group was small, the trip was enjoyed. A big thanks go to Lood and Crystal for the visit to the amethyst site.
END OF YEAR CHRISTMAS PARTY :It was agreed to hold this social occasion at Richard and Val’s home on 7th December. Time : from 12pm. As it is a bring and braai, you are to please advise Val what you would like to contribute to share with other members. Don’t forget an item for the auction – it can be anything!
NEXT MEETING : Please note that the next meeting will be in February on Sat 8th, 2014
Hope everyone enjoys a wonderful festive season and all the best for the New Year.
VAL