Talk - The Beasts of Bolsover & Creswell Crags (Oldcotes)

Two prehistoric Dragonfly fossils, with wingspans over 50 centimetres, were found in the 'Deep Hard' coal seam in Bolsover Colliery in 1978 by Malcolm Spenser. These rare exhibits will be coming back  to Creswell on display beginning this spring www.creswell-crags.org.uk/Whats-On/special-exhibitions.aspx.  Usually in the Natural History Museum London, these Erasipteron Bolsoveri/Whalleyala bolsoveri fossils are rarely seen outside the capital. 

Come and find out more about these Carboniferous Period finds and Creswell Crags itself in this fascinating talk by Helen who works at the Museum and visitor Centre on April 23rd starting at 19.30.

The talk is at Oldcotes Village Hall on the A634 Maltby Road.  Entrance is £3 for non-members or £2 for members.  

Event - Ancient fossil is star of exhibition (Creswell Crags)

HISTORIC Cresswell Crags is hosting a ‘groundbreaking’ new temporary exhibition this spring – focusing on a giant prehistoric dragonfly discovered nearby.

The specimen was found underground at the old Bolsover Colliery more than 30 years ago and is being loaned for display at the crags by the Natural History Museum.

Known locally as ‘The Beast of Bolsover’ the dragonfly had a wingspan of over 20cm and belongs to the now-extinct variety of dragonflies known as ‘Protodonata.’

The fossil dates back to the Carboniferous Period and would have been flying around 300 million years ago.

For the first time in over 20 years, this nationally important geological specimen returns to the region and is being celebrated in a series of events and exhibitions at Creswell Crags.

In 1978, two miners working in Bolsover’s Colliery discovered a fossil of the oldest dragonfly known in the United Kingdom. Creswell Crags are now looking for people to come forward with any information to help tell the story of its discovery in an exhibition that will launch in April.

Contact Cresswell Crags project officer, Rebecca Clay, by calling 01909 720378 or emailing Rebecca.clay@creswell-crags.org.uk.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/community/green-scene/ancient_fossil_is_star_of_exhibition_1_4036274

Event - Eraspiteron Bolsoveri; The Gracefully Winged of Bolsover (Creswell Crags)

This Autumn Creswell Crags sets out to unearth the real Beast of Bolsover. In 1978, two miners working in Bolsover’s Colliery  discovered a fossil of the oldest dragonfly known in the United Kingdom. Known locally as ‘The Beast Bolsover’ the dragonfly had a wingspan of over 20cm and belongs to the now-extinct variety of dragonflys known as ‘Protodonata.’ The fossil dates back to the Carbiniferous Period and would have been flying around 300 million years ago.  

For the first time in over 20 years, this nationally important geological specimen  returns to the region and is being celebrated in a series of events and exhibitions  at Creswell Crags.   Creswell Crags are now looking for  people to come forward with any  information to help tell the story of its discovery in an exhibition that will launch in April.   Project Officer, Rebecca Clay, says ‘ It is very exciting to have such an important part of the area’s natural history on display near to where it was discovered. It also gives us the opportunity to present the fossil in new way by telling the story of its discovery from the people that were there at the time’  

If you, or any one you know, remembers the discovery, please contact Rebecca Clay at Creswell Crags Visitor Centre on 01909 720378 or email Rebecca.clay@creswell-crags.org.uk.

From: http://www.creswell-crags.org.uk/News/2011/11/