Saturday 8 November saw the British Entomological and Natural History Society’s 2014 Annual Exhibition move to the Conway Halls, Red Lion Square, Holborn. I used to work round the corner from here and it’s not all that much changed since 25 years ago. I like the workaday down-to-Earthness of Holborn; with neither the swagger and expense of the West End, nor the pompous grandiosity of The City. The Conway Halls proved just the right setting for the society’s event. So, here’s a selection of photographs:
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- A trivial aside. Just opposite from the Conway Halls. Named after the same ancient Greek city as a very rare click beetle Lacon querceus. And is either laconic?
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- The usual view.
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- The change to a smaller venue was an astute move on the part of the society: it makes the place look much more crowded.
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- The view from the stage.
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- Claudia Watts opening the proceedings. You wait years for a woman president of the society to come along, then two arrive together.
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- A different glow-worm; always exciting.
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- Not in my compost bin yet.
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- I have a great affection for Doros, this one found by Richard Dixon in Hampshire. It was in the first exhibit I ever brought to the exhibition (in 1976 I think), when I saw it in several places all over Sussex. Never seen it since.
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- Must look out for this Mongolian invader.
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- Actually not Trypocopris (=Geotrupes) vernalis, so what is it?
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- Beer was available.
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- Despite the disreputable grubbiness of Mr Foster’s glass, the long forehead horn of Odontaeus is clearly visible.
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- Stooping.
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- More stooping.
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- Identifying someone by the back of their neck is a useful skill.
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- Either Mr Telfer is showing off by exhibiting a bit of a beetle, or he muffed his setting.
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- I’m not the only one finding the gypsy moth in the London area.
Richard Jones
Bugman Jones 
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