SOUTHPORT SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY
(Founded 1890)
Southport Scientific Society was founded as the Southport Society of Natural Science. The first meeting was held on Thursday, 23rd October 1890 in the Victoria School of Science and Art, behind the Cambridge Hall in the building that now houses "The Atkinson" on Lord Street. This was a time when there was considerable interest in Science and shortly before "The Glorious Decade" from 1895 to 1905 when the world of science was turned on its head by new discoveries and the new thinking that has laid the solid foundations for much of modern, scientific progress.
There had been a long held view in Southport that some institution should exist in the town where those interested in science could bring the results of their investigations and where they could receive assistance and advice from fellow workers. Thus, many of the early members were people who had the time and money to undertake serious investigations in a wide variety of scientific areas. Much valuable work was done especially in the study of local flora and fauna. Recently, some of these results have been placed in the Merseyside BioBank as a permanent record available to all interested parties.
There had been a long held view in Southport that some institution should exist in the town where those interested in science could bring the results of their investigations and where they could receive assistance and advice from fellow workers. Thus, many of the early members were people who had the time and money to undertake serious investigations in a wide variety of scientific areas. Much valuable work was done especially in the study of local flora and fauna. Recently, some of these results have been placed in the Merseyside BioBank as a permanent record available to all interested parties.
Times have moved on from those early days and the activities of the Society have changed with them. The membership now includes men and women from many walks of life. Some are professionally qualified, many are laypersons but all are interested in what is going on around them. Our lectures or presentations cover a wide range of topics with a bias toward the scientific and technical aspect. Occasionally the programme will include interesting travel or non-scientific experiences. Our aim is to present any subject that will stimulate and inform those with enquiring minds and is probably best described as "Science for the Layperson".