We have received the sad news that Professor David Dineley passed away on 17th May 2022.
David Dineley was the President of the H&W Earth Heritage Trust until 2019 when ill-health forced him to step down. His involvement goes back to around the year 2000, only a few years after the Trust was founded.
David attended the same Yardley Grammar School as did Peter Oliver, but was a few years ahead. They were both taught by Dr. Mabel Tomlinson who had done important work on the river terraces of the Avon.
David’s professional career started with degrees at the University of Birmingham (BSc 1948), PhD 1951), continued with expeditions to Svalbard and culminated with his headship of the geology department at Bristol (1968-1989). He has an international reputation, particularly for his work as a Devonian stratigrapher and work on fossil fish. There is a prize in his name for the best Masters dissertation in Palaeobiology at the University of Bristol.
In 1998, Peter invited David to the first RIGS (Regionally Important Geological Sites) national conference, which was organized by our forerunner the Hereford and Worcester RIGS group, and held at Worcester. David later agreed to be President of the Trust. He attended the 10-year celebrations of the Trust at Witley Court in 2006 and he opened the Geopark Way at a special event in the Malverns on 6th June 2009.
David Dineley opening the Geopark Way at Tank Quarry in June 2009. (From left to right, Natalie Watkins, Gerry Calderbank and David Dineley).
He maintained a close interest in our affairs for a few further years including site designations. He also made donations of materials and offered much advice and support. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family.
