Steve Etches shares his passion for fossil collecting
Steve Etches has a passion for fossil collecting and for sharing his finds with other people. Steve Newman finds out more.
self-taught knowledge he has become a recognised world authority with an unrivalled collection.
“That has always been the most difficult part, because if you don’t have a degree some academics will not consider your work.
“It was, and is, a struggle to be taken seriously.”
Thankfully, that is starting to change, and some academics have teamed up with Steve to write papers, but he still rather enjoys his outsider status!
“I look for fossils at Kimmeridge, which is privately owned, and am unique in being allowed to collect from there, resulting in some amazing discoveries for the museum.”
What he doesn’t tell you is that his discoveries have boosted the scientific world’s understanding of the Jurassic era and he is the first person to discover and identify the eggs of ammonites, creatures that swam in the seas some 157 million years ago.
His love of fossils and desire to pass this on to the next generation is evident as he works away in the museum, which is entirely dependent on visitor footfall to fund it.
It has always been his wish to donate his collection to the nation so that generations can learn from the amazing specimens.
“I kept all 2,500 specimens in my converted garage, but my vision for a permanent home for the collection led to a museum, which we set up with help from the National Lottery.
“It’s great to see the kids on school trips talking and getting the bug themselves, watching me work on the specimens.” ■