Eric Marson has indicated that he will not be tutoring the Practical Microscopy courses at Belstead House this September. In order that the courses might carry on, Ernie Ives agreed to take over but not to do the exact course Eric was planning and will do it for the first weekend only. The second weekend has been cancelled.

The subject this year will now be mounting insects (arthropods). It will be the same sort of practical course as Eric's with demonstrations and practical slide making with perhaps more emphasis on the laying out and arrangement of the insect parts.

Eric is continuing to run NBS as he has always done and will be supplying the reagents / equipment etc needed for the course. I must stress that Eric is fit and well and is still running his microscopy business as normal and that his reason for discontinuing with running the Belstead House course in no way effects the standard and service which will be maintained by NBS to their customers.

Ernie Ives has been a pupil of J. Eric Marson, the former tutor of this course, for many years and adapted many of his mentor's techniques to suit his own methods of working. He has produced and sold many insect slides and has written extensively on his methods in the Balsam Post.This year's course will be run on very similar lines to previous Practical Microscopy courses with demonstrations by the tutor followed by the students doing supervised practical work.

The objective is to make well laid out whole mounts of insects and other arthropods starting with relatively simple wingless specimens and progressing to dissected mounts with all the parts arranged in their relative positions on one slide. Staining techniques will be used where necessary. Some specimens will tax the manipulative skill of even experienced course members but as the course work is graduated, beginners will find their needs catered for too.

Prepared specimens will be provided by the tutor and N.B.S. Ltd but students will prepare some material for themselves.

Provisional Programme

Thursday 8.15 pm. Welcome. Demonstration cleaning and laying out an insect

Friday and Saturday. Demonstrations followed by practical work at 9 & 11.30 am, 2, 4.30 & 8.15 pm or as required

Sunday. Demonstration at 9 am. 12 noon clear up. 2 pm Q & A session. Discussion on course. Plans for next years course.

All mountants, slides, cover glasses, materials and specimens will be supplied by the tutor and N.B.S. Ltd. There will be a charge for these materials which should not exceed œ20 payable to the tutor during the course.

Students should bring:2 pairs of very fine forceps

1 pair of very fine scissors

1 or 2 small petri dishes and/or watch glasses

2 quill type feathers about 150 mm long (Optional)

Stereo microscope or other magnifying aid for mounting

Protective overall or apron

Further details and brochure from Secretary Belstead House, Belstead, Ipswich, IP8 3NA. Tel: 01473 686 321.