MARY ANNING ROCKS

Many OHs will know the name of Mary Anning, a woman from a working class background, born in 1799 in Lyme Regis , who made some remarkable fossil discoveries in the Jurassic marine fossil beds in the cliffs and coast around Lyme Regis. Her findings contributed to changes in scientific thinking about pre-historic life and the history of the Earth.

 

Now there is a crowd funding scheme trying to raise money to fund the creation of a statue in her honour to be erected in Lyme.

OHs interested in finding out more about Mary Anning and the scheme to give her give her due recognition should visit www.maryanningrocks.co.uk for information and ways of helping.

 

As it happens a film about Mary Anning - "Ammonite" - is soon to be released, starring Kate Winslett and Saorise Ronan and shows off the history of Lyme and the undercliff very well. A brief preview can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmmnhBo7a8I

 

Mary Anning died on 9th March 1847 aged 47 and is buried in St. Michael's Church, Lyme Regis.