Bakewell Show

The 21st Annual Rock Exchange (12-13 October 2002)
                                                                       

This years Bakewell Show, officially billed as the 21st Annual Rock Exchange was held in its usual venue at Lady Manners School, Bakewell.

For those who do not know about the Rock Exchange; it is one of the UK's top mineral and fossil events. Hosted by the Peak District Lapidary and Mineral Society - it was originally intended as a collectors swap meeting, but has since evolved into a 2 day show with many collectors and dealers converging to buy, sell, swap and most importantly socialise. 

During a very busy 2 days there was almost too much to see and particularly buy! Amongst the tables and boxes (and in the car park!) there were some great and interesting specimens from UK and Worldwide localities.

High on the show agenda as ever was Weardale fluorite, with a large number of pieces on offer. This year there were a number of "new finds" from Rogerley, Eastgate Quarry and St Peters Mine. Also there were a few specimens newly recovered from Hollywell Mine and nr.Park Burn Mine - some of these pieces will appear on this site shortly.

Behind Weardale there were some great specimens on offer from North of England, Cornwall and elsewhere. There were also some interesting pieces from Eire and we have found an excellent source of Scottish Zeolites.

From the rest of the world assemblage Ian Bruce and Don Edwards seemed to have been the only dealers who made it to Denver this year. Both were displaying a few pieces - Ian Bruce's Sweet Home Rhodochrosite was probably the "specimen of the show." Elsewhere there were some great pieces on offer from all over the world - really too many to take in - in 2 days!

Many thanks to Les Fox and the Peak District Club, for an excellent time and a brilliant show.