BSCC events
Each year the Club holds three events open to non-members. Admission is free and food and drinks are available.
The Shell Club Convention usually takes place on the last Saturday in April (please check the precise date in the Events Calendar below). This is an opportunity to meet other members and to seek advice from experienced collectors. The event is well attended by dealers, and there may be members’ exhibits and exchange tables, and sometimes an auction of fine specimens and books.
In August or September we hold the Chatsworth Shell Fayre at Cavendish Hall, Chatsworth House, Derbyshire. Profits from catering go to charity and there's a meal in the evening for Club members.
The Shell Show usually takes place on the last Saturday in October (please check the precise date in the Events Calendar below). Members are encouraged to create display tables for competitions in various categories (e.g. One Species, British Marine, Caribbean, or specialities such as shell art or shell postage stamps). Displays can feature marine, land and freshwater species. Six major prizes are awarded. A number of dealers offer for sale shells to suit the budgets of both beginners and experts.
Club members are also invited to regular get-togethers – for details of this year's happenings, see the Events Calendar below.
Calendar for 2026
Non-members are welcome to attend any event marked with an asterisk below. Members who wish to attend one of the “get-togethers” should please advise the hosts at least a week beforehand.
* Shell Convention will be held on Saturday, 25 April 2026 at Theydon Bois Village Hall, Theydon Bois, Essex. For details and directions, see here.
Yateley Summer Get-together details for this year's event to be announced.
* Chatsworth Shell Fayre will be held on Saturday, 15 August 2026 at Cavendish Hall, Chatsworth, Derbyshire, DE45 1PJ.
* Shell Show will be held on Saturday, 31 October 2026 at Theydon Bois Village Hall, Theydon Bois, Essex. For details and directions, see here.
Other events
Meetings of the Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Indoor meetings, field meetings and workshops take place throughout the year. Please check the Society's website for the latest dates.
19th Australian National Shell Show, will take place at Balgowlah RSL Memorial Club
30–38 Ethel Street, Seaforth NSW 2092, on 27–29 March 2026.
36th AFC (Paris) International Shell Show, will take place at the Centre Culturel, Place des Martyrs de Châteaubriant, 77500 Chelles, France, on 11 and 12 April 2026. For details, see here.
35th BVC International Shell Show, will take place in Sporthal “Kattenbroek”, Kattenbroek 14,
2650 Edegem, Belgium, on 16 and 17 May 2026. For details, see here.
Conchologists of America Annual Convention, will take place at the Courtyard Marriott, 100 Riverfront Drive, Bradenton, Florida, on 9–13 July 2026. For details, see here.
Listings for these and many other conchological events around the world are on the Conchologists of America website.
19th Australian National Shell Show, will take place at Balgowlah RSL Memorial Club
30–38 Ethel Street, Seaforth NSW 2092, on 27–29 March 2026.
36th AFC (Paris) International Shell Show, will take place at the Centre Culturel, Place des Martyrs de Châteaubriant, 77500 Chelles, France, on 11 and 12 April 2026. For details, see here.
35th BVC International Shell Show, will take place in Sporthal “Kattenbroek”, Kattenbroek 14,
2650 Edegem, Belgium, on 16 and 17 May 2026. For details, see here.
Conchologists of America Annual Convention, will take place at the Courtyard Marriott, 100 Riverfront Drive, Bradenton, Florida, on 9–13 July 2026. For details, see here.
Listings for these and many other conchological events around the world are on the Conchologists of America website.
