BSCC Shell Show 2025
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Saturday, 25 October 2025
Theydon Bois Village Hall 9am to 4pm (doors open for dealers at 7.30am)
Open to the public Admission free • all welcome – beginners to experts
• shells for sale • prize competitions • dealers' tables • food and drink for sale Members are encouraged to enter displays for the competition categories shown below. For details and tips for exhibitors, see here.
To find out more about the Show or to book a table, please contact the Show Secretary.
Scroll down for directions to the venue.
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Enter the 2025 BSCC Show Competition
The competition classes this year are:
1. One species
2. One genus or family
3. British – marine, freshwater or land
4. Foreign – marine, freshwater or land
5. Self-made shell art
6. Fossils
7. Shellomania*
8. Junior – age 12–16 inclusive
9. Junior – age 11 and under
10. Special category – to be confirmed
* any entry that does not necessarily fit into any of the other categories
The competition classes this year are:
1. One species
2. One genus or family
3. British – marine, freshwater or land
4. Foreign – marine, freshwater or land
5. Self-made shell art
6. Fossils
7. Shellomania*
8. Junior – age 12–16 inclusive
9. Junior – age 11 and under
10. Special category – to be confirmed
* any entry that does not necessarily fit into any of the other categories
Please note that entries should not exceed 4ft in length. Depth is limited by the width of the tables, approximately 2ft 6in.
The following major prizes may be awarded:
• Conchologists of America Award for the exhibit with the best overall judged score.
• Scotia Shield for the exhibit or shell which, in the judges' opinion, best promotes interest in British conchology.
• Peter Oliver Cup for the best educational exhibit, awarded at the judges' discretion.
• Walter Karo Trophy for the best single shell of the show, awarded at the judges' discretion.
• John Fisher Trophy for the best junior exhibit as decided by the judges.
• Michael Dixon Trophy our newest award, for the winning entry in the 'One genus or family' class.
• Conchologists of America Award for the exhibit with the best overall judged score.
• Scotia Shield for the exhibit or shell which, in the judges' opinion, best promotes interest in British conchology.
• Peter Oliver Cup for the best educational exhibit, awarded at the judges' discretion.
• Walter Karo Trophy for the best single shell of the show, awarded at the judges' discretion.
• John Fisher Trophy for the best junior exhibit as decided by the judges.
• Michael Dixon Trophy our newest award, for the winning entry in the 'One genus or family' class.
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Venue
Theydon Bois Village Hall Coppice Row (the B172) Theydon Bois Essex CM16 7ER Please note there is strictly no admittance before 9am, except to dealers, the Show Secretary and authorised helpers.
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Access by car Theydon Bois is on the edge of Epping Forest between Loughton and Epping in Essex. It is close to the M25 Junction 26 (Waltham Abbey), and Junctions 5 (Loughton, northbound exit only) and 7 (Harlow/Epping) of the M11. The Village Hall is on Coppice Row, opposite the village green.
From the north, west and east, take the M25 and exit at Junction 26
• from there take the A121 signposted to Epping and Loughton
• after 1.5 miles at the roundabout take the 2nd exit signposted B172 Theydon Bois
• on the approach to Theydon Bois there is a 30mph speed camera
• soon the road passes through a crossroads and very soon after that the Village Hall is on the left, opposite the village green. It is indicated by a sign on the right-hand side of the road – be prepared for a sharp left turn into the car park
• from there take the A121 signposted to Epping and Loughton
• after 1.5 miles at the roundabout take the 2nd exit signposted B172 Theydon Bois
• on the approach to Theydon Bois there is a 30mph speed camera
• soon the road passes through a crossroads and very soon after that the Village Hall is on the left, opposite the village green. It is indicated by a sign on the right-hand side of the road – be prepared for a sharp left turn into the car park
From the south tolls now have to be paid whether using the Dartford Crossing, the Blackwall Tunnel or the new Silvertown Tunnel (from 7 April 2025). Tolls apply 6am–10pm. If not using the M25
• take the M2/A2 to the Blackwall Tunnel, then the A12 to join the M11 at Redbridge
• exit the M11 at Junction 5 towards Chigwell, then take the A113 2 miles to Abridge
• at Abridge turn left onto the B172 to Theydon Bois. After 2 miles the Village Hall is on the right, opposite the village green
• if using the free Woolwich Ferry in southeast London, after crossing the river follow the signs for the A406 North Circular Road to join the M11, then follow the directions above
• take the M2/A2 to the Blackwall Tunnel, then the A12 to join the M11 at Redbridge
• exit the M11 at Junction 5 towards Chigwell, then take the A113 2 miles to Abridge
• at Abridge turn left onto the B172 to Theydon Bois. After 2 miles the Village Hall is on the right, opposite the village green
• if using the free Woolwich Ferry in southeast London, after crossing the river follow the signs for the A406 North Circular Road to join the M11, then follow the directions above
Access by public transport Theydon Bois Tube Station is on the London Underground Central Line, Epping branch: do not take trains for destinations other than Epping, to avoid a long detour round the Hainault loop. Theydon Bois is the last stop before the Epping terminus.
Trains run every 10 minutes from around 7am and the journey from Liverpool Street, for example, takes 30 minutes. Return trains into London are available into the evening. For ticket purposes, Theydon Bois is in Zone 5.
From the station, walk up the hill with the village green to your left. The Village Hall is approximately 5 minutes' walk up the road, on the right.
From London City Airport take the Docklands Light Railway to Stratford and change onto the Central Line, then follow the directions above.
For further information on Transport for London services, see their Journey Planner.
For local travel Chingford station is connected with Central Line stations at Loughton and Debden (bus 397) and South Woodford (bus 179).
For local bus information, see the Travel Search website.
For London buses and trains it is generally advisable to consider purchasing either a daily travelcard or an Oyster card to minimise expense.
More maps and information are available on the Theydon Bois Village website.
