About Percy

Dr Fred Broadhurst joined the MGA in 1948 and was an enthusiastic driving force in the Association and beyond – up to his death in 2009. He did much to promote the study and enjoyment of geology.

One highlight of Fred’s long career was the discovery in 1960 of the near-complete skeleton of a Plesiosaur. At over 4 metres long this was no small fossil. The fossil is unusual as it had an intact head, most specimens do not.

The remains of this Plesiosaur were found at Ravenscar (Alum Shales of the Upper Lias) on a field trip with his students and caused great excitement at the time.

Later, Fred returned with his students and spent ten days excavating the reptile. For many years it was displayed in a large purpose-built showcase outside the University of Manchester Geology Departmental library (1970-90) and is now in the Manchester Museum. 

The exceptionally preserved marine reptile is about 180 million years old and one of the most complete plesiosaurs ever discovered. It is an internationally important reference specimen.

Fred nicknamed the fossil Percy and Fred’s sketch of Percy became the emblem of the association.