Sex, Violence And A Cast Of Millions, Insect Life Unearthed
At The River & Rowing Museum

1 November 2007: Insects are the most diverse and successful group of animals on Earth. They are an essential component of every terrestrial and aquatic food chain- without them the world would be a very different place. Insects have a negative side - they have changed the short course of human history by killing millions of people and destroying crops. Despite this our survival depends on them.

Discover more about these amazing creatures on Saturday 17 November at 11am at the River & Rowing Museum where renowned entomologist Dr George McGavin will reveal the facts about the lives and deaths of some of these remarkable bugs in his talk Bug World: Sex, Violence & A Cast of Millions.

George is the Assistant Curator of Entomology in the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and an Oxford University Research Lecturer. He is also Visiting Professor of Entomology at the University of Derby. His research has taken him from the tropical forests of Papua New Guinea to the caves of Thailand and from the jungles of Belize to the savannas of Tanzania.

George is a regular contributor to radio and television programmes and a guest lecturer for Cunard. He was the scientific advisor for a four-part ITV series Infested about the species that share our homes and was the scientific consultant for the BBC landmark series, Life in the Undergrowth, presented by David Attenborough. He was a presenter on the BBC / Discovery 5 part series Expedition Borneo and has just returned from filming a new series in Guyana. George eats insects regularly and appeared on the Richard and Judy Show as the guest chef. He has three insect species named in his honour and hopes they survive him.

Tickets for this enthralling talk cost £5 (£3 for members) and can be purchased in advance from the Museum by calling 01491 415600 between 10am & 5pm or email edbookings@rrm.co.uk

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Notes to Editors and Public Information
The River & Rowing Museum attracts over 90,000 visitors a year and celebrates three themes:

 The past, present and future of the River Thames;
 The historic riverside community of Henley on Thames;
 The international sport of rowing.

These themes are explored through a wide variety of exhibitions and events across four galleries and special exhibitions. One the Museum's major success has been The Wind in the Willows exhibition which recreates the timeless E H Shepard illustrations from Kenneth Grahame's famous novel.

Since opening in August 1998 the Museum has received numerous awards for its design and architecture, including the National Heritage/NPI Museum of the Year award. The River & Rowing Museum is part of the Thames Valley Museums Group (TVMG) Family Friendly initiative - a scheme which brings together 29 museums across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, to promote their popular appeal to the whole family

	Address The River & Rowing Museum, Mills Meadows, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 1BF. Tel. 01491 415600. Web: www.rrm.co.uk
	The museum, terrace café and shop is open every day from 10am - 5.30pm in summer and 10am - 5pm in the winter
	Paid for tickets are valid for re-entry to the museum for 12 months
	Admission for The Wind in the Willows including the Galleries: £7 for adults, £5 for children and £6 for senior citizens and concessions
	Admission for the Museum Galleries: £3.50 for adults, £2.50 for children and £3 for senior citizens and concessions
	Free parking for visitors

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