BATH GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Field Excursions 2000


March April May June July August September October

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Sunday March 19th

Site Visit and Conservation at Brown's Folly Nature Reserve

Ron Smith and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

We shall be joined by members of The Wildlife Trust for our annual clear-up of the geological sites on this SSSI Reserve. Come along with gardening tools or just take the opportunity to visit the sites and talk to Ron Smith about the geology.

Variable levels of activity depending on what you decide to do! There are some steep slopes; strong shoes and hard hats essential.

Meet at 11.00 a.m. Brown's Folly Car Park (ST 798694).


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March/April (dates to be confirmed)

MILLENNIUM FIELD TRIP TO STUDY THE GEOLOGY OF THE GREEK ISLANDS

A visit to Santorini, Milos, Paros and Naxos.

The cost will be about £700, all inclusive - twin room accommodation.

Details now available from the Secretary


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7-12th May

11th Extractive Industry Geology Conference and 36th Forum on the Geology of Industrial Minerals: Bath, England

In May 2000, the North Americal Forum on the Geology of Industrial Minerals is being combined with the UK Extractive Indistry Geology Conference to make a special meeting to mark the Millenium. It will be the first, and perhaps only, time that the Forum will have its annual meeting outside North America.

Most of those attending will be geologists working in the quarrying, clay extraction, opencast coal and industrial minerals industries. An ambitious programme is being organised. Field trips to Bath and its surroundings and further afield will be an important part of the conference.

The Bath Geological Society has been asked to participate in this programme, in particular to organise field visits in the Bath area in the afternoon of Tuesday 9th May.

Saturday May 27th

Earth Alert - A Festival of Geology

Geologists‘ Association Conference
(replacing the Reunion in November)
Brighton Conference Centre

A coach will leave bath at 7.30 a.m.


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Saturday 10th June

Geology in and around the Mendip Hills

Dr. Peter Hardy, University of Bristol

Meet at 10.30 am at the National Trust car park at Sand Point grid ref ST 330660
hard hats and strong shoes recommended


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Sunday 16th July

The Building Stones of Bath

This will involve a leisurely walk around Bath following the Guide to the Building Stones written by members of the Society and due to be published in September 2000.

Meet at 2.00 p.m. outside the main door of Bath Abbey.


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August


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Friday 29th September - Sunday 1st October

The Geology of Pembrokeshire

Sid Howells, Area Geologist, Countryside Council for Wales

This excursion will be based at Twr-y-Felin Hotel, St David‘s. There are superb views of the St David‘s Peninsula and St Bride‘s Bay from the parapet of the old windmill which forms part of the hotel complex. The proceedings will commence with an introductory lecture.

On the first day of the excursion participants can walk along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to view the classic features which are particularly well exposed in this beautiful coastline between Porthlyski and Caerbwdy Bay where the lower Cambrian sedimentary sequence is seen to rest unconformably on Precambrian igneous rocks. The relative ages of these rocks was the subject of a fierce controversy between Henry Hicks and Archibald Gieke. The total distance of the intended route is c. 9km (approx. 6 miles). There will be frequent, sometimes lengthy pauses to examine the numerous features of interest, but as the coastline is fairly rugged those wishing to complete the whole distance should be reasonably fit.

On the second day the Ordovician rocks of the North Pembrokeshire coast will be examined, including the layered gabbro of St David‘s Head, fossiliferous black slates at Abereiddi Bay, and the volcanic rocks of the Strumble Peninsula. It will be necessary to use cars to travel between these localtions and the total distance to be walked will not exceed 6km (c.4 miles) but is perhaps equally demanding. Alternatives can be suggested for those who wish to complete only part of either day‘s itinerary. The accomodation is within easy walking distance of Caerfai Bay and the centre of St David‘s, with its fine cathedral and a variety of shops.

Meet at Twr-y-Felin Hotel in time for dinner on Friday 29th September.


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Saturday 21st October

Cleeve Hill

Mark Campbell

This will be a joint meeting with the Western Region of the Geological Society.

We will look at the sequence of Inferior Oolitic Limestones from the Scissum Beds up through the Freestones and into the Middle Inferior Oolite and through that series ending with the very rare Phillipsiana beds. We then see the capping Upper Inferior Oolite of Trigonia Grit and Clypeus Grit. There is also ample oportunity to view the Worcester Graben and surrounding Geomorphology.

Meet at 11.00 am and take a packed lunch. Meet in the car park on the Common, grid reference 989272 which is in an old quarry on the common just by the Golf Course Clubhouse. Follow signs for the Golf Course. Please do not park in the Golf Club carpark or on the main A46 roadside.


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