10th October - Geology in Gordano

This field trip will be led by Andrew Mathieson from Avon RIGS. The Gordano Valley has provided geologists with many sites of interest, as well as problems to solve. It is also one of the very few ‘Classical Areas Of British Geology’ chosen by the Geological Survey to have its own 1:25,000 map. We will explore a number of RIGS, which provide evidence of a surprisingly complicated geological history, featuring the largely unknown Clapton-in-Gordano coalfield, building stone quarries, ‘islands’ of Carboniferous Limestone, the Lower Severn Axis and the effects of the Ice Ages. There will be circular walks in both morning and afternoon, mostly using footpaths.
Meet at 10.30 a.m. outside All Saints Church, All Saints Lane, Clevedon (ST 416 717), off the B3124 Clevedon - Portishead road. Boots or strong shoes and a packed lunch are required.
Please 'phone 24 hours prior to field excursions on 01249 443019 or 07712776117.

Geology & Mining - Coal basins of Gloucestershire & former Avon

Sunday 11th October 2009.
Tutor: Dr Nick Chidlaw (geologist who has worked for several years in a coal mining consultancy).
Morning Lecture: (10 am - 1 pm) - Community Centre, Coleford, Forest of Dean;
Afternoon field trip: (2 - 5 pm) - Blackpool Valley near Parkend (exposures of Coal Measures strata including Coleford High Delf seam, and visit to entrances of freemines).
No prior knowledge of geology or coal mining assumed.
Fee: £20.00
To enrol / any queries, contact tutor by email by Friday 2nd October.

Deep Time Cabaret - A dance through time

In this humorous and anarchic production, Horse + Bamboo Theatre combine stunning visual theatre with Eastern European absurdism, folk songs and dance with film, animation and puppetry in a cabaret style to tell a powerful story about the wholeness and interdependence of everything on the planet.
The production has been inspired by and forms part of the Groundwork Pennine Lancashire managed, Heritage Lottery funded, Valley of Stone project.
Directed by Bob Frith with music by Loz Kaye and puppet design and direction by Alison Duddle. For adults and young people. Unsuitable for under 11s.
23 - 25 October: Clearwell Caves, Gloucestershire
26 October: Ustinov Theatre, Bath

October 1st - Climate change is nothing new

On Thursday October 1st, Bath Geological Society is hosting Professor Paul Pearson's lecture, 'Global Warming and Climate Change in the Eocene and Oligocene Epochs' The Eocene world (55 million years ago) was much warmer than today, with tropical-type conditions extending into the polar regions. Then in the Oligocene (34 million years ago) the world cooled dramatically and a large ice cap appeared on Antarctica. In this lecture Paul Pearson from the University of Wales at Cardiff, assesses the latest evidence for this climate transition, the effect on life and sea level, and investigates possible explanations.
For some background reading click on here and here.
The photo above shows cores being taken from the Eocene - Oligocene climate transition near the village of Stakishari, Kilwa District, Tanzania.
7.15 for 7.30 BRLSI, 16 Queen Square, Bath
Everyone is welcome - members free, visitors £4.00.

Malvern Hills - Saturday 19th September

The Bath Geological Society is organising a field trip to the southern end of the Malvern Hills to be led by David Owen from Gloucester Geology Trust. Chase End Hill and Howlers Heath will be visited to see Malvernian pegmatites and gneiss, Ordovician Shales and dolerite sills, Silurian sandstones and Permo-Triassic sandstones and breccia. Also the trip will have great views of landscape.
The trip involves a moderate level of activity; there is a steep climb at one point, and a steep descent at another.
Strong footwear, waterproofs and a packed lunch are required.
Meet at 10.30 a.m. at GR SO 756,349. A map and written details are available by email or telephone - you are requested to 'phone 24 hours prior to this trip - 01249 443019 (mobile 07712 776117).
Hope to see you there!

Clearance work at Tedbury, near Frome

There will be major clearance of this very important site from 24th - 30th September.
Any help will be much appreciated.
Please email if you can help so that the work can be co-ordinated.
Further details about the site can be found by clicking on the following links:
UKRIGS - Earth Science On-Site
Tedbury Camp Quarry: a geological gem in the Mendip Hills

Situation desperate - Bath Geological Society

From February 2010, the Bath Geological Society will need:-

• Treasurer
• Administrative secretary
  
• Programme secretary

You do not need to be a geologist to fulfil any of these roles.
The rest of the committee will help with the compilation of the programme.
The committee meets four times a year.

Please contact the Chairman if you can help.

Our Constitution states that the Society must have a Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.
The Society started in 1970 and has been flourishing ever since. We now have over 80 members; please consider giving us some of your time. We want to reach our 40th birthday and start aiming for the 50th!