Sunday 30 May 2010

Geological societies in the West Country

A new Society has just been added to the list on this blog - see right-hand panel.
Welcome to the members of the Cheltenham Mineral and Geological Society. It is hoped that all groups in the area will be able to share some field trips next year.

Saturday 22 May 2010

Countryside 2010 - Fortnight of Discovery

Oxfordshire Geology Trust is organising a free guided walk - Oxfordshire's Geotrail on Sunday, 6th June as part of the Countryside 2010 celebrations taking place in counties across the SE. Please take note of the following summary:
Starting on 29th May: the COUNTRYSIDE 2010 Fortnight of Discovery
The COUNTRYSIDE 2010 fortnight of discovery showcases over 700 events and activities taking place throughout the countryside of South East England from 29th May to 13 June. Choices include taster sessions for new hobbies and sports, tours, tastings and special open days, boat rides and cycle rides, gardens and guided walks galore and more. Many activities are free, or offer a discount to mark this promotion.
The Event Directory has all the details.

Thursday 20 May 2010

Field trip - Saturday 19th June

Dr. Nick Chidlaw of Cardiff University has kindly agreed to lead this year's WRG annual field trip on Saturday 19th June, 9.00 - 17.00.
The field trip entitled 'A Geological Background for Applied Geology in Gloucestershire' will take a look at two sites:
* Robinswood Hill near Gloucester; and
* Cleeve Hill near Cheltenham
A buffet style lunch will be provided, cost of which will be included in the overall field trip price (to be confirmed based on numbers). Where possible it would be appreciated if you could provide your own transport, however car sharing will also be available.
If you are interested in coming along on the field trip, please contact Francesca Ryan at your earliest convenience (all applications must be made by Friday 11thJune so we are able to confirm numbers with the pub).
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to seeing you on the 19th June!

Yet more on that volcano

Yet more interesting facts about the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull; click here.

Thursday 13 May 2010

September 10th to 12th in St David's and N. Pembrokeshire

There are still a few places on Warwickshire Geology Group's weekend field trip to St David's and N.Pembrokeshire - 10th to 12th September 2010.
Leaders: Sid Howells CCW - (Saturday, Abereiddy Ordovician etc)
Ian Fenwick - (Sunday, Abermawr area).
Cost for 2 nights B&B at Ocean Haze Hotel, including dinner on the Friday evening is £120 sharing a twin or double room (single additional cost is £30).
Follow the contact details on the website if you interested.

More on Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano

Try the following links for more information:
Satellite image - zoomable
Fantastic photos
Detailed information.
Thank you to those who sent the links.

Saturday 1 May 2010

Last minute notice - Triassic Fissures - 12th May

Triassic fissures of Tytherington and Cromhall quarries Field Excursion:
Leader Dr Pam Gill (Earth Sciences, Bristol)
Wednesday 12 May
The fissures of the Bristol Channel are famous for their collections of Late Triassic/Early Jurassic terrestrial vertebrates. These include sphenodonts, tritylodonts and early mammals. A specimen recovered from Tytherington Quarry in the 1970s is known as the Bristol Dinosaur and a recent Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £295,000 will allow this dinosaur to be recovered from the 4 tonnes of rock stored in the Earth Science Dept. This Bristol Dinosaur – The codontosaurus antiquus – is the oldest known dinosaur in Britain and one of the oldest in the world. When it was first discovered in 1834 it was only the fourth dinosaur to be discovered in the world.
For HSE and logistical reasons the numbers attending the trip and number of vehicles need to be known in advance, as well as everyone needing hard hats, Hi-vis vests and goggles to enter the quarry. In addition, the number of vehicles going to the quarries is limited, and travel by minibus by the majority of the group would be preferred.
Thus a booking deadline is needed for this trip:
Deadline for booking attendance on the field excursion, a place on minibus and for required field trip equipment is Monday 3rd May. Approx cost for minibus rental, fuel and field booklet £15; non-minibus participants field booklet cost £5. The trip will depart at 09:30 - details on request. Any person wishing to travel by private vehicle should ensure full occupancy and also provide details of those traveling in the vehicle.
A lunch stop will be made at the Royal Oak pub in Cromhall. If you wish to eat at the pub, please give an indication when booking so that an estimate of numbers can be given.
All enquiries, bookings etc for this trip, and requirements for hard hats etc to be made via gldr@bristol.ac.uk or 07889 338658