Wootton Bassett fossils

There is a new display cabinet of Wootton Bassett fossils in Wootton Bassett library. It is aimed at the casual visitor. All fossils (mostly bivalves and ammonites) are labelled with their binomial scientific description and  provenance. There is also some explanatory text and a geological cross-section through Wootton Bassett.
If you are in Wootton Bassett, do drop in and have a look. The display and research are by Richard Gosnell

Wootton Bassett mud springs

Sunday November 29th, 10.30 a.m. Richard Gosnell is leading a trip to these famous mud springs. This is a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust event - - details on the website - - booking essential - - £2 per person.

Monday 4th January 2010. Richard is giving a presentation about the mud springs for Westbury Naturalists' Society - details from Margaret Sanders, 01373 822005.

Geodiversity in the North Wessex Downs AONB

Discover links between landscape, geology, biodiversity and land use at this one day meeting.

Saturday 8th March
10.30 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Bouverie Hall, Pewsey, Wiltshire SN9 5QE

Talks include:
Diversity in stone - a look at building materials and styles within the AONB
Geology and Landscape of the Marlborough Downs and Vale of Pewsey
North Wessex Downs - the last 100 million years
Conservation Target Areas - linking biodiversity habitats and geodiversity
Stream Geology and the freshwater crayfish
A look at woodland archaeology
An industrial heritage in the North Wessex Downs
Soils and their development within the North Wessex Downs

This meeting is supported by a grant from the North Wessex Downs
Sustainable Development Fund.

All are welcome. The day is free but registration is required - Lesley.dunlop@oxfordshire.gov.uk or 01993 814147
Please bring a packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided.

January 12th - date for your new diary

Isobel Geddes, from the Wiltshire Geology Group and author of 'Hidden Depths, Wiltshire's Geology and Landscapes', is leading a guided walk around Avebury, looking at the building stones, on January 12th.

Meet at 10.30 a.m. at the information board at the start of the footpath into the village leading from the National Trust car park at Avebury, SU099697. The walk will take about 1.5 hours.

Christian Malford Squid Bed, Wiltshire

One of the most famous fossil localities in Britain, the Christian Malford Squid Bed in Wiltshire yields beautifully preserved squid complete with soft body parts. This will be the focus of a detailed investigation by a group of Earth Scientists, including Dr. Keith Duff from Natural England. The project has been awarded some funding by the Geologists' Association Curry Fund.

Silbury Hill, Wiltshire

The Sanctuary, West Kennett Long Barrow and the West Kennett palisade enclosures plus the stone-lined avenues, stone circles and deep ditches of Avebury are probably all interconnected by the religious beliefs of the Neolithic people. Silbury Hill does not fit the pattern; it is an enigma. Why was such a hill built at the bottom of a waterlogged hollow? Lothar Respondek, the author of this very interesting and thought-provoking book has researched the climate, the landscape and the natural environment of the Neolithic people some 4500 years ago to try to answer all the questions surrounding Silbury Hill.

The book is £6.99, published by Elar Publishing. It can be obtained from The Corsham Book Shop, 16 High Street, Corsham, 01249 715988.