The Open University Geological Society

Yorkshire OUGS – Blencathra Field Weekend – 29th October – 3rd November 2018 Blencathra Field Centre, Threlkeld, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4SG, http://www.field-studies-council.org/centres/blencathra.aspx

Again, the Yorkshire Branch is having our winter Weekend early in the heart of the Lake District, 6 miles away from Keswick. This will be a fantastic trip, The Open University use Blencathra to host its hard rock residential for the practical element of S209.

We have run this trip for the past 5 years now and it was highly successful and had a fantastic turnout. It’s suitable for new and old students alike. New students will see many of the concepts discussed in the OU books and can certainly help to aide learning, while the more experienced it will refresh your knowledge.

Operated in partnership with the Lake District National Park Authority, the Centre occupies a dramatic setting on the south west side of Blencathra Mountain near Keswick. Gardens and grounds with living willow structures and ponds provide interest and inspiration for visitors on a variety of courses. Red squirrels frequent the grounds and can be seen from the comfort of the dining room. The site offers a magnificent panorama of the Lake District with its rich tapestry of England's highest mountains, quiet pastures, wooded valleys, streams, lakes and settlements which provide a focus for the Centre's activities.

The centre is 15 miles from Junction 40 on the M6 at Penrith and approximately two hours’ drive from Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle. If travelling by train the nearest station is Penrith, only 3 hours from London and less than 2 hours from Glasgow.

So, what’s included? The cost includes 3 course evening meal with wine every night, breakfast, packed lunch, cake (the best in the Lakes), tutors, oh and better not forget a comfortable bed to rest your weary head and a fantastic view to wake up to.

As we will be visiting 20 different geological locations over the 5 days covering the North and South Lakes, so we will have full use of the fully insured and comfortable minibus, this means no car sharing from site to site and people getting lost on route. In addition to this we have the use of the centres on site geologist for the entire 5 days.

We cover all rock types, so we will see igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. We have changed the itinerary so there will many new sites to visit which we have not visited before. This fantastic week at Blencathra is suitable for all types ideal for newcomers to geology and for people with geology degrees.

Just one thing to remember pack clothes for the Lake District.

Use of all the facilities is free, these include; the drying room, library, TV room, Wi-Fi and lecture rooms. We will have an evening lecture the first night and on the other evenings we get to a use real OU microscopes and slides. Finally, we have the use of the centres bar so no walking 2 miles to the pub; Friday evening will be a social evening.

Cost £375.00 per person in single rooms. Early booking advised, maximum of 17 participants.

Please contact Rick Savage for booking form: [email protected] or give Rick a call on: 07761 409807

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The Open University Geological Society

Itinerary

FIELDWORK EVENING

There will be an evening classroom session

th introducing and/or revising the geological

29 setting and history of Cumbria. Monday

Dufton Pike Microscope workshop session delivered by

th OUGS Following on from 2017s visit to the Dufton area, we will explore more of the Cross Fell inlier, including a visit to the nearby mine workings. We will also visit two quarry localities that expose some October

Tuesday 30 of the Triassic sedimentary sequence, and the Borrowdale Volcanic Group.

st Langdale Side Pike Complex Microscope workshop delivered by OUGS.

We will visit the Side Pike complex in Langdale to observe the transition from effusive volcanic behaviour to explosive – a

October distinction which divides the lower Borrowdale Volcanics from the

Wednesday 31 upper section.

st St Bees Head Evening session: hand specimen description workshop delivered by FSC staff. This western coastal locality exposes the unconformity between the Carboniferous and Permo-Trias sedimentary successions. November

Thursday 1 There are also the remains of a gypsum quarry.

Eskdale Social evening in the centre bar.

This area offers the most extensive exposures of the granite batholith that underpins the Lake District block. We will make observations of the granite textures, its contacts with both the Borrowdale Volcanics and Skiddaw Slates, and investigate some November

nd mine workings. There will be an opportunity to visit the railway museum in Ravenglass, which covers the industrial history of the narrow- Friday 2 gauge railway and its subsequent preservation.

Sinen Gill Metamorphic Aureole Depart from site 14:00 – 15:00

rd The traditional finish to the course is to walk the classic transect of the Skiddaw metamorphic aureole, and observe the classic exposures of chiastolite slate, cordierite slate and hornfels. November Saturday 3

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The Open University Geological Society

Booking Form

Blencathra Field Weekend 29th October – 3rd November 2018

5 nights DBB plus packed lunches, with tutor and minibus for transport between sites: Cost £375.00 pp in single rooms.

Name: ______

Address: ______

______

Telephone(s): ______

Email: ______

1. Do you think you will be arriving later than 17:30? YES / NO

2. Do you have any special dietary requirements? YES / NO

3. Will you need picking up from Penrith train station? YES / NO

4. Do you agree to your name and email being shared with other participants? YES / NO

If you wish to attend, please complete the form above and enclose your cheque for £25 per person as a non- returnable deposit made payable to YOUGS trip a/c.

If you wish to pay by bank transfer, please return the form and state your wish to do so.

Send completed forms to MR RICK SAVAGE, Yorkshire OUGS, 11a St Thomas Road, Birmingham, B23 7RQ.

Any question please email [email protected] or please give me a call on 07761 409807

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