e Designations ssu Restoration Why Local Site I The challenge of guidance should be removing graffiti from good for geodiversity 29 a giant scorpion track Winter 2007-2008 Accessibility is essential On other pages

Growing numbers of geologists accept that dense, dry explanations of our Outcrops – pp 3-7 planet’s deep history are impenetrable and off-putting to non-geologists. Unless we achieve open access – both mental and physical – to our breath-taking Fossil-plant treasure trove open for subject, we run the risk that people who are active in conserving other aspects hunters! – p8 of our natural heritage will fail to recognise the pivotal influence that geology exerts over their respective sectors. Mine hopes sunk, but This issue of Earth Heritage is therefore about getting all sorts of people to records live on experience geology ‘hands-on’. Mick Stanley suggests ways of thinning the – p9 jumble of current site ‘designations’ to make conservation listings more understandable, while Jonathan Larwood explains the benefits and simplicity of Casework adopting Defra’s Local Sites approach. We look at how Kent RIGS Group is challenges for making fossil collecting fun and educational; at how Scarborough Museums Natural England Trust is making geological collections more relevant and accessible to local – p10 communities; and at how the landscape’s story is being conveyed in Skye and Lochalsh. In our developing network of Geoparks in the UK, people are again Making sense of the designations being placed at the heart of the work. The essence of the Clwydian Range AONB puzzle – p12 Local Geodiversity Action Plan is to make all geoconservation activities partnership- and people-based. In the embryonic Anglesey Geopark, efforts Why Local Sites guidance is good for centre on providing better information, and access for those with disabilities. geology – p14 We believe these articles will give you food for thought and action. Taking the sting out of In 2008, Earth Heritage celebrates 40 years as the forum for all those involved scorpion damage – p16 in geological conservation. As always, we want to hear your views and learn about new projects. To contribute, please contact your nearest editor (below). Dinosaur Coast rolls out geology for everyone – p18

Managing Editor Exposing secrets in the landscape – p19 Earth Heritage is a twice-yearly magazine produced by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Natural England, A first Earth Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales. The Geopark heritage voluntary geoconservation sector is a for major contributor. We would like to thank all those who have assisted with the preparation Africa? of the magazine. However, the opinions expressed by the contributors are not necessarily – p20 those of the above organisations. A database listing all the articles carried up to issue 17 is available on CD. Contact any member of the editorial board. Fossil Grove to be an undercover RIGS This and several recent back issues of Earth Heritage can be downloaded as pdf files on – p22 the Web at: www.seaburysalmon.com/Earth Heritage.html Offers of articles should be directed to the relevant members of the Sill edges climbers closer to geological editorial board, who are: knowledge – p24 Managing Editor STEWART CAMPBELL , Countryside MICK STANLEY , Geodiversity Publications – pp 25-27 Council for Wales, Maes-y-Ffynnon, Consulting, Park House, 8 King Street, Ffordd Penrhos, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 1PJ. 2DN. Telephone 01248 385693, Telephone 01765 609479 , Cover photo e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Editors CYNTHIA BUREK, UKRIGS Geoconservation Association, DAVID EVANS , Natural England, Centre for Science Communication, Northminster House, Peterborough PE1 University of Chester, 1UA. Telephone 01733 455204, e-mail: Parkgate Road, Chester CH1 4BJ. [email protected] Telephone 01244 375444, COLIN MACFADYEN, e-mail: [email protected] Scottish Natural Heritage, 2 Anderson Place, Edinburgh EH6 5NP. Production Telephone 0131 446 2055, Seabury Salmon, Seabury Salmon & e-mail: [email protected] Associates, The Old Pound, Ludford, NEIL ELLIS, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1PP. Telephone Joint Nature Conservation Committee, 01584 877442. Fax 01584 875416. The Skerries, off the north coast of Anglesey, is a site Monkstone House, e-mail: [email protected] with multiple designations – SPA, SSSI, RIGS, AONB City Road, Peterborough PE1 1JY. Circulation and Heritage Coast. See pages 12-15 for a Telephone 01733 562626, Earth Heritage is free. Contact your discussion of how citations can be made more easily e-mail: [email protected] local Editor to be placed on the understood. Photo by Stewart Campbell 2 mailing list. Get ready to access £430,000 project champions geology a £25m grants pot! The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded the Herefordshire and Access to nature , a new £25 million grant can span urban, rural and coastal Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust a scheme administered by the Big Lottery communities with a particular focus on £302,000 grant to carry out a Fund and Natural England, treats nature in a making a lasting change in areas of high Community Earth Heritage Champions broad and inclusive sense to take in social, economic and/or environmental Project. The project will run for three geological schemes. deprivation. Applications are welcome from years and is worth £430,000 including voluntary, community and public bodies. matched funding. The programme has three broad themes: G Community awareness and active Access to nature presents new and exciting In the wake of extensive media participation; opportunities for engaging communities in coverage of natural catastrophes and G Education, learning and volunteering; the geology of their environment. climate change, the Trust says it has G Welcoming, well-managed and wildlife- Applications can be made from early 2008 seen a massively increased interest in rich places. and fuller information is available at Earth processes. It is planning to www.naturalengland.org.uk/leisure/ capitalise by getting local communities Access to Nature will make grants of grants-funding/default.htm to ‘champion’ Regionally Important between £50,000 and £500,000, with a Geological Sites on their doorsteps. small number of even larger grants for – Jonathan Larwood, projects of national significance. Projects Natural England This will involve people in monitoring site condition, reporting any changes Clwydian AONB scores a first and/or threats to the site, using it for education and/or recreation and learning about its unique importance and its place in the wider geology and landscape of the area. In addition, local groups will learn about geoconservation issues (locally and nationally) through training seminars. All of this is aimed at helping local

The launch of the LGAP (above), which is the first to cover any AONB in Wales. Below: The beauty of people to feel ‘ownership’ of the sites the Clwydian Range. Photos by Stewart Campbell and Jacqui Malpas so that they can make informed decisions about their future. The Clwydian Range is the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Wales to be The project will develop partnerships the subject of a Local Geodiversity Action with Herefordshire Heritage Services Plan. The Clwydians were designated an and the University of Worcester for AONB in 1985 and the LGAP provides a training sessions and general support. plan to manage and enhance the geological Two full-time geologists will plan, heritage for the social and economic well- deliver and manage the aims and being of residents and visitors. objectives of the project.

The LGAP was launched on 7 December workshops from Arden Early Learning, film “This is a really welcome boost for the 2007 at Cefn Mawr Quarry by Councillor of quarrying in the 1950s and Victorian work we do in the two counties,” said Dolly Banks, Vice-Chair of Flintshire quarryman’s clothing. There was also a Dr Peter Oliver, Vice-President of the County Council, and Ken Hawkins, Chair guided walk around the geology of Trust. “As well as helping us to raise of Denbighshire County Council. It was Loggerheads Country Park. awareness of the wonderful sites we hosted by Castle Cement. Members of have locally and regionally, it allows us Denbighshire and Flintshire County The LGAP will co-ordinate a series of to continue our work of trying to get Councils, representatives of the Clwydian projects. These will include Earth science local people interested in the wonders Range AONB Joint Advisory Committee, educational materials for the Welsh that surround them, to understand quarrying companies, Countryside Council National Curriculum Key Stages 2 and 3; their importance and vitally to take for Wales, British Geological Survey and guided walks and interpretation materials; a ownership of the work we need to do many others who live and work in the ‘Genius Geology’ club for 8-16 year olds; to protect them and share them with AONB, attended. Events included and exploration of the caves and mine others in a sensible way.” demonstrations of cement-making, rock- workings under Loggerheads Country Park. crushing and rock-sorting by pupils of Bryn – Peter Oliver, Herefordshire & Gwalia and Pen Barras Schools with quarry – Jacqui Malpas, Clwydian Range AONB Worcestershire Earth Heritage Tru3st UKRIGS hits membership high Representatives from more than 14 groups who attended the Funds to train RIGS groups in writing site management plans UKRIGS 2007 AGM heard that the organisation had a new record (SMP) form part of ‘Driving Aggregates and LGAPs Forward in membership of 45 paid-up groups and three associate groups – England’, a programme spearheaded by the Geology Trusts, Earth Science Teachers’ Association, the University of Derby and UKRIGS and Natural England’s Aggregates Levy Sustainability the University of Worcester. They obviously recognise the value of Fund. Workshops to drive forward regionalisation of local the annual subscription rates – £5 for groups and £25 for associates. geodiversity work based on the West Midlands Geodiversity Partnership experience, have taken place in six regions – East, South As a new associate member of the Geologists’ Association, East, East Midlands, Yorkshire and North Humber, South West and UKRIGS held the AGM at the GA’s Festival of Geology in North West. A further meeting in Newcastle upon Tyne brought Liverpool because UKRIGS members felt there was much synergy together those involved in geodiversity in the North East. between the organisations. The following members of the Executive Committee of UKRIGS During the year, UKRIGS adopted a campaigning stance. It joined were elected, unopposed, to serve for two years: chairman, Mike forces with other key environmental bodies such as FoE, CPRE, Browne (Lothian and Borders RIGS Group); treasurer, Alan Cutler Civic Trust, Green Alliance, National Trust, RSPB, RTPI, WWF, (Black Country Geological Society). Members: Ken Addison Wildlife Trusts, Woodlands Trust in the National Planning Disaster (Gwynedd & Môn RIGS Group); Martyn Bradley (Warwickshire Campaign. This protested against the excesses of the proposed new Geoconservation Group); Cynthia Burek (NE Wales RIGS Group); planning system for England. The changes would impinge on local Kevin Crawford (Cheshire RIGS Group); Peter Jones (Derbyshire individuals’ rights to speak at public inquiries into nationally RIGS Group). The secretary’s post is vacant. Keith Ambrose significant plans, such as locations of nuclear power stations. (Leicestershire & Rutland RIGS Group) and John Reynolds UKRIGS also helped defend the potential loss of the ‘Merton Rule’ (Staffordshire RIGS Group) each have a further year to serve. that commits developers of large housing projects to incorporate realistic green energy production in their schemes. – Cynthia Burek, UKRIGS

Geopark Way is Natural England on right track evolves... The formation of Natural Take a walk along the High Street in England has meant a number of Highley, Shropshire, and there is no changes in the way that doubt about its heritage; the rows of geological work is undertaken red-bricked terraced houses are typical within the organisation. of a coal mining village. The new Geology, Landscape Highley’s fascinating industrial and Soils Team brings together heritage, which stretches from 1969 soils and geological experts to back to medieval times, is illustrated in cover a broad spectrum of a range of locally produced trail work. Working with partners, leaflets, and in nearby rock exposures. team members will provide However, to unravel the story it is advice on good practice and necessary to travel back 345 million The former Highley colliery works was landscaped into a country specialist techniques across a years to the Carboniferous Period park in the 1980s. The winding wheel sculpture and mine car are dedicated to all local miners. Photo by Natalie Watkins range of geological disciplines, when the deposits accumulated. as well as in relation to Over time, these consolidated to form the coal, Geopark’s 700 million years of geological hydrogeology, coastal sandstone, clay and ironstone that abound heritage. The accompanying trail guide geomorphology, soils, minerals locally. Rocks like these attracted industrialists interprets the en route geology and landscape extraction, site restoration and such as Thomas Telford to the area in the 18 th and, at key sites, explores how both man and site management. It is hoped a and 19 th centuries. nature are influenced by the local geology and landscape specialist will be landscape. The project, managed by recruited as part of a continuing The interpretation of Highley’s geological Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth structural review. heritage and its strong influence on the village’s Heritage Trust with grant aid from Defra, is the history is one of many stories to be told and first long-distance footpath with a geological Dr Val Kirby has been appointed illustrated on the Geopark Way. The Geopark theme. as Head of Landscape and Way is a long-distance walking trail being The Geopark Way trail and guide are due to be Geodiversity, a new role developed through the Abberley and Malvern launched in August 2008. created to enhance the profile Hills Geopark ( issue 27 ). Running from of landscape and geodiversity Bridgnorth to Gloucester, the trail explores the – Natalie Watkins, H&WEHT 4 work within Natural England. New site to provide free lesson ideas A new website aims to provide geography and Earth science teachers with a flow of free suggestions to enliven lessons. It will also act as an ideas exchange, blog spot and forum. www.earthlearningidea.com is being developed during the International Year of Planet Earth – 2008 at minimal cost and with minimal resources by Chris King, Peter Kennett and Elizabeth Devon.

The three want to reach active teachers and those who teach the teachers. They believe that those interested in the Earth learning ideas will mostly be primary (elementary) or secondary (high school) teachers of science or geography. They can enrol either Fossil warden Stuart Godman has been able to steer people to safe but productive seaside on the site or by e-mailing their name, fossil sites. Photo by Richard Edmonds e-mail address, institution and country to [email protected].

Fossil warden points people Chris King, Professor of Earth Science Education at Keele University, said: “We to safer coastal collecting can alert them to each new Earth Learning Idea as it is published, and encourage them Small numbers of people have always find fossils safely on the beaches. In to discuss it online with others who have climbed up and chipped into the soft clay addition, Bournemouth University has been tried it out for themselves – or on their cliffs around Charmouth. Many have contracted to carry out LIDAR (Light trainee teachers or students.” marvelled at the huge ammonites littering Detection And Ranging) scans of the cliffs the beach west of Lyme Regis and a few on either side of Charmouth. These scans have dragged some away. Erosion has will provide detailed data on the topography replenished them, and continues to do so, of the cliffs and forthcoming surveys will but with World Heritage Site status, provide an exact measure of erosion from ‘irresponsible collecting’ has been the natural causes and human actions. Whatever subject of increasing concern. the result, there are safety and aesthetic issues to be considered for others enjoying As a result, and with funding from Natural the coast. The summer warden role will be England, a summer fossil warden was highly desirable every year. employed for the first time in 2007. The warden’s job was to advise people how to – Richard Edmonds, Jurassic Coast Team

The draft Scottish Fossil Digging into coal’s history Code has been The newly opened ‘Footprints in Coal’ exhibition at Castlecomer well received by Discovery Park, 20 km north of Kilkenny, south-east Ireland, people who celebrates the area’s geological and mining heritage. responded to the three-month public consultation which ended in September From the early 18 th Century, Castlecomer was a very important 2007. The Code, which sets out coal-mining centre, with seams of high-quality anthracite. The recommendations, advice and information area was also the site of an important scientific discovery in relating to fossils in Scotland, is likely to be 1865, when miners found a number of rare amphibian published in April 2008. Scottish Natural fossils.‘Footprints in Coal’ tells the story of the Castlecomer Heritage, which has prepared the Code, is Coal from the formation of the coal swamps 300 million years ago to planning a launch event at Cromarty, the 300 years of coal mining history. The conditions which led to the formation of the birthplace of Hugh Miller. The document will coal are explained through models, fossils, audio-visual presentations and be available in full and abridged versions, reconstructions of the plants and animals of the Carboniferous swamp forests, the with an electronic version on the Scottish geological processes and environment. See www.discoverypark.ie . Natural Heritage website, www.snh.org.uk , together with a report on the consultation. – Una Patterson, Castlecomer Discovery Park 5 Anglesey al The team driving the GeoMôn application to secure European Geopark Network (EGN)/UNESCO status for Anglesey is already pressing ahead with a range of projects on education, geotourism and marketing.

The geopark application itself is making strong progress. At the European Geopark Conference in Ullapool ( report below left ) the GeoMôn team learned they had, hopefully, reached the final stage – an inspection by two members of the EGN to confirm that GeoMôn is running as a sustainable organisation according to the EGN charter. If all goes well, it is hoped Prominent raised shorelines around Loch Broom were formed by isostatic ‘rebound’ after the last that Anglesey will gain EGN and UNESCO glaciation. Ullapool (middle distance) forms a gateway to the North West Highlands Geopark, some Global Geopark status at the next 15km to the north. Photo by Stewart Campbell, CCW international conference in June.

Education & Geotourism People emphasis at Ahead of that, GeoMôn has a number of projects afoot. The Young Geologists’ Club, for children between 4 and 10 years, is geoparks summit proving highly successful with around 15 regular attendees plus parents! Run by Kate The seventh European Geopark Network G Environmental Priorities: Models for Riddington of Grosvenor Museum, Chester, (EGN) Open Conference was hosted by Working Landscapes the 2008 programme includes several field North West Highlands Geopark from 13-17 G Interpreting our Environment: trips, including one to the Slate Museum in September 2007. Entitled Landscape and Global Best Practice Llanberis. Plans are afoot to merge some of people: Earth heritage, culture and G Traditional Agriculture in the the Club’s events with those of the equally economy , the conference was based in Geoparks: Tactics for Survival. successful Young Archaeologists’ Club. Ullapool, with most of the lectures, poster presentations and workshops being held in The formal sessions were punctuated by Site-based learning materials for pupils at the Macphail Centre, a community facility fieldtrips which explored the landscape and Key Stages 1 and 2 and Key Stages 3 and 4 at the heart of Ullapool High School. geology of the North West Highlands are being produced and trialled and, for Geopark, and examined the roles of Throughout the conference, the emphasis geotourism, interpretation, cultural history, was on ‘people’, the importance of the local land use and environment. Not surprisingly, Fawr-ward thi n culture and economy, and the need to make all the field trips visited the Knockan Crag Fforest Fawr Geopark is developing its Assynt’s world-famous geology work for Visitor Centre at the Moine Thrust. There potential as a resource for education the economic benefit of local inhabitants were also post-conference field-trips. and geotourism. while providing the best possible experience for visitors. This was emphasised by an Delegates were treated to traditional music, In partnership with the Brecon excellent keynote presentation given by the dancing and food at social events dovetailed Beacons National Park Authority, the Scottish Government’s Environment into the indoor and fieldtrip programmes. Geopark has produced The Fforest Minister, Michael Russell. Fawr Geopark Rock and Sediment – Stewart Campbell, Resource Chest , a teachers’ pack Attended by over 200 delegates, the Countryside Council for Wales which introduces Key Stages 2 and 3 conference explored seven main themes: primary school children to the rocks in G Discoveries in Earth Sciences: I The 3 rd International UNESCO the Geopark and the types of Current & Historical Research Conference on Geoparks is to be held in sediments from which they were G Cultural Landscapes: Linking Osnabrück, Germany, 22-26 June 2008, derived. Fforest Fawr Geopark is also Culture, Geology & Environment where it will be hosted by Naturpark used by Cardiff University’s School of G Making an Impact: Geoparks & TERRA.vita. More information: Earth, Ocean and Planetary Sciences Economy www.europeangeoparks.org for training Geology and Environmental G Sustainable Tourism: Challenges & www.naturpark-terravita.de Geoscience undergraduates in Experiences geological mapping and for 6 www.geoparks2008.com ready moving on geo-work

facilitate self- guided tours of the spectacular Precambrian pillow lavas and associated seabed rocks found in the forest and on the island.

Shortlisted GeoMôn has reached a shortlist of three projects (from a starting point of 60-plus) for the Quarry Products Association annual prize for sustainable education in Wales. These will be presented by the Welsh GeoMôn is preparing a booklet on the geological highlights of Anglesey’s AONB coast for the general public. Special attention will be paid to areas where there is access for those using Assembly Government’s Environment wheelchairs. It is also hoped to develop geological interpretation for other areas, including those Minister, Jane Davidson, in Cardiff in outside the AONB, where there are suitable geological features and where an existing March 2008. infrastructure for public and disabled access exists. One of these areas is the Dingle Local Nature Reserve in Llangefni, central Anglesey, which won a UNESCO ‘Man and the Biosphere’ Wildlife Award for Excellence in 2003. Photo by Stewart Campbell, CCW Marketing more advanced years, three books are in book has been made possible by the GeoMôn is also developing a range of various stages of production. These substantial involvement in the Geopark products to raise the profile of the Geopark comprise a general guide to the rocks of the project of the Isle of Anglesey County around the island. These include GeoMôn island by Jack Treagus (aimed at informed Council’s coastal footpath team and the car stickers, welcome signs (in 13 different amateurs, A-level and geology students); island’s AONB team. The AONB magazine, languages including Welsh), T-shirts, Igneous Anglesey by Rob Crossley of Swn y Môr (literally the sound of the sea), jackets and sweatshirts. All bear the Robertson’s Research (concentrating on will carry a different Geopark geological distinctive GeoMôn logo designed by the plate tectonics and the origins of Anglesey’s trail in each six-monthly edition, starting late Sir Kyffin Williams. Shops, businesses intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks – with South Stack. and local food producers are displaying the suitable for GCSE, A-level and above); and logo in return for advertising on the a guide to the geology of Anglesey’s coastal Trail leaflets are also planned for GeoMôn website www.geomon.org.uk . Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by Breakwater Country Park (Holyhead) and John Conway and Margaret Wood (for the Llanddwyn Island and Newborough Forest. – Stewart Campbell, general public and with a special section on For the latter, waymarker posts already Countryside Council for Wales wheelchair-friendly access and sites). This installed by the Forestry Commission will – Margaret Wood, GeoMôn king undergraduate and postgraduate projects. The Direct Mail Project , a partnership between Bunkhouse Wales and Cardiff University, will advertise the Geopark’s potential for field studies and residential courses.

Cardiff University geology undergraduates are introduced to the geology of Cribarth in the Upper The Geopark has secured £100,000 from Swansea Valley. Photo © Fforest Fawr Geopark the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund railways will be told using archive Trade Days project introduces local Wales to refurbish the Geopark material, videos and art work. The Rock tourism providers to the Geopark’s Information Centre at Pontneddfechan Corner at the National Park Visitor natural and industrial heritage and its and to commission new interpretative Centre at Libanus will be updated to recreational potential. displays highlighting the heritage of the focus on the Geopark’s geological and scenic Waterfalls Area. A new display in climatic histories. The first Geotrail The Fforest Fawr Geopark website, the Craig-y-nos Country Park will leaflets produced by the British www.fforestfawrgeopark.org.uk , is describe the geological heritage of the Geological Survey and Cardiff University, also being updated and will include an Upper Swansea Valley. The history of who are partners in the Geopark, will interactive mapping facility. 19 th Century quarrying, firebrick appear in 2008, together with a new – Tony Ramsay and Alan Bowring, production and the building of roads and leaflet describing the Geopark. The Fforest Fawr Geopark 7 Fossil-plant treasure trove

open for hunters! Fossil-hunting open days have people thronging to Betteshanger Colliery tip in Kent in search of fossils like the one below. Photos by Diana Franks ollowing Mick Stanley’s plea Diana Franks, The Group hopes to continue working with in Earth Heritage 28 for the management at Fowlmead to increase ‘more sites like Kent RIGS Group the use of the Park and to promote better Writhlington’, we’re pleased public understanding of our geological past. to report that we have an was to be regenerated for the benefit of eFxcellent fossil-collecting facility for local people. Ralph Anderson of Canterbury The tip has been redeveloped as a nature public use in the South East of England. Museum and a Kent RIGS Group reserve, with many leisure paths for committee member ensured that the Kent walking or cycling, and also a Tarmac race In May 2007, the former Betteshanger RIGS Group was included in the track for cycling enthusiasts. There is ample Colliery tip was opened to the public as consultation process from 2001. Despite parking and refreshments and amenities are Fowlmead Country Park, near Deal, Kent, setbacks and difficulties, the Park finally available in the temporary visitor centre. and people can search for and find Coal opened in 2007. A small quarry with graded Part of the RIGS educational stand can now Measure fossil plants and insects enjoyably, slopes was retained for authorised fossil be seen in the centre and there is an easily and safely. Within the Park, a fossil- collecting and a low fence and information ongoing display of plant fossils from the collecting area has been retained and board marked the site for visitors. site. For health and safety reasons, fossil members of the Kent RIGS Group have collecting at the quarry is limited to pre- worked with Park staff and management to One of the aims of the Group is to promote arranged times. Please check the websites supervise fossil digs for families. These the use of RIGS for education. A successful for details, or telephone before you visit. If have been very popular and every child has display and activity stand was organised for you can’t get there, you can see a display of had the excitement of finding their own the weekend event in May when the Park Betteshanger and other coalfield fossils in fossil plant specimen to take home. Plant was opened by David Bellamy. The Maidstone Museum. fossil remains are very abundant in the spoil supervised fossil digs for children were a at Betteshanger and splitting blocks can great attraction in spite of the bad weather Fowlmead Country Park is situated off the reveal some beautiful ferns. and we were asked to run a dig for a party A258 near Deal, Kent CT14 0BF. of 90 English and French schoolchildren Fowlmead Country Park website: Betteshanger Colliery was the largest of the when they visited the site in June. Further www.fowlmead.co.uk Tel: 01304 615390 four coal mines in Kent (the others being fossil digs were held during the summer. Kent RIGS Group website: Chislet, Snowdown and Tilmanstone) and www.kentrigs.org . the last to open for production in 1927, and Information on the story of mining in Kent to close in 1989. Public access to the tip can be found at www.kentcoal.co.uk . I remained closed after 1989, but some field trips by local geology groups were allowed. In 2000, the freehold of the tip was The spoil tip is composed of acquired by the South East sedimentary rock associated with Kent England Development Agency No. 6 and 7 seams (Middle-Upper Coal (SEEDA), acting as agent for Measures; Westphalian B-C, namely English Partnerships and as part of the Duckmantian-Bolsovian, c. 310-312 Ma; National Coalfields Programme. The site Upper Carboniferous: Moscovian). 8 Mine hopes sunk, but records live on Hannah Townley, Natural England

lorence Mine is a Site of Special Scientific Interest which was notified for its excellent three-dimensional exposures through the largest fFlat-type iron-ore body in West Cumbria. The variety and form of iron-ore mineralisation and its relationship to faulting and rock type are unique to Florence Mine, making it a key British site for research.

Designated in 1996, Florence Mine was the only working underground metal mine in Above: Florence Mine kidney ore and (below) the mine winding gear. Britain and the last deep iron-ore mine in Photos by Brian Young and Hannah Townley/Natural England Western Europe. The mining activity, Ltd (now British Nuclear Group) who used were initially thought to be a possibility, the drilling, blasting and associated shaft the water in the cooling systems of its difficulties of finding a suitable site and the maintenance kept this impressive nuclear power station at nearby Sellafield. high costs involved proved hard to mineralisation exposed, providing safe The decommissioning of Sellafield meant overcome. access to sub-surface ore deposits for that this water was no longer required. ongoing study. During 2006, whilst efforts to protect the From May 2003, when BNFL first site continued, Natural England However, the viability of the mining indicated that funding for pumping would commissioned a project to survey the operations, and the accessibility cease sometime during 2006, one of Natural geological interest found in the accessible of the site as an SSSI, England’s predecessor bodies, English mine workings. The project aimed to depended entirely on around Nature, worked with the other interested produce a detailed ‘walk through’ 400 tons of mine water parties to try to secure the long-term description of the geology, accompanied by being pumped out of future of the mine. Work focussed annotated copies of available mine plans, the mine workings mainly on investigating whether there with a detailed photographic record of the every hour. The cost were alternative uses for the water in mine and its features of geological and of pumping was West Cumbria and assessing whether mineralogical interest. This was not seen as largely met by British the pumps could be powered by a an alternative option to site safeguard, but it Nuclear Fuels sustainable energy source. was thought wise to gather as much information as possible about the scientific A scoping study interests of the mine in case it could not be for an saved. alternative energy source Unfortunately no alternative use for the was water was found and no sustainable energy commissioned source could be created. The pumps were by British switched off in the spring of 2007 and the Nuclear Group mine started to flood. and English Nature in 2004. In the future Natural England hopes to Hydro- commission further survey work on other electricity underground mine sites within its SSSI generation was network. Currently, little information is not thought to available on these sites and this survey work be feasible at is important in providing as much Florence Mine information as possible about the important and although geology hidden in these generally I wind turbines inaccessible sites. 9 Casework challenges for Natural England Dave Evans, Natural England he locations and nature of several items of current Natural England casework reflect the major pressures facing many geological Sites Tof Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in England. Some of the cases deal with balancing the inevitable impacts of natural coastal erosion and cliff instability against the desire to protect properties Pakefield to Easton and infrastructure. Others reflect the increasing Bavents Since it was confirmed that Pakefield to Easton demand for land on which housing or industrial Bavents SSSI would be renotified as an SSSI in schemes may be developed. 2006, when the boundaries to the site were

Fairlight The scheme to stabilise the active landslide system fronting the village of Fairlight, within the Hastings Cliff to Pett Beach SSSI, has been completed. The geology of this stretch of the SSSI was poorly known, and apart from trying to minimise the impact of the stabilisation work on foreshore exposures, the planners stipulated that the solid geology behind the landslide should be recorded before it became inaccessible. Cores from several boreholes along the frontage have revealed a laterally variable stratigraphy in the Wealden, Ashdown Formation. Fresh exposures have been recorded as the works have brought them to light and several fossil plants have been recovered. As part of their work, the consultants will provide a report on the geology in 2008.

Fossil plant found at Fairlight during the works. Shipton-upon-Cherwell Cement Works. Battering of the faces has Photo by Audrey Jones obscured much of the originally extensive exposures of the Forest Marble. Photo by Dave Evans/Natural England Shipton-on-Cherwell & Whitehill Farm Quarries The extensive exposures of Middle Jurassic sediments at Shipton- on-Cherwell & Whitehill Farm Quarries SSSI in Oxfordshire have had a chequered history. Much of the face at Shipton-on-Cherwell Quarry was battered following a decision made at a Public Inquiry. The result is that the extensive lateral variations once on view in the upper part of the White Limestone Formation and the Forest Marble are no longer visible. At various times, several uses for this site have been suggested ranging from car storage, to housing development to conservation. At present, Oxfordshire County Council is considering a planning application that not only retains visible geological features but restores some of the features that have been covered over. If approved, the scheme should provide sufficient exposure to show the lateral variation in the White Limestone and Forest Marble sediments as well as provide accessible exposures in the very fossiliferous Cornbrash 10 that occurs here. Covehithe Cliffs. Early Pleistocene sediments exposed in the cliffs and foreshore of Pakefield to Easton Bavents SSSI.

Photo by Dave Evans/ Natural England

The Spittles. Landslide complexes to the east of Lyme Regis. enlarged to allow for future coastal erosion, the site Photo by Hannah Townley/Natural England has been subjected to two parallel processes. The first is a judicial review of the SSSI notification and Lyme Regis the second an appeal over consents. There will be an Over the past decade, works have been carried out to strengthen the sea update on this site later in the year. walls and stabilise the seaward slopes of Lyme Regis. Many of the slopes represent fossil or active landslides that threaten properties and infrastructure within the town. Until now, works have been confined to Purfleet areas outside of the West Dorset Coast SSSI, the Sidmouth to West Bay Natural England has been working closely with a European Special Area of Conservation and the Dorset and East Devon developer who is proposing to build on land at Coast World Heritage Site. However, the proposed Phase IV of the scheme Purfleet, Essex. An application for housing has led to will impinge on land covered by these designations and is intended to discussions around providing greenspace which also stabilise land to the east of Lyme that might otherwise unravel into the provides access to sub-surface deposits across the town. During pre-application consultations, a range of scheme options was site. Detailed pre-application survey work proposed. Apart from the potential impact of the scheme on the SAC significantly improved our knowledge of the interests, slope stabilisation may impair access to exposures in the Blue subsurface deposits and the developer has now Lias and Charmouth Mudstone formations. Options for strengthened and submitted a scheme which will accommodate future extended sea walls and/or rock revetments could reduce the foreshore that access to deposits both ‘across’ and ‘along’ the has yielded fossil fish and reptiles since the time of the celebrated Lyme feature of interest, a channel associated with the Regis geologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s. A planning application is Mid-Pleistocene course of the Thames. due to go out for consultation shortly. Pre-application consultation was vital in developing full understanding of the significance of the geological interest and the opportunities. A Scheme Students amid Mid-Pleistocene Castle Bytham of Geological Recording is now being worked on and sediments in Purfleet Chalk Pit. Quarry an agreement on the future site management and Castle Bytham Quarry SSSI in interpretation opportunities will be presented as part Photo by Mick Murphy/Natural England Lincolnshire provides sections through of the application. the upper part of the Middle Jurassic, Lincolnshire Limestone Formation. It facilitates comparison with similar horizons farther north and south and it is one the few Lincolnshire Limestone sites to have yielded ammonites, allowing this part of the succession to be dated. It is intended to integrate the development of the quarry floor for business units with the geological interest so that the remaining highly accessible exposures on the quarry floor will be conserved and some additional access provided in the form of ramps. The main (west) face is subject to a management agreement intended to keep it clear of vegetation. 11 Making sense Mick Stanley, Geodiversity Consulting

rganised nature variously designated as a Special Area of conservation in the UK Conservation, Special Protection Area, Site arguably dates from the of Special Scientific Interest, Heritage seminal National Parks & Coast, European Marine Site, RIGS and in Access to the Countryside addition contains three Local Nature AOct of 1949, but for most of the late 20 th Reserves and a Scheduled Ancient Century nature conservation in Britain Monument. Is there any wonder that the was dominated by wildlife and public, planners and politicians are often biodiversity conservation. confused by the overlap of designation? Another example is a similar classic site, Since 1991, active geoconservation work the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. has been undertaken by the country This is a World Heritage Site, within an conservation agencies, RIGS groups and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Earth trusts, some Wildlife Trusts and Special Area of Conservation, National geological societies and organisations. The Nature Reserve, and an Area of Special split of the Nature Conservancy Council Scientific Interest. into country agencies, mirroring the devolution of some aspects of government, But what are these designations that has increased the number of designations affect geodiversity? given to areas and sites. World Heritage Sites (WHS), Special Alexander the Great solved the problem of Protection Areas (SPA) and Special Areas the Gordian knot with a single stroke of his of Conservation (SAC) are internationally sword; others could not see what needed to important areas officially listed by be done as they were blinded by Government through international or conventional thinking. The plethora of European conventions or directives. designations that politicians, planners, conservationists, owners and the public has WHS to negotiate is just like trying to untie the The two disciplines of Natural Heritage and Gordian knot of conservation with its twists Cultural Heritage are combined in only one and turns created by several Acts of designation, World Heritage Sites, and even Parliament. Reducing the number of then there is separation between natural and designations would simplify the problem cultural sites. On the Word Heritage Sites and help people to understand more readily Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, above, website, UNESCO says: “The most and Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, below, are the need to conserve elements of the natural prime examples of places that carry a significant feature of the 1972 World and cultural environment. Take bewildering array of designations. Heritage Convention is that it links together Flamborough Head as an example. This in a single document the concepts of nature Photos by Stewart Campbell/CCW and classic coastal geomorphological feature is Peter Wakely/Natural England conservation and the preservation of

12 of the designations puzzle

Cwm Dwythwch forms part of mountainous terrain south-west of Llanberis in North Wales. It lies within the Snowdonia National Park and is an SSSI for wildlife and geomorphology. Photo by Stewart Campbell cultural properties. The Convention AONB may be used to establish statutory recognises the way in which people interact The seminal Countryside Act of 1949 made authorities for their management (e.g. the with nature, and the fundamental need to the wilder, more dramatic landscapes Broads Authority was set up through the preserve the balance between the two.” National Parks and the lower, more gentle Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988). The However the World Heritage List includes scenery Areas of Outstanding Natural National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 851 ‘properties’ of outstanding universal Beauty. AONB are designated solely for established National Parks in Scotland value of which 660 are cultural,166 natural their landscape qualities, for the purpose of which are also designated to promote the and only 25 mixed properties, in 141 conserving and enhancing their natural sustainable use of the natural resources of nations. By October of last year 184 nations beauty including landforms and geology, the area and the sustainable social and had ratified the Convention of World the rich history of human settlement over economic development of communities. Cultural and Natural Heritage (World the centuries and the economic and social Heritage Convention) adopted in 1972. The needs of local communities. SAM UK has only one of the combined sites, in Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM) are St Kilda. Full details of the World Heritage not always ancient, or visible, and there are Sites are at whc.unesco.org/en/list NNR over 200 ‘classes’ of monuments ranging NNR contain examples of some of the most from prehistoric standing stones and burial SPA and SAC important natural and semi-natural mounds, through medieval sites - castles, SPA are protected sites designated under the terrestrial and coastal ecosystems in Great monasteries, abandoned farmsteads and Birds Directive, Article 4 of the EC Britain. They are managed to conserve their villages - to collieries and pillboxes. Directive on the conservation of wild birds habitats or to provide special opportunities (79/409/EEC), which came into force in for scientific study of the habitats, SSSI April 1979, for rare and vulnerable birds communities and species represented within The SSSI/ASSI series has been developed and regularly occurring migratory species them. NNR are declared by the statutory since 1949 as the national suite providing and listed in Annex I of the Directive. country conservation agencies under the statutory protection for the best examples of SAC are protected sites designated under National Parks and Access to the the UK’s geodiversity and biodiversity. the Habitats Directive, Article 3 of which Countryside Act 1949 and the Wildlife and These sites underpin other national and establishes a European network of Countryside Act 1981. In Northern Ireland, international nature conservation important and high-quality conservation Nature Reserves are designated under the designations. Most SSSI are privately sites making a significant contribution in Amenity Lands Act (Northern Ireland) 1965. owned or managed, but some are owned or conserving the 189 habitat types and 788 managed by public bodies or NGO. species identified in Annexes I and II National Parks (excluding birds). 78 habitats and 43 In England and Wales, the purpose of There are about 4,000 Geological species are native to and normally resident National Parks is to conserve and enhance Conservation Review (GCR) sites in in the UK. landscapes while promoting their public England, Scotland and Wales, most of enjoyment with regard to the social and which are notified as SSSI. GCR site Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty economic well being of those living within selection was carried out between 1977 and (AONB), National Nature Reserves them. The National Parks and Access to the 1990. The Joint Nature Conservation (NNR), National Parks , Scheduled Countryside Act 1949 established the Committee (JNCC) co-ordinates and Ancient Monuments , Sites of Special National Park designation in England and publicises the results of the GCR in a 44- Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Listed Wales, and SSSI. In addition, the volume series ( Ellis et al. , 1996; Buildings are all nationally important areas, Environment Act 1995 requires relevant threequarters of the series is already buildings, sites or structures listed officially authorities to have regard for nature published). Parallel to the GCR, by the appropriate Secretary of State. conservation. Special Acts of Parliament CONTINUED PAGE 114 3 Why Local Sites Jonathan Larwood, Natural England

n 2006, Defra published Local Sites - Guidance on their water’ though. RIGS (‘Local Geological Sites’) will still be identification, selection and management with the selected on the basis of the established RIGS criteria by RIGS objective of creating a more consistent sense of the groups. However, there is now clarity of guidance, stating that value and importance of local sites. The key here is Local Geological Sites should be given the same value and Ithe recommended use of the generic term ‘Local attention that Local Wildlife Sites are given. Site’ to encompass what had previously been a plethora of over 20 terms including Sites of Importance for Nature The changes have been rapid. At a national level, in January Conservation (SINC), County Wildlife Sites, Sites of 2007, the Defra local sites seminar was an inclusive event with a Biological Importance, Regionally Important Geological/ strong voice for geology. In response to this, the Yorkshire and geomorphological Sites (RIGS) and so on. Humber Region, under the auspices of the Regional Biodiversity Partnership, hosted a regional discussion of Local Sites which We still aren’t quite ready for the simplicity of ‘Local Site’, but the sought to draw experience from all local site groups. Previously, direction is now set for a more consistent inclusion of geological concern would have focussed primarily on Local Wildlife Sites. sites alongside wildlife sites with a clear expectation that all local site systems should be reviewed to ensure that there is a The Defra Local Sites Guidance is starting to open doors common approach to site identification, selection and for Local Geological Sites – we have to keep pushing so management. This isn’t ‘throwing the baby out with the bath that they remain open.

Morfa Harlech, on Wales’ Cardigan Bay coast, is designated SAC and SSSI. Snowdonia National Park, beyond, is subject to a bewildering array of designations, ranging from international to local. Photo by Stewart Campbell

FROM PAGE 13 One series of terms? MORE INFORMATION: there are around 300 Earth Science Is it too simplistic to suggest World , More expansive definitions of the Conservation Review (ESCR) sites in European , National and Local Heritage designations of protected land are on: Northern Ireland, which are being Areas and Sites as the terms used to www.ehsni.gov.uk/biodiversity/desig conserved as Areas of Special Scientific designate areas, sites, buildings or nated-areas.htm (designated areas in Interest (ASSI). structures to protect our cultural and natural Northern Ireland). heritage? www.snh.org.uk/about/ab-pa00.asp Conservation areas , County Wildlife (Scotland) sites , County geological sites , Sites of Of course, Acts of Parliament would need to www.naturalengland.org.uk/conserv Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI), be amended, but that seems commonplace ation/designated-areas/default.htm Sites of Importance for Nature these days if there is sufficient political (England) Conservation (SINC), Regionally will. Such a change would improve the www.jncc.gov.uk/page-4 Important Geological and public’s understanding and ability to (UK designated areas) Geomorphological Sites (RIGS) and Local appreciate the cultural and natural heritage. countryside.wales.info/ Nature Reserves (LNR), listed by Local It certainly would allow a far more sensible, National_Nature_Reserves.asp and Authorities to protect the local cultural and holistic approach to the heritage and www.ccw.gov.uk (Wales) natural heritage, are now all mopped up in encourage fuller co-operation between www.geoconservation.com is also due two terms, Local Wildlife Site and Local archaeologists, biologists, geologists, to publish definitions of all of these Geological Site ( see Jonathan Larwood’s historians, owners, politicians and planners designations shortly, together with many article above ). to conserve our heritage. I other useful slices of information. 14 guidance is good for geology Partnership tackles funding issues

aking advantage of the ‘watershed’ that the Key to group status Local Sites guidance has offered, UKRIGS Very active and The Geology Trusts, supported by Active

Natural England, undertook a questionnaire Some activity survey of all local geology groups in England, Currently dormant (active when funding permits) WTales and Scotland. The aim was to understand the state of Dormant local geological site conservation 15 years on from the launch of No response the RIGS initiative. Of 57 geoconservation groups contacted, 49 No longer in existence

responded, an unprecedented 88%. So what did we find? Status uncertain

The three primary objectives of groups remain, as always, identification and designation, conservation and management, and the raising of public awareness. The level of activity is high with 67% of groups considering themselves to be very active or active and there are now 3,286 formally recommended RIGS (compared to 829 in 1994). There are more active groups than ever, and an increase of ‘subscribed’ group members from 376 in 1994 to 738. There has been a wholesale shift in funding. In 1994, apart from English Nature support, only two groups had received over £1,000. In the last five years, only 22% of groups have received no funding, 29% have received funding up to £5,000, 18% up to £25,000, 16% up to £50,000 and 14% over £50,000 – a turnaround undoubtedly linked, in part at least, to the advent of the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) and Heritage Lottery Fund. There has also been an 87% success rate in achieving grant funding.

Despite this success, and not surprisingly, consistent funding remains the single greatest challenge and concern for all local geoconservation groups. Interestingly, the survey has also shown that there are very few written management plans for RIGS and there is little clear understanding of the condition of the RIGS network. Guidance on issues like funding, the need for a more consistent approach to the management of RIGS data at local, regional and national levels, and the strengthening of partnerships, particularly at a regional level, were among the recommendations. The survey has shown where the significant contribution to those that already exist. successes are – and these we should celebrate; and where the G Lastly, a one-day seminar on 7 February 2008 to bring together challenges lie – and these we should tackle. key funders and local geoconservation groups to raise understanding of the funding process and how to achieve funding In response, a partnership between The Geology Trusts, UKRIGS success. I and Natural England has been supported by the ALSF to start to address some of the issues. The project comprises three strands: MORE INFORMATION: G Firstly, initiating dialogue through a series of workshops in all Defra Local Sites Guidance: www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife- English regions about the benefits of Regional Geodiversity countryside/ewd/local-sites/index.htm Partnerships (taking the experience of the established West Midlands Geodiversity Partnership as a starting point). These Copies of the Local Geological Site Conservation Review from workshops are now complete. In all the regions the dialogue UKRIGS, The Geology Trusts and Natural England. continues and partnerships are growing. G Secondly, encouraging the writing of Site Management Plans for For more information on the ALSF Regional Partnership project aggregate sites across each region. Between 30 and 40 and the funding seminar, contact Julie Harrald at management plans are anticipated. This is a small number, but a [email protected] 15 Taking the sting out of scorpion damage – Conserving and restoring a unique trace fossil

comparatively recent discovery of the largest Colin MacFadyen, trackway of an arthropod Scottish Natural Heritage on land represents an with a contribution from exciting new research and eAducational resource, but has presented Nicolas Boyes, geoconservationists with the challenges of protecting it against weathering, erosion, Nicolas Boyes Stone Conservation accidental damage and unscrupulous collectors. Recent vandalism of this fossil A track to treasure will hopefully galvanise action and resources to secure its long-term The trackway was made around 330 million years ago by a six-legged water scorpion, conservation and future interpretation. that was over one and a half metres long and about one metre wide. It is one of the largest terrestrial trackways of a walking arthropod to have been found anywhere and A few years ago, a remarkable trace fossil is the only example in the UK. Thought to have been made by a species of was found near St Andrews on the Fife Hibberopterus (a Eurypterid), the trace fossil is a cast of the actual trackway, long coastline, by Martin Whyte from the since eroded, and is represented by three rows of raised crescent shapes on either University of Sheffield. Identified as the side of a raised ridge. On the original trackway, this would have appeared as trackway left by a water scorpion, this trace depressions – footprints made by three pairs of appendages and a central groove fossil lay exposed and undiscovered by carved by the tail end of the animal as it dragged itself across soft sand. generations of researchers, students and geotourists. The unbelievably large scale of The trackway is evidence that these now-extinct animals could survive for periods out the fossil (the trackway cast is about six of water. Analysis of the prints indicates the animal was moving very slowly. Little else metres long and nearly one metre wide) is known about the life habits of these creatures. probably had something to do with its going unnoticed for so long – the traces of this within a Site of Special Scientific Interest it. The extraction of the track and its animal were probably interpreted as designated for its Lower Carboniferous removal to a museum have been suggested weathering of a peculiar sedimentary stratigraphy. Anybody caught attempting to as the ultimate safeguard from both structure! Another factor is likely to have sample the trackway by either hammer or collecting and erosion that will result in its been the trackway’s location – it is exposed rock saw could be prosecuted. This level of eventual collapse onto the beach. on the underside of an inclined bed within a legal protection is more than adequate in terrestrially deposited sandstone sequence. many geological localities and for this SSSI Defaced generally. However, statutory protection Whilst geoconservationists have pondered Risks to conserving will not safeguard the trackway from a how best to conserve the trace fossil and Since its discovery, natural weathering and casual and unwitnessed swing of a hammer weighed up the pros and cons of making its erosion and indiscriminate hammering undertaken in ignorance or in an effort to location known to the wider public, the remain the biggest risks to conserving the secure a piece of the trace fossil. An specimen has been defaced in a most specimen. However, reports of its discovery additional safeguard is required in this unexpected fashion… At the end of 2006 have posed the additional threat of particular situation – but what? the face exposing the trackway was used as irresponsible collecting. Given the a canvas by someone using a can of aerosol specimen’s size, it is unlikely that even an The location of the trackway is known to paint to spray ‘KLM06’. The vandal organised effort would enable raiders using only a few people. Given its uniqueness and probably had no idea what the rock surface rock saws to collect anything meaningful in international importance, keeping the represented and there is insufficient a portable slab of rock. Attempting to location secret has been the prime means of evidence to prosecute. remove a large area of the trace fossil would protecting the delicate trace fossil from also be highly dangerous, given its location. vandal damage. Consequently it has been The worry now is that the daubed rock face Nevertheless, an irresponsible collector rarely visited. There is, however, a very could represent a magnet for other aerosol- could perhaps try to sample a portion of the good argument for drawing the public’s wielding visitors. Scottish Natural Heritage trackway, such as a foot impression or part attention to the trackway, for publicising its is investigating the removal of the graffiti of the tail drag. existence and interpreting its significance and, given the delicate nature of the trace through an on-site panel. There are fossil, this restoration will probably be best The trackway already has statutory suggestions that a metal cage could be achieved through a sculpture conservation protection, as the section of beach lies 16 constructed around the exposure to protect technique that uses laser technology. Above: The Hibberopterus trackway near St Andrews, a unique trace fossil of international significance.

Left: Aerosol paint now defaces a portion of the trackway. Removal of the paint by conventional means would damage the delicate rock surface.

Right: Before-and-after shots of Wells Cathedral showing the effectiveness of laser treatment, a potential way forward for the trackway.

Photos by Colin MacFadyen/ Scottish Natural Heritage (top), Fife Ranger Service (left) and Nicolas Boyes (right)

Edinburgh-based stone conservation Hopefully the vandalism incident will inject cast and fully recorded for posterity, it is specialist Nicolas Boyes Stone a degree of urgency in the need to address likely that funds will be sought to remove Conservation (NBSC) is assessing how to the challenging conservation issues the trackway to a safe location before remove the graffiti without damaging the presented by this unique trace fossil. Once further attacks from humans, weathering trace fossil. NBSC has successfully used its restored, there will have to be a concerted and erosion, and before this unique trace laser system to remove spray paint on other effort to determine its long-term future. fossil falls onto beach and is lost. Once valued stone artefacts and structures, Covering the trackway in a steel cage would secured in a safe environment, it would be including Wells Cathedral and the John Law ruin the location for photography. Current available for view and to be interpreted for Tomb in Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh. thinking is that the trackway should at the the public. I very least be surveyed using laser The laser delivers energy as light to technology and cast, so there is a record of Scottish Natural Heritage is keen vapourise the top layer of extraneous what is there if it is damaged by sampling to hear the views from Earth material without any negative impact on the or indiscriminate hammering, or if it forms Heritage readers on any aspect underlying stone. The laser should be highly a canvas for someone using something of this case. effective in cleaning up the trackway. more troublesome than spray paint. Once 17 Dinosaur Coast rolls out geology for everyone

footprints and night-time puppet shows.

Left: Dalewood These projects proved just as popular as the Trust members more widely known public events with the replica programme and the team learnt a huge of a Whitby Museum amount from the experience. This plesiosaur. knowledge and the reactions of the groups will shortly be published as Working with the community, Dinosaur Coast Good Practice Guide , by the North York Moors National Park. It will be available printed or Below: Filey Youth Group on a to download from Dinosaur Coast project fossil hunitng partner websites. trip. Although the external funding for the Dinosaur Coast came to an end in 2006, the project’s success has enabled the steering group to secure permanent funding for a Photos by public events programme and staff to run it, Scarborough to be delivered by Scarborough Museums & Museums Trust Gallery Service. This is a major success when viewed against a national trend of he words museum and declining numbers of professional geology could be seen by geologists and natural historians in many people as dull, museums. uninteresting and not the most promising starting The Dinosaur Coast project demonstrated pToint for an exciting project. Thankfully the potential of geology to enthuse people, that view is starting to change across the and in 2005 Scarborough Borough Council country and many areas are starting to and Scarborough Museums Trust began a see the benefits of working with museum project to restore the Rotunda Museum as collections, geological sites and a wide the ‘William Smith Museum of Geology’. range of partners. This £4.4m project has secured funding Will Watts, from the Heritage Lottery Fund and In 1999, Scarborough Museums & Gallery Dinosaur Coast Project Officer, companies including Shell, Rio Tinto and Service faced a problem common to many Hanson Aggregates. The museum that museums, a geology and natural history Scarborough Museums Trust originally opened in 1829 will reopen in collection that had so little display space 2008 with one gallery titled ‘Gateway to the that most of it never saw the light of day Dinosaur Coast’ another called ‘Shell guidelines and recording schemes for the and was under-used. To increase the usage Geology Now’ and, of course, the historic coast, a hugely popular public events of these collections, and to increase public Rotunda Gallery. awareness of and access to the geological programme and a series of community- based outreach projects. riches of North East Yorkshire’s coastline, The reopening of the Rotunda will mark the the Dinosaur Coast project was born. end of a decade that has seen an amazing The 35 community projects ran between change in the fortunes of the Geodiversity 2001 and 2005 and worked with groups as Since 1999 the project steering group of of North East Yorkshire. The next 10 years diverse as youth offenders, disability groups Scarborough Borough Council, will see even more exciting times, with new and Scouts. The projects had the common Scarborough Museums Trust, Natural museums, new geology groups, new goal of giving people (many of whom did England, North York Moors National Park partnerships to be formed and more funding not normally engage with the natural world) Authority, Whitby Museum and Museums, to be secured. One thing is certain: geology an opportunity to enjoy the unique place Libraries and Archives Council Yorkshire and museums are no longer thought of as they live in. The Dinosaur Coast team used have raised over £500,000 of external dull and uninteresting in this corner of the a combination of dedicated staff, freelance funding to deliver a diverse range of country. I activities and outcomes. These have natural historians and geologists, artists and included geological site survey and volunteers to develop projects that worked interpretation work, improvements to towards an end goal, often a piece of For details of the Dinosaur Coast: collections at Scarborough and Whitby artwork with a celebration to match. www.dinocoast.org.uk Museums, the Dinosaur Coast book, an Examples included public artwork on For details of the Rotunda Museum: 18 initial look at fossil collecting village greens, giant wooden dinosaur www.rountamuseum.org.uk Exposing secrets in the landscape Interpreting Geodiversity in Skye and Lochalsh

ince the early 19th Century, John Phillips, Jenny Hendry, teacher of Biology at Portree professional and amateur High School, and two students Andrew Bane- Wade and Caren Nicolson, viewing the geologists alike have been Senior Ranger, interpretative panel at the Old Man of Storr on inspired by the spectacular The Highland Council Skye. The plinth, which is made from blocks of landforms, geological basalt lava, reflects the shape of the Old Man of Storr pinnacle itself. Photo by John Phillips sStructures, rocks, minerals and fossils of Countryside Rangers Skye. Generations of students have Feedback learned their practical geology here and So far, we have had little formal feedback many fundamental theories of worldwide The quest for an all-embracing theme for on the panels as time has not allowed for significance have been developed and the series of panels led to the perhaps- evaluation. However, there has been no tested. However, despite being an unsurprising conclusion that the one feature vandalism of any of the structures since acknowledged world-class geological common to all of the sites was geology. their installation in July 2006, despite some location there was, until very recently, ‘There is more to the geology of Skye and of the panels being located in places where virtually no interpretation of the Lochalsh than meets the eye: from the we might realistically expect otherwise. geodiversity of the island. macro to the micro, the mineral world has Project evaluation will begin with an had a powerful effect on human activity appraisal of the interpretative qualities of In 2001 Highland Council reviewed a here ’ became the theme for the project. the panel text, to be undertaken by a number of countryside sites around Skye Council colleague as part of a University of and Lochalsh, that it either owns or has Guiding principles the Highland and Islands MSc course in some management involvement in, with a The interpretative principles of Provoke, Interpretation: Management and Practice. I view to providing interpretation for the Relate and Reveal were our watchwords public. Recommendations were made to throughout production of the panels with The leaflet which accompanies the panel provide a facility at nine key outdoor the result that the final products are is available electronically through the destinations visited by a large number of individually themed, focussed, relevant, Highland Council website, people. stimulating and memorable. www.highland.gov.uk , or directly from John Phillips, Highland Council In 2003 work began to prepare text and The panel plinths were designed to say Planning and Development Service, appoint a designer for a series of something about the locations. At Lealt, in Old Corry Industrial Estate, Broadford, interpretative panels and accompanying Trotternish, the plinth is modelled on the Isle of Skye IV49 9AB, tel/fax: 01471 leaflets, following confirmation of funding chimney of the former Diatomite Works 822 905. from INTERREG IIIb, a European interpreted in the panel; nearby at the Old Community initiative, financed under the Man of Storr, the plinth mimics the shape Further reading : European Regional Development Fund of the Old Man pinnacle itself. Local Skye: A Landscape Fashioned by (ERDF). Match funding was obtained from drystone dyker (and master craftsman) Geology . By David Stephenson & Jon the Highland Council Planning and Seumas Campbell turned our sketches of Merritt Development Service, Scottish Natural the panel plinths into something more solid. Published by Scottish Natural Heritage Heritage and Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise. ISBN 1 85397 026 3 19 A first Geopark workshop held in Pretoria in June 2007 Colin Prosser, examined existing geoconservation initiatives in South Africa and mapped a Natural England Sites asse course that could lead to the declaration of Africa’s first Geopark – a significant sAtep for geoconservation.

The workshop and associated excursions were organised by the Conservation Committee of the Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA) and sponsored and hosted by the Council for Geoscience. It was the first time that those interested in geoconservation had met to share experiences and to try to develop a collective view on how to progress geoconservation in a nationally co-ordinated way. In a country with many deprived communities living close to spectacular geological features, the importance of promoting the geological heritage to attract tourism and generate economic benefits was not lost on any of the event’s participants.

The workshop included presentations on topics such as sites potentially suitable for geoconservation or Geopark nomination; conservation and promotion of the mining heritage; the South African Geosite database; the role of Above: The Walter Susulu mineral collecting in geotourism; funding opportunities for Botanical Gardens in geoconservation; and updates on existing projects such as Johannesburg where natural geological exposures and a management of the Vredefort World Heritage Site (WHS) geological garden with a walk and the preparation of geological guides for areas such as through time already exist. A the Madikwe Game Reserve and Kruger National Park. Witwatersrand Urban Geopark would include this site, demonstrating the integration Speakers from the Taishan Geopark, China and Natural of botany and geology as a England shared experiences from their countries and chaired visitor experience. discussions on the way forward. Excursions to potential Left: The Cradle of geoparks included visits to the Southern Barberton Humankind WHS, the most Mountain Land & Kruger National Park (led by Morris and prolific and accessible fossil hominid site on Earth. Its Richard Viljoen), the northern limb of the Witwatersrand WHS status means it already Basin around Johannesburg (Morris Viljoen), the Cradle of attracts a significant number Humankind World Heritage Site (Tony Jamison), Tswaing of visitors and as such Geopark status might add Meteorite Crater (Danele van Tonder), and the Vredefort little here. Dome WHS (Frans Waanders and Cobus van Rensburg). All photos by Colin Prosser Outcomes from the workshop included: I Agreement to set up a national geoconservation ‘lobby group’ under the auspices of the Conservation Committee Right: Another of the GSSA. meteorite crater, the I To identify potential geoparks, including the Vredefort Dome WHS, documentation of specific sites within each potential but this vast crater is 190km-wide and is the geopark. To recognise the importance of involving local result of an impact two communities at an early stage of developing geopark billion years ago. Note proposals. the vertical strata I tipped up by the To engage widely with other conservation bodies, ‘bounce-back’ government representatives, the tourism industry and following the impact. others to promote geoconservation and seek partnership. The site which I straddles the Free To identify national parks where geology has already State and North West been documented and to seek to ensure that geological Provinces is harder to documentation is included in new national park proposals interpret for the public than Tswaing, is more being developed. remotely located and I To seek to hold a broader conference on geotourism, being a WHS already museums and education in the fairly near future. was not considered as 20 an ideal Geopark. for Africa? essed for their potential Crater is favourite Recent progress: Danie Barnardo, Chairman of the GSSA Conservation Committee, reports that, “The significant workshop on Geoparks, Geoconservation and Tourism held in June enabled delegates to examine geoconservation issues and sites in South Africa. In terms of potential Geoparks, it transpired that the Tswaing Meteorite Impact Crater, which is one of the youngest and most accessible impact craters in the world, is the prime candidate to be declared the first Geopark in Africa and negotiations with the Crater Museum are underway. Another site currently under consideration is the northern flank of the Witwatersrand Basin. This potential urban Geopark hosts the world's largest gold deposit.”

Above: The Tswaing Meteorite Crater, north of Pretoria, a small 1.1km-wide crater formed by an impact just 220,000 years ago. The site has a spectacular story to tell, a new visitor centre, a management structure, a walking trail, cultural and wildlife significance and is close to a large population centre, making it a prime site for a Geopark.

Left: A 3.5 billion-year-old serpentinised komatite exposed in a small urban park in the suburbs of Johannesburg – suitable for adoption by the local community and inclusion in a possible Witwatersrand Urban Geopark or geological driving trail.

Right: An exposure of the 2.5 billion- year-old Black Reef Quartzite, demonstrating some of the extremely old rocks to be found in the Barberton and Kruger area of the Mpumalanga Province. A number of sites like this could be linked to create a Geopark or themed trail adding a geological dimension to the existing ‘big game’ tourism in the area. 21 Fossil Grove to be an und

A group of tree stumps and the eastern viewing gallery with the present interpretative displays. Photo © Culture and Sport Glasgow (Museums) Alan Owen, Nick Everett & Alastair Gunning, University of Glasgow & Seonaid Leishman, Culture & Sport Glasgow Geological Society of Glasgow Strathclyde RIGS Group (Museums)

ossil Grove in Glasgow’s walkway curving around the stumps distorted their partly decayed, largely Victoria Park is one of the amongst which a living palm and other hollow, stumps giving each of them an oval world’s oldest examples of plants had been placed to add botanical cross-section (originally thought to conservation of a geological interest. Fossil Grove has been visited by represent tectonic compression) and site and the first to be generations of Glaswegians, visitors to the depositing the sand that filled, entombed pFreserved within a building. After city and the international scientific and ultimately overwhelmed them. resolving uncertainties about its future, community. plans are afoot for it to become the focus 130 years of conservation of the first RIGS in greater Glasgow. The in situ remnants of stands of trees from The remarkable foresight of the local the early Carboniferous are extremely rare authorities 130 years ago in both excavating The sandstone casts of stumps of Lower and Fossil Grove was notified as an SSSI in and conserving this unique palaeobotanical Carboniferous lycopod trees, preserved 1954 for the insight that it gives into the site in a building, has preserved it both for where they grew, were discovered in 1887 equatorial lowland swamp forests of this the scientific messages it contains and the when a path was being cut across part of an age. Its SSSI status was confirmed when it geological education that it provides, to abandoned dolerite quarry which was being was re-notified in 1986. There are 10 students and the interested public alike. incorporated in the park. The stumps were stumps on view, ranging in height from 15- carefully excavated in an area of some 230 68 cm and their spacing suggests an The site has not been without its problems. square metres and a brick building original forest density of about 4,500 trees One of the trees was damaged in World War constructed to protect the site and to enable per square kilometre. Each has branching Two and a concrete spacer was inserted to it to be viewed by the general public as part stigmarian roots anchoring the tree in a silty replace its badly disintegrated middle of the park’s attractions. The building mudstone palaeosol. It is thought that section which had a very thin sill of dolerite currently has viewing galleries at each end sediment buried the lowest parts of the cutting through it. The present building is (only the east one is open to the public) but trunks and caused the death of the trees. essentially the same shell surviving from old photographs also show a raised The later influx of sediment-laden waters the initial build but the roof has undergone 22 ercover RIGS

some changes over the years. Old images they concluded that Fossil Grove scored by seem to show that the original was a far the highest for scientific, geological, wooden structure with glazed sections historical and educational importance but along the apex. This was replaced by a did not need attention because of its more elaborate glasshouse type roof with situation within one of Glasgow's main metal framework presumably sometime in parks. the early 20th Century. The glazed panels were replaced, probably in the 1980s, by However, in the summer of 2006 concerns insulated panels to help control were raised in the Geological Society of atmospheric conditions within the building Glasgow about the more restricted opening. and protect the site. Heat loss and gain Now no longer under the aegis of the through the glazed roof was difficult to Glasgow Museums and with rumours of control and led to changes in temperature closure, Fossil Grove's future looked and relative humidity. Heating had also uncertain. It already had a low profile but Above: Fossil Grove after excavation of the tree been installed. Initially this was by hot- with no plans to open to the public in 2007 stumps prior to the construction of the building around them (late 1880s). water pipes later replaced by the current the low demand could only be bolstered. Photo © Culture and Sport Glasgow (Museums) gas-fired hot-air system. Concerns about the site were raised with representatives of the City Council in the Below: Interior of the building with a close up of one of the lycopod stumps with its stigmarian Improvements to the building to help with early summer of 2007 by Strathclyde RIGS roots. the visitors’ experience were made in 1993. Group, the Geological Society of Glasgow Photo © Culture and Sport Glasgow (Museums) The east viewing area was enlarged and and SNH who recognised that RIGS new lighting installed while small displays represents a community of interest, both allowed some interpretation of the site. geological and general, and supported their Importantly, with a new reception and approach. facilities such as a toilet provided, it was possible to have a member of staff available The response was extremely positive. The on site to help visitors and ensure safety of difficulties had been the result of a the site during opening. reorganisation within the City Council and are being resolved. Fossil Grove opened for Until recently Fossil Grove was run by the rest of the summer with the hope of Glasgow Museums and the building opened funding for 2008. The proposed RIGS to the general public from Easter to the end designation of the site, including the of September each year. Strathclyde RIGS surrounding dolerite quarry, was warmly Group (a sub-committee of the Geological welcomed. I Society of Glasgow) had gathered data on the fantastically diverse geology of its area Further information see: – from Ballantrae to Ballachulish. Starting www.geologyglasgow.org.uk closer to home around the River Clyde, www.glasgowmuseums.com

So why is a RIGS proposed? The sedimentary succession, have Why Fossil excavation housed within the building considerable educational value. Coupled forms one of Scotland’s tiniest SSSI but with the location within a popular, well- Grove is special the building is in turn cradled within managed city park, all this makes the another ‘grove’ - the remodelled and fossil trees and surrounding quarry a fine attractively landscaped quarry. The choice for Glasgow’s first RIGS. quarry, accessible even when the building is closed, provides context to The RIGS group is preparing a leaflet to the SSSI on many different levels. encourage visitors into the park and support investment bids for future The well-exposed dolerite sills were development to complement the capital likely a factor in preservation of the available for conservation of the fossils horizon of tree stumps. Their contacts themselves. The Council, Museums and changes in thickness can be easily (now part of ‘Culture and Sport observed. Sedimentary structures seen Glasgow’) and RIGS group and their in the sandstone country rock record the supporters are working hand-in-hand to Exterior of the building and part of the behaviour of the lowland swamp ensure the future of the site as a modern attractively landscaped dolerite quarry environments in which the trees grew. geoconservation interpretative centre, that will also form part of the RIGS designation. These features, and the very presence of an educational resource and major the igneous layers intruded into the visitor attraction for the City. 23 Sill edges climbers closer to geological knowledge

wo km west of Edinburgh, Ratho Quarry (2.2 hectares) has had a long and varied history. Originally quarried extensively for building and rToadstone, it is now the UK’s premier indoor climbing and activities centre. As such it is unique in bringing thousands of people a year into contact with geology.

Many of the visitors are blissfully unaware of the geological history in its rocky walls and the British Geological Survey and the Lothian and Borders RIGS Group are now actively investigating the potential to raise people’s understanding of the outstanding Formerly quarried extensively for hardrock aggregate, Ratho is now a climbing arena. A microdioritic geology of this magnificent playground. vein, running horizontally along the rock face in the middle of the picture above the big block dry-stone wall, is one of several features in this new Local Geodiversity Site (formerly RIGS) that merits interpretation. Below: the climbing centre/quarry panorama. ‘Loose and scary’ Photos: Fergus MacTaggart. P685866 British Geological Survey The early Ordnance Survey map of 1853 (primary survey) shows an active quarry of Martin Smith, British Geological Survey about one third its current size, Mike Browne, British Geological Survey & UKRIGS approximately the area now occupied by the centre buildings. By 1895 the quarry had venue. In the main arena, a mix of artificial quarry because of the joints and modern expanded to its present outline. With its and natural walls some 30m high are weathering processes. Information boards, proximity to the Union Canal, Ratho and framed with a canvas roof that boasts a leaflets, web pages and rock-naming can other similar quarries along the outcrop scary aerial assault course. It includes an provide the public with a greater awareness supplied stone to the housing and road international competition wall that hosted of the links between the local landscape and building markets throughout the Central the 2005 World Youth Climbing geology and nationally how Scotland, Belt of Scotland. By 1926, Ratho Quarry Championship. Other facilities include a blessed with an excess of these riches, has closed and fell into disuse to become in conference centre, gym and Olympic-class influenced the style and development of more recent times the preserve of judo hall. The facility opened in 2004 but climbing. Finally, the Lothian and Borders Edinburgh rock climbers. With the rock went into liquidation. It recently re-opened RIGS Group is discussing plans with the described as ‘loose and scary’, climbing after major alterations and the Edinburgh City Council to incorporate various Local routes typically had names like Shear Fear, International Climbing Arena (EICA) is Geodiversity Sites, including the EICA, into This Sceptic Hell, Gruel Britannia and now operated by Edinburgh Leisure on the revised Rural West Edinburgh Local Grapes of Wrath! behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council Plan. I (www.adventurescotland.com ). Mike Browne and Martin Smith publish with the permission of the Executive Director, British Geological Survey (NERC). The inspiration to turn the western part of the old Ratho Quarry into a climbing centre The eastern part of the quarry has been was the brainchild of Duncan McCallum landscaped and is essentially untouched, who, with two other leading Scottish with public right of access. climbers, purchased it as the Ratho Quarry Company Ltd in 1995. The challenge set in Both authors climb at EICA, and are keen 1996 to Moidart Architects and Apriori to see the geology of the site interpreted for Designs was to change the green and allcomers. Climbers will understand why overgrown site into a world-class climbing ‘loose and scary’ rock occurs in parts of the 24 Publications The incredible journey

Scotland’s Beginnings Scotland Through Time . Michael Taylor and Andrew Kitchener. NMS Enterprises – Publishing. £8.99. ISBN 978 1901663 26 6

This book traces Scotland’s astounding journey from the South Pole and its changing landscape and wildlife over geological time as told by the evidence in rocks, lake muds and peat-bogs, the colonisation of the new land by Scotland’s wildlife after the glaciers withdrew, and the impact of the incoming humans. Available from bookshops; from www.nms.ac.uk/books ; or contact NMSE – Publishing, National Museums Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF. What’s special about EICA faces

The outcrops of rock in the quarry (and in the adjacent M8 cutting to Campus geodiversity the north) are of well-jointed quartz-dolerite (whinstone) representing Geodiversity Trail: Walking Through the Past on the 2 part of a very extensive intrusive igneous sheet (covering 1,600 km ) University’s Chester Campus . University of Chester. £2.00. known as the Midland Valley Sill. The sill intrudes strata from Upper ISBN 978-1-905929-32-0 Carboniferous to top Devonian in age and is related to the Whin Sill of Northumbria. Both are possibly linked to lava eruption in the Oslo Fjord area. What makes this part of the sill interesting, apart from the A geological trail around your climbing, is the presence of late-stage segregation veins (‘micro-sills’) own campus? A simple idea but a dipping westwards at about 15 degrees. These consist of pale- good one. At the University of coloured microdioritic rock (aplite) up to c. 40 cm thick. These veins Chester, it has resulted in a full- have recently yielded a uranium/lead radiometric date of c. 307.6 +/- colour, 28-page A4 booklet that 4.8 million years for the date of intrusion of the originally molten rock. allcomers, particularly Chester This indicates that the sill post-dates the main episode of folding and campus students, can use to guide faulting (Variscan) of the Carboniferous strata in the Midland Valley of themselves to points of geological Scotland. interest lying literally on or near their doorsteps. The booklet also The occurrence of the greenish-grey mineral pectolite (a fibrous makes the fundamental link between biodiversity and pyroxene) in amygdales (former gas cavities) was described by the Scottish mineralogist Matthew Forster Heddle (1826-1897) from geodiversity, pointing out that all the biological interest is Ratho. His The Mineralogy of Scotland was published posthumously ultimately dictated by the geology that underlies it. (1901) and his collections are in the National Museums of Scotland. The booklet came into being after the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges suggested that centres of learning could raise awareness of their own biodiversity among students and staff. At Chester, with its strong interest in geology, the idea was projected to geodiversity. An Urban Studies student, Nicholas Stillwell, researched the locale and drafted the text with senior lecturer Cynthia Burek. The publication is a joint venture between the university, Cheshire RIGS Group and Cheshire region Local Geodiversity Action Plan partners. MORE PUBLICATIONS OVERLEAF 25 Publications The slippery slope...

Mass Movements in Great Britain , Volume 33 of the GCR series, R.G. Cooper. NHBS (www.nhbs.com/title.php?tefno=90917 ). £45.00. ISBN-13: 9781861074812

Mass movements are associated with the down-slope movement of material – The Bindon Landslide was a defining event. sediment and rock – at or near the land surface; the larger movements are generally Several of the sites described have great described as ‘landslides’; cliff falls are a historical importance. These include the type of mass movement. Bindon Landslide of 1839, the most renowned area of landslipping in Britain Describing over 30 sites across Britain, and described as ‘the most dramatic Mass Movements in Great Britain , the latest landslide ever to occur in Great Britain’. volume of the GCR Series, provides The Bindon Landslide was the first ever to information on relict and active mass be recorded scientifically and it was a key movements that have developed our event in the understanding of the nature of On the slide – the road over Mam Tor. understanding of the processes at work. The landslides. On Christmas Eve 1839, a features range from relatively minor, small- massive section of cliff – some 100 metres The volume is intended to stimulate anyone scale and gradual occurrences to large- wide, 50 m deep and 100 m long – tore free studying the evolution of the landscape and scale, episodic and catastrophic events. from the mainland and slid seaward, those involved in land management. Of Some of these have even hit the headlines, opening up a great chasm at the back of the particular importance is its demonstration having caused disruption to railways and landslide. Small-scale landslides still occur of how mass movements active in earlier roads as seen at Folkestone Warren and in this area, and indeed mass movements periods have been reactivated by both Mam Tor, or having led to the destruction of are prevalent along much of the Dorset environmental changes and anthropogenic homes, businesses and agricultural land. coast, and other cliffed coasts, today. interventions. As such, it provides an Tales of derring-do and sexual inequalit The Role of Women in the History of of the Red Baron) who set her on a path of Geology . C.V. Burek and B. Higgs ( eds ). geological exploration of the Dolomites on Geological Society Special Publication 281. the Austrian-Italian border. She was left £85.00. ISBN 978-1-86239-227-4. largely alone in the wild and trackless mountains and, in a little under a year, she The historical domination of geosciences by had learned to rock-climb proficiently and men has resulted in a male-orientated produced a detailed report on how the structure to the profession that is still in Dolomite Triassic corals, sponges and other place, a lack of female role models and a marine life had developed in a tropical perception by many ambitious women that world 230 million years previously. She the geosciences offer them no way forward. described an impressive 345 different Equal treatment of men and women does species of fauna. Over 1,400 kinds of not necessarily equate to equality of sponges, corals and crustaceans have now opportunity, and a significant number of been found there. informal barriers remain in place to deter women from entering geoscience. She could be regarded as a pioneer of geotourism, producing guides which These are some of the key contentions put encouraged people to develop an interest in forward by Cynthia Burek and Bettie Higgs, the geology of the Dolomites. Maria was co-editors of the book, which was inspired ultimately awarded a Doctor of Science by a conference on the subject in 2005. degree and won widespread respect not only as ‘The Dolomite Geologist’, but as a However, this collection of writings from male counterparts ). Take the case of Marie busy wife, mother of two and head of various authors (male and female) primarily Ogilvie Gordon (1864-1939). Snubbed by several women’s rights organisations. celebrates the pioneering work of women higher education establishments in who have driven geological science forward Germany, she nevertheless befriended Then there is Marie Stopes (1880-1958). 2(but o6 ften without as much acclaim as their Baron Ferdinand von Richthofen (a relative Although most famous for her controversial Publications A GAP watershed

Northumberland National Park Geodiversity Audit and Action Plan . British Geological Survey and Northumberland National Park. 128 pages. Free from BGS, Keyworth. ISBN:978-0-85272-599-3

My original vision for a Geodiversity Action Plan, first published in the RSNC’s Earth Science Strategy in 2000, was for a document that raised awareness of the Photo by Mick Murphy/Natural England fundamental need to incorporate geodiversity factors into any plan for the insight into potential future changes that sustainable management of the may affect the British landscape. environment.

For more information on the Geological Raising that awareness depends on Conservation Review (GCR) go to: making linkages with lifestyle, culture and www.jncc.gov.uk/page-2947 landscape, and these linkages can only be A further section examines the Park’s achieved through a close partnership geodiversity resources and reviews – Emma Durham, JNCC between statutory, non-statutory and education and research, archives and private organisations. The North Pennines physical collections in museums. It also AONB and Geopark in 2004 produced sets out an extensive list of sites and areas Britain’s first GAP that looked holistically from which to interpret the geodiversity of ty at a region, dissected it, noted the National Park. sex manual Married Love , Stopes trained as conservation and interpretation of The closing section is the GAP itself. It a geologist and had a highly successful geological features at a macro level and goes much farther than any other GAP so scientific career. She conducted extensive identified threats, opportunities, and far written in that it has 11 sections research at the Fern Ledges of Saint John, recommended strategies for conserving covering: the need to organise local New Brunswick, Canada. The Ledges’ and enhancing the most notable features. interest; maintain data on sites; monitor origins aroused heated scientific debate and condition of sites; protect geodiversity Stopes’ work drew conclusions which Now, the Northumberland National Park through including it in local and regional encountered enormous opposition, but Geodiversity Audit and Action Plan takes policies and strategies; practical which have been proven correct over time. GAPs to another level. The bulk of this conservation; encouragement of quarry Her scientific approach set the standard for beautifully printed and colour-illustrated operators to have GAPs; to use local stone all future palaeobotanical studies. book examines in detail the geological heritage of the ‘district’. It is produced by and re-opening of old quarries to supply locally distinctive stone; interpretation and Contributors also explore the lives and BGS geologists and looks in turn at the public awareness; education and training; contributions to geology of Catherine influence of geology on landscape, research; and the all-important funding. It Raisin, Dorothea Bate, Cuvier’s daughters, biodiversity, and the economy. It considers presents a list of 74 geodiversity sites Grace Prestwich, Annie Greenly, Nancy conservation issues and the wider selected as representative of geological Kirk, Margaret Crosfield, Ethel Skeat, Anne importance and significance of Silurian and geomorphological features, and a Phillips, Muriel Arber and Etheldred and Carboniferous stratigraphy, Igneous, useful glossary and bibliography. Bennett. Many more are discussed in less Metamorphic and Quaternary geology, detail. Despite the different eras and Mineral veins and minerals, geological What a tour de force , but only to be countries in which they lived and worked, structures and fossils and palaeontology. expected from the professional BGS, common themes emerge to bring readers The authors adopt a more historical which is, ironically, the only national back round to the questions of providing approach to the final two elements, mines geological survey without a remit for women with better opportunities in geology and quarries and building stone and the geoconservation! and geological education. built heritage, and they devote two and a half pages to listing the major active and closed quarries in the Park. – Mick Stanley, Geodiversity Consulting – Seabury Salmon 27 Earth Heritage magazine is published twice a year to promote interest in geological and landscape conservation.

Scotland hosted the seventh European Geopark Shown here are the Scourie gneisses (2.9-2.4 billion Network (EGN) Open Conference, drawing some 200 years old) intruded by dominantly quartz-dolerite delegates to Ullapool. The conference field trips ‘Scourie Dykes’ ( c. 2.4-2.0 billion years old) and allowed delegates to see some of the oldest rocks in deformed by Laxfordian events up to about 1.7 billion the British Isles. These road cuttings, north-west of years ago. For a summary of the conference, Laxford Bridge, provide magnificent exposures through see page 6. rocks of the Lewisian Complex. Photo by Stewart Campbell