MMAAGGAAZZIINNEE OOFF TTHHEE GGEEOOLLOOGGIISSTTSS’’ AASSSSOOCCIIAATTIIOONN VVoolluummee 1100 NNoo.. 44 DDeecceemmbbeerr 22001111 The Association Future Lectures FESTIVAL OF GEOLOGY Nominations Required Field Trip to France part 2 October Lecture Weald Clay Field Trip Curry Fund Report Circular GA Two-Day Meeting Rockwatch News Rockwatch Young Writer Sher-rock Holmes Geology of NE Churches 1 Winners of Photographic Competition Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Volume 10 No. 4, 2011 CONTENTS Published by the Geologists’ Association. Four issues per year. ISSN 1476-7600 Production team: JOHN CROCKER, Paula Carey, John 3 The Association Cosgrove, Vanessa Harley, Jon Trevelyan, 4 Future Lectures Chris Woolston 5 FESTIVAL OF GEOLOGY Printed by City Print, Milton Keynes 6 Nominations Required 7 Field Trip to France part 2 The GEOLOGISTS’ ASSOCIATION does not accept any responsibility for views and opinions expressed by 11 October Lecture individual authors in this magazine. 12 Weald Clay Field Trip 13 Curry Fund Report The Geologists’ Association 14 Circular The Association, founded in 1858, exists to foster the progress and diffusion of the science of geology, and to encourage 20 GA Two-Day Meeting research and the development of new methods. It holds meetings 23 Rockwatch News for the reading of papers and the delivery of lectures, organises museum demonstrations, publishes Proceedings and Guides, and 25 Rockwatch Young Writer conducts field meetings. Annual Subscriptions for 2012 are £40.00, Associates £30.00, 27 Sher-rock Holmes Joint Members £58.00, Students £18.00. 28 Geology of NE Churches 1 For forms of Proposal for Membership and further information, apply to the Executive Secretary, The Geologists’ Association, 31 Kite Flying or Fossil Hunting? Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0DU. Back Cover: E-mail [email protected] Telephone 020 7434 9298 Winners of Photographic Fax 020 7287 0280 Competition Website: http://www.geologistsassociation.org.uk President: David Bridgland Executive Secretary: Sarah Stafford Cover picture: © The Geologists’ Association. Perito Moreno glacier in southern Argentina. All rights reserved. No part of this publication The Southern Patagonia Ice Field covers an area may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system of 13,000 Sq.Km. and feeds several large or transmitted, in any form or by any means, glaciers, such as the Perito Marino into Lago without the prior permission in writing of the Argentino and thence to the Atlantic Ocean. author and the Geologists’ Association. Photo. John Crocker LAST Copy dates for the Circular & Magazine March Issue January 14 June Issue April 22 September Issue July 22 Curry Fund Dates for 2012 December Issue October 21 Applications to Committee Items should be submitted as soon as to be received by Date possible and not targeted on these dates. We welcome contributions from Members and February 20 March 9 others. May 20 June 8 August 20 September 14 November 20 December 14 2 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 THE ASSOCIATION From the President However, to compensate we had a very full meeting in October. At this Writing as I travel southwards for the meeting we welcomed three new co- Festival of Geology, during the first optees to Council: Dr Keith Whittles weekend of November, I am (publishing expertise), Ms Leanne appreciating the autumn tints and Hughes (BGS) and Mr Neill Hadlow (to Indian Summer conditions. By the champion younger GA members). The time you read this the Festival will be main issues under discussion were the behind us once again; the programme on-going negotiations with Elsevier is an excellent one as ever, although about the PGA (reported by David I'm not sure I can vouch for Sunday's Bridgland) and the updating of the GA walk along the Thames, which I am rules to include the new awards. I leading. My fingers will be crossed for have been much occupied with the continued good weather until then. As proposed rule changes. Council always, I must extend my gratitude to approved the proposals which are now all those who work hard to organize with the Charity Commission and will the festival and ensure its success, as be put before the membership as soon well as those from groups and as possible. societies, as well as their own In the last issue of the GA Magazine enterprises, who populate the stalls and measures. At the museum I was I asked for nominations for the and make it such a fascinating event. in my element in the company of a Halstead Medal and Henry Stopes I am delighted to report on the furry friend - see photograph. Memorial Fund. As no details were considerable success of the GA In connection with my letter to the published, Council agreed to postpone Worcester meeting (9 to 10 September Minister (reported in the last the closing date for nominations to 31 2011) on 'Geoconservation for science Magazine), it is my understanding that January 2012. The Halstead Medal is and society: an agenda for the 21st a representative from DEFRA was in for outstanding merit, deemed to Century'. Responding to members' attendance at the Worcester meeting, further the objectives of the suggestions, we held this two-day although keeping a low profile. Look Association and to promote geology, event outside London and, it must be out for the special issue arising from and the Stopes Prize (awarded once said, the membership did not this meeting in the Proceedings for every three years) is for work on disappoint us in terms of participation 2012-2013. While on the subject of human prehistory in relation to - there were 120 registered Geoconservation, I am delighted to geology. I do urge you to send in your participants for the Saturday report that members’ responses to my recommendations. At the same time conference session. Local and inquiry about whether the GA should we are inviting nominations for new affiliated groups had contributed a participate in the publishing of Earth Council Members to be elected at the magnificent array of posters as well as Heritage were almost entirely positive, AGM in May 2012 when the awards will displays. A report of the meeting so we are in the process of agreeing also be presented. More details of appears on page 17 . On the Saturday this. It is likely that the GA will have these Prizes and also of research and evening we had a launch and wine an editorial role, with the opportunity meetings grants available to members reception in celebration of the to contribute news from our groups can be found on page 6. Council is publication of the first GCR issue within that are active in this field, in concerned about the future of GA the Proceedings, this being Part 4 for exchange for some financial input. As Enterprises. Susan Jacobs will resign 2011, on the Marine Devonian (edited part of the arrangement the journal as Treasurer at the end of December by Brian Leveridge). Brian was not in will be available to all members in and we are looking for a replacement attendance but a pre-print copy of the electronic form. for that task and for setting up the issue was presented to Neil Ellis, of the stall and selling at our meetings, both Joint Nature Conservation Committee, jobs that Sue has been doing. In who is the former GCR Series Editor. David Bridgland particular, we thank Sue for the work The venue for the indoor part of the she has done over the last few years. meeting, and conference The Company Secretary, Toyin Solanke accommodation, was at the University came to talk to Council about GA of Worcester, which we found to be a Report from Council Enterprises. No-one had responded to most hospitable and pleasing the advertisement in the last GA environment. However, I have to For the GA office the last three Magazine and a sub-group has been admit to finding the high-tech lighting months have been a very busy time set up to look into how GA Enterprises in my bedroom something of a with the GA Conference in Worcester in might best function in future. For legal challenge. Proper light switches have September, attendance at the South reasons no-one on Council is able to given way to a sensor system, so that Wales Local Group's Geofest in the be involved with the official running you can read in bed, provided that you National Museum of Wales in October and I do urge you all to think of ways wave an arm from time to time to and the GA Festival of Geology in you could help so that we don't lose restore the ceiling light, then when you London in early November. The this valuable service to members. For roll over to go to sleep the light will go Worcester conference on those who don't attend the monthly off. The problem was that a sudden Geoconservation for science and meetings, you can purchase items movement during slumber brought society: an agenda for the 21st through the GA website. We are back full illumination, not the recipe for century was an eye-opener to me and grateful to those who volunteered to a full night's sleep. On the Sunday a I would personally like to thank all help at the GA Festival this year when smaller group enjoyed windy but those involved who made it such an over £800 was raised. largely sunny conditions for the field interesting and successful event. trip to the Lickey Hills, Dudley Museum Council as a whole has not been so and the Wren's Nest, for discussion busy as we have no meetings in Diana Clements August, September or November.