Exploring aggregates along the An informative and illuminating insight into the aggregates industry together with an overview of nine former aggregate sites found on or near the Geopark Way trail Acknowledgements This booklet has been produced with contributions from Gloucestershire Geology Trust and with input from a number of volunteers, community groups and individuals living near the Geopark Way trail. Volunteers and other interested parties visiting a former aggregate quarry which was last worked in 1992. Astley and Dunley parish, Worcestershire Published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust Geological Records Centre University of Worcester Henwick Grove Worcester. WR2 6AJ. Tel: 01905 855184 Email:
[email protected] Website: www.EarthHeritageTrust.org © Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust 2011 Contents Introduction to the aggregate industry 1 The global picture 3 The UK picture 4 How aggregates are used in the UK 6 Problems associated with extraction 9 Positive aspects of extraction 11 Aggregates and the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark 13 Malvern Hills Quarries/Chase End Quarry 15 Martley Pit 23 Huntley Quarry 26 Penny Hill Quarry 30 Whitman’s Hill Quarry 33 Callow Hill Quarry 37 Raggits Hill Quarry 40 Eardington Sand and Gravel 42 Hartlebury Common Gravel Pits 44 Publications and trail guides that incorporate aggregate sites within the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark 48 Introduction Imagine a world without aggregates. Would it look so different from the one we live in? Would it be a better place? In truth such a world could not exist, as humans have been extracting and using aggregates for many thousands of years.