Field Trip: Geology and Mining in the High Littleton - Camerton area
Leader:
Entry Fee
Members: Free
Visitors: £3.00
Date and Time
10:30
Location
Holy Trinity Church, High Littleton, Bristol BS39 6HG
Field Trip Description
In the morning we will visit the remains of the Greyfield (or Greyfields) colliery at the west end of High Littleton. There will then be an easy 1km woodland walk south across the Upper Coal Measures to the Stephen’s Vale waterfall where we will see well-exposed, massive sandstones at the base of the Upper Coal Measures. On returning to the village, we will note the local building stones and walk the short distance east to Rugbourne Farm where William Smith lodged from 1791 to 1795. He was employed to survey the nearby Mearns coalmine, the site of which is visible from the farm; there are also good views of the landscape and geological features thereof. We will consider the coalfield geology and how Smith benefitted from even earlier (much earlier) miners’ empirical knowledge of its structure. In the afternoon, we will visit Camerton mine Nature Reserve which has a scenic circular walk over the huge landscaped mine waste tip, with many good information panels.
We shall refer to the Wells and Frome geology maps.
Meet at 10.30 a.m. at the Church in High Littleton ST646580 (easy on-road parking around - not on the A39!) There is a convenient pub, The Hunter’s Rest or we can picnic at the Nature Reserve at Camerton mine.
Important Notice: Bath Geological Society Insurance
Each person attending a field meeting does so on the understanding that he/she attends at his/her own risk. The Bath Geological Society has Public Liability Insurance Cover for field and indoor meetings, but Personal Accident Cover and Personal Liability Cover remain the responsibility and personal choice of the participant.
There may be an element of appropriate cover included in house insurance or in travel insurance: although Bath Geological Society activities are not particularly dangerous members are advised to check whether exclusions apply to activities in which they plan to participate in case they wish to arrange further cover. An annual travel insurance may be the best solution for any member who regularly attends field events: this again is a matter of choice.
Please note however that all members participating in overseas events will be required to have travel insurance for the duration of the event: this is so that participants are covered for Medical, Repatriation and Personal Liability expenses. The Personal Accident element remains the personal choice of the member and again members are advised to check exclusions so that they can make an informed decision about the cover they want.