Field Trip: Bradford on Avon - Geological Site Clearance

Leader: Bath Geological Society

Entry Fee

Members: Free

Visitors: £3.00

Date and Time

10:00

Location

Bradford-on-Avon BA15 2EP


Field Trip Description

In 2007 an area in Bradford-on-Avon was excavated to reveal a new geological site, showing how the area would have looked 165 million years ago. The site is on the dip-slope of the Cotswold Hills, in the Mid-Jurassic Forest Marble Formation. The rock formation, some 24 metres thick, consists of alternating limestones and clays. A particularly thick layer of clay, known as the Bradford Clay, occurs here above the limestones and a number of fossils including sea lilies and brachiopods can be seen.

The site has been monitored and maintenance carried out since 2007 however it has now reached the point where it needs clearing once again. The pit walls have sloughed material and are quite overgrown and the ground level seems higher today than when the pit was first dug out.

Equipment

We’ll need spades, mattocks, large pruning shears, a pruning saw (just in case), a garden fork and pickaxe to lever tough roots out and rugs to move waste soil. If you don’t have any equipment there will be a selection on site for people to use.

When

Saturday 25th November at 10am

Directions

The site is located in the British Waterways car park at the end of Baileys Barn road, off Moulton Drive. The site is at the north end of the car park – look out for the information board. Please see the below map for further information.



Location Map


View Larger Map

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.