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ROXWELL GRAVEL QUARRY, CHELMSFORD ESSEX (June 9) The field trip leader, Dr Peter Allen, gave an extensive introductory talk about the geology of the site. All the exposures from the London Clay, through the various Thames Terraces, to the Boulder Clay, where to be seen. One member found part of an Ichthyosaur paddle (or did he say Plesiosaur. Sorry I can't remember) in the Boulder Clay. He thought this derived fossil had possibly travelled from the Oxford Clay at Peterborough! By all accounts the crab & lobster nodule bed in the London Clay was visible. (It would have been thoughtful if members from the trip had brought their finds to the meeting for others to see.) One lady found a perfectly preserved Shark's tooth from the London Clay. This was described as looking as though it had just fallen out of the Shark's mouth! A perfect specimen. It was expressed by a member that there was not enough time to "get your eye in" for collecting. I was given to understand that the visit was well attended. (If any member, who was on the trip, wishes to pen a more fuller report for this page, would they please send copy to the site.manager@erms.org. Additionally, if any members took photographs/video please let me know, as they may be suitable for inclusion in any report. Please bring your finds to meetings so that we can all see them. I do come equipped to take photographs and would love to hear your account of the trip!) |
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BARRINGTON, CAMBRIDGESHIRE (May 19) By all accounts it was a difficult field trip because of, primarily, the insistence of the quarry owner's imposed limitations to access. It was reported that hard hats and safety goggles had to be worn at all times. As I was not there, I cannot say whether this measure was extreme or not for just walking round this site. Safety must be the first consideration. Quarries can be dangerous places! Our thanks to the owners, Rugby Cement Works, for allowing us to enter and get a chance to look at the Geology! The afternoon was taken up with a visit to Saffron Walden Museum. An enjoyable place with a small geological section based on Essex. Someone remarked Gerald Lucy's handwriting was on all the labels! The museum concentrates on the local history as you would expect. One member was surprised to learn, that what he has always considered to be a rather large moss covered tree log, laying outside the museum, was in fact a large bone. (Whale?) The afternoon was rounded off with a cup of tea (and presumably biscuits) back at Gerald's. Here, members had the opportunity to mull over his extensive collection, in some comfort. |