The Festival of Geology 6 – 7 November 2021

 

Organised by the Geologists’ Association

We are pleased to participate in the Festival of Geology by providing a ‘virtual exhibition’ on this webpage and by running a field trip on Sunday 7th November to one of our Local Geological Sites, Cherry Hinton East Pit. See details below.

 

 

Cambridgeshire Geological Society

Promoting interest in the geology of Cambridgeshire, the UK and worldwide

Monthly talks and occasional local field trips – everyone welcome (small charge for non members although talks free on zoom)
Assessment and designation of Local Geological Sites – training and information on local geology given
Helping to design walks on our Fen Edge Trail – a great way to get to know the local geology and landscape heritage
Plus newsletters, other events & informative websites. Keep in touch including twitter @CambsGeology @FenEdgeTrail

Sunday 7th November 2021 10.30 am   BOOKING NEEDED

Field trip to one of our Local Geological Sites, Cherry Hinton East Pit, Cambridge

This disused Chalk quarry has a fine exposure of the Lower and Middle Chalk, its importance enhanced by its location within the City of Cambridge. The lowest rocks seen are the Zig Zag Chalk just over 90 My old and the highest is the Holywell Nodular Chalk. The
gently dipping strata are clearly visible as are the Plenus Marls and Melbourn Rock with accompanying yellow and pink Chalk bands. Minor faulting can also be seen. The site is also of particular archaeological interest and is designated an SSSI for its chalk flora. We will also view the spring from the junction of the Totternhoe Stone and West Melbury Marly Chalk on the other side of the road at Giant’s Grave.
Suggested Donation for non members (of CGS): £3 on the day.  Booking essential as limited places – contact us
Surfaced walkway for much with metal stairs (handrails) to upper platforms where surface is uneven. There is a low incline from the main road up to the site gate. Age restriction: Sorry, no children under 8 years old.

Cambs Geosites: Local Geological Sites

So far, we have 6 designated LGS in Cambridgeshire and 12 ‘candidate’ LGS. Work is ongoing to put more forward for designation.

Jurassic clays and limestones, Cretaceous clays, sandstones and chalk and significant Quaternary deposits from both the Pleistocene and the Holocene – these all contribute to the fascinating geology of the county. The Quaternary deposits of the Fens are of particular importance due to their record of geologically recent climate and landscape change. Brickmaking, quarrying for ‘clunch’, coprolite digging, gravel extraction, peat digging and land drainage on an immense scale have all transformed the landscape and played a major role in creating a rich local culture that is only now being revealed.

The Fen Edge Trail            A journey across a landscape and time

The Fen Edge Trail is our exciting project linking the geology and landscapes of the Fen Edge to the local history, culture and wildlife.                                  List of walks and Walk Guides for download

Taking the 5 metre contour as a guide, the main Trail takes you from the border with Lincolnshire, in the north west, to the border with Suffolk in the south east. In addition, there will be walks around several of the ‘fen islands’ including Whittlesey, Thorney, Chatteris, March (including Wimblington and Doddington) and the Isle if Ely (including Littleport). There will also be a walk around Wisbech, a once-famous port, which has some land above 5 metres.

The map shows the 10 walks that are already published, the 9 others that are due soon and 11 others currently being developed. The routes of the remaining walks are not yet planned. Our Fen Edge Trail team of volunteers often works in partnership with a local organisation relevant to each walk.

www.fenedgetrail.org

© Cambridgeshire Geological Society