Bob Tuddenham
This was an interesting and varied meeting which ranged from the dip and strike on geological maps to holiday geology in Shropshire.
In the first half Wilf Wrigley gave an excellent tutorial style presentation on the interpretation and importance of dip and strike in geological maps. These key measurements apply to the bedrock underneath any superficial deposits such as clay, river deposits, peat etc. Wilf went through numerous examples and exercises and there were plenty of questions. Interpreting contours and the dip and strike of the strata was a most useful exercise together with the relationship of the map to the geological cross section. I’m sure all at the meeting will now view an OS or Geological map with more scrutiny and understanding.
After the coffee break, Bob Tuddenham gave the second part of his talk on the Geology of South Shropshire. The geology of this small area ranges from the very old pre Cambrian at Caer Caradoc and the Long Mynd to the younger Permian at Bridgnorth and relatively recent Devensian glacial meltwater which formed the gorge at Ironbridge. The talk took us from the Welsh borders in the west to the River Severn in the east. There is even an area of 19th Century lead and barytes mining which has a similar history to the mining in the North Pennines. Further east, the carboniferous iron, limestone and coal near Ironbridge played a key role in the industrial revolution in the UK. Surprisingly, there is also a dolerite intrusion on the top of the Clee Hills near Ludlow which has many similarities to the Whin Sill in age and composition.
The next meeting is at The Witham on Monday morning April 27th or May 25th at 10 am. All are welcome. Please contact the convenor for details.