PROCEEDINGS OF GEOSUFFOLK RIGS MEETING 21 MAY 2005

GEOSUFFOLK RIGS

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PROCEEDINGS of GEOSUFFOLK RIGS MEETING 21 May 2005

Contents Tim Holt-Wilson A new approach to Earth Heritage Conservation in Suffolk - The Suffolk Geodiversity Project ......................................................3–6 Howard Mottram The Westleton Beds - a case for RIGS ..................................................7–9 Caroline Markham RIGS for Geography Education ........................................................10–12 Bob Markham Sizewell B Crags - an ‘unavailable geological site’ [RUGS] ............13–14 Roger Dixon Some Unusual Local Building Stones ...............................................15–20 Peter Allen Some Pleistocene problems in Suffolk ..............................................21–24 Antonia Weston An impact scenario for the Colchester Earthquake of 1884 ..............25–29 Bob Markham Field excursion – The Nacton Shore .................................................30–31

2 PROCEEDINGS OF GEOSUFFOLK RIGS MEETING ROGER DIXON Introduction A meeting of East Anglian RIGS (Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites) Groups took place on Saturday, 21 May, arranged and hosted by GeoSuffolk (Suffolk RIGS), and held by kind permission of the Head at Amberfield School in Nacton. The first of its kind, the meeting was something of an experiment and the high attendance figure of well over thirty participants was particularly gratifying, with Kent, Essex and Norfolk groups well represented.

The meeting was arranged because it is recognised that it is important to develop links between local RIGS groups, and to see how and where groups can actively work together to promote earth science – indeed we are actively encouraged to do so by English Nature and other bodies. This is especially true at a time when earth science doesn’t just get a bad press but no press at all. The meeting also provided an opportunity for local groups to become better acquainted and provide mutual support in our common interest.

The role to be played by RIGS Groups in the community was the central strand to the day, as shown by the seven presentations by GeoSuffolk members. Current GeoSuffolk projects were described, illustrating how RIGS can contribute to education, the provision of public information, consultancy advice, and academic research , and some future plans were outlined. The presentations were followed by a field excursion to Nacton Shore, which demonstrated a more practical aspect of RIGS and the value of such geosites.

The meeting provided a stimulating forum for a free exchange of ideas and views, and provoked much discussion amongst attendees. Bob and Caroline Markham are to be congratulated, with other GeoSuffolk members, for their dedicated work in organising the most successful meeting.