On Monday, 23rd January, Professor Donny Hutton delivered a lecture on Antarctic sills as the opening event of the 2012 TVGS winter season to a packed and appreciative audience of over 40 people. So well attended in fact that we had to put out 2 extra rows of chairs.
We were treated to a mind blowing tour de force by Donny who proved to be a personable and entertaining lecturer. Rattling through at a great rate we were taken through continental drift, plate tectonics and cutting edge plume theory research. To aid our understanding we were taken through a brief introduction to geomagnetism and fluid mechanics illustrated by some stunning photographs. Along the way Donny shared the more human side to his Antarctic field trip including near escapes from falling into crevasses , dodging boulders zipping off the huge cliffs, and trials by dry rations. A short break for a little glass of something served with great skill by Harriet and Dave was followed by a lively question and answer session at the end of which Donny confessed that ‘he had never done one of these before but had very much enjoyed it.’ So did we Donny, it will be a hard act to follow.
Leaflet Dispenser at Martley Rock
There are now pamphlets in the dispenser at Martley Rock site. They are temporary in that it is felt that the wording might be a little technical for non-geologists but at least the box is being used and new ones will replace the old asap–2-3 months
Via Ross Farm Machinery we have purchased and have safely stored the following tools for use when we do
site maintenance:
Wheelbarrow, 1; Bucket, 2; Lopper, 2; Shovel, 2; Spade, 2; Rake, 2; Leaf Rake, 2; Glove, 10 pairs;
Secaturs, 2; Pruning Saws, 2; Small bricklayer’s trowels, 4; Mattock, 1; Pick, 1; Augur, 1
Andy P at Ross Farm
Dave, Steve and Julie at Tomkins Farm
On Tuesday 24th January, we held a meeting with Dave and Julie the two geologists contracted by H&W Earth Heritage Trust to conduct the audit of the geology of Martley Parish. As luck would have it I had met Steve of Tomkins Farm a few days before and he very willingly offered to show us half a dozen old pits on the farm that were used to extract brick making clay. What a super afternoon, you don’t have to go to Africa for a safari! We had a free one in Steve’s old series 3 Land Rover, all over the farm, inspecting not only the pits but also Steve’s early efforts to restore the Victorian water (ram ) pump below Laugherne House. This used to pump water piped from a spring in the next field up to the main house, using head from the nearby lake. Steve then showed us his home built mobile cider press, replica of one in Hereford’s Museum. See picture here on their web site. Steve you are a real craftsman, thanks for your time, some of us might creep over to enjoy a glass of genuine home grown, home made cider from a home made press–well done!