A varied and interest packed evening, the general verdict. From Ian’s Rock of the Month (an idea taken back to the Geological Association by Prof, Rory Mortimore as a good idea) and heavy exhibits, Michael Riggs expert (his first?) chalk sculptures, neatly linking with our main topic of the night, Arthur Tingley’s deft promotion of a major mapping project to Rory’s fascinating tale of the technicalities and pitfalls (sorry) of boring under Stonehenge. There was much to occupy the many who came along.

Ian focussed on the rock exposure we found down by the river last year and gave theories as to its existence. Considered to be solid (Silurian) Raglan Mudstone, it has an aesthetically pleasing feel and appearance; Ian as a developing sculptor has managed to shape it and wishes to use it as plinths for other works. Here is Ian’s slide set:

Michael (he of the Caddis Fly Rock of the Month talk in February) placed his chalk exhibits alongside Ian’s Silurian, forming a neat little display. We don’t see chalk around here, eroded off over the aeons apparently and a little unusual to see it in such a large carveable block, shaped by the very substance to be found with it–flint. Michael says this about his work, called Sleeping Muse
Arthur’s relaxed, friendly and ‘you can do it’ or ‘you will be able to do it when I have finished with you’ approach to mapping the empty quarter (geologically mapwise that is) around Knighton, enthused many to sign up for this ambitious project (how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time). Here is Arthur’s presentation with some background notes:

Knighton Map Project Take a look at the back of any BGS geological map, and locate map 180, it has not been mapped by BGS, and it is one of only three in the country that fell off the now defunct BGS mapping program. This area covers the upper reaches of the River Teme, and the outer reaches of the known [TVGS] world!
It is a large area extending from Brampton Bryan and Shobdon in the east, and Penybont to Llandegely Rocks in the West. It encompasses the Church Stretton Fault which merges with the Leinthall Earls Fault near Presteigne and the Pontesford Disturbance, and so forms a real transition from the Silurian Shelf environments near Ludlow and the Welsh Basin.
Some of the area has been worked on by Charles Holland and others, and so the enterprise of mapping it should not be too onerous, but all of the sheet needs to be checked, with quite a lot of original geological field surveying.
Arthur Tingley has undertaken a feasibility study and concluded that the work could be carried out with a little citizen science. So with the help of a small award from the Geologists Association and the Open University, he is nearly ready to make a start.
At the TVGS meeting he asked for expressions of interest in the project; 16 people indicated their willingness to participate. They have a wide variety of levels of geological experience and skill, and so program of training and skill building will be put together to enable the volunteers to build their confidence to make a useful contribution to the project.
This is a unique opportunity to do some real mapping on an area that needs it. The purpose it to build the map of Knighton 180 sheet to a standard that could potentially be published by BGS. If you would like to sign up for more information when it becomes available, please contact Arthur at [email protected].