Category: CGS Post

Shap Granite: geology, origin and celebrity.

Dr Nigel Woodcock

All meetings at 7.30 and are on zoom unless otherwise indicated

Joining details will be notified before each meeting.

This will be the last excursion of our season and is a short evening stroll.

Tuesday 7 September 6.15 pm. Leader Phil Davies

Meet outside The Wheatsheaf CA13 9XP (closed on Tuesdays) NY 173305

Parking near the Wheatsheaf and lane opposite to A66 and Village Hall Car Park.

NB These details are an update of the information in our Newsletter following some unavoidable changes.

This will be a relatively short field trip. The intention is that attendees who would like to can stay on for a sociable meal or a drink at The Embleton Spa at 7.45. If you wish to do so, please notify the Excursion Secretary Peter Sapsford by Saturday 4th September email hidden; JavaScript is required

It is essential that we notify the Embleton Spa our numbers for either a drink or a meal. I have arranged for their well known home-made gourmet burgers menu for us, as we will be arriving just around their busy restaurant time.

Parking is limited in Embleton. Please do not park at the Spa before 7.45, when it is likely to be full anyway. Parking available near the Wheatsheaf (closed on Tuesdays) and down the road past the Spa towards the A66 and the Village Hall car park.

Embleton Quarry, otherwise known as Close Quarry, operated between 1907 and 1950. It is a fairly short walk uphill on a track into the quarry, starting from near the Wheatsheaf.

Although often referred to as a ‘granite’ quarry, the rock is actually a diorite / microdiorite. The contact with the country rock (Kirk Stile Formation) is visible, but unsafe to access. Binoculars could be useful to view the upper areas.

The “salt and pepper” appearance of diorite is produced by white plagioclase contrasting with black hornblende and biotite.

The quarry is a quiet and scenic spot, not particularly well known about, but certainly visited by members of the public. However, as with all quarry visits, hazards include unstable rock faces and drops, so it’s best to treat both with care.

This will be the last excursion of our season and is a short evening stroll followed by a drink or a meal.

Meet 6.00 pm at Wheatsheaf car park NY 172 305. Leader Phil Davies. Alternative parking at Embleton Spa Hotel car park, if you intend to go there afterwards, or park down the hill towards the village hall and its car park near the A66 junction.

The quarry, a diorite intrusion in the Kirkstile formation, was worked 1910 – 1950 and is a substantial sight tucked away above Embleton but easily accessible. We will make our way up a track from the Embleton road, spend up to an hour there and then return to the Embleton Spa Hotel or the Wheatsheaf for a meal or a drink.

SATURDAY 21 AUGUST FELL END CLOUDS, RAVENSTONEDALE Leader Sylvia Woodhead
Meet at 10.30 am at Fell End Quarry on The Street just off A683, NY 734006 c. 5 km walk over upland
limestone country, looking at the effect of the Dent Line on limestone scenery.

Parts of the walk are on steep and rocky ground which can be slippery when wet. It is an upland area which may be windy and exposed. A leaflet about the geology of the area will be available on the day.