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.
