Five members of the Huddersfield Geology Group have been taking part in this fascinating project.     The Museum has four display cabinets which it would like to use with community groups and we have been offered one of these cabinets to fill with our best rock, mineral and fossil specimens, which will go on display in the Museum from June 20th until September.

Each cabinet will represent the individuals in the group and the spirit of the group.     There will be audio players in each cabinet, playing interviews with the participants talking about their objects and their group.     We have been recorded on several occasions by Isobel Holland and Kim Stickland, the Museum staff, talking about our interest in geology and what rock and fossil specimens we collect and their significance to us.

Each cabinet has been designed and made by the Museum's technicians but its decoration is very individual to us.     We have used geological maps as backgrounds to the specimens and there will be rocks as handle knobs.     We have devised a way of showing the geology of Castle Hill to be painted on the outside of the cabinet.     There are four display areas: a top glass case; two drawers and a pull-out support with information about the Huddersfield Geology Group.     There is a third drawer for visitor feedback.     During our final session next week we will fill the cabinet and arrange the labels.

We have all enjoyed the discussions at our meetings, had plenty of opportunities to see some of the amazing geological specimens held by the Museum and we look forward to seeing the completed cabinet in June.     Do go and see it yourselves.

Deryck Berryman, Andrew Krasinski, John Wheeler, Jan Roddan and Alison Tymon

Thursday 21 May (Evening)
Visit: New R.I.G.S. sites at Wetherby Cliff and Boston Spa with Alison Tymon

Purpose: Examination of exposures in the Permian at Wetherby and in the riverside cliff at Boston Spa which are to be designated as R.I.G.S. Sites by West Yorkshire Geological Trust.

Practical arrangements: Meet in the Wilderness Car Park at Wetherby [SE 405 480] at 18:00

After a short walk to see the Wetherby exposures, we will move on to Thorp Arch village, parking by the roadside and regrouping at the village green [SE 433 460] (as parking is restricted at Thorp Arch, it would be helpful to leave some cars at Wetherby and collect at the end of the visit).

We will walk along the bank of the Wharfe for about 2km to look at exposures.     These will be seen from across the river and binoculars will therefore be very useful.    The visit will end at Thorp Arch at about 20:30

Maps and references: BGS Sheet 70 Leeds.     A detailed map for the exposures visited will be provided.

Saturday 06 June
Visit: Johnsons Wellfield Quarry at Crosland Hill, Huddersfield with Graham Mallinson and Nicola Bullas (Johnsons Management).

Purpose: To examine sections in the Millstone Grit, stone extraction and working processes.

Practical arrangements: Meet at 09:45 at Johnsons site for a 10:00 start to the visit.     Please make every effort to be early for a prompt start - Johnsons requested a 09:00 start.

To reach the site, leave the M62 motorway at Junction 24, follow Huddersfield signs for approx 3km and turn right onto A62 (signed Ring Road / Oldham).     At the second set of traffic lights follow A62 / Oldham.     After approx 1km filter left after railway bridge into Blackmoorfoot Road.     Johnsons is 3km up the hill on the left (after Lowdham Leisure), at the end of Thewlis Lane.

The quarry visit will involve a circular walk of about 2km over uneven ground.     If there has been recent rain, wellington boots may be preferable to boots.     Johnsons will provide vests and safety helmets (and also tea/coffee and biscuits). The visit will end at about 12:00 (noon).

That's all until September, folks.    Have a good summer and the 2009-2010 programme will be out at the end of August