Geology

Our aim is to have meetings with a varied format, so as to provide something of interest to a wide range of members. These include

• Study the geology of Derbyshire and beyond through field trips and walks.
• Visits to places of geological interest, including mines, quarries and museums.
• Indoor meetings, to include topics such as mineral and fossil identification, structural geology, elementary stratigraphy and rock types.

Meetings will generally, but not always, be held on the second Tuesday in the month, from 2.00pm to 3.30pm, at The National Stone Centre, Porter Lane, Wirksworth. Walks and visits
(usually sharing cars) will generally depart from Darley Dale (Whitworth Car Park) or the Stone Centre at 10.00am.

The experience of our members is varied; some have a wide range of knowledge and background in related industries, whilst others have geological knowledge ranging from beginners to those with extensive knowledge built up pursuing geology as a hobby. The only requirement to join our group is an interest in geology!

The group’s coordinator is Eleanor Porter who can be contacted by  e-mail. Our programme for 2024 is still being decided, but provisionally will include:

• April 16th – (third Tuesday in April to avoid school holidays) Geological tour of the National Stone Centre site.
• May 14th – Introduction to work of Mary Anning, palaeontologist, at the Stone Centre where there will be a visiting exhibition of her life and work.
• June 11th – Visit to Magpie Mine near Bakewell
• Future visits over the summer months, still in the planning stages, include Middleton Moor, EctonnCopper Mine, Castleton, Good Luck Mine.

These will be followed in the winter months by indoor meetings, depending on the matters of geological interest of group members. If you want some ideas / sources for future topics, or if you feel that you need some more formal geology course, please follow the link.