Bedfordshire & Luton Geology Group by Bev Fowlston BSc FGS The History of B&LGG.
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Transcript of Bedfordshire & Luton Geology Group by Bev Fowlston BSc FGS The History of B&LGG.
Bedfordshire & Luton Geology
Group
by
Bev Fowlston BSc FGS
The History of B&LGG
In the Beginning…………….
• Dec 2004 – Bedfordshire & Luton RIGS Panel
set up by Bedfordshire & Luton Biodiversity Forum with the aid of funding from English Nature.
The original members included:
Richard Woolnough (Greensand Trust)
Richard Lawrence (Ivel & Ouse Countryside Project)
Chris Andrew (Bedford Museum and BNHS Recorder)
Dr Jill Eyers
2004 - 2005
Dec 2004 Original aim was to establish a RIGS system similar to County Wildlife
Sites
Jan 2005 Phase I – designated 11 sites
Jun 2005 Emphasis was switched to education and awareness raising
Bedfordshire’s RIGSRegionally Important Geodiversity
SitesThese are places that reveal our geological past and are considered important enough to deserve conservation. They include sites where rocks can be seen (such as quarries and road cuttings) or where the
geology or geological processes can be inferred from the shape of the landscape.
2005 - 2006
Sep 2005 Malcolm Oliver took over as Chairman from Richard Lawrence and the RIGS Panel became
Bedfordshire & Luton Geology Group
Vision for the role of the B&LGG was outlined as:
“To build a picture of Bedfordshire’s geology and identify a variety of sites that represent the county’s geology and to promote and conserve these sites as appropriate and to raise public awareness of local geology.”
Mar 2006 23 paid up members
Lottery Heritage Initiative bid for £22,357 submitted
Jun 2006 £11,178 received from LHI
Local Geodiversity Action Plan started
Leaflets and booklet printed with funding from partners including LHI, ALSF, Greensand Trust and WBB Minerals
Phase II designation of sites increases to 17
40 paid up members
Aug 2006 Become a member of UKRIGS
B&LGG aims to:• Protect local geological and geomorphological
sites• Encourage public enjoyment of rocks, fossils and
landscape• Encourage the use of RIGS by the public, by
schools and local groups• Keep a listing of RIGS in Bedfordshire• Provide information for potential users of sites• Encourage landowners to participate in the
scheme• Involve landowners and users of RIGS in good
practice and management
2006 - 2007Sept 2006 First B&LGG AGM was held
Oct 2006 46 paid up members
Became a member of The Geology Trusts
Jan 2007 LGAP and RIGS Audit completed
First increase in membership fees from £5 to £7.50 per annum
Jul 2007 New RIGS Manager appointed
Phase III designations sees 23 sites in total
2007 - 2008
Sep 2007 2nd AGM held
Malcolm Oliver stepped down as Chairman – no new chairman appointed
Oct 2007 Martin Sims took over maintenance of the website with excellent results
Jan 2008 52 paid up members – highest to date
Oct 07 – Mar 08
• 7 leaflets produced
• 4 interpretation boards erected
• Educational field trips and workshops organised and run successfully
• 2 geoconservation projects started
LHI funding had to be used by Mar 08
Geoconservation Projects
The sites we worked on are:
1) Potton Scout Hut Quarry
2) Kensworth Nature Reserve
Where we are now ………
• The funding from LHI has ended; only income is from membership
• 44 paid up members• We still have work to do at Kensworth• Partnership work with The Greensand
Trust, The Wildlife Trust and Geo-East in the pipeline