West Sussex Geological Society

Wednesday 22^nd May 2024
This is a local Field Trip
Scaynes Hill private collection
Leader John Lonergan

Final details to be confirmed.

This Event has now passed

Saturday 15^th June 2024
This is a local Field Trip
Pebbles on the Beach
Leader David Bone

Collect the various types of pebbles for type and indentification. Part of the Worthing Heritage Featival

This Event has now passed

Saturday 29^th June 2024
This is a local Field Trip
The Historic Building Stones of Chichester.
Leader David Bone (WSGS)

Check out the London OUGS web site to find out more and to book a place. This is a cut-down version of the full trip with several sites omitted, however, the key sites are still included. The objective of this trip is to explore some of the lesser-known parts of the city to introduce the more unusual historic building stones, many of local origin, that have been used from Roman through to Victorian times. We start 11.00 at the Market Cross in the city centre (at the junction of North Street, East Street, South Street and West Street). This trip is a full day excursion, total walking distance of the itinerary is about 2 km on footpaths with some steps. A hand lens may be useful.

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Monday 1^st July 2024
This is a local Field Trip
An evening guided walk around Clapham Church.
Leader David Bone

Visiting Clapham Church of St Mary the Virgin, BN13 3UU, commencing at 7:00pm, to look at the historical church building stones. Please park at the end of the gravel track that leads off Church Close, Clapham. We may / could retire to the nearby World’s End pub at Patching for refreshment after the meeting.

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Sunday 15^th September 2024
This is a local Field Trip
High Salvington Geology and Archaeology walk, then to the High Salvington Windmill Open Day
Leader Alex Vincent

The meeting point for this walk is West Hill Car Park in West Hill, High Salvington at 1pm. The walk will be about the possible river cliffs where a river ran along the valley and the Neolithic village there, which is associated with the flint mines plus saying something about the flint mines themselves and the chalk & flint. Alex has been walking and studying this area since the Cretaceous. The windmill site opens at 2.30pm with a £1 admission and there are tours inside the mill also at £1 There are also refreshments available. This is the last open day for this current year.

This Event has now passed

Saturday 19^th October 2024
This is a local Field Trip
A Geology and Landscape walk of the South Downs, Amberley and South Stoke then return.
Leader John Lonergan

Starting in Amberley Railway Station car park, meet at 1pm. A walk of about 4 miles. This is based on Professor Rory Mortimore’s itinerary nine walk in his GA Guide, Volume two. Starting with looking at the geology in the car park, then along the valley looking at the landscape, and available exposures. John is going to avoid the tidal section for simplicity, though there will be still plenty to see ! On the day subs (per person) of £3 per guest and £2 for members.

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Saturday 29^th March 2025
This is a local Field Trip
Geology and Fossil Palm Trees at Felpham.
Leader David Bone

A late afternoon walk along the beach on a falling tide at Felpham (Bognor Regis) to look at the Reading Formation (Palaeocene) that overlies the Chalk. Meet at 3:00pm at the promenade outside of the Yacht Club. In 1986, David published the exceptional geology at this locality, which resulted in it being designated as a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest. We will see remains of a fossil lignite reef (see photograph) with logs and in-situ stumps of palm trees. Ferns and other plants, part of a crocodile skull, and a contemporary river channel that were discovered here combine to give a picture of a sub-tropical wetland around 55 million years old. Meet 3.00pm on the promenade by Felpham Sailing Club. Bring wellies or footwear that can get wet and clothing appropriate for the weather. It can be very cold, even when conditions appear to be pleasant. Nearest car park is at Culver Road. Finish around 5.00pm. The trip will be cancelled for bad weather.

This Event has now passed

Sunday 4^th May 2025
This is a local Field Trip
Eastbourne to Cow Gap Sea Shore Fossil Trip.
Leader Alan Winter

The trip is primarily fossil hunting in the Chalk, along the sea shore between Cow Gap and west Eastbourne at the base of the cliffs. Meet at 10.00am (for 11.00am low tide) at 'the Kiosk' cafe at the junction of Foyle Way and Dukes Drive (B2103) at the start of the 'South Downs Way' at the western end of Eastbourne's Promenade. We will walk westwards on the coastal path atop the cliffs, descend at Cow Gap on the metal steps and return along the sea shore to Holywell. Once starting walking back from Cow Gap there is no access up to the cliff top coastal path until we get to Holywell. Wear appropriate gear for weather including footwear. Bring lunch and drink. Bring bags for finds. If the weather looks inclement, decisions will have to be taken at the time as rain equals dangerous and slippery, so everybody keep your fingers crossed. Get in touch if you have any enquiries.

This Event has now passed

Sunday 11^th May 2025
This is a local Field Trip
Geology and Landscape of the South Downs
Leader John Lonergan.

Meet Bignor Roman Villa Car Park at 11:00am for the geology and landscape walk, then return back to the Roman Villa for approximately 1.00pm. Here David Bone will talk about the Roman building stones which were used in the construction of the villa. We finish with tea. Bring a packed lunch if desired. (Bignor admission charges £11. Seniors/Students £9.50.

This Event has now passed

Saturday 21^st June 2025
This is a local Field Trip
Pebbles on the Beach.
Leader Alan Winter / Ray Cooper

Collect the various pebbles for type and identification. Meet at 11.00 am east of the pier at the Flag. Note low tide is at 1.40pm.

This Event has now passed

Saturday 12^th July 2025
This is a local Field Trip
Sand Mining at the Mare Hill Quarry, off Broomers Hill Lane.
Leader David Bone

This is a morning visit to the sand mines at Mare Hill, near Pulborough. Meet at 10:30am at the White Horse pub car park on the A283. In the late 19th / early 20th century, a series of galleries were excavated underground for the extraction of sand for the iron casting industry. Bring a torch and hardhat to explore the tunnels whilst David Bone (geological warden) explains their geology and history. Note: this reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) owned and Managed by the Sussex Wildlife Trust and is normally locked with no public access.

This Event has now passed

Sunday 24^th August 2025
This is a local Field Trip
Downs Walk on archaeology (AV) and geology (JL)
Leader Alex Vincent / John Lonergan

Meet at 13.00 at the car park atop Highdown Hill and then the walk continues through to 16.00, AV will discuss the archeology of Highdown especially in the light of the recent excavations there and JL will bring a geological map to discuss the geology and topography.

This Event has now passed