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