Tilton Railway Cutting, evening of July 29^th 2009

As alluded to in the editorial, this excursion almost didn’t happen because of the appalling wet weather which persisted all day. Around 16 folks had indicated their intention to attend but all felt they had to pull out during the day. Indeed, it was clear that no pleasure could be gained from getting drenched in the cutting, which is pretty much deep jungle in the summer and most unpleasant when wet. It was terribly disappointing not least because a social was scheduled to take place afterwards in the Rose & Crown in Tilton village. Nevertheless, yours truly and the Chairman, plus the Field Secretary, were determined to make a showing, if only to partake of a drink in the pub, thus preserving the record of the Section (as far as is known) in recent years of not cancelling a trip due to weather. Peter Long also got in touch and joined us in the pub, although keen to point out that he was not going into the cutting!

After a bracing drink, the Chairman and Field Secretary became emboldened to the point of insisting that we carried out the intentions of the evening by visiting the cutting and properly doing the field trip. I was happy to concur and despite the thin audience of one (Joanne had heard it all before), I gave my introduction to the geology of Tilton Railway Cutting and we duly viewed the exposures. In truth, it wasn’t all that bad down in the cutting, we were sheltered from the wind and the rain had declined to being only heavy. We felt very pleased with life on emerging, and congratulated ourselves on having maintained the honour of the Section!

We agreed that we’d try again next year when the weather couldn’t be as bad again – could it?

Andrew Swift