Excursion to Bardon Hill Quarry  - Field Report

April 4th 2009

(Left) The summit of Bardon Hill – surviving – just! © Andrew Swift

This was not a typical Geology Section excursion, as we weren’t actually going to be looking at any rocks. The genesis of the trip was fairly complex and came out of a request for a conventional visit to see and study the rocks in the huge quarry. For rather nebulous reasons the quarry refused our request, but we were told about a public open day when Aggregate Industries were putting on an exhibition to promote their plans for a major new quarry about a mile from the existing one. It was decided that we would go for that, with the ulterior motive of ingratiating ourselves with the management we would meet at the exhibition, with a view to persuading them of our worthiness to be granted a proper field visit. That aside, it was also thought that we would like to know what Bardon were planning, for future reference.

(Right) The Bardon party with the quarry in the background © Andrew Swift

Thus, on a bright, generally sunny morning, 13 stalwarts assembled at the plant and were shuttled by Land Rover to the marquee erected especially for the exhibition. That short journey in itself was beneficial, as our drivers were happy to give a running commentary on operations as we drove through the quarry complex to access the tent. The view from the marquee was very impressive and gave a high overview of the quarry. Phone calls to senior management prior to our visit meant that we were expected, and indeed the party was granted personal attention by two ‘high-ups’, Graham King and Hugh Lucas. They were only too aware of the benefits of winning over interested groups, so we got the full treatment. They had gone to considerable trouble to assemble a battery of modern media tools, with several computer gizmos giving ‘virtual’ flyovers and other impressive presentations of data. Graham and Hugh couldn’t have been more accommodating and were only too pleased to offer their services in facilitating a visit to the nitty-gritty part of the quarry in the future, as well as offering trips to other Aggregate Industries sites.

(Left) A section of the Section watch the gizmos © Andrew Swift

So, all-in-all it was a very useful and informative visit. Afterwards, a few of us retired to the nearby Charnwood Arms for lunch.

Andrew Swift