The first phase of a major landscaping project showcasing the geology of the British Isles has been completed at the headquarters of the British Geological Survey (BGS) in Keyworth, Nottingham. In the completed section (pictured on the right) leading up to the new reception area, there are examples of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock, with something from each of the four countries of the United Kingdom - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The paving comprises slate from Bethesda in Wales and Coniston in Cumbria, with partitioning strips of Caithness Flagstone from Scotland, which also clads the front of the reception area.
The oldest rock in the display is a 15 tonne block of Lewisian Gneiss (on the left of the picture), which comes from the Outer Hebrides and dates from around 3,000 million years ago. In terms of logistics, obtaining it was a less-than-straightforward exercise! As well as the showpiece Lewisian Gneiss, there are four further feature rocks, including a boulder of chalk with flint nodules from Northern Ireland. More strictly referred to as Ulster White Limestone, it occurs beneath the Tertiary basalt lavas, which has resulted in a mild thermal metamorphism, making it harder than the chalks of southern England. There is a block of bedded volcaniclastic sediment from Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire, and another boulder from the same area that typifies the 'Bardon Breccia' (peperite). Completing the group is a block of 'Coedana Granite' from Anglesey, north Wales.
Steve Parry, a mineralogist and petrologist at the BGS and a building stone expert, is working alongside specialist stone suppliers CED Ltd. They have shared the task of sourcing the feature rocks and boulders, while CED has largely managed the supply of the paving.
Ultimately, stone paving representing all of the periods of geological time will be on show. Commercial producers from across Britain are assisting in making the scheme possible by supplying their stones at much reduced prices. When the scheme is finished, which should be in the Spring of 2012, it will be an unequalled display of commercially available British paving stones (although not all of the stone types to be included fall into this category, some having had to be produced specially). "We want to show what can be done with British materials," says Steve. Architects, designers and all parties connected with the British Stone supply industry will be encouraged to visit the display, which it is hoped will serve to promote the wider use of British stone.