What’s going on in Martley
The village of Martley is at once remarkable in several respects, which with a population of only 1200 is even laudable.
Martley has a website, a radio station, a geological society and many other thriving institutions. But it is its geology and Martley’s efforts to promote it that have attracted National, even European interest.
The geology of the area is remarkably diverse with nearly every era between Precambrian and pleistocene represented. The dominant rock in the centre of the village is Triassic sandstone with previously quarried outcrops forming good and easily accessed exposures in several locations. Scar Cottage, an Earth Heritage Trust Champion site, probably shows the most diverse and accessible geological features of this epoch.
About a kilometre from the village centre is Martley Pit. This recently excavated trench based near a former Victorian quartzite quarry has a remarkable density of geological eras represented in a line no more than 50m long. From Precambrian Malvernian series (it’s most northerly exposure), through to Carboniferous rocks.
A short distance further out are outcrops of mudstones, breccias, limestones, coals and even tufa.
John gave us a rapid tour de force of the geology and of the organising committee’s efforts to obtain British and European funding to exploit and publicise this wealth of riches. As well as EHT leaflets, there is a more detailed book on the geology and there are display boards explaining key features scattered around the locality.
A truly inspiring example of local enterprise.