David Leather, examining the tidal lamination in Fairy Dell

As part of the Geology project Mr David Leather MSc, a local geology expert, member of Yorkshire Geological Society and author of guide books  on the Yorkshire Dales came to survey the Park in February –  recommended by the Wharfedale Naturalists.  David is doing a full report on his findings,  and making recommendations for how FOPP can capture the information so as to share the ancient story of the Park’s formation.

One of the first remarks of this retired geography teacher from Salts’ Grammar, as he stood looking out over the valley towards Wharfedale, was that the terrain was unusual, and not a typical ‘text book’ glacial landscape.

Looking at his maps,  the Park itself sits on and area of interlocking millstone and Guiseley grit layers that make up the Chevin.  These were laid down many millions of years ago, when the Park was part of a big river delta.  In the nearby quarry at Fairy Dell, there are signs of ‘tidal lamination’ – fine layers of rock laid down by tidal action, that David was Continue reading →