Lea Quarry, Shropshire - Oct 2010

Wenlock Edge is a 16 mile escarpment that started life as a coral reef south of the equator millions of years ago.Today it is probably one of Britains best fossil-rich natural featues and is in the hands of the National Trust. It is formed from a thick band of limestone on which sits extensive woodland which acts as a haven for an abundance of local wildlife.
The limestone was used for many local buildings, such as Wenlock Priory.
There have been many quarries in this area, some now ancient and overgrown, some still working.

Now that Lea Quarry has finished its working life (approximately 3 years ago), the plan, apparently, is to allow it to return to nature and become parkland for the use of walkers and fossil hunters.

Bardon Aggregates worked the quarry and had a good working relationship with local geologists in studying the stone and fossils. Evidence of this could be found in the reception building,







There was so much stuff left in the buildings, it looked as though the workers were expecting to be back the next day!













Not sure these were regulation safety footwear though



Conveyors and silos













The stunning, bright, lagoon-blue water of the settling pool is caused as the partially dissolved minerals turn the water slightly opaque, reflecting the light.







The garage and workshops







And a tiny chapel close by seems to have been used as extra storage by the quarry.





Visited with Judderman62

Thats ace noods,nice one

oooh you got some belting shots there - nice one

Judderman62 said:

oooh you got some belting shots there - nice one

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yep, there are some crackers, love the colours in a lot of the shots.

Cheers, me dears

That's a great quarry. Some great stuff remaining there and a bonus with the little chapel too...fabulous find, eviln.
I had to laugh at the first two pics mind, as they look a bit like my storeroom where I've got boxes and baskets full of my stone and fossil collection. I'd have had a field day looking at those.

Geologists and gold high heels That really does make you think

I have a huge interest in geology and hope those specimens will find a good home. Many a time I have cracked open rocks on a Dorset beach. Amazes me that a rock can hold a snap shot of life on earth hundreds of millions years ago.

Excellent post and good shots thanks.

Some nice photos. Thanks for sharing

very cool, nice report.

saw this place in the summer when walking along Wenlock edge. Wish I'd stopped and had a look now

[QUOTE=Foxylady; I had to laugh at the first two pics mind, as they look a bit like my storeroom where I've got boxes and baskets full of my stone and fossil collection.

Sounds like under my bed Back yard also awash with rocks/shale awaiting splitting, after trip to North East coast earlier in year.

Hydealfred- I hearby lay claim to those gold high heels They wouldn't fit "Mrs El" but i reckon they might fit me

Great report btw, love the chapel

Thanks all

evilnoodle said:

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nice photo's noodle. The keys in photo 8 are a bit special, they are high security keys for the explosive stores

jonney said:

nice photo's noodle. The keys in photo 8 are a bit special, they are high security keys for the explosive stores

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Mine are currently uploading to flickr so hopefully will be up tomorrow if I have time

Judderman62 said:

Mine are currently uploading to flickr so hopefully will be up tomorrow if I have time

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look forward to seeing them judderman. I used to work in the stone industry so love seeing quarries

jonney said:

look forward to seeing them judderman. I used to work in the stone industry so love seeing quarries

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I've visited about 3 quarries now and really enjoy going round them

jonney said:

nice photo's noodle. The keys in photo 8 are a bit special, they are high security keys for the explosive stores

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Are they really? I thought they looked a bit good. They were in a strongroom.......well it had a metal door and sensors and stuff........but then the wall was just a stud wall and someone had pushed a hole through it......so it wasn't that strong after all

Cracking set of pics, Judders.
That pool was amazing. So clear and blue and inviting. I really did want a swim........pity I forgot me cozzie

evilnoodle said:

Cracking set of pics, Judders.
That pool was amazing. So clear and blue and inviting. I really did want a swim........pity I forgot me cozzie

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The colours were indeed quite stunning - I loved wandering round the place.

I coulda turned away to to preserve your modesty.

Mind you it mighta been dangerous in there .... I believe it's deep