Field Meetings
Travel is by members’ cars, or possibly other transport if the numbers are sufficient, with costs shared between members at a standard rate. When a visit requires specific equipment – for instance hard hats, torches, wellingtons, high visibility jackets – you will be notified in advance. You will also be required to confirm that you have read the risk assessment for the visit.
Field Meeting Booking
Booking can be done either at lecture meetings or by clicking on the "Field Meeting Registration" link when it is shown in the details below. For one day meetings, the cut off time for booking is 12 noon on the day before the meeting. The longer field meetings will usually have earlier booking cut off times. The booking link will not be available until booking opens and will disappear once the booking closing time has passed.
All attendees need to sign a Risk Assessment Document
Safety on field meetings is taken very seriously. Should you be unsure about either the risks
involved or your ability to participate, you must seek advice from the leader. Please make sure
you understand the risk assessment offered by the leader of the meeting and that you have the
safety equipment specified. You must declare, at the time of booking, any disabilities or medical
conditions that may affect your ability to safely attend this field meeting. In order to ensure
the safety of all participants, the RGS reserves the right to limit or refuse attendance at field
meetings.
By signing up to a field meeting you are confirming you have read this safety
briefing note, are accepting the risks and responsibilities and are permitting the RGS to keep
your contact details for the duration of the trip.
Monday 17 August 2026
Chazey Heath
No registration required – just turn up on time!
Leader: Ross Garden, RGS
GR SU 69860 75812; W3W ///bumpy.loft.critic; RG4 7BX - Note, the Pavilion is in Caversham Heights and not in Mapledurham.
The walk should take about 2.5 hours and the distance is around 3.5 miles. We will be on well-trodden public footpaths. There is a 20 m downhill section to the Thames at the beginning, we will then rise more gently 35 metres before returning to the start. Stout shoes/boots are recommended.
What we will be seeing:
- Thames Quaternary River Terraces
Identification and differentiation of the Anglian to Wolstonian terraces - The Warren – An ancient trading route from Walingford to Reading
Interplay of geology, the water table and transportation - Sunken Lanes – connecting Caversham Heights heathland to the Thames water meadows
We will all have seen them but why and how do they form? - Dry Valleys - Valleys without rivers in the Chilterns
Why are they there and why do they have the planform shape they do?
Three simple questions to ponder on:
1. How would you describe a pebble?
2. How would you build and maintain a road in the 17th century?
3. What was the easiest flow direction of rivers draining the Chilterns north of Reading during the Quaternary?
Bring water, sun hats & sun cream or in the remote chance it is raining a coat. A hand lens would be useful.
We can adjourn to one of the pubs on the A4074 (Packsaddle or Packhorse) or folks could come to my house for drinks.
Picture: - Ross Garden