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.

Sunday 9 February 2025
The Ferricrete of Berkshire
Leader: Lesley Dunlop, BGG
Field Meeting Registration
Iron oxide/hydroxide cemented flint gravels and sands are found in a number of medieval churches in Berkshire as well as more widely in the south of England and northern France. This material is collectively referred to as Ferricrete. Ferricrete is found in a number of churches in and around Reading (St Mary’s Minster church and St Giles church in Reading, and St Mary’s in Shinfield). It is also used in old churches north of Bracknell at Waltham St Lawrence, Binfield and Warfield and these will be the objective of this trip. We will also look for remnants in brooks and fields at Shurlock Row (Berkshire Geoconservation Group).
The objective of the trip will be to consider the composition and variability of the ferricrete used in building stone and its origin.
Picture:- Ferricrete – iron oxide cemented flint gravels used as building stone in All Saints Church, Binfield.