Geography Field Class 1969 - from Phoenix 69 [undated - assumed post-October 1969]
A coachful of enthusiastic geographers, consisting of lower and upper sixth formers, with a few fifth formers, left Hanwell at 8.15 a.m. on Saturday 19th April for the Easter field class.
Our first stop was at Fawley Oil Refinery near Southampton. This refinery, owned by the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, U.S.A. (Esso), is the sixth largest in the world, producing about three million gallons of petrol daily. We departed after an interesting guided tour and a pleasant meal (although some thought that the lettuce was lacking in flavour. After another stop in the New Forest, we arrived at our destination, Swanage Youth Hostel.
On the Sunday, we endured a 'forced march' of some seven miles from Peveril Point to near Poole Harbour, to study coastal features, only to learn in the evening that we had crossed an area strewn with unexploded wartime shells. However, all our party returned intact!
Heavy rain and the resulting poor visibility spoiled our third day when we attempted to study the cross-profile and long profile of a river valley at Chapman's Pool, and paid a visit to the nearby Swanworth Quarry. A highlight of the day was when two sixth formers enjoyed an unexpected dip in the village pond at Worth Matravers!
Tuesday saw an improvement in the weather, which was now occasional showers. We travelled first by coach to Weymouth to study its location, and then to Chesil Beach, an impressive shingle ridge some sixteen miles in length, and reaching a height of forty feet above high water at Portland. This proved a popular subject for the photographers in the party. A visit to the Sutton Poyntz pericline completed the day.
The fifth day began and continued with goad weather, and so we visited the Lulworth area Stair Hole and Lulworth Cove itself were first explored, and after eating packed lunch we walked to Durdle Door and St. Oswald's Bay. I believe all would agree that this was the most enjoyable day of the trip.
The village of Carte Castle was invaded on the Thursday, and the formation of its castle mound investigated. This was followed by a south to north cross - section study of the valley of the River Frome, the day finishing with a visit to Wareham.
On the last day the party was divided into groups of about six people with the object of studying features along different cross - sections marked on the Ordnance Survey maps. In the evening each group nominated a spokesman to provide a few details of the information found The observations were used to construct transect diagrams for each section.
Each evening, after dinner, we discussed what we had found during the day's work, and could then write up notes.
Fortunately everyone returned in good health, or at least no worse than when they set off (unlike the previous year) and we enjoyed most of it greatly. Our thanks go to Mr. Wright, Miss Williams and Miss Cleary, who organized the trip with their usual efficiency.
Peter Durrans LVI (1)