East Yorkshire RIGS Group
RIGS are Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites. They do not have the same status as SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) which are selected for their national importance and have some statutory protection against development and potentially damaging operations.
The East Yorkshire RIGS Group was founded in 1992.
Membership is open to organisations and individuals with an interest in geological conservation in East Yorkshire. Members include representatives of the East Riding of Yorkshire County Council, Hull Geological Society, Hull Museums (representing Kingston upon Hull City Council), Kingston Upon Hull Lapidary Society, Hull Naturalists' Society, Hull University, Ryedale District Council, North Yorkshire County Council, Yorkshire Geological Society and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
It covers the geographical area of Watsonian Vice-County no. 61 - East Yorkshire - from the Humber to the Vale of Pickering. This is not quite the same as the geopolitical counties of East Yorkshire or the former North Humberside. The boundaries of the area are the eastern coastline, the River Humber, the River Ouse to York to the River Derwent and a continuation to Filey. The Geology of the area consists of Triassic red-beds in the east, Jurassic clays, limestones and sandstones, and Chalk Wolds, with a covering of Quaternary boulder clay in Holderness.
The group has selected Regionally Important Geological Sites in East Yorkshire, based on a set of criteria which identified them for their research, educational, historical or geomorphological importance. The list of sites has been given to the local councils and they have given them a special status in their development plans. Click here to view photos of some of these sites.
Many of the sites are Chalk pits. The Yorkshire chalk is very different to the chalk of southern Britain and the Group is keen to conserve a complete succession for future reserach. click here for more details. There was a public inquiry into a planning application for Little Weighton Railway Cutting - click here for details of the Group's case for conserving this unique site.
Can you help the RIGS Group?
East Yorkshire RIGS Group Constitution
East Yorkshire RIGS Documentation Form (this may not format too well on the web)
National RIGS web-site
Officers: Secretary - Barrie Heaton, Chair - Mike Horne, Treasurer - Stuart Jones , and Conservation Advisor - Mick Stanley.
Address for correspondence - c/o 44 Potterdale Drive, Little Weighton, Cottingham, East Yorkshire, HU20 3UX.
updated February 2011
