WGCG Spring 2021 Newsletter - Flipbook - Page 21
WGCG
5
Ryton and Brandon Gravel
Spring 2021 Newsletter
SSSIID 1002826
This SSSI consists of three units (parcels) which illustrate different aspects of the relationship between the
Wolstonian sediments (described above) and the River Avon terrace deposits.
(i) Brandon Reach
Grid reference SP384762
This is an ‘excavation reserve’ of untouched Baginton Sands and Gravel in a bund between two old, infilled
sand pits and conserved as a pristine, unexposed example of those sands. It is on land now leased by the
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust (WWT).
(ii) Ryton
This is a disused quarry adjacent to the A45, which exposes excellent sections of the Baginton Sands. They
contain lenses of organic material, which could allow them to be dated. The sands show evidence of
disturbance (cryoturbation) as the climate cooled – [presumably culminating in the deposition of the
Thrussington Till, but which is not present here].
Ryton Pit: the red sands
show evidence of frost
heaving with the
hollows infilled with
slumped grey gravels.
Photo credit
Brian Ellis
(Iii) Brandon
This is also an abandoned Baginton Sands quarry, adjacent to the entrance to WWT headquarters at Brandon
Marsh. The distinguishing feature is that the sands are overlaid, unconformably, by the upper terraces of
the River Avon (possibly Terrace 4). This marks the erosion, at a much later date, of the upper members of
the Wolstonian succession and the deposition by the Avon of terrace deposits. The dating is problematic but
is likely to be during and/or just before the Devensian (i.e., the third and ultimate glaciation in the British
Isles).
Notes
Only two locations are accessible along public footpaths: Wolston Gravel Pit and Brandon Reach. Other
locations are privately owned or managed and are not accessible to the public.
Details of SSSIs can be found on https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/
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