Saturday 8 August 2015

South Kirkby



A geological map of the area between Treeton and South Elmsall


Having achieved my primary objective of assessing the Geotourism potential of South Elmsall Quarry, I set off on my return journey back to Treeton.


All Saints Church

On my walk to South Elmsall from Moorthorpe railway station, I had already stopped to look at various architectural details and public art and so I just walk backed down the escarpment – where I talked to a postman who was sitting on a stone wall - and took a bus back to South Kirkby, to have a quick look at All Saints Church before catching the train back to Rotherham.


A detail of All Saints Church

Unlike South Elmsall, whose development has been intimately tied to the rise and fall of the coal mining industry in Yorkshire, the history of South Kirkby goes back much further and, like in so many villages, the old church provides an excellent opportunity to look at the local building stone.

 
The tower at All Saints Church

South Kirkby is set on sandstone, which is described by the British Geological Survey as being part of the Pennine Upper Coal Measures Formation, but All Saints Church is essentially built from Permian limestone. The various colours and textures of the stones, together with their weathering characteristics, show a very interesting history of construction, rebuilding and restoration – both geologists and standing buildings archaeologists would appreciate this place. 


A sculpture in limestone
 
Walking around the village, the topography makes you stretch your legs and there are many other interesting geology related things to see, including a glacial erratic from the English Lake District...


A glacial erratic