Northumbrian Earth

25/12/2025

From the Cheviot Volcano I send festive greetings! Looking forward to 2026 with the many possibilities it brings for geo-walk and talks and other adventures in the fabulous landscape of Northumberland and the Borders.

Hope to see you out there is 2026!

29/10/2025

Deeply grateful to the lovely people who came out to enjoy a morning of fossil hunting on Cocklawburn Beach yesterday. Enthusiastic, interested and great company to explore this fascinating beach.

We were rewarded by a beach which had been stirred by storm Benjamin revealing some fabulous new exposures of rock. These included some spectacular examples of roots (Stigmaria) from giant lycopods in the sedimentary layer just below a coal seam as well as some beautiful trace fossils including Neoeione monilforme.

All of this lit by the most beautiful autumn light with an exhilarating wind blowing offshore to blow spray of the top of the lines of breakers and multiple rainbows against distant shower clouds. A perfect end to this years geowalk season.

Thanks to Paul Magee for some of the photos.

23/10/2025

What a glorious morning, the Northumberland Coast National Landscape at its best.

Thank you to everyone who came out on yesterday's walk and for their generosity in donating to Scotswood Natural Community Garden

A lovely group to share time exploring the Whin Sill at this unique and beautiful location. The unique mega-vesicles containing ropey lava (pahoehoe) structures were particularly well displayed in the low Autumn light.

10/10/2025

For Autumn there are going to be two walks both to iconic locations on the Northumberland coast. The first will be to Bamburgh at 10am on October 22nd and the second to Cocklawburn at 10am on October 28th. For both walks I will be giving all proceeds to Scotswood Natural Community Garden

Details of each walk can be found on the Northumbrian Earth Website. https://www.northumbrianearth.co.uk/geo-walks

Northumberland Coast National Landscape

01/08/2025

This seems like an appropriate post to share to say the Northumbrian Earth is still very much alive. The schedule of geo-walks has been pushed back by personal events as well as the need to relocate the workshop-of-rocks. Getting there with the personal stuff and the workshop problem looks like it has been solved and I anticipate getting some walks scheduled for later in the year... keep watching this space!

11/07/2025

It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of Helen Page. Many of you will know and/or recognise Helen as the original author of the "Northumberland Coast Rocks!" and "Berwick Coast Rocks!" books and co-author of all the subsequent editions.

Her enthusiasm for geology since joining the Alnwick U3A geology group and determination to communicate what she had learned in a way that was accessible and entertaining has been inspirational. It led to two highly successful lottery funded projects which delivered a series of workshops and field trips to the local communities along the coast and work with many local schools.

Working on the latest editions of the books, Helen has been a persistent force in keeping the books true to their original aim of accessibility as well as ensuring that every detail of the copy was to the highest standard. It is a testament to Helen that both of these books have been so successful.

It has been a pleasure and a privilege to know and work with Helen.

There will be a memorial service for Helen at 11am in Christ Church, 20 Teindhillgreen, Duns TD11 3DX on Tuesday 29th July. All are welcome.

The image is of Helen (left) with all of the people that worked on the Northumberland Coast Rocks! book

12/06/2025

Well it made me laugh (a lot)!

Those who know, know

14/05/2025

Many thanks to everyone that came out on Tuesday's geo-walk to Pease Bay and Cove. Fantastic group and some fabulous geology and beautiful scenery to admire. Could have done with the haar clearing but at least it made it cooler!

More walks soon!

11/05/2025

Before visiting Cove on Tuesday I am looking forward to some beach time at Pease Bay. The rocks here straddle the end of the Devonian and the beginning of the Carboniferous Periods and have a fascinating tale to tell.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2155995941504082

11/05/2025

Looking forward to visiting Cove on Tuesday, one of Berwickshire's hidden gems. It has some fabulous geology to explore too!

https://www.facebook.com/events/2155995941504082

30/04/2025

Thank you to everyone that came out on yesterday's walk to Cocklawburn - what a beautiful day and a great group to work with.

Many fossils found and the enigmatic ripples puzzled over. This beach never fails to reveal new and interesting things.