Wheatley Historic Site Restored (Contributed By Nicolas Newman)

NATURAL England staff reveal hidden beauty of Lyehill Quarry
Staff from Natural England have succeeded in restoring a geological site of special scientific interest (SSSI) in Wheatley, Oxfordshire to its former glory through hard work and dedication.

Lyehill Quarry in Wheatley, Oxfordshire is made up of extensive sections of Wheatley limestone that contains numerous fossils of mid-Oxfordian age (approximately 150 million years ago). The site was being used to store new cars and had been in a declining condition for the past six years as roots from developing scrub were destroying the fossils.

Natural England had a month to restore the site while it was vacant before another tenant came in. 11 staff from offices in Oxford, Reading and Aston Rowant volunteered to help with clearance work which involved removal of scrub, shrubs and trees. Cut away areas on the rock face were treated with herbicide to prevent re-growth.

David Russell, Project Leader on the work said:

?I am delighted that staff were able to have such hands-on experience in helping to restore this site. We treated the project as a team building exercise – everyone really enjoyed the work and gained real satisfaction from the dramatic change that they achieved by removing vegetation from the rock faces and exposing the geological features.

?This is an important site in the area which we have been able to make accessible to local education groups by exposing examples of the entire sequence from the top of the Wheatley limestone to its base.?

Site?s importance:

Geological SSSI with extensive sections of the Wheatley limestone exposed.

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are areas designated by Natural England as internationally significant, and are safeguarded under European law. They consist of some of the country?s very best wildlife and geological sites and include some of our most spectacular and beautiful habitats. It is essential to preserve the remaining natural heritage for future generations.

Website: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk