Clearance Work at Loose Quarry

Loose Quarry, Quarry Wood was nominated in 2004 as one of nineteen proposed Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS) in Kent. On Sunday 23rd January 2005, a group of about sixteen KGG Members and Kent RIGS supporters gathered in the quarry, to remove scrub growth that was obscuring the view of the rock faces. The stratigraphy of Loose Quarry is Hythe Formation, Lower Cretaceous. The quarry is a fine example of classical Kentish "Ragstone and Hassock" lithology. It was worked for Kentish ragstone until the 1940s and provided the ragstone to build Loose church and to face the Loose viaduct, designed by Thomas Telford in 1830.

The quarry is divided into two bays by a central ramp that was left to facilitate the removal of overburden . Other interesting features of the quarry include a normal fault, clearly visible in the south face of the south bay and two small caves in the north bay. The fault has in-filled with sandstone to form what is known locally as a 'gull'. Clearance work was confined to the north bay, the south bay being relatively clear.

Loose Quarry is probably the finest surviving example of a Kentish Ragstone in what was an important quarrying area around Loose and Boughton. With the effort available, we were able to clear and burn virtually all of the scrub in only three hours. It was generally agreed that we had enjoyed ourselves and that the result was well worth the effort If you would like to take part in any future Kent RIGS maintenance activities, please contact Diana Franks.

Information for the description of the geology of Loose Quarry was taken from the report of a survey carried out by Dr. Gareth George on 23rd July 2003. The survey was commissioned by the Kent RIGS Group and sponsored by English Nature.

Loose Quarry is on private land owned by the Loose Scout Group. Permission for the working party to enter the site was given by the Warden.