We went onto a field trip in that area (1994?) and were told about Bristol
Diamonds - quartz crystals. If anyone finds this of interest I could
contact the field trip leader (a friend) to find out more.
John
At 17:50 19/02/2003 -0500, you wrote:
>Dear Rory,
>
>I can tell you a story. One day, 'many years ago'(!), I was talking to a man
>who had worked on building the M4. He told me in great detail that whilst
>they were digging the 'cut's' for the lead up to the Severn Bridge (& one or
>two other places), they came across very large round boulders. It happened
>one day that one of these large round boulders was broken open by a digger,
>and he told me that 'it was all hollow and lined with crystals', and when
>others were broken open 'the crystals were all sorts of colours'. Of course
>my interest was firmly aroused, and I was virtually ready to go down there
>immediately(!), but he told me that they came from 'depth', and that in any
>case everything that had been found had been 'dosed into the roadbed'!
>Apparently nothing was recovered. I showed him a piece of Amethyst, and he
>said 'that's it, just like that some where'! I showed him a piece of
>Celestite, and again he said similar.
>
>So, sorry for this sorry tale, but that's all I have to offer.
>
>Regards, Bernard.
>
>p.s. I did later meet someone who had worked in the Yate Celestite
>'quarries', and he told me the deposits were worked as 'cuts' with dosers at
>one time, and more later with standard hyd. excavs.. Pity no-one has written
>a good book of that area, but I am sure I will be corrected if someone has!
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