The Engineering Group's Annual Field Trip

The Engineering Group of the Geological Society (EGGS) is holding their annual field meeting from 11-15 June 2025 at the Isle of Portland, Dorset.

This year's meeting has the theme ‘Engineering Geology of the Jurassic Heritage Coast' and will be a celebration and continuation of the legacy of the late Professor Denys Brunsden.

The meeting will consist of two separate parts. (Please see 'Programme' section for more detailed information):

An Early Career geomorphological field mapping training course

Wednesday 11 June – Friday 13 June 2025

From Wednesday evening until Friday, there will be a field- and class-based Early Career geomorphological field mapping training event for Fellows only. Delegates will use local sites on Portland, such as Chesil Cove, to develop and apply engineering geomorphology mapping skills.

The traditional EGGS field weekend

Friday 13 June – Sunday 15 June 2025

From Friday evening until Sunday, the group will embark on a journey around the classic Dorset sites championed by Professor Denys Brunsden during his career.

Booking

To book your place at the training course and/or the field trip weekend, please click on the Book now button above.

An Early Career geomorphological field mapping training course (Fellows only)

Wednesday 11 June – Friday 13 June 2025

From Wednesday evening until Friday, there will be a field- and class-based Early Career geomorphological field mapping training event using local sites on Portland, such as Chesil Cove, to develop and apply engineering geomorphology mapping skills. Field mapping resources will be provided.

The traditional EGGS field weekend

From Friday evening until Sunday, the group will embark on a journey around the classic Dorset sites championed by Professor Denys Brunsden during his career. The trip will be led by Roger Moore, with the assistance of Paul Fish and Ross Fitzgerald (Jacobs), Mark Lee (Ebor Ltd), Bob Allison, and local contributors Jim Rose, Saskia Elliot, Richard Edmonds and Geoff Davis.

Friday 13 June

- An introductory presentation will be held at 8pm.

Saturday 14 June

- The field trip will start at Stonebarrow to discuss the Quaternary and geomorphological setting, including denudation chronology, and the landslide research led by Denys over the past 50 years.
- The group will walk to Charmouth Heritage Centre, learn about the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, and the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme for future sustainable management of the coast.
- The fieldtrip will continue along the beach to consider the issues of coastal erosion impact of the Charmouth Cliffs and evolution of the Black Ven and Spittles Undercliff.
- A Meeting Dinner will be held for delegates on Saturday night (included in the delegate fee). Vegetarian, vegan and non-vegetarian options will be available.

Sunday 15 June

- The group will review the Environmental Improvement Schemes constructed following an extensive programme of site investigations and studies over the period 1990 to 2016.
- The trip will end at West Bay to discuss Chesil Beach and the historical impact of the harbour groyne and coastal engineering and what the future may hold for the beach and cliff stability in West Dorset.

The Early Career geomorphological field mapping training course

Fellow: £90

Fee includes documentation, coach travel, and lunches.

The traditional EGGS field weekend

Fellow: £150
Retired Fellow: £120

Fee includes documentation, coach travel, lunches, and the Saturday night dinner.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included in the fees above. Accommodation for both the training course and the field trip will be in the Heights Hotel, the Isle of Portland, Dorset DT5 2EN.

£125 per night for a single room (bed and breakfast)
£120 per night for a twin room (bed and breakfast)