Ormesby Lamp EarthCache EarthCache

Ormesby Lamp Earthcache

The Lamp

The stone column, with a lamp at the top, was erected to commemorate HRH Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, in 1897.

There is the inscription on the back:

“This lamp was erected to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria by Elizabeth Caroline Brown of Ormesby House A.D. 1897.”

The memorial was originally sited at the junction of Church Lane and Ormesby High Street. The lamp, which was damaged when being moved, has since been replaced with a cross.

It is a Grade II listed monument (List entry Number: 1159623).   Part of the description is:

Portland stone, on sandstone steps. Ionic column with twist-fluted shaft, on pulvinated pedestal with carved Royal Arms and motto on east face. 3 steps lead up to pedestal; and column supports plain cross finial added 1967 in place of original lamp, now missing.

I went to the nearby primary school – Ormesby Primary – and I remember a teacher (Mrs Hardaker I believe) taking us on a school trip and showing us the monument and explaining that it used to reside in the middle of the road.    Strange what sticks in the memory from over 35 years ago!

Earthcache Lesson

My son quite likes EarthCaches, but struggles with a lot of the complex terminology.  So this EarthCache is designed for kids but hopefully can still be enjoyed by adults too.

The gradually wearing away of rocks is known as ‘Weathering’.  There are three main types:

1.  Physical weathering

Physical weathering is caused by physical changes such as changes in:

1. Temperature:  as the rock warms up it expands and when it cools it contracts.  This constant cycle of heating and cooling can cause cracks and pieces of the rock can be broken off.
2. Freezing and thawing:  Water expands when it freezes.  Therefore, water in a crack can expand that crack when it freezes and over time that can cause a chunk of the rock to split away.
3. The effects of wind and rain:  The wind can rub grains of sand against the rock wearing it away.   The rain can also wear away the rock.

2.  Chemical weathering

Rainwater is naturally slightly acidic because carbon dioxide from the air dissolves in it. Minerals in rocks may react with the rainwater, causing the rock to be weathered.   Chemical weathering changes the chemical composition of the rocks.

A number of plants and animals may create chemical weathering through release of acidic compounds. Lichens, algae, and moss all produce various chemical compounds that can react with chemicals in some rocks.

Moreover, the burning of fossil fuels can result in rainwater becoming more acidic than normal.  This is known as acid rain and can increase the rate of weathering.

3.   Biological weathering

Animals and plants can also cause weathering.   For example animals burrowing in the rocks.   Moreover, plants can take root in cracks.  The roots can expand the cracks and cause bits of the rock to fall away.

Questions

1. Describe and contrast the two stones used – colour, texture, etc.
2. Look at the Lamp:
   1. Describe where the weathering is visible.
   2. What type(s) of weathering do you see?  Please state your rationale
   3. Is there anything about Teesside that might increase the level of weathering?
3. To prove that you went to the site:  there is a manhole cover on the far pavement opposite the Lamp.   Let me know the name of the town that appears twice on it. 
4. Optional task...Take a photo of yourself at the Lamp.

Message me (using email or the Message Center) your answers to the tasks. DO NOT post answers in your log. After completing ALL the requirements, log your find.   I will respond with any queries.