| Abstract: |
This guide describes Staffordshire's local building stones in their geological context. It includes examples of buildings and structures where the stones have been used. The solid geology of Staffordshire and the Dudley, Stoke-on Trent, Walsall and Wolverhampton areas mainly comprises of rocks from just three geological periods: the Carboniferous, the Permian and the Triassic. Little Permian is seen at the surface, however, and the landscape is therefore dominated by the varied lithologies of the Carboniferous and the Triassic. Building stones were obtained principally from among the various sandstones of the Carboniferous and Triassic successions, with some Carboniferous limestones also being quarried on the edge of the Peak District and near to Wolverhampton and Walsall. Initially, the stones were quarried locally to their places of intended use and only roughly squared off, especially in the case of farm dwellings and workers’ cottages. Some of the larger estates could afford to open their own quarries. However, with changing fashions and the need for better quality stone, attentions were focused on particular, often less proximal, sandstone beds. The area around Hollington and Alton (north of Uttoxeter), in particular, rose
to prominence. A concentration of several sandstone quarries developed here, of which three are still working today. Hollington Stone was used extensively, not only locally but also elsewhere within (and outwith) the county. In addition to providing good, durable, general purpose stone in a variety of attractive colours, the more massive, well-cemented beds were suitable for decorative and ornamental work, and generally weathered well. Although Staffordshire has produced much of its own building materials over the centuries, other lithologies have been imported from nearby counties, in particular Shropshire, Yorkshire and Leicestershire |
