The Rochford Basin and some of the other possible impact structures described may yet
turn out not to have an extra-terrestrial origin but the book will certainly stimulate interest
in the subject and hopefully lead to further research. I have just one gripe and that is the
price. At £43 the book is perhaps beyond the pocket of many who would be interested
in buying it.
Recipe for a 'Zone de Champ Brun'
M.W. Hanson 3 Church Cottages, Church Road, Boreham, Essex CM3 3EG
INGREDIENTS
One 5 acre bare arable field situated in full sun
100 tonnes of crushed concrete dross
10 tonnes of mixed gravels
10 tonnes of pulverised fly ash
20 tonnes of chalk (from an excavation)
5000 ft of plastic agricultural drainage pipe
Various shrubs and herbaceous plants of Mediterranean origin
One yobbo
METHOD
Acquire field, then thoroughly drain using trenching machine and plastic drainage pipe
not forgetting to drain into lowest point to create a wetland area or to backfill trench
with pea shingle. Once drained admit lorry loads of the various aggregates to create
extensive areas of differing substrate. The various materials used must be placed in pre-
determined areas and to various depths - some depths being much greater than others to
dissuade some invasive perennial species from establishing themselves. Once this phase
is completed add various shrubs of Mediterranean origin, species would include Myrtle,
Strawberry Tree, Cistus, Rosemary, Lavender, Judas Tree, Thyme, Jerusalem Sage, Tree
Mallow, Bladder Senna etc. all sparingly planted about the site. Following this add the
Mediterranean herbaceous plants such as Corn Marigold, Field Poppy, Shepherd's
Needle, Wild Carrot, Bugloss, Fennel, Milk Thistle, Hop Trefoil, Wild Leek, Wild Tulip,
Wild Iris ( etc, etc). Garnish the site sparingly with bits of dead wood and large lumps of
concrete. Finally sprinkle seeds of suitable plant species and voila (time permitting of
course) you may have a top quality brownfield site for scarce plants and invertebrates.
Visit the Mediterranean before the Mediterranean visits you!! But wait a minute I hear
you say where does the yobbo come into all this ???? Well someone's got to set fire to
the site every now and then haven't they !!!!!
SOURCES
Crushed concrete dross is available from Hanson Aggregates (no relation unfortunately).
It's about £17 a tonne.
12
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 47, May 2005