Report - Shipton-on-Cherwell Cement Works March '12

mookster · Mar 24, 2012

For the nearly 3 years I've been actively involved in UE I'd never found the time to do the last local site on my radar, Shippy Cement Works, until now. At a loose end me and Zotez hatched a plan to see the old girl and lo, it came to fruition.

Beautiful weather and a lovely pub lunch in the excellent Rock of Gibraltar before the explore meant we were in high spirits and a wholly successful day was had, peppered with TBM's live updates from his explore of High Royds

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Here's a potted history...

In the 1920s the Oxford and Shipton Cement Company built a cement works beside the main railway line and began quarrying limestone from the hillside between the Woodstock branch line and Bunker's Hill. The quarry was bought by Alpha Cement in 1934 which became part of Associated Portland Cement in 1938, which in turn became Blue Circle Industries in 1978. Towards the end of the 20th century the quarry ceased production and was sold to the Kilbride Group, which applied unsuccessfully to redevelop it as an eco-town.

The quarry is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest because it is important for Jurassic fossils, particularly crocodiles. Since quarrying ceased, the site has also become important for wildlife. Birds including turtle dove, little ringed plover, Cetti's warbler and peregrine falcon breed in the quarry. A lake has formed in the bottom of the quarry, attracting birds including green sandpiper, jack snipe, little grebe and common pochard to overwinter there. The site also attracts invertebrates including damselflies.

The site has sadly been half demolished for many many years and much like Steetly Magnesite is mostly a mix of crumbing concrete and metal structures, rubble and twisted rebar metalwork. Still a good mooch if you're in the area, especially on a lovely sunny day.