Aggregate is a term used for rock broken down into many smaller pieces. Sand and gravel are both aggregates found in the Bedford River Valley Park at Willington.
About 300,000 tonnes of sand and gravel per year were processed at Willington Quarry between 1983 and 2014, for use in concrete production in Bedfordshire. The processing plant at the Grange Estate is no longer working (2015) but small quantities of aggregates are still to be extracted.
Did you know that an average new house requires 60 tonnes of aggregate?
Before the quarry, most of the land was farmed. The quarry area changed often, as land was dug and then restored according to detailed plans agreed in advance.
Areas of mineral reserve are still awaiting extraction and these will gradually be restored and become part of the River Valley Park over time.
Quarry excavator entering the Grange Estate from Church End Willington in the 1980’s. Picture by M. Askew
Downloads
Use the worksheet ‘How did the sand and gravel get to Bedfordshire?’ to discover the origins of the Willington Aggregate and how sand and other quarried products are used in our lives.
Use the worksheet ‘What happens after the quarry?’ to help further understanding of the different options for restoration.- Use the worksheet ‘Sand and Gravel on the move’ to help further understanding of where the aggregate comes from and the quarrying process itself.
- Use the quarry photo sheet to support understanding of the quarry process