Denys Brunsden: Tributes paid to 'father of the Jurassic Coast'

Prof Brunsden believed the Jurassic Coast deserved world heritage status

Tributes have been paid to a geomorphologist, affectionately known as "the father of the Jurassic Coast", who died last month aged 87.

Prof Denys Brunsden OBE was a key figure in gaining UNESCO World Heritage status for the now-famous prehistoric coastline in Dorset and east Devon.

Colleagues described him as a vibrant person who continued to collaborate on projects up until his death.

Others paid tribute to "his willingness to support others".

Prof Brunsden once said it had been a throwaway line he made at the end of a lecture that led to the formation of the Dorset Coast Forum in 1994.

He told his audience: "Anywhere else in the world, this would be a world heritage site."

After the lecture, two planning officers approached him and asked if he would help investigate whether it was possible.

Following years of work, the Jurassic Coast gained its UNESCO status in 2001 and it remains England's only natural world heritage site.

Durdle Door is a huge, natural limestone arch on the on the Jurassic coastline between Swanage and Weymouth

Ali Ferris, manager for earth, marine and environmental science at the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, said: "It was quite a journey - they were actually rejected on Dorset and Devon's aesthetic appeal and it won for the importance of the geology, geomorphology, the fossils and the history of the coastline and all the important collectors over the past couple of hundred years."

Ms Ferris said the King's College London professor had "semi-retired to Dorset" where he continued to immerse himself in numerous projects.

She said: "He became the first chairperson for the Dorset Coast Forum in the early 90s.

"He also set up his own geomorphological services where he worked on projects across 37 countries. He then became the patron for the Jurassic Coast Trust for the World Heritage Site.

"He was also one of the original patrons for the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre and he was collaborating with us on projects up until a couple of weeks before he passed away.

"He was a very vibrant person, he lived life to the full."

A statement on the Jurassic Coast Trust website said: "For those of us fortunate enough to have worked with Denys, we will fondly remember his passion and belief in the power of education, as well as his commitment to promoting public stewardship of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site."

Dorset Coast Forum chairman Tony Flux said: "His knowledge and expertise in the field was second to none and his willingness to support others, especially students and those developing their skills and craft were well known."

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