Shropshire Council rangers at Severn Valley Country Park are pleased to announce a day of fantastic events on Sunday 26th June.
During the day there will be a guided walk, a guided rock and fossil hunt and a self-led rock and fossil detective trail.
The guided walk (11.15am-1pm) will be around the remains of Alveley colliery. It has been organised by Alveley Historical Society and led by member David Poyner, For over thirty years, what is now Severn Valley Country Park was the site of Alveley Colliery, in its day, one of the most up to date coal mines in the country, employing over a thousand men. Even today, nearly 50 years after it closed, there are still many clues as to the former use of the site. This walk will look at the mining remains on both sides of the Severn and will follow the journey of coal from its emergence from the ground to its dispatch by lorry or on the Severn Valley Railway. In the afternoon, there will be a 2 hour family friendly rock and fossil hunt from 1.30pm-3.30pm. Local experts from ‘Geologists in the Geopark’ will be with us as part of Abberley and Malvern Hills Geofest 2016. Visitors will have the chance to find their own carboniferous fossil. The session starts at the visitor centre with a brief introduction to the fascinating geology of the park and what might be found during the hunt. As visitors dig into an exposed area of coal spoil, the Geologists will help identify what has been uncovered. The rocks and fossils can be found on the surface or just underneath it so visitors are asked to bring a small trowel and a plastic tub with them. An identification sheet will also be provided and it will be possible to take any finds home.
In addition throughout the day visitors will be able to turn detective on our self-led rock and fossil trail. There will be clues to follow around the park and 10 different types of rocks and fossils to identify on our trail detective posters. All rock and fossil detectives will be issued with a certificate after completing the trail. Trail maps are £2 and are available from the visitor centre all day between 11am-4pm
These events are a taster for the upcoming Coal Mining Heritage weekend to be held at the park on 2nd & 3rd July which has been co-ordinated by Alveley Historical Society.
To book please call 01746 781 192. Guided walk Adult £3.50, Child £2. Rock and fossil hunt Child £3.50, Adult free.
