The three month programme of events and activities for GeoFest 2014 is as varied and enticing as in previous years. This year GeoFest opens with ‘Rock On’, a family event of fun and educational activities at Worcestershire County Museum, Hartlebury Castle, on 26th May. Launching the event and GeoFest will be the Geopark president, Chris Darmon. Chris is well known to many for his passion for geotourism in the UK and overseas, his communication of geology to the general public and as Editor of Down to Earth magazine.
Throughout June, July and August GeoFest events include walks, talks, exhibitions and children’s activities along with ‘Ask the Expert’ sessions and demonstrations which will explore the geology, landscape, history and wildlife of the Geopark. Venues for the events include Severn valley Country Park Visitor Centre in Alveley, Shropshire; Bewdley Museum, Worcestershire; The Engine House (Severn Valley Railway) in Highley, Shropshire; The Hive, Worcester; and Malvern Hills GeoCentre in Upper Colwall, Herefordshire. The guided walks on offer explore the historic Market Town of Bridgnorth (the most northern extent of the Geopark); the wildlife and geology of the Severn Valley; the industrial archaeology of the Mamble; the history and building stones of Bromyard and Malvern; the geology and landscape of the Malvern Hills and Martley ‘Geo-Village’, to name but a few.
The Malvern Hills by Georgia Jacobs
Geology and Art: The Geopark is thrilled that the artist Georgia Jacobs will be exhibiting again at Bewdley Museum during GeoFest. Her exhibition, ‘From the Mountains to the Sea’, runs from the 12th May to 22nd June 2014. We are in no doubt that those who visit her exhibition will be inspired by Georgia’s expression and interpretation of geology through textile art. On Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June Georgia will be giving demonstrations at the museum on some of the techniques that she uses in her work.
Digital Exploration of the Geopark: On Saturday 23rd August Michael Brooks will give a brief talk at Martley Memorial Hall about how he creates ‘Apps’ for SMART phone and computers. Michael has created geology apps for each of the 17 sections of the 109 mile Geopark Way walking trail. They have to be seen to be believed! Each app provides a large scale interactive geology map which shows your current position on the trail, geological information including visualisations of past environments and the geological history of the Geopark Way in its global context of moving continents and opening and closing oceans, numerous photos allowing you to judge the walking conditions ahead of setting out and to get guidance as you walk the path. Following the talk Michael will take attendees outside to use his creations in earnest. This is a rare opportunity to see behind the scenes and to gain hands on practice.
The Malvern Hills GeoCentre on Walwyn Road, Upper Colwall nr Malvern exemplifies digital exploration of the Geopark (www.geocentre.co.uk). The GeoCentre houses interactive iPads full of information about the Geopark and the Malvern Hills area, large panels with information about the Geopark and the Geopark Way are on display and a video wall shows a rolling display of images taken along the Geopark Way from Bridgnorth to Gloucester Cathedral. Visitors can purchase trail guides from the shop, download the Geopark Way apps using the free Wi-Wi and enjoy the refreshments available at Café H2O.
Download a GeoFest 2014 programme
View GeoFest 2014 events on the calendar
GeoFest 2014 is sponsored by PESGB, the Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain
For more information about petroleum exploration please click here
