The geology of Loxter Ashbed Quarry dates to the Silurian period of time, approximately 422 million years ago. The anticlinal structure of the rocks is clearly visible and very striking
We had the great pleasure of Chris visiting the Geopark to launch GeoFest again this year. As in previous years Chris arrived a couple of days prior to the launch so he would have the time to visit locations in the Geopark, meet some of the Geopark Forum members and the volunteers of these groups who do so much locally to conserve, enhance and promote the geology.
Straight off the train in Malvern Chris was whisked off to his first port of call – the Malvern Hills GeoCentre, which is also the Geopark Way Visitor Centre. This was not Chris’s first visit to the business; nearly a year ago to the day Chris attended the grand opening of the GeoCentre and he was keen to here from owner Adrian Burden how things have developed. Fortunately the creator of the Geopark Way ‘Apps‘, Mike Brooks, was also able to join us. After a catch up over coffee about the success of the GeoCentre and the development and merits of technology in tourism and recreation Chris moved on to Loxter Ashbed Quarry.
Chris Darmon and others on the Loxter Ashbed Champions guided walk trying to identify fossils in quarry spoil along the pathside
Loxter Ashbed quarry is one of a number of quarries in Herefordshire and Worcestershire that is part of the ‘Community Conservation Champions’ initiative. This year the Loxter Ashbed Quarry group were hosting the annual Champions ‘Walk and Talk’ event on the same day as Chris’s visit. Chris joined the group in the quarry to hear about the work they had carried out at the site and, of course, to explore the geology present. Chris commented that “The funded Champions project may have ended (2013), but the local enthusiasm engendered must keep going. Several sites are plugged into the local parish council network which is great. Champions clearly enjoy meeting on an annual basis and are learning from each other. Why not at least one Geofest event from each Champions site in 2015? This is a USP for the Geopark, let’s keep it going! Loxter Champions – well done for sharing your geology with the community!”
Day two of Chris’s visit took him to Bewdley in the morning where he was joined by members of the Bewdley Civic Society, History Society and Dr Peter Oliver. Ian Williams led the party around key sites in the town looking at both building stones and geological exposures. The combined geological, historical and local knowledge in the group made for fascinating conversation and interpretation at each of the locations visited. Ian Williams is also a Community Conservation Champion, looking after a number of key geological sites in the town.
Ian Williams (right), Chris Darmon (sitting) and party at Bewdley Severn Valley Railway Station prior to visiting atrack side quarry
No visit to Bewdley can be complete without a stop at Bewdley Museum. Along with being a member of the Geopark Forum, the museum hosts a permanent Geopark display including rock specimens from around the Geopark. The morning party were joined by museum staff and artist Georgia Jacobs for lunch at the museum cafe. Georgia latest works were on exhibition at the museum: ‘From the Mountains to the Sea’; an expression and interpretation of geology through textile art. Chris was totally engaged as Georgia led him from one extraordinary piece of work to the next.
The final afternoon of Chris’s sojourn around the Geopark led him to Martley village in Worcestershire. Over the last three years the Teme Valley Geological Society have taken massive strides forward in undertaking conservation and interpretation work at key sites in the parish, and in engaging the local community with Earth Science. Members of the Society and local community took Chris on a leisurely amble to local geological sites. They were delighted to receive an informal lesson in geological fieldwork and field observations from Chris when they reached the Nubbins Quarry. Chris commented that “This village (Martley) is a beacon to the geological world and shows what can be done! I think this village must be the most geologically aware place in Britain! I intend using this for geological fieldwork training in the future! Well done to all.”
Chris imparting geological field observation techniques to a captive audience at the Nubbins, Martley
By GeoFest launch day (26th May), Chris was still full of enthusiasm and launched GeoFest at ‘Rock On’, a family event held at Worcestershire County Museum in Hartlebury. The event was run by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust.
Following his visit to the Geopark Chris said “GeoFest – a fabulous programme involving so many people, including lots of volunteers! This was the icing on the cake for me. Through GeoFest you are reaching out to young and old, but especially the young. To be sustainable, you will need more volunteers, especially people like Logan (a volunteer for the Earth Heritage Trust who helped at ‘Rock On’). You might need to consider volunteers recruitment. You have the right mix to attract people with a great mix of skills. Arts and crafts are such a great way to bring in young children! In summary, I know that there are uncertainties at this time, but people are still enthusiastic about the Geopark and what it is still delivering to so many people on so many different levels. Thanks to everyone for their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm! Keep up the good work”.
Geopark President Chris Darmon despite being stalked by a velociraptor, opens GeoFest 2014 at Hartlebury Museum
