Events | Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark

Discover Something Different at Worcester Cathedral

Worcester Cathedral are running their annual Discover Something Different starting tomorrow with a range of tours, exhibitions, recitals and family activities.

Throughout the period there is an exhibition looking at how the cathedral was built and the many craftsmen who were involved. You can also catch our Geopark exhibition here.

On Wednesday 23^rd August Geologists in the Geopark will be leading a tour highlighting the geology which can be seen and which you may just usually walk pat.

Tour by King John’s tomb

Discover Something Different at Worcester Cathedral 2017

Saturday 12 August – Monday 28 August
Be inspired and captivated this August by our tours, talks and exhibitions.

Please click on this link to access the full programme including dates and times of each event. Prices are listed below.

All tickets are available from Worcester Live Box office online or by phoning 01905 611427.
Remaining tickets on the day will be sold through the Cathedral Shop.

‘Hands on History’ children’s activities

Tue 15, Thur 17, Fri 18, Tue 22, Thur 24 and Fri 25 at 10.30-12.30 and 14.00-16.00
Try your hand at designing a stained glass window, illuminating a medieval manuscript, modelling a clay gargoyle and brass rubbing.
Free family events (donations appreciated)

Turn up for a Tour of the Cathedral

Monday to Saturday, 11am and 2.30pm
A guided tour of historic Worcester Cathedral, led by one of our experienced Cathedral Guides. The tour will last approximately an hour.
£5.00 pp, accompanied children are free
Meet in the Cloister outside the shop. On the following dates (and times) in August Turn up for a Tour will be replaced by an alternative tour (see below for details of the other tours) – Sat 12^th 2.30pm / Mon 14^th 2.30pm / Tue 15^th 2.30pm / Sat 19^th 2.30pm / Mon 21^st 2.30pm / Tue 22^nd 2.30pm / Wed 23^rd 2.30pm / Thur 24^th 11am / Sat 26^th 2.30pm.

Cathedral Behind the Scenes Upper Reaches Tour
Tue 15, Thur 17, Sat 19, Tue 22, Thur 24 and Sat 26 at 13.30
See the Cathedral from a different perspective! Guided tour given by the Cathedral Archaeologist, or one of his knowledgable assistants, through some of the Cathedral roof spaces.
N.B. Due to the ancient nature of the building and spiral staircases there is no disabled access. Not suitable for under 16s.

Max 10 people per tour
£5.00pp
Meet outside the Cathedral shop

Cathedral Library tour
Sat 12, Mon 14, Tue 15, Wed 16, Thur 17, Fri 18, Sat 19, Mon 21, Tue 22, Wed 23 at 12.15
Guided tours of the Cathedral’s atmospheric medieaval library offering a chance to see the Worcester Anitphoner and other mediaeval manuscripts, historic documents and rare books from the Cathedral archives.
N.B. Due to the ancient nature of the building and spiral staircases there is no disabled access
Max 16 people per tour
£5.00pp
Meet in the Cloister outside the shop

King John Talk
Thur 24 at 15.30
King John’s Tomb in the Cathedral Quire is a stunning setting to hear about his life, disputes and the lead up to him sealing Magna Carta 800 years ago.
£6.00 PP
Meet in the Cloister outside the shop

Turn up for a Tour with a Twist – The people’s story
Mon 14, Mon 21 at 14.30
Learn in more detail about the people connected to and buried in the Cathedral. Hear about their fascinating lives, loves and losses.
£5.00pp
Meet outside the Cathedral shop

Cathedral Gardens Tour
Mon 14 at 13.30
A chance to meet the Cathedral Gardener who will point out to you the trees and plants of rare and special interest in the Cathedral and Deanery gardens and the different herbs in the Cloister Garth garden.
£5.00 pp
Meet in the Cloister outside the shop

Voces Academy Conducting Masterclasses
Wed 16 at 10.00-13.00, Thur 17 at 13.00-14.30, Fri 18 at 13.00-15.30 and 16.00-18.00
This free event is a great opportunity to hear beautiful music and observe conductors learning their skills, set in the centre of the Cathedral on The Crossing or in College Hall.
Observation only.
(Please see timetable for location)

Voces Academy closing performance
Thur 17 at 14.45
A programme of beautiful choral works including Brahms, Elgar, and Verdi will showcase the Voces masterclasses that have taken place throughout the week. Conductors will be joined by special guest Choir Evoke in this closing performance.
A free event, located on the Cathedral Crossing

The Men – their WWI stories
Thur 24 at 11.00
Hear the moving and poignant stories behind some of the men who fought in World War I, who are commemorated in the Cloister windows and who were connected to the Cathedral.
£5.00pp
Meet your guide outside the Cathedral shop in the Cloister

Climb the Cathedral Tower (Weather permitting)
Mon to sat 11.00-17.00 last admission 16.30 and Sundays 12.30-15.30 last admission at 15.00
Climb the 235 steps up the Cathedral Tower where on a clear day you can see spectacular views over the city centre, River Severn, county cricket ground, Pitchcroft, Fort Royal, Malvern and Abberley hills and the beautiful Worcestershire countryside beyond.
£4.00pp, / £2.00 per school age child/ £8 family ticket (2 adults + up to 4 children)
N.B. Due to the ancient nature of the building and spiral staircases there is no disabled access
Small children must be able to climb independently and be supervised by an adult (the tower is very narrow and steep).
Should the tower not be open due to the weather, Worcester live tickets can be used on an alternative day when the tower is open.Tickets will also be available at the Cathedral shop in the Cloister and from the ticket / donation point near the north door on the day.

Top of the Tower Battle of Worcester tour
Thur 17 at 10.30
Stand where Charles II watched the progress of the Battle of Worcester on 3^rd September 1651 and let our guide take you back in time to hear about this decisive battle of the English Civil War.
£5.00pp
N.B. Due to the ancient nature of the building and spiral staircases there is no disabled access
Meet outside the Cathedral shop

Bell Tower tour and ringing demonstration
Mon 21 at 12.30
A tour of the teaching centre, ringing room and Belfry. See the bells being rung and meet some of the Bellringers.
25 people per tour
£10.00pp
Meet at the Tower entrance.
Not suitable for children under 10
N.B. Due to the ancient nature of the building and spiral staircases there is no disabled access

The Cathedral’s Monastic Heritage Tour
Tue 14 and Sat 26 at 14.30
Hear about the Benedictine monk’s life from 500-1000 years ago and see the surviving and ruined Monastic buildings on the tour outside and in the Cathedral.
£5.00pp
Meet outside the Cathedral shop

‘Fossils in the stones’ Tour
Wed 23 at 14.30
The cathedral was built with many different rocks but did you know that many of these stones have wonderful fossils within them. During this gentle stroll around the Cathedral you will see fossilised corals, snails and sea lilies in rocks that are up to 350 million years old. You may find that a small torch and magnifying glass will make your tour a little more enlightening.
£5.00pp
Meet your guide outside the Cathedral shop in the Cloister

The Cathedral’s magnificent Architecture Tour
Tue 22 and Sat 19 at 14.30
Worcester Cathedral has been described as possibly the most interesting of all England’s Cathedrals from an architectural point of view and has examples of wonderful stone work and architecture from Saxon through to Tudor times.
Join our guide to hear about the Cathedral’s Norman, Transitional Norman, Early english, Decorated and Perpendicular Architecture
£5.00pp
Meet outside the Cathedral shop

Cathedral Stained Glass tour
Sat 12 at 14.30
Worcester’s magnificent Stained Glass tour includes the inspiring Great West Window depicting the creation (currently being conserved), the East Window showing the life of Christ, and among others the Edward Elgar and Charles Hastings windows.
£5.00pp
Meet outside the Cathedral shop

Talk by Steve Clare, specialist in the restoration and conservaton of stained glass
Thur 24 at 19.00
A talk on the restoration and conservation of stained glass by specialist Steve Clare of Holywell Glass.
The talk will take place in the Nave of the Cathedral, in sight of the Great West Window and the glass conservation work. The event includes a glass of wine or a soft drink prior to the talk beginning.
£8pp

Glasswork demonstrations
Tue 15, Wed 16, Thur 17, Tue 22, Wed 23 and Thur 24
Meet some of the skilled glass conservators from Holywell Glass whilst they work on restoring glass from the Great West Window. They will be demonstrating their craft at work benches at ground floor level in the Cathedal Nave.
Free event – no tickets required

‘Building the Cathedral’ Exhibition

11 to 30 August

A fascinating exhibition looking at how the Cathedral was constructed from the middle ages onwards and at the various types of medieval craftsmen.
Free exhibition

‘Fossils in the Geopark’ Exhibition
11 to 30 August
The Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark has an abundance of fossil bearing rocks that form the local landscape. This exhibition tells the story of fossil corals, trilobites ammonites and dinosaurs from as long ago as 400 million years right through to the last Ice Age and which can be seen in the fabric of the Cathedral.
Free exhibition

‘Winterbourne Revisited’ Exhibition by Worcester Artist Sara Hayward (RCA)
5 August to 31 August
An exhibition of eight large scale vibrant abstract paintings inspired by the house and gardens of Winterbourne Edgbaston.
Whilst enjoying refreshments in the Cathedral Chapter House (off the Cloister), see this free exhibition

Safari Trail
Daily
The Safari Trail leads younger children around the Cathedral looking for the many animals that can be found in the stained glass windows, floor tiles or carved on tombs. Children are welcome to borrow a special safari backpack to go on safari with binoculars and a torch to make their journey extra special.
A free family trail
Ask a Cathedral Welcomer (wearing a green sash and located by the main north porch entrance) for the loan of a Safari backpack

Drop in Mindfulness Colouring
Daily Monday to saturday 10.00-16.30 Sundays 12.30-15.30

4 beautiful designs to colour designed by Local artist Sara Hayward in the serene and calming environment of the Lady Chapel. Colouring sheets, pencils and clipboards available in the Lady Chapel.

Awkward Earth Talk on Sat 12 August

On Saturday 12th August Gerry Calderbank will be giving a talk at Bewdley Museum. He’ll talk about how the surveyor’s levelling practice and technology has developed from Ancient Rome to the present day – thereby giving rise to the metric system en route.

We asked Gerry to say a little more about it.

“In the 1960s Herefordshire had no ‘County Archaeologists’ nor support structure; instead, there was reliance upon various local museum, university and/or WEA staff et al. for dealing with the rescue digs – people like the late Frank Noble and Stan Stanford for example. So digs tended to be in their own spare time (weekends and vacations) and relied upon lots of volunteers such as ourselves in he W.A.R.S. – plus the Archenfield Archaeology Group, of course.

Consequently, there was never much time for anything much more than the digging and tidying up afterwards. I mostly assisted Stan Stanford – on mainly Iron Age and Romano-British sites (the various hillforts such as Croft and Midsummer Hill, or our three Leintwardine rescue digs spring to mind) plus a couple of Neolithic sites and the Bronze Age urnfield at Bromfield, etc., etc.

Stan was always pushed for time and, instead of booking his levels in a conventional way (Surveyor’s Notebook) Stan scribbled all the data on his field sheets as we worked (Sopwith staff foresight & backsight readings) and these were left for conversion during the long winter evenings. He lived in Luston and I used to drive over on such evenings from Burford (Salop!) to help Stan and Yvonne with the conversions and any other jobs like like washing finds, etc.

One such evening we took a break from the tedium and Stan remarked that there must be some more efficient way of doing things. This set me thinking. It was a pre-digital era of course – not even pocket calculators! – but I was familiar with certain engineering techniques and (from my work) with so-called ‘Modern Mathematics’ and I realised that the simple arithmetic we were doing (subtracting staff readings from the backsight data) was actually an “iterative process” in mathematical terms – and could therefore probably be mechanised in some way.

So, to cut a long story short, I invented and built a simple form of circular slide-rule (an analogue computer) which we then used on-site when levelling. It was calibrated in Imperial measure and, when set up (“zeroed”), you could subtract the foresight readings instantly to the nearest tenth of a foot ASL (our normal Imperial usage).

I always assumed that Stan would have ceased to use our ‘Woolhope Scale’ when British archaeology metricated but, just a few years ago before his final illness, three of us were visiting the Stanfords (in Leinthall Earls) when Stan went upstairs and returned with the computer, asserting that he had no further use for it and insisted upon returning it to me . . . and I then saw that Stan had ‘metricated’ it sometime – by overwriting my lettering and numerals!”

You can book your place by calling 0845 6077819

Rock and Fossils Challenge

On Monday 31st July & Saturday 5th August take up theRock & Fossils Challenge at Bewdley Museum.
Become a fossil hunter – find and identify hidden fossils. Bring in your own specimens for experts to identify. It runs 11am-3pm and is free.

Textile Landscapes

As part of this year’s GeoFest artist Georgia Jacobs is running a number of events based around creating textiles inspired by geology and the landscape. Recently she was at Severn Valley Country Park and a number of people had a go at a workshop and thoroughly enjoyed it.

You can see more of her textiles at Bewdley Museum as part of an exhibition from Saturday 22 July through to Sunday 24 September and entry is free. As part of the launch she will doing demonstration on Sunday 23 July from 12-3pm.

Saturday 29th July she’ll be running an Experimenting with Textile Art Family Crafts Day at Malvern Hills GeoCentre

Thursday 24th August she’ll be running the event at Cob House, Wichenford. Please visit the website www.cobhouse.org for more
information on this and call 01886 888 517 to book into the sessions so that we can secure you a place on this very popular event.

Severn Valley Railway Geology Trail

For the last 7 days a GeoFest event at Severn Valley Railway has been promoting ‘A Train Ride Geology Trail’. Over 400 people took up the challenge and tried out the trail from the comfort of their seat on the train. The free guide can be downloaded from the Geopark website.

GeoFest 2017

The 2017 GeoFest is about to begin, and an exiting range of events from the Geopark partners can be found on our new leaflet. Walks, workshops, outdoor theatre and children’s activities are just some of the events on offer. It all starts this weekend with Fossil Days at Bewdley Museum where you can meet some experts who have brought a range of fossils along and will happily explain to you what they are and answer questions.

You can download the leaflet here – GeoFest 2017 leaflet and stat planning some exciting days and evenings out.

Fossil friendly start to GeoFest 2017

GeoFest 2017 kicks off with a fossil friendly weekend at Bewdley Museum. On Saturday and Sunday 27th and 28th May come to the Museum and make your own fossil cast and also see some of the real fossils from the Museum’s collection.

GeoFest 2017

This year’s GeoFest will take place between Saturday 27 May to Sunday 3 September. Nearer the time we will be sharing details of the exciting events being offered by our partners.

Stunning Landscapes from Space - how satellites see the Geopark

An exhibition this summer at Bewdley Museum from 22nd July to 24th September

Space satellites now provide exquisite photographic detail of the Earth’s surface. This exhibition shows the local landscape of hills, rivers and rocks as never seen before. Above is a satellite image of the southern part of Britain using a technique known as ‘false colour’ to enhance the exposed rocks and highlight landscape features. Similar but more local photographs will feature in the exhibition. Satellite images and explanations are being provided by the Geological Remote Sensing Group and associated field scale photos and interpretations are being supplied by Geologists in the Geopark.

Calendar of events

Fungi Foray at Severn Valley Country Park

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Fungi Foray at Severn Valley Country Park

Shropshire Council invites you to the Severn Valley Country Park for a fungi foray. Their rangers will be joined by Jo Weightman of the Herefordshire Fungus Survey Group for this guided walk. It will be a good opportunity to get outdoors, amongst the last of the autumn colours, to find out which of the many fungi on the park can be eaten and which cannot.

On a recent foray held at the country park, 35 different types of fungi were identified. Their names describe them perfectly. Amongst those found were the Oyster which resembles an open oyster shell; the Candle Snuff which looks like a black candle with white smoke rising from the wick; the Orange Peel which mimics small pieces of orange zest and the Turkey Tail which fans out like tail feathers. A number of mushrooms are in season until December so you will be able to see some of the many species on site during the guided walk.

Severn Valley Country Park half term activties

Visitor centre manager Susie Comaish says, “If you would like to know more about fungi or just fancy an enjoyable, interesting walk then why not come along. The park has a wide range of fungi to discover and to top it off; there will be tea and biscuits on offer at the end of the foray in the visitor centre.”

There will be 2 sessions on Friday 13^th November at 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm.

Places are limited to 15 per session.

Booking and payment in advance are required.

Please call 01746 781192. Adults £4.50 Children £3.00. Price includes a hot drink and biscuits.

“Time: our most precious asset” – a day school on the Malvern Hills

A day school with some local field work to celebrate the Bicentenary of William Smith’s first geological map of England & Wales. Hosted by Geopark president and geologist extraordinaire Chris Darmon at the Malvern Hills GeoCentre.

Saturday, 28 Nov 2015

Price: £25.00 adult, £20.00 under-19 student, including light lunch and refreshments.

Residential field trip in the Geopark

The Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark is pleased to share that Chris Darmon, Geopark president and Down to Earth editor, will be leading a residential field trip in the Geopark during 2016. Please see the advert below for details:

“Earth science learning for all”

Abberley & Malvern Hills Geopark
April 29 – May 4 2016

As President of the Abberley & Malvern Hills Geopark, I invite you to come and join me as we explore the varied geology of this part of the Heart of England! There are breathtaking views, fine scenery and excellent rocks within the Geopark that extends across 1250 square kilometres and takes in parts of the four counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire.

In the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark we’ll find outstanding geology that spans 700 million years of Earth’ history. The story begins with Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks and then moves on through sediments of all ages, ending with the Triassic desert sandstones of Bridgnorth. We’ll see geology from a steam rain and even animatronic dinosaurs in the Wildlife Safari Park!

We’ll stay at the centrally located Great Malvern Hotel where we will get well looked after and be able to sample good local food. This is a great opportunity to explore some of the finest geology in England over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend.

The cost of the 5-night trip is £695.00 per person in a double/twin room and £850.00 for single occupancy.

We expect this trip to book up quickly – so you are advised to contact us soon for a booking form!

Chris Darmon BSc
Course Organiser/Leader

To request a booking form, email: downtoearth@geosupplies.co.uk
or ring: 0114 245 5746

Download information in the October edition of Down to Earth

Fun with Fossils, Rocking Rocks and Magical Minerals

Box of fossils

Join Worcester City Museum and the ‘Geologist in the Geopark’ to explore the museums wonderful geology collection. This will be an opportunity for you to discover, draw and handle these amazing and ancient specimens.

Family drop in day.

Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum
Foregate Street, Worcester WR1 1DT
Telephone: 01905 25371
E-mail: gallerymuseum@worcestershire.gov.uk
Find the museum: Location map

The Bewdley Civic Society School Project 2015 - an exhibition at Bewdley Museum

Bewdley Museum

This year’s exhibition involves collaborative work with Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre and members of the Abberley and Malvern Hill Geopark.

During the project local geologists offered their expertise to help the learners to identify the stone used in the building of some of the important historic structures in Bewdley. For more infomation about the project click here.

The exhibition runs from 12th September to 31st October at Bewdley Museum, 10am – 4.30pm. Admission to the museum is free!

Geological Inspiration in Textile Art: An Illustrated Talk at Severn Valley Country Park

Crinoids – Silurian reef

Shropshire Council rangers at Severn Valley Country Park are delighted to be welcoming Georgia Jacobs for this fascinating look at the use of geology in textile art.

Since retiring from her career as a lecturer in Geography and Geology at Halesowen College, Georgia has been able to develop her love for textile art by gaining a series of qualifications including machine embroidery, silk painting and advanced textile decoration.

As a registered speaker on recreational geology and textile art for the Worcestershire WI, Georgia enjoys exhibiting her textile art as it helps promote public awareness of geology and how the subject can be used as a source of inspiration for artists working in textiles and mixed media.

Georgia’s passion for textile art can be seem in her vast collection of vibrantly coloured, geologically inspired textiles. Her use of different textures and colours to create wonderful shapes and landscapes is very creative and she is able to bring the subject to life through this humorous and interesting talk.

Visitor centre manager Susie Comaish says, “the country park is the perfect setting for this talk. The Severn Valley was carved out 18,000 years ago during the last ice age and is filled with distinctive geological features, some of which Georgia has replicated in her art.”

The talk will be held in the visitor centre on Thursday 15^th October 7.30pm-9pm. Tickets are £3 Adults, £2 Children. Tickets include a hot drink and biscuits. Places are limited so please call 01746 781192 to book.