Our Cappuccino Trail is still going, linking up venues in the Geopark where you can get a good cup of coffee (or tea) and also discover more about the local Geology. Each of the venues listed has an excellent cafe and a trail you can pick up (some free, some charged for) to help you explore. So have a look at the venues and plan you next visit!
Details about venues can be found on their website, links below
Severn Valley Country Park
Wyre Forest Centre
Bewdley Museum
Hartlebury Castle & Museum
NT Dudmaston
Severn Valley Railway
Cob House Country Park
Malvern Hills GeoCentre
Worcester Cathedral
Chris Darmon is running a number of Day Schools at geopark venues this autumn. For more details please check out his website at https://www.geosupplies.co.uk/geology_learning_study_courses.php
How do we read rocks & landscape? – CANCELLED
Wednesday 6 November
This inside/outside day is aimed particularly at those for whom reading rocks
and landscape is something new, although all are welcome. There will be an
indoor session in the morning, followed by lunch in the cafe (at your own
expense) and then we’ll take a stroll to see some local rock outcrops and take
in the wider landscape.
Meeting: Severn Valley Country Park, Highley, Worcs at 10.30 Cost: £10.00
Rocks of all kinds explained!
Wednesday 27 November
How do we distinguish different rocks? What’s the difference between a
granite and basalt, or a slate and shale? This inside/outside day will combine a
classroom session with an outdoor visit around Bewdley where we’ll be able to
see natural rocks ‘in the street’. There’s an onsite cafe where you can buy
lunch. This day is aimed particularly at beginners, but all are welcome.
Meeting: Bewdley Museum at 10.30 Cost: £10.00
Rockstars, a celebration of famous rocks
Wednesday 11 December
There are some rocks that everyone has heard of, like Portland Stone or Shap
Granite. But why are they famous, what makes them so special? We’ll be
examining some famous rocks in a practical session and then learning more
about them in a lively teaching session during this day of two parts. Hot drinks
and biscuits are included.
Meeting: Lapworth Museum, Birmingham University at 10.30 Cost £20.00
To book for any Day Trip go to: www.geosupplies.co.uk and enter the online
shop. Alternatively ring 0114 245 5746
You can the Down to Earth magazine here DtoE extra October 2019
Severn Valley Country Park’s new visitor centre and care are now open (see times below). There are new informative displays in the visitor centre and our Kestrel Cafe offers a new menu.
The visitor centre and cafe opening times:
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday CLOSED
Wednesday 11am-5pm
Thursday 11am-5pm
Friday 11am-5pm
Saturday 11am-5pm
Sunday 11am-5pm
Open every day in school holidays.
The TOILETS are open daily from 9am to 5pm
The park itself will still be accessible at all times for visitors to enjoy the lovely woodland and riverside walks.
Call us: 01746 781 192
Email: outdoor.recreation@ shropshire.gov.uk
 
Les Morris was a geographer and geologist who spent his working life as an educator. A wonderful man and founding member of the
Geopark, Les had time for anyone interested in the formation and evolution of our planet and the landscapes upon it.
Les had a vision to bring this story to everyone by unlocking the vast store of our natural heritage tucked away in stone built walls.
Continue reading “Les Morris Trail” »
 Marking 50 years since mining ceased in the Severn Valley. Join us for this family friendly day to celebrate the past and present of Severn Valley Country Park!
Throughout the day there will be: Landy Train rides, pony rides, coal shovelling competitions*, FREE self-led activity trails – including one which is part of the Unlocking the Severn Project, FREE geology themed craft activities, and a drop-in memory sharing station.
The Visitor Centre will be officially open and from there you will also be able to purchase £5 return Severn Valley Railway tickets to travel between the Country Park Halt and Highley Station, including entrance to The Engine House, where a Highley Mining Company wagon is on display.
Scheduled activities include:
Talks by the Granville Miners, FREE pond dipping sessions, Rock & Fossil Hunts (booking required), Highley Colliery Band will play, the showing of a short film, the unveiling of a new sculpture dedicated to those who work at Highley and Alveley Collieries.
There will be a small charge for some activities
For more information, or to book onto the Rock & Fossil Hunts, please call 01746 781192
(The event is part of the Severn Valley Lives in the Landscape Project and organised in partnership with the Alveley Mining Heritage Group, the Unlocking the Severn Project, and the Geologists in the Geopark. The Lives in the Landscape project is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Shropshire Council and The Jean Jackson Charitable Trust.)
*Coal has been very kindly provided by Mansell Fuels (01746 762265)
Lapworth Museum of geology, based at Birmingham University, joined the Geopark Forum last year. It’s a great day out, especially for anyone interested in dinosaurs and geology. They have various events and exhbitions over the summer
at the Lapworth Museum of Geology, University of Birmingham . This exhibition by PhD student Jack Richardson gives a personal insight into what it is like to do research and study for a PhD. Admission free
Jack’s Adventures with Salt. Temporary Exhibition
Follow the adventures of geologists as they investigate the secrets of salt using magnets! Jack’s PhD is coming to a close in 2019 and during that time his adventures have taken him all around the world to collect samples, fly drones and study Earth’s history. This exhibition tells the story of Jack’s field work and gives you the chance to get a behind the scenes view of a researcher’s life. 16th July – 25thOctober
Find out more on their website
Lapworth Late event
3rd instalment of the Lapworth Lates. 7-10 pm 15th August.
Prepare for an ADVENTURE into inspiring arts and cutting-edge research at the third Lapworth Lates!
Meet the pioneering people exploring the unknown! From Antarctic survival to great escapes, uncover the incredible journey of plants, people and plastics.
Adventure through the Museum’s collections to spark your imagination and get creative with clay and recycled materials in our artist led workshops.
Drinks and light nibbles will be available on the night.
This event is free of charge but booking is essential. Tickets will be available from the 29th of July.
Find out more about the museum at
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/facilities/lapworth-museum/index.aspx
Outdoor theatre comes to Severn Valley Country Park, Alveley, WV15 6NG
Professional theatre company Rain or Shine, hailed by ‘The Stage’ as “one of the best companies touring open air theatre” are set to delight family audiences once again this summer with their 21st Anniversary production of Shakespeare’s ‘perfect pastoral comedy’… As You Like It.
Join one of The Bard’s most famous heroines, Rosalind, as she makes her way in a world full of power, jealousy and tyranny. In fear for her life and in search of true love, she flees her heritage with her cousin Celia and fool Touchstone. Will disguising herself as a country lad lead her to a new life full of hope, laughter, and her banished father? With songs galore, hand-to-hand wrestling, idiotic shepherds and the infamous melancholic Jaques, this comedy is sure to delight family audiences from 6 to 96.
So, pack your picnic, rugs and chairs, pop open some beer or bubbly and sit back and relax in the summer sunshine, while we whisk you off to the Forest of Arden where anything can happen!
Rain or Shine aim is to bring classical theatre into the heart of local communities as they travel across the country during June July and August.
The tour includes a performance at Severn Valley Country Park, Alveley on Friday 9th August at 7.30pm. (Gates at 6.30pm). The Kiosk will be open for refreshments. Adult £14, Concession £13 and Child £7. Tickets from 01746 781192 or via rainorshine.co.uk.
Audiences are requested to bring along low-backed seating or rugs, and a picnic to maximise their enjoyment of the al fresco performances. Full details of the tour and venues can be found on the Rain or Shine website and tickets can be purchased from each venue, through Ticketweb via www.rainorshine.uk, or by ringing 0330 660 0541.
The Geopark President Chris Darmon has just visited us for three days starting with a visit to the National Trust’s Croome Estate on Saturday 13th July. Here we looked at the building stones of Croome Court and surrounding structures, had a historical tour of the Court and visited the RAF Museum. On Sunday morning 14th, Chris launched the new Les Morris Memorial Trail at NT’s Dudmaston Estate and in the afternoon joined the guided geology walk around the Estate. And on Monday 15th the stone used in new constructions in Bewdley were the subject of investigation. Chris was also given a preview of the new dinosaur detective trail which will soon be running at Bewdley Museum.
 The new statue of three times prime minister Baldwin in Bewdley has a plinth of Carboniferous sandstone from Brighouse in Yorkshire.  The repair work at Bewdley Severn Valley Railway station has replaced Highley sandstone with Carboniferous Woodkirk sandstone from Leeds.
 At Dudmaston a wall of Carboniferous and Permian sandstone forms part of the new Les Morris trail. Jenny Morris in the centre was the special guest.  Chris seats himself on a granite glacial erratic on the Dudmaston guided walk
 Inspecting a wall of Blue Lias limestones at Croome Estate
 The Rotunda building at Croome built of Bath Stone
The President of the Geopark Chris Darmon, will be visiting the Geopark on 13th and 14th July. His itinerary includes visits to the National Trust at Croome and Dudmaston. On Sunday 14th he will launch the Les Morris Memorial Trail at 11.30 in the orchard at Dudmaston. This self guided discovery trail covers over 30 locations throughout the Geopark. In the afternoon at Dudmaston starting at 1.30 there is a guided geology walk around the state.
 Les in red top, on one of his many field trips
Les Morris (pictured below) was a geographer and geologist who spent his working life as an educator. A wonderful man and founding member of the Geopark, Les had time for anyone interested in the formation and evolution of our planet and the landscapes upon it. Les had a vision to bring this story to everyone by unlocking the vast store of our natural heritage tucked away in stone built walls.
 Part of Dudmaston Estate showing one of the many rock outcrops
We are pleased to welcome new members to the Geopark Forum!
Bewdley School
Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust
Hereford Sixth Form College
The 2019 GeoFest will be launched at Malvern Hills GeoCentre on Saturday 25th May with special displays about the Abberley & Malvern Hills Geopark. Come along and find out about what make this area special, with experts on hand to talks to you about the rocks and fossils you can find here. There are plenty of specimens for you to look at. You can also find out more about the Geopark Way, a long distance walk through the beautiful local countryside which also takes in the incredible geology along the route.
There are also plenty of other events at other partner venues: Bee Day at NT Greyfriars in Worcester on Saturday, special trails at NT Brockhampton, NT The Firs and Severn Valley Country Park. From Monday Bewdley Museum will have an exciting range of half term activities.
The annual GeoFest features activities and events run by members of the Abberley & Malvern Hills Geopark Forum, who are museums, country parks and other visitor centres in the region. Numerous events are run across Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Shropshire including guided walks, craft sessions, open air theatre, trails and wildlife experiences. Many of the events are family friendly. Although GeoFest features a number of rock and fossils events there are also plenty of other events with wildlife, history and archaeology themes, and there is plenty of fun and hands on experiences.
Details of events can be found on our What’s On guide and calendar.
Peter Oliver of the Geopark Forum said, “This weekend’s launch will feature a huge video screen presentation about the Geopark and we’re looking forward to bringing along our displays and fossils for you to look at. Bring your own specimens for us to identify. There are more activities planned in over the summer across the region and there’s plenty for people to join in with.”
The event, which is free, will be 10am-4pm Saturday at the Malvern GeoCentre, near the Wyche Cutting on the Malvern Hills.
Other events this week and half term
Victorian fun and games at NT The Firs, Lower Broadheath
25th May – 17th July 10:30-4:30
Join us in a traditional Victorian holiday with dressing up and good old fashioned toys.
£1.50 for crafts, £2 for trail.
Tudor Cherry Chase Trail at NT Brockhampton
Sat 25th May – Sun 2nd June 11:00-4:00
Complete the Tudor cherry chase and win a prize.
£2.50 per trail
Bee aware day at NT Greyfriars House and Garden
Sat 25th May 11:00-4:30
Meet our volunteer Beekeeper and his busy hive and enjoy nature inspired activities for the whole family.
 Severn Valley Country Park Woodland Creature Self-Led Trail at Severn Valley County Park (SVCP)
Sat 25th May to Sun 2nd June 11:00-4:00
Pick up at map at the refreshment kiosk so you can follow the trail around the park to discover lots more about these fascinating animals. Trail maps £2 each
May Half Term Activities at Bewdley Museum
Mon 27th-Fri 31st May 11am-3:30pm
Activities every day throughout the holidays,
£4 per person. All children must be supervised.
 North and End Hills, Malverns
The 2019 GeoFest will be launched at Malvern Hills GeoCentre on Saturday 25th May with special displays about the Abberley & Malvern Hills Geopark. Come along and find out about what make this area special, with experts on hand to talks to you about the rocks and fossils you can find here. There are plenty of specimens for you to look at.
You can also find out more about the Geopark Way, a long distance walk through the beautiful local countryside which also takes in the incredible geology along the route.
The annual GeoFest features activities and events run by members of the Abberley & Malvern Hills Geopark Forum, who are museums, country parks and other visitor centres in the region. Numerous events are run across Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Shropshire including guided walks, craft sessions, open air theatre, trails and wildlife experiences. Many of the events are family friendly. Although GeoFest features a number of rock and fossils events there are also plenty of other events with wildlife, history and archaeology themes, and there is plenty of fun and hands on experiences.
Details of events, including the What’s On guide and calendar, can be found on our Geopark website www.geopark.org.uk.
Peter Oliver of the Geopark Forum said, “This weekend’s launch will feature a huge video screen presentation about the Geopark and we’re looking forward to bringing along our displays and fossils for you to look at. Bring your own specimens for us to identify. There are more activities planned in over the summer across the region and there’s plenty for people to join in with.”
The event, which is free, will be 10am-4pm Saturday at the Malvern GeoCentre, near the Wyche Cutting on the Malvern Hills.
North and End Hills, Malverns
We’ll be sharing details of events across the Geopark in the next few weeks.
Our member visitor centres offer some fantastic places to visit, especially over half term. There are also lots of events for families in the Geopark at the visitor centres, and we thought we’d highlight a few here. Check out member websites for more details
Bodenham Arboretum
16th – 24th February Bodenham’s Gingerbread Trail
Looking for something a little different to do in the Half Term holidays? Then come along to Bodenham’s Gingerbread Trail! Search for the hidden Gingerbread characters around the Arboretum. Each time you find a Gingerbread Man you will also be given a clue that will eventually lead you to their special Gingerbread Home!
Normal Admission Fees apply: Booking not required, simply turn up.
Cob House Country Park
There are a number of special events for children. Check out the website for prices.
17 & 19 Feb 10:30am Pony Rides with pampered Ponies
21 Feb 10:30am-12:00 Make your New BFF with Bear Club & Kids Bee Happy
21 Feb 1-3pm Sand Art with Kids Bee happy
Check out these and other events in their Newsletter
Severn Valley Country Park
16-24 February 11am-3pm Garden Bird Self Led Trail
Collect a FREE map from the refreshment kiosk from 11am-3pm
Please be aware the visitor centre and cafe will be closed for building work during half term. A refreshment kiosk will be open serving drinks and snacks to takeaway but light lunches (jacket potatoes, sandwiches, soup) will not be available.
20 February 11:30-2:30pm Woodland Mini Beast Hunt
FREE to join
There are 2 sessions of this event 11.30am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-2.30pm
The ranger will take you down into the woods to search for spiders, earwigs, worms, slugs and other bugs who live in the log piles and leaves found on the woodland floor.
The mini beast hunts are FREE to join, but please call 01746 781 192 to book your place. The rangers will be setting off at 11.30am and 1.30pm. Meeting point is outside the visitor centre.
Severn Valley Railway
The Railway’s fleet of locomotives will be back in action taking passengers for exciting journeys through the stunning Severn Valley every day from February 16th-24th.
Creative kids can join LEGO® Master Builder Bricks McGee for fun-filled workshops throughout the day at The Engine House on February 23rd and 24th. There’ll be a chance to Create Local Landmarks at 11am and 2.45pm, Beautiful Gardens at 12.15pm and 4pm and be a Town Planner and build your own metropolis at 1.30pm. Workshops last approximately an hour and are suitable for ages five and over. Places are free with a Freedom of the Line ticket and are available on a first come, first served basis.
On display at Kidderminster Station throughout half-term will be the engine that collided with a camel – 8F No. 48773. Visitors can even climb aboard the footplate with Volunteers from The Stanier 8F Locomotive Society to find out all about this fascinating engine with a very colourful history.
Lapworth Museum of Geology
20 February 10am-5pm – Jurassic Marine Monsters – Family Fun Day
We all know about the wonderful world of Dinosaurs, and the giants that lived on land. But what about the monsters that swam in the depths of the oceans?
National Trust
There are a number of National Trust properties in the Geopark, many offering trails and activities in the holidays. A few are listed below
Brockhampton
16-24 Feb 11am-4pm – Weird Fruit Trail
Learn fun facts about fruit grown here in England, collect the clues and decipher what weird fruit is grown here at Brockhampton
Dudmaston
Snowdrop Season
Greyfriars, Worcester
Greyfriars has heaps of love for the city of Worcester and they’re taking part in the Love Worcester Heritage Festival.
You can re-trace the footsteps of Greyfriars’ past residents and discover what Greyfriars means to Worcester’s heritage.
16-17 February – Living History
The Worcester Re-enactors are set to bring history to life inside the house. You’ll see Tudors, the Home Guard, and more!
Wyre Forest (Forestry Commission)
19-21 February 10am-3pm – Forest Holiday Club
£20 book at https://www.abreathoffreshair.education/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service
21 February 10am-3pm – Hands on History
Drop into The Hive’s children’s library for this family event. Have a go at digging in the sand pit and see what real archaeological objects you can find. Have a go at writing with a quill and play a game soldiers in the Civil War would have played.
Free, just drop in.
Part of Love Worcester festival.
Worcester Cathedral
Tudor trail throughout the week, with special activities 19th & 20th February
Grand openings, great offers, creative workshops and the return of an old friend – the Severn Valley Railway is building up to an exciting and fun-packed February half-term.
After six weeks of maintenance and hard work behind the scenes, during which time teams at the railway re-laid track, replaced sleepers, reinforced one of its viaducts, painted a ‘Pannier Tank’ locomotive and cleaned its stations, the SVR will be back with a bang this half-term.
The Railway’s fleet of locomotives will be back in action taking passengers for exciting journeys through the stunning Severn Valley every day from February 16th-24th.
This year, the SVR is rolling back the price of its Family Freedom of the Line ticket, meaning up to two adults and up to four children can enjoy unlimited travel along the line during the day, plus free entry to the Engine House Visitor Centre, with free access to a range of fun, half-term activities – all for a reduced price of £49.
Creative kids can join LEGO® Master Builder Bricks McGee for fun-filled workshops throughout the day at The Engine House on February 23rd and 24th. There’ll be a chance to Create Local Landmarks at 11am and 2.45pm, Beautiful Gardens at 12.15pm and 4pm and be a Town Planner and build your own metropolis at 1.30pm. Workshops last approximately an hour and are suitable for ages five and over. Places are free with a Freedom of the Line ticket and are available on a first come, first served basis.
On display at Kidderminster Station throughout half-term will be the engine that collided with a camel – 8F No. 48773. Visitors can even climb aboard the footplate with Volunteers from The Stanier 8F Locomotive Society to find out all about this fascinating engine with a very colourful history.
This half-term will be extra-special for the SVR, with the grand opening of its brand new, much-anticipated refreshment room at Bridgnorth along with a larger, improved overflow carpark. The brand new building, constructed in the style of a Great Western Railway building c1900, is part of an extensive development plan to transform Bridgnorth Station and was funded by the year-long, hugely successful 2016 Share Offer, which smashed its £2.5 million target back in November 2017.
Another exciting arrival on the Railway this half-term comes in the shape of British Railways Standard 4 locomotive No. 75069. Having not steamed in more than 24 years, this special engine has undergone the most extensive re-build ever
carried out on the SVR and, after a series of successful test runs on the Railway, will pull its first train in more than two decades on Saturday 16th February.
Hauling the 10.30am service from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster, the sparkling black locomotive is sure to be an amazing sight. It will also be in service on February 17th, 23rd & 24th. See www.svr.co.uk for more information.
Those who’ve ever dreamed of driving a steam train can make this a reality on the morning Introductory Footplate Experience on Saturday 23rd February. Includes chance to drive and fire for 8 miles, bring along four family members or friends to travel in the train and receive a Family ‘Freedom of the Line’ ticket to spend the rest of the day on the railway. This Experience must be pre-booked.
Lewis Maddox, the SVR’s events co-ordinator, said: “We really are pulling out all the stops this half-term, with so much to do and see for all ages. Our LEGO®-inspired workshops should be a real hit with kids and adults alike, and we’ll have lots of fun activities going on throughout the week, with the chance to enjoy a great-value day out thanks to our new, reduced family Freedom of the Line fare.
“We’re extremely proud of our new Refreshment Room, which provides a fantastic place for visitors to sit back, relax and re-fuel while our trains steam by, and we are delighted to see the return to the rails of 75069, which has been the subject of so much hard work from so many volunteers. We’re sure our visitors will love to see it in action once again.” For more information or to book railway tickets, see www.svr.co.uk or call 01562 757900. For more news and events, see the Severn Valley Railway Official Site or Families pages on Facebook.
GeoFest 2019 will run from Saturday 25th May to Sunday 1st September. Hundreds of events throughout the summer. More details will appear on the website as the start approaches.
 Aubrey Manning at Highley Station in Shropshire on the Seven Valley Railway
Many of you will remember Aubrey Manning, the first president of the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark. He took on this role with much enthusiasm in 2004 and continued until 2010 when he handed over to current president Chris Darmon. Aubrey, a zoologist, was Professor of Natural History at Edinburgh University during which time he also developed a very successful role as a broadcaster. His television and radio programmes showed his interest in geology and it was no surprise that he participated in many of our Geopark events. Aubrey was as much at home in the field as he was in the lecture theatre and TV studio – he joined in many geology and landscape walks.
We owe much to Aubrey for his support and active promotion of the Geopark.
 With Moira Jenkins on the Malvern Hills  On the Geopark Way in the Abberley Hills 
 With Les Morris on the Malvern Hills
The American branch of the Association of Women Geoscientists (an international organisation) recently visited the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark. The visitors spent time on the railway looking at the rocks and landscape of the area, studying the fossilised desert sand dunes of Bridgnorth and Bewdley and the important sandstones of Highley. The history of coal mining, building stone transport down the river and the construction of Wribbenhall viaduct were all discussed. There is indeed some extraordinary geology to be seen along the railway.
Three exhibitions are launching on Saturday 16th June, focusing on Worcestershire’s distant past. They are the culmination of the Lost Landscapes Project, celebrating over half a million years of the area’s prehistory, from the time our ancestors arrived until the end of the last Ice Age 12,000 years ago. It is a joint project from Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service and Worcester Art gallery & Museum, funded by grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England.
Ice Age @ Worcester Art Gallery & Museum
Running from the 16th June to 8th September 2018, this exhibition will showcase stunning and surprising Ice Age finds with a Worcestershire connection. Suitable for all ages.
Watch out for an early copy of the first geological map of the country, artefacts made over 300,000 years ago by the earliest humans to live in Worcestershire, and remains of extraordinary Ice Age creatures.
Over this enormous timespan there were many changes in the local environment, from woolly mammoths roaming the tundra in Bromsgrove, to cave lions stalking the riverbanks beneath Bredon Hill. Humans came and went with the warming and cooling of the climate.
Visit Ice Age and come face to face with a Neanderthal, crawl inside our Ice Age shelter, and meet Fluffy the Woolly Mammoth.
 Mammoth tusk
Origins of Us @ The Hive, Worcester
Running from 16th June to 8th September 2018, this exhibition explores how our understanding of our place in the world has developed over two centuries of research and discovery.
It will examine our relationship with human species who walked this land before us, and the way our understanding of the Ice Age origins of the human story in Britain has developed from the 19th century to the present.
Through the Mists of Time @ The Hive
An immersive experience inspired by the evolution of humans towards the end of the last Ice Age that led to the birth of modern society. As part of the Lost Landscapes project, and funded through Arts Council England, there will be an audio-visual installation celebrating imagination and human ability to go beyond the here and now, constructing shared systems of beliefs and creating symbols, ceremonies and rituals.
Digital artists SDNA produce distinctive digital artworks and vibrant interactive experiences for a range of settings, from intimate small-scale pieces to ambitious projected installations for outdoor spaces and iconic buildings. We aim to extend the possibilities and reach of digital art by exploring the interaction between moving image, installation, virtual reality and live performance, and by collaborating with a diverse range of participants and audiences. www.movingimage.art
Find out more at https://iceageworcestershire.com/
The extension of the Geopark to include the Woolhope dome was launched by Jesse Norman MP at a special event in Hereford last Friday.
The Woolhope Club, who have played a big role in the inclusion of the Woolhope Dome, Hereford City and parts of the Wye valley, hosted the event at the Hereford Museum Resource Centre. Gerry Calderbank, Vice Chair of the Geology Section, welcomed the guests before Jesse Norman, local MP, officially opened the extension.
John Payne then gave a talk about the rich geology of this part of Herefordshire and why it is so significant. As well as having significant landscape features it was also important in the early study by Victorians and the original members of the Woolhope Club, hosting many outings and field trips. It was therefore very appropriate for them to host the launch. It is a great addition to the Geopark in terms of the special landscape, including more of Herefordshire, and having Hereford as a gateway city to the Geopark.
The event also launched GeoFest, the annual programme of events by Geopark forum members. Representatives from Merlin Energy, GeoFest sponsors, were on hand to do the honours and declare it open. You can find out more about the many varied events here.
 Jesse Norman MP – Susan Olver (Field Secretary – Woolhope Club) – Dr Bill Wilks (CEO Merlin Energy) – Dr Paul Olver (President – Woolhope Club)- Dr Tony Loy (Chief Geologist: Merlin Energy) – Jean O’Donnell (Vice President – Woolhope Club) – John Payne (Woolhope Club) – Paul Hudson (Worcs Archive & Archaeology Service) and Gerry Calderbank (Vice Chairman, Geology Section Woolhope Club). Photo by Derek Foxton
GeoFest will be running from 26th May, starting with a exhibition at Severn Valley Railway’s Kidderminster Station over the Bank Holiday.
Check out details of events on our calendar and on our events leaflet which you can download here 3879618_LRES
New map of the Geopark with locations
Many of the visitor centres in the Geopark provide excellent coffee, tea and cakes.
Access to the cafes is free. Some of the centres have fascinating rock and fossil,
and landscape trails for you to explore. Pick up a free trail leaflet at each centre.
Some centres have rocks and fossils to handle and information panels to peruse.
Severn Valley Railway Bridgnorth Station – train ride geology trail.
Severn Valley Country Park – information panels, rock and fossil displays,
landscape and geology trail.
Bodenham Arboretum – landscape and geology trail.
Wyre Forest Discovery Centre – information panels, geology trails.
Bewdley Museum – information panels, rock and fossil displays, rock and fossil
detective trail, geology trail.
Severn Valley Railway Kidderminster Station – train ride geology trail.
Cob House Country Park – rock and fossil detective trail.
Malvern Hills GeoCentre – rock and fossil displays, leaflets and information panels.
Worcester Cathedral – building stones trail guide for sale.
Please note – if travelling on a Severn Valley Railway train you will need to purchase a ticket and if
touring the grounds at Bodenham Arboretum you will have to pay to enter the arboretum.
The Geopark is expanding. During 2018 the western boundary of the Geopark will stretch to Hereford and Ross and include great landscapes such as the Woolhope Dome, parts of the Rivers Wye, Frome and Lugg, Penyard Park and Howle Hill. Look out for the new maps in early 2018 and details of where to go and what to see.
The diagram below shows the geology and landscape of the Woolhope Dome.
GeoFest 2017 will close on Saturday 2 September with a guided Geological walk to explore the building stones of Gloucester’s high street. Dr Alice Kennedy from the Gloucestershire Geology Trust will be explaining more about the key stones which form the colourful high streets of Gloucester.
The walk is free but must be booked in advance. Please ring 01452 864 438 or email info@glosgeotrust.org.uk to book your place by Friday 1st September. Walk will start at 10.30 at Gloucester Cathedral, the south porch off College Green and Westgate Street and last 1-2 hours.
 Gloucester Cathedral West Window
On Saturday 24th June Gloucestershire Geology Trust led a walk at Huntley Quarry where they explore the geology of the site.
They have another event for GeoFest on Saturday 2nd September when they’ll be leading a walk in Gloucester discovering the building stones of Gloucester. It’s a free walk and can be booked through 01452 864438.
Before then there is an 8 mile walk at Trimpley reservoir & Eymore Wood on Monday 17th July if you’re interested in guided walks. It’s arranged by Severn Valley Country Park. Booking essential, please call 01746 781192. Adults £3.50 Children £2.00.
 ‘Rockfest’ Champions event in Dingle Quarry The Community Conservation Champions are a loosely knit group of volunteers who are actively involved in the maintenance and public promotion of 19 geological sites spread across the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. They are engaged in a wide range of activities which vary according to the nature of the site. These
include: site clearance, conservation and monitoring; public open days; guided walks, talks, and demonstrations; and facilitating private visits by request.
Find out more on their website
 Bradnor Hill Quarry Champions work party
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.
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.
 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.
Malvern Hills GeoCentre is a supporter of Abberley and Malvern Hills GeoPark. You can find out more about them at http://www.geocentre.co.uk/
 Malvern Hills GeoCentre
Merlin Energy is an Employee Owned Geoscience Consultancy based in Herefordshire. It employs eighteen staff, located in its Ledbury HQ and its Data Management Division in Colwall.
The majority of our employees have degrees in Earth Sciences and many also have Masters or PhD’s in Geology. We are all ‘rock nuts’ and care passionately about our planet and its natural resources.
As Sponsors of the Abberley & Malvern Hills Geopark, we want to encourage as many people as possible to enjoy the opportunity to experience geology and appreciate science and nature in our local area.
For more information about our business please visit our website at www.merlinenergy.co.uk
This is a group of professional and amateur geologists which provides a service to all members of the Geopark when requested. It has produced rock and fossil detective trails, sets of specimens for public use, geology trails, children’s activities, lectures and guided walks. Expertise exists in general and local geology, teaching, quarrying, vulcanology, engineering and structural geology, geoconservation and landscape interpretation. The group has a few major undertakings for GeoFest 2017 – an exhibition at Bewdley Museum about geology as seen from space; rock and fossil hunts at Severn Valley Country Park, an exhibition about fossils at Worcester cathedral; and a craft based roving project called ‘Lines in the Landscape’.
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.
 The Hive, the home of WAAS in the centre of Worcester Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service works to protect, preserve, manage, record, interpret and promote the history and historic environment of Worcestershire. We help people to access information about their local community or subject of interest. We are based in The Hive in the centre of Worcester where we are happy to welcome visitors. We hold maps, archives, newspapers, the Historic Environment Record, archaeological reports and an extensive local studies library plus many other resources. We also work with community groups to help them with their projects and to discover the history of their area by providing support and training.
 A visitor finding out about the Historic Environment Record with one of our archaeologists
The Archives are available Tuesday-Saturday, the Historic Environment Record is open Monday-Friday afternoons, and the Local Studies Library is accessible every day when the building is open.
 Enquiry desk for the archives Workshops are run regularly to help people discover more about the collections and how they can be used in your research. Keep an eye on our website (www.worcestershire.gov.uk/waas) and social media (Twitter @explorethepast, Facebook WorcsAAS) for details of forthcoming events.
 Students using maps from the archives
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.
The Malvern Hills GeoCentre is the official visitor information centre for the Geopark Way. It is situated on the western slopes of the Hills, providing information about the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark, the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the Malvern Hills & Commons. Wall maps in the Centre show the Geopark and its geology, iPads allow visitors to access a wealth of information, and a large video wall shows panoramas and videos of the region. There are also have some small displays of fossils and rocks from the region, and some relevant kids’ activities at a school-desk workstation.
 GeoCentre entrance Commanding amazing views over Herefordshire towards Wales, Cafe H2O within the Centre serves a range of light locally sourced / homemade lunches and refreshments. A selection of souvenirs, maps, and postcards are also available for purchase. Facilities include an on-site free car park, disabled access, highchairs & baby-changing facilities, and free wi-fi. For those with limited mobility, it is also possible to hire an all-terrain Tramper mobility scooter so as to visit the Worcestershire Beacon and see some of flora, fauna and geological features along the way.
 View to GeoCentre and beyond
Another two successful rock and fossil hunts round off a great summer of geology at Severn Valley County Park. Both days received a great turnout of young budding geologists, and with the industry experts on hand, it was no wonder the days were full of excitement and learning.
The young fossil hunters identified different rocks such as Sandstone, Limestone, Coal, Dolerite and Quarts. Some were lucky enough to find fossilised plants and shells in their rocks!
Take a look at the pictures to see what they got up to
As part of their national tour for summer 2016, Rain or Shine Theatre Company is performing a fantastical Shakespearean delight, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, at a local Shropshire beauty spot.
Shropshire Council rangers at Severn Valley Country Park are delighted to see the return of the company to the park on Friday 12th August for their outdoor performance of this magical and hilarious comedy.
In the story the audience is asked to join the lovers, Hermia, Helena, Lysander and Demetrius this summer as Rain or Shine follow them into the intoxicating dream world of fairy queen and king, Titania and Oberon. With well-loved characters such as Bottom and Puck in tow, join us for a rip-roaring, fast-paced jaunt through Shakespeare’s best loved comedy this out-door season. Filled with magic and mischief, inspired by warm nights, young love and the Elizabethan Carnival, this is as show sure to delight.
Rain or Shine is a Gloucester based professional theatre company which specialises in outdoor summer tours of classical theatre to castles, stately homes and gardens throughout the U.K. They have performed classic comedy productions of works by Shakespeare, Sheridan, Goldsmith, Wilde and Vanbrugh to tens of thousands of happy theatregoers since they were formed in 1998.
Tickets are £13 Adult, £11 Concession, £6 Child (suitable for age 6 upwards). Tickets are available by calling 01746781192 and will be available to purchase on the door on the night.
Gates open at 6.30pm with the performance starting at 7.30pm. Visitors are invited to bring a picnic and low backed seating to add to their enjoyment of the performance.
We had great fun on Wednesday with our Nature’s Art Attack session. During the sessions the children collected lots of leaves, grass twigs and other natural items from around the park. We had a great time mashing, squashing and bashing everything we found to make some paint to colouring a lovely landscape.
Severn Valley Country Park A big thank you to Georgia Jacobs joined us to help the children make cards using cut out leaves, ink stamps and more. The children had a great time!
We have events every Wednesday and Friday of the school holidays. Geologists in the Geopark will be with us on Mon 8th August & Thurs 25th August for a Rock and Fossil Hunt. It’s going to be a fun summer!
The President of the Geopark Chris Darmon made a visit to GeoFest on 22nd, 23rd and 24th July. During his time with us he launched the revamped GVIP (Geopark Visitor Information Point) at Bewdley Museum, he promoted Triassic wine from Astley Vineyard which is for sale in Bewdley Tourist Information Centre and he opened the geology inspired textile demonstration and visited the ‘One Grain’ exhibition, both at the Museum.
 Launch of Triassic wine at Bewdley TIC
 Astley Vineyard’s Triassic white  Textiles, with Georgia Jacobs at the sewing machine  Ross Iannoccaro explains the additions to the Geopark Information Point. There is so much going on in GeoFest with plenty more to come in August. Details are in the calendar on the website. The textiles exhibition ‘Geology at Different Scales’ continues at Bewdley Museum until 11th September.
 Georgia Jacobs with her geology inspired textile demonstration.  Chris Darmon visits the ‘One Grain’ exhibition in the Brass Foundry  Bewdley TIC staff and Triassic wine tasting session
Keep up to date with all that is happening in GeoFest on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/AbberleyandMalvernHillsGeopark
 
We are working closely with Astley Vineyards to promote a special wine called Triassic. Located on Bromsgrove Sandstone the vineyards portray that wonderful association between geology, landscape and land-use.
Astley Vineyards, one of England’s oldest surviving vineyards, was started by viticultural pioneer Michael Bache in 1971. Although for that time, N.Worcs would have been considered far too northerly for successful wine grape growing, Bache’s dedication to his task paid off as the wines produced won wide recognition and acclaim nationally and internationally.
The vineyards comprise 5 acres established on Triassic red sandstone loams on a slightly NE facing slope within half a mile of the River Severn, 3 miles south of Stourport-on-Severn, in North Worcestershire. Prior to being a vineyard, the field was a traditional English cherry orchard, eventually removed courtesy of the 1947 Agricultural Act’s grubbing up grant. The basic terroir has therefore a history of minimal intervention and apart from tile drainage, remains so. It is inherently low yielding and the current viticultural practice is designed to maintain low yields to maximise wine quality. Adjacent to the vineyards, a small stream has cut an intimate valley into the soft rocks. This feature acts as a drain for both rain and frost thereby serving as a critical positive factor in the vineyard’s success.
The purpose of all wine production should be the creation of a product that contains some unique essence of where it was grown. Astley’s “Triassic” dry white wine, a blend dominated by the Siegerrebe grape, is named after the vineyard soil’s parent material to reflect the influence of local geology on the character of the wine.
The wine can be purchased from the shop at Bewdley Museum where there is also more information about the geology of the Geopark.
 
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.
How much do you know about the planned canal from Kington-Leominster? As part of GeoFest, the Woolhope Club have a walk on Sun 5th June, it starts 10:30am from Rock Village Hall. Find out more on our GeoFest page http://geopark.org.uk/pub/category/geofest-2/
Merlin Energy Resources Ltd. is a company based in Ledbury with a trading division Merlin Datawise based in Colwall. We are a team of specialist consultant geoscientists and experienced data managers who wholeheartedly support the ethos of the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark Forum: “To raise awareness of geology, landscape and associated heritage and to promote tourism, conservation, access and education across this spectrum”.
Merlin is excited to offer both financial support to the Geopark as well as our specialist skill sets and knowledge to assist in making the earth sciences more enjoyable and accessible to more people in our local area.
The GeoFest programme for June, July and August is now available – see GeoFest section for details. Hundreds of days of activities, walks, exhibitions, workshops and other events. Plan your summer now and find out about rocks, fossils, wildlife, heritage, history, archaeology, landscape and much more.
The Geological Remote Sensing Group (GRSG) is a special interest group of the Geological Society of London (GeolSoc) and the Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society (RSPSoc). The GRSG is an association of enthusiasts keen on the geological aspects of remote sensing. The current membership includes geologists and remote sensing experts employed within industry, academia and government agencies, as well as graduate students. Although the parent bodies are both based in the UK the GRSG is an international organization with members around the globe. Each year the GRSG holds its own annual conference devoted to geological remote sensing and sponsors a number of other geological events and initiatives which includes those of the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark and we are pleased to be involved with this initiative and the events that the Geopark holds in 2016.
www.grsg.org.uk
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The Geopark Way long distance walking trail
Contact Details Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark Forum:
c/o Outreach Team
Email: amhg@outlook.com
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