 Common spotted orchids in the Spring Pieces Meadow at Severn Valley Country Park After a successful visit to the Severn Valley Country Park earlier in the year, orchid expert Phil Seaton is returning to lead a hands-on demonstration. Phil is passionate about the conservation of orchids and travels around the world to study and aid his research into seed storage and seedling growth.
Phil took early retirement from lecturing in Biology to pursue his love of orchids full time. He has worked at the seed conservation department at Kew Gardens, and more recently works out of the labs of King Charles 1st School in Kidderminster helping the students both study and grow local and tropical orchids.
Phil is bringing his expertise to the country park for an orchid workshop on Monday 6th July 10am-1pm. Phil will be teaching visitors how to grow native orchids from seed. Visitors will learn how to sow dactylorhiza (marsh orchid) seed and will end up with a petri dish of seedlings to take home.
The country park is the perfect place to learn how to grow orchids. It is home to 5 native species and during June, the Spring Pieces meadow is filled with hundreds, possibly thousands, of common spotted orchids.
Visitor centre manager, Susie Comaish says, ‘Earlier in the year, Phil’s talk about orchid conservation proved very popular. It is great that we are able to give our visitors the opportunity to grow orchids from seed. We have had to limit the number of the people on the workshop to 12, so we are asking for visitors to book their place early to avoid disappointment.’
Everything needed for the workshop will be provided. £15 per person or £20 per person (includes an informative orchid book). Please call rangers at Severn Valley Country Park on 01746 781 192 for more information or to book your place.
 Severn Valley Country Park, part of Shropshire Councils outdoor recreation service is happy to announce an outdoor theatre production of Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion’ on Friday 19th June 2015.
Hotbuckle are a local theatre company based in Shrewsbury, they regularly tour the country with their productions and we are very happy to be welcoming them to the country park. Hotbuckle adapt classic novels and try to tell tales with humour and emotion, making them accessible to everyone.
The story of Persuasion is a timeless one. Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth were once hopelessly in love. Persuaded by her family that he is not of her standing, she ends their engagement and he leaves for the sea.
Then he returns. Now a wealthy captain, Wentworth comes to seek a wife. Treating Anne with cold indifference, she can only watch as he courts another. But will he ever forgive her?
Visitor Centre Manager, Susie Comaish says, ‘We are very excited for Hotbuckle Productions to be visiting us this summer. Their adaptation of ‘Persuasion’ has been receiving 5 star reviews at they have toured the country. We are looking forward to their re-telling of this classic Austen tale.
The production will be held in the beautiful grounds of the park. Audiences are invited to bring along low-backed seating or rugs, and a picnic to maximise their enjoyment of this al fresco performance. The teashop will be open for refreshments.
The show starts at 7.30pm and visitors are invited to arrive from 6.30pm onwards to get the perfect spot to watch the performance. The entertainment ends at 9.45pm.
Ticket prices Adult £12 Concession £10 Child £6 (ages 5-16). Suitable for all.
You can purchase tickets by calling 01746 781192 using credit or debit card. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the visitor centre and will also be available on the night.
Severn Valley Country Park is a member of the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark Forum, and this event features in the GeoFest 2015 programme of events.
No stay in Bewdley is complete without a visit to the river cliffs at Blackstone Rock. Tim Hipkiss, a local enthusiast, accompanied Chris for a morning field trip exploring landforms and sedimentary structures.
Next stop was Bodenham Arboretum. Chris launched GeoFest 2015 with an engaging speech ‘What’s in a cover’. Using examples of William Smiths geology map, a just-published geological fieldwork book and the GeoFest programme the message was – always look beyond the cover otherwise you’ll never know what delights are hidden inside! A fitting analogy to all budding geologists, adults and children alike – take some time and take a closer look at your local rocks and landscape and they will begin to reveal their ancient secrets!
After lunch with James Binnian, owner of the Arboretum, Chris was whisked off to the ‘Land of the Living Dinosaurs’ at West Midlands Safari Park. Here Chris and Georgia were met by Aby Henderson, a learning officer at the Safari Park. Aby gave them a tour of the amazing exhibition imparting her extensive knowledge and enthusiasm about all things dinosaurs.
Sunday morning and Chris travelled in style from Bewdley to Severn Valley Country Park on the footplate of a Severn Valley Railway steam train. Chris was welcomed by the Country Park’s volunteers and joined the Geologists in the Geopark group for a day engaging visitors and residents with the geology and landscape of the area.
 Two men on a millstone! Chris Darmon (left) with Ian Williams at Severn valley Country Park during the launch weekend of GeoFest 2015 — at Severn Valley Country Park.  Chris Darmon (right) with volunteers from Severn Valley Railway. Chris embarked on a footplate ride on the steam train to Country Park Holt station in Severn Valley Country Park — at Bewdley railway station.
Gloucestershire Geology Trust will be at festival which runs on the 23rd and 24th May.
This year 20+ stonemasons from around the country with varying levels of expertise will be given a block of stone and less than 20hrs to carve an animal themed sculpture. An auction of the sculptures will take place at 3pm on Sunday 24th May. The organiser has carved a beautiful elephant which is the raffle prize and the draw will take place after the auction, tickets are just £2 each.
As well as the stonemasons there are pop-up shops and activities, including The Llanthony Priory Trust, The Gloucester Geology trust, The Newport Ship Trust, Have a go at Stonecarving, Cotswold Archaeology, Gloucester City Council and 6 pop-up shops!
The event has been organised by Gloucester Stonecarving Festival and Cat’s Eye Carving.
For further infomation visit their website: www.stonecarvingfestival.co.uk.
 Mining scukpture trail in Severn Valley Country Park As part of the launch weekend of Geofest 2015, Severn Valley Country Park will be hosting a free event on Sunday 31st May. Shropshire Council Rangers will be welcoming the president of the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark, Chris Darmon as well as Geologists in the Geopark for a day of geological discovery!
Between 11am and 4pm, local experts will be on hand to answer your questions and you will be able to learn all about the Geopark. There will be rocks and fossils on display and you will be able to uncover the industrial past of the country park as well as the impact of the ice age on the Severn Valley.
 The River Severn running through the Country Park. In geological terms the river is a very recent addition having carved out its course over the last 12,000 years A new geology trial devised by Peter and Cherry Oliver of Geologists in the Geopark will be available from the visitor centre. This is a free trail which describes the sandstone, coal spoil, igneous rocks, silica and floodplain which are all within a short distance from the centre. As part of the launch weekend, there will be a free guided walk beginning at 1.30pm. This will follow the route of the trail and will be led by Chris Darmon and Peter Oliver.
For more information about the ‘Geopark at the Country Park’ event, please call Severn Valley Country Park on 01746 781 192.
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 East access nature trail and wetland For May half term Severn Valley Country Park be helping their younger visitors get closer to nature.
On Wednesday 27th May, the rangers will be making a wildlife hotel. The hotel or stack will be made from materials found around the park and will help replicate the natural features insects love to call home. The stack will be assembled to provide lots of nooks and crannies for insects and small mammals to crawl into. Once the stack is completed, it will remain in the woods at Hall Close Coppice, meaning everyone will be able to watch the fascinating behaviour of the little creatures up close whenever they visit the park.
On Friday 29th May, visitors will be able to join the rangers for a fun scavenger hunt. Whilst exploring the park, the children will be asked to find a series of items including a y-shaped stick, a smooth pebble and a blade of grass you can play a tune on!
 ‘The Hide’ In addition, the RSPB will be at Severn Valley Country Park on Sunday 24th May and Wednesday 27th May. You will be able to drop in any time after 11am to learn more about the work they do and they will also be offering children’s craft activities.
For more information please or to book your place on the events, please call 01746 781 192. There will be 2 sessions of the Wildlife Hotel and Scavenger Hunt. Children £3.50, Adults Free. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult.
 Natural play area at Severn Valley Country Park
 From inside the hide looking across the wetland Severn Valley Country Park
Alveley
Bridgnorth
Shropshire
WV15 6NG
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 GeoFest 2015 gets underway on the 30th May in the beautiful setting of Bodenham Arboretum with a Rock and Fossil Roadshow being run by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust. This event offers something for the whole family with arts and crafts, dry stone walling, trails to explore, treasures to dig up – all themed around the landscape, building stones and geology of the Worcestershire countryside.
The roadshow starts at 11am and finishes at 3pm. With the Arboretum staying open until 5pm, this allows plenty of time to partake in the varied activities on offer and to explore the Arboretum at leisure.
The president of the Geopark, Chris Darmon, will launch the start of GeoFest at midday.
The Arboretum’s Visitor Centre offers a restaurant and kitchens, toilets, quiet room, a gift shop (stocked by Jinney Ring Craft Centre) and ample parking.
www.bodenham-arboretum.co.uk
www.EarthHeritageTrust.org
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 “Land of the Living Dinosaurs” is an immersive walking trail featuring 38 life size dinosaurs, each with moving eyes, mouth and neck. The exhibit is heavily themed, landscaped and planted with copious amounts of flora, including tree ferns, gunnera, reeds and monkey-puzzle trees. Sound effects indicative of the lost world add atmosphere, whilst static fossil displays, a volcanic vent, three pools and a geyser intensifies the whole experience. It is a journey that spans four ages of dinosaur reign – Permian, Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous.
The entrance to the Jurassic safari is flanked by the skeletal form of the mighty T-Rex and is located in the Park’s Discovery Trail. Examples of some of the most formidable creatures to have roamed the planet include the curiously named Dilophosaurus, fearsome Gorgonops and two of the largest at 8 metres tall, the Apatosaurus measuring 25 metres long and Argentinosaurus at 30 metres. A life size adult Tyrannosaurus Rex elevated on 4m rockwork casts a dramatic shadow, whilst the impressive Sarcosuchus, meaning ‘flesh crocodile’ represents one of the largest crocodile-like creatures that is thought to have ever lived. All the dinosaurs in the exhibit are built from compound rubber and house a moving steel armature, which adds realistic movement to each display.
“Land of the Living Dinosaurs” is included in the standard admission charge of £19.99 for adults, £14.99 for children aged 3-15 years and £17.99 for concessions. Children under the age of 3 years are admitted free of charge. Prices also include admission to the four- mile, self-drive safari, Discovery Trail exhibits, animal encounters, African Village, live shows and a free return ticket. Theme Park rides charged extra in all cases.
West Midland Safari Park and the Adventure Theme Park are open every day until Friday, 6th November 2015.
Abberley Hills Preservation Society held an ‘Ask the Expert’ session at the village hall on the 14th March. Click this link for further details.
Gerry Calderbank of ‘Transport in the Landscape Group’ will be giving a illustrated talk on Saturday 28th March 10.00 coffee, 10.30 talk starts, at Bewdley Guildhall.
All welcome. No charge but donations welcome.
The talk will be followed up by a field trip on Tuesday 31st March, details of which will be given out at the talk on the 28th March.
These events are part of the Bewdley Ideas Group programme. People attending do so entirely at their own risk. There is no insurance provided.
 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.
Chris Darmon to lead field trip in the Geopark
Date: Saturday, April 11th 2015
“Come and join us, the rocks are friendly! Just how do we go about ‘reading’ a landscape? How do we know that there’s a fault down there? Why is this rock different? Come and get some answers!”
Meeting: Malvern Hills GeoCentre, the Wyche at 10.30am
Cost: £12.00 per adult, student under 19 years £10.00
Further details and bookings: tel. 0114 245 5746 or email downtoearth@geosupplies.co.uk
The Abberley Hills Preservation Society has received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to carry out a year-long project in the picturesque village of Abberley, Worcestershire.
The support from the Heritage Lottery Fund will enable the society to undertake a project to understand the medieval layout of the village, to try and date the older buildings and perhaps discover some long lost features described in old documents and books about Worcestershire.
Members of the Abberley Hills Preservation Society, Abberley WI and eager village residents will work together with members of the Worcestershire Archives & Archaeology Service to carry out 2 community excavations, archive research and a number of field walks to try to discover the medieval heart of the village.
Local people and school children will be able to get involved by helping as volunteers with the work, learning how to excavate in a training dig and attending a series of talks and visits to see work in progress at various sites.
The July 2015 Abberley School Fete will provide at a Medieval Fayre the opportunity for the community to celebrate what was discovered.
The project builds on the Abberley Lives project undertaken in 2011 and 2012 by Abberley Womens Institute I which looked at life in Abberley in the 20th century.
Follow the progress of the project at www.AbberleyLives.wordpress.com.
If you would like to join in the fun, please contact the project team for further details.
The English Geodiversity Forum is delighted to announce the launch of a ‘Geodiversity Charter for England’, which highlights and promotes the value and importance of Englands world-class geodiversity. The Charter encourages everyone to work together to promote and manage England’s geodiversity and to ensure that it is better integrated in policy and guidance consistent with the economic, social, cultural and environmental needs of England.
Click here for more details.
The Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark supports the charter.
 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
 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
 The Malvern Hills GeoCentre, situated on the western slopes of the Malvern Hills about a hundred meters from the Wyche Cutting is half way along the Geopark Way long distance walking trail. As the trail descends from the Hills at the Cutting, it passes along Walwyn Road towards Colwall, and the Malvern Hills GeoCentre is located on the right hand side as one makes the initial descent. From the car park, there is often a stunning view across Herefordshire towards Hay Bluff and the Black Mountains on the Welsh border.
The GeoCentre is part of the Wyche Innovation Centre, a business and technology facility serving entrepreneurs and start-ups in the Malvern area. The GeoCentre was officially opened in June 2013 by Chris Darmon as part of GeoFest and is the official visitor information centre for the Geopark Way.
The Centre makes use of modern technology to disseminate a wealth of information about the Malvern Hills, the associated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the enlarged area of the Geopark. Information is available on iPads h oused in bespoke wooden ‘Apple trees’. The content includes information on the local history, geology, hydrology, flora and fauna, and technology heritage. The information is arranged in a web-based format, enabling new information to be added with ease, and allowing the curators to research which pages are of most interest to visitors and hence optimise the content for the future.
In addition to the iPads, a large video wall projects images, videos and information about the Geopark and local area. These include a set of stunning images compiled by Mike Brooks (BrooksDesigns) that were taken to populate his geological-focused walking tour applications along the Geopark Way. There are also plans to further enhance the content on these screens with information about the local events, and news, making use of state-of-the-art digital signage software.
 The wall maps at the Centre include QR Codes and Near Field Communication (NFC) chips to enable smart phone users to obtain more information about the maps on their own device. This means less information has to be printed on the wall displays, and updating the information by digital means is quicker and less costly. The information is also integrated with the iPad content, so both mediums can be used.
Despite the limited space, the Centre has some traditional exhibits of rocks and fossils from the local region. These help to bring the local geology to life, as charts and digital content are not ideal for this in all situations. For those wanting more information, a range of printed guides, books, and leaflets are also on sale, including those from the range of Geopark Way publications offered by the Earth Heritage Trust.
Finally, the Centre offers refreshments from Café H2O; light meals, hot and cold drinks, cakes and snacks. Many of the items on the menu are sourced locally, such as the fruit juices, crisps and ice-creams, and the sandwiches, salads and cakes are all prepared by the café operators Team Jamboree. This venture is also unusual, as Team Jamboree are a co-operative of adults each with a learning difficulty, managed by Kate Harding and Debbie Probert. The café provides an opportunity for the individuals to plan activities, prepare food, and serve customers. As a result, the cooperative members share in the profits and success of the social enterprise as well.
Open Daily (except Wednesdays)* 09:30 to 16:30
*They are generally closed to the public on Wednesdays
GeoCentre / Cafe H2O can be contacted at:
Wyche Innovation Centre
Walwyn Road
Malvern
WR13 6PL
Tel: 01684 252 414
Email: enquiries@geocentre.co.uk
Website: www.geocentre.co.uk
And they’re off – GeoFest at the Country Park began at speed on the 6th June. A fantastic off-road 5km run through the park with prizes for the winners in each age category. Simultaneously, though at a slower pace, was the 2km family fun run through the parks wonderful scenery.
On the 16th June things got creative. Local artist Diane Jennings guided attendees through the artistic process of creating oil and acrylic paintings. The beautiful surrounding of the Country Park inspiring masterpieces! Then on the 18th of June the Rain or Shine theatre Company captivated an audience of well over 60 people to the romantic intrigue, cunning duplicity and comical foolery of ‘The Merchant of Venice’.
As always the rangers at Severn Valley Country Park deliver the goods when running activities for children and families. On the 28th June neither rain nor winds could put off children, adults or resident mammals participating in the ‘Marvellous Mammals activity. Children learnt to identify different mammals by their footprints, dropping and other clues that they leave behind.
Throughout July and August Severn Valley Country Park offers activities for families and children, including ‘Minibeast Hunting’ ‘Tree-mendous’ ‘Pond dipping’ ‘Geocaching’ and ‘Creatures of the Night’. Please visit our calander of events for further details.
Alongside a programme of events and activities Severn Valley Country Park offers:
- Extensive network of footpaths and bridleways
- Way-marked trails – including the Geopark which passes through both the Alveley and Highley sides of the park
- Easy access trail designed for all abilities, including a fully accessible bird hide
- Permanent orienteering course
- Route 45 cycle trail between Bridgnorth and Bewdley
- Visitor centre and toilets
- Tea shop offering a range of tasty seasonal products, both hot and cold
- Picnic areas
- Parking at Alveley and Highley
- The park is open daily from dawn to dusk
Chapel Lane
Alveley
Bridgnorth
WV15 6NG
The Geopark is thrilled to hear 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. Georgia first displayed her geologically inspired art at Bewdley museum back in 2012 with an exhibition titled ‘Geological Inspirations in Textile Art’. The exhibition and the associated textile workshops were well received and enjoyed by many who visited the museum. I am in no doubt that those who visit her 2014 exhibition will be just as 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.
The three month programme of events and activities for GeoFest 2014 is as varied and enticing as in previous years. This year GeoFest launches with ‘Rock On’, a family event of fun and educational activities at Hartlebury Museum on 26th May. Throughout June, July and August the events include walks, talks, and children’s activities along with ‘Ask the Expert’ sessions and demonstrations which explore the geology, landscape, history and wildlife of the Geopark.
Download a GeoFest 2014 programme
View GeoFest 2014 events on the calendar
The West Midlands Regional Group and the Black Country Geological Society Group are hosting a geological Photo Contest under the theme ‘What Lies Beneath Your Feet’ – which is open to individual interpretation.
All entries will be displayed at an exhibition at Dudley Museum & Art Gallery. The top 3 entries will be chosen by an independent judging panel.
First prize: £200
Second prize: £100
Third prize: £50
Deadline 31 August 2014
The contest is open to all that live within the postcodes starting B, CV, DY, HR, ST, SY, TF, WR, WS and WV.
For full details please download a flier.
 The Market House The beautiful Herefordshire market town of Ledbury is renowned for its nationally acclaimed Poetry Festival, whilst its tourism trade – boosted by the glorious walks that can be enjoyed in the surrounding countryside – is also very important to the local economy. For these reasons, and many others, an ongoing project in the town named Ledbury Places is vitally important.
Six of Ledbury’s major heritage buildings, all highly significant and some Grade 1 Listed, are currently part of a national pilot project, funded by the Social Investment Business, looking at the future use and management of all six buildings rather than examining them individually. The scope of this work and the fact that it is looking at multiple assets in a variety of current ownerships explains why it is seen as a national exemplar by the Department for Communities and Local Government and organisations such as Locality. Continue reading “The ‘Ledbury Places’ Project – What is it and Why Does it Matter?” »
 The Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust has recently begun an important new project looking at the use of natural stone in historic and heritage buildings across the two counties.
A Thousand Years of Building with Stone has had the go ahead from the Heritage Lottery Fund and has successfully recruited three permanent staff who are now getting stuck into the challenge ahead.
The nature and history of the rocks below our feet not only shapes the distinct regional landscape we see around us but also influences what can grow, where settlements are established and what we build. From cottages to castles and from bridges to barns the stone built heritage of the region has, through the ages, represented an important link between the largely hidden world beneath our feet and our everyday lives.
However much of the awareness and knowledge of our stone built heritage has been forgotten or lost over time. This places many buildings, central to the particular character of our towns and villages, at risk. The Trust wants to delve into the history and stories surrounding our stone-built heritage, reuniting important – though not necessarily grand – stone structures with the lost quarries from which the material was won and reasserting the importance of such buildings in our local heritage. Continue reading “A Thousand Years of Building with Stone” »
Each of the 17 sections of the Geopark Way now has a dedicated app available for smart-phones and tablets. Each app has a map of the relevant section overlain on an interactive geology map. Using GPS you get your position and a feed of data about the geology and other information as you walk. Other information’ includes photos of the walk with directional guidance, 3D cross-sections, and interpretations of past environments.
For Android devices you can install them on your phone/tablet from the Google Play store. For Apple devices install them from the Apple App Store. To quickly locate them, just enter ‘geopark’ into the Search facility.
The apps for 3 of the sections are free, the rest have a charge of around £1. All money raised will be gifted to the Trust, so even if you don’t own a suitable type of phone, please encourage others who have to install them! And also give feedback (hopefully positive) to produce a high star rating – especially important to encourage people to install them when they are paid for.
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust and Museums Worcestershire are working together with Eek Batik this half term to deliver a four–day Rock & Fossil Roadshow of family fun for the BIG DRAW at Worcester City Museum & Art Gallery.
Thanks to funding from ‘Grants for the Arts’ and ‘The Heritage Lottery Fund’, families can enjoy four days of free drop-in activities from Tuesday 29th October to Friday 1st November. The sessions will run from 11am to 4pm each day.
Minerals make brilliant building stones! Come along and find out what makes a good stone for building, marvel at the magical colours of minerals under a special microscope and find out how you can tell all this from a very thin slice of rock. Touch rocks, minerals and fossils to discover how they were made. Make a fossil reincarnation, an imprint in clay or dig up a treasure to take home.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, work in charcoal to draw fossils from the museum collection, create an erupting volcano and make a badge to take home.
On Thursday and Friday– help Eek Batik create a giant geology banner by painting in wax and dye. Make a small batik to take home or turn it into a unique badge and draw the minerals that make rocks!
Come on down, it will be lots of fun for all the family!
Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, Foregate Street, Worcester WR1 1DT.
www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk
www.lostquarries@wordpress.com
 Sponsored Walk 20th Oct 2013
On 20th October 2013, ten teams walked various sections of the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark Way, distances varied from 5.5 miles to 12 miles. Between all the teams on the day, we walked 74.2 miles! The weather was anticipated to be wet and wild however we were lucky to have some sunshine in the morning and only occasional heavy rain showers in the afternoon(interspersed with rainbows – see photo left).
This was in order to raise money to support the post of a Geopark Manager. We were aiming to raise £2,000 and we are well on our way to reaching this target. If you want to donate any money, please email Nina on eht@worc.ac.uk
The Geopark and the Earth Heritage Trust would like to thank all those who undertook the walks and all those who have sponsored the walkers. Both organisations would not be here were it not for the dedication of their volunteers.
 Browsing iPads Cafe H2O is part of the new Malvern Hills GeoCentre, serving refreshments to staff of the Wyche Innovation Centre as well as members of the public visiting the GeoCentre.
Open Mon to Fri, 09:30 to 16:30, but closed to the general public on Wednesdays. Operated by Team Jamboree.
Serving Teapigs tea, coffee, hot chocolate, Clive’s Fruit Farm fruit juice, Holywell Spring Water, filled rolls, toast, soup, jacket potatoes, salads, snacks, cakes and Bennett’s Farm ice cream.
Cafe H2O is an ideal place for an informal business or social meeting, with free wi-fi and access to the Centre’s business facilities. The Cafe can also provide catering for on-site business meetings in the Boardroom, symposia and training workshops in the Seminar Room on Wednesdays, and on a pre-order basis for breakfast and evening business meetings at the Centre.
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust publications are available and the Geopark Way apps can be downloaded using the free WiFi. A video wall shows a rolling display of images taken along the Geopark Way from Bridgnorth to Gloucester Cathedral.
 Team Jamboree  Serving lunch
 The official opening of the Malvern Hills Geocentre Chris Darmon the President of the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark launched GeoFest 2013 at the Malvern Hills GeoCentre on 1st June. Well over 250 people attended this as part of the grand opening of the GeoCentre and the Geopark Way Visitor Centre.
The GeoCentre is the brainchild of Emma Philpott and Adrian Burden and houses large panels with information about the Geopark and the Geopark Way, together with interactive iPads. There is also a big video screen displaying geology, wildlife and culture of the Malvern Hills. Visitors can purchase the Geopark Way trail guidebook and associated geological map as well as other geology and landscape trail guidebooks and many things geological. Continue reading “Opening of the Malvern Hills Geocentre” »
GeoFest is back and it’s better than ever! Guided Walks, Tours, Children’s activities, Field Trips, Workshops, Exhibitions and much more! Highlighting and celebrating the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark.
We have an exciting summer ahead of us, GeoFest returns again and GeoFest 2013 looks set to rival the great success of GeoFest 2012. As you will see from the programme there are lots of events and activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Hard copies of the programme can also be found at various locations across the Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. Alternatively you can download a pdf of the programme of events here.
Led by Georgia Jacobs
Saturday 17th August 2013
Experimenting with Textile Art Techniques – an Introduction
Explore a range of exciting techniques to produce individual pieces inspired by the landscape, scenery, rocks and fossils found in the Geopark.
Times: 10.15am – 3pm Venue: Bewdley Museum, DY12 2AE Cost: £25.00
Monday 19th August
Textile Art Techniques – Moving On
How to create, from textile art samples, useful objects such as book covers, decorative bags, covered boxes, framed art prints and many other possibilities! Can be linked to the workshop on the 17th August, or be independent of.
Times: 10.15am – 3pm Venue: Bewdley Museum, DY12 2AE Cost: £25.00
To book a place on either workshop contact Bewdley Museum
on 0845 6035699
Two earthquake observatories are now up and running — one at the Hive in Worcester and one at the Discovery Centre in the Wyre Forest. Many different organisations have helped to make the project a reality. Along with a number of generous funders, manyorganisations and individuals have provided their expertise, images,animations, videos and data free of charge and in their own time. Continue reading “Earthquake Observatories” »
The Geopark is pleased to welcome three new Forum Members — Worcester Cathedral, Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service and Teme Valley Geological Society. This change brings new ideas and resources to the partnership and its interaction with the public. Continue reading “Three new Forum Members join the Geopark” »
GeoFest 2012 saw a full summer of walks, talks, roadshows and exhibitions. Over 100 days of events, which attracted in excess of 12,000 visitors, were distributed across the Geopark throughout June, July and August. Events included visits to quarries, museum exhibitions, lots of guided walks, rock and fossil roadshows, village fairs, and dinosaur and rock detective trails. A visit over a few days by the geopark president Chris Darmon culminated in a talk by him to an enthusiastic audience in Bewdley Guildhall. Continue reading “The success of GeoFest 2012” »
An Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark Inspired Project
e Dynamic Earth presented in textile, together with a textile map of the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark.
Techniques used: Free Machine Embroidery, Fabric Painting, Embroidery, Fusing and Embellishing.
The exhibition ran from 8th September – 31st October 2012
Severn Gallery, Bewdley Museum
Geological Inspirations in Textile Art Exhibition Image Gallery
Continue reading “Geological Inspirations in Textile Art – an Exhibition at Bewdley Museum 2012” »
A joint venture between the Earth Heritage Trust and Bewdley Museum featured the fascinating story of the building stones of Bewdley. The exhibition ran from 30th June to 12th August.
Geology has had a significant impact on civilisation. Rock provided the caves to shelter early man, the stone for masons to build our great cathedrals and the building material for a vast range of structures.
In and around Bewdley the use of local sandstone is ubiquitous. Sometimes red, sometimes grey, brown or even green, these rocks have been quarried nearby and at places along the River Severn. The river played a pivotal role in the development of quarries and transport of stone. The sandstones have been complemented by the import of limestones and other rock types. Continue reading “Bewdley’s Stone Heritage – An Exhibition at Bewdley Museum, 2012” »
 Despite the very wet weather, Chris Darmon opens GeoFest 2012 at Martley Rock on 3rd June Chris Darmon the President of the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark launched GeoFest 2012 at Martley on Sunday 3rd June.
For the third successive year three months of events and activities are underway. From 2nd June to the end of August the Geopark Partners will be promoting the Geopark with a programme containing something for everyone. The annual GeoFest programme over the summer months highlights the geology, landscape and associated heritage of the Geopark and is made up of guided walks, exhibitions, talks and roadshows. In all there are over 100 days of events plus many weeks of exhibitions.
Dr Peter Oliver, Chairman of the Geopark Partnership said ‘This year we have a bigger programme than in previous years with events to stimulate the interests of children and adults. The range of activities is considerable, from a photography workshop, through geology and landscape walks, ‘fossil making’ and museum geology displays, to nature studies in the country parks and forests. GeoFest is a great way for the public to participate in all things geological’.
Enjoy your summer with some great geology.
Chris Darmon has accepted the invitation of the Geopark Partnership to become its second President. He takes over from Professor Aubrey Manning who said …
“It has been a great pleasure, as well as an Honour, to serve as the AMH Geopark’s first President. It was my great fortune as a just-retired biologist to begin an association with earth scientists. I have learnt a huge amount and come to understand something of the excitement of interpreting the structure of the Earth around us. No biologist should fail to recognise how the history of life is linked to the history of our planet. One of the great achievements of the Geopark team has been the way in which they have made geology accessible to everyone through meetings, excursions and a whole series of outstanding publications. I have so much enjoyed visiting and being in the field with you in this delectable part of England. Now I hand over to Chris Darmon – this time a real geologist! I know you will be in good hands. I shall want to keep in touch – may the Geopark flourish and thankyou for all your kindness to me over the past years.” Continue reading “A New President for the Geopark” »
 Teme Valley Geological Society publication An audit of Martley’s geological features was carried out in 2012 by the Teme Valley Geological Society. The audit forms the basis of this A4 book. The guide includes a comprehensive introduction to the geological history of Martley over the last 700 million years and contains survey details of key sites with pictures.
For further details please contact the Teme Valley Geological Society secretary:
If you are interested, please contact the Society: martleypfo@gmail.com
www.geo-village.eu
The Geopark Community Newsletter ceased publication in the summer of 2007. Since then, detailed information on events happening in and around the Geopark has been published in the newsletter of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust. Their newsletter is available via their website.
Download past issues of the Geopark’s community newsletter below. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files.
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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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