EARTH HERITAGE TRUST NEWS Spring 2011 No.27

Herefordshire &

The quarry as it has been for nearly a century. Hills Lower Quarry Transformation… u n d i n g f r o m b o t h the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Natural through Defra’s Aggregates FLevy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) has enabled large-scale site works within the Country Park, revealing wonderful geological features which have been hidden for almost a century. Picture taken in the late The Lickey Hills have been a focus of geological Champions Project, and is the only fully 19th century (possibly taken by Lapworth) of research for the past 110 years. Among the publicly accessible Champions Site. A footpath the overfolding of the various geologists who studied the rocks of the from the visitor centre takes you down into the Lickey Quartzite hills, Charles Lapworth is one of the more woods and into this now striking geological site. Formation. Courtesy of the Lapworth Museum. notable to investigate the rocks beneath his The geological features seen here include a feet. His 1899 research paper on the Lickey fantastic overfold, fault and the possible Hills, published in the Proceedings of the interaction with the underlying Geologists' Association, is one of a few Volcanics. The quarry following the complete accounts of the of the area. large-scale site works The site is still being investigated and thin undertaken by PJ O’Boyle The quarry located on the eastern side of sections analysed, so if you go for a visit and Rural Landscapes, and additional work carried , is one of nineteen sites being used have any interesting theories on the rocks or out by the Lickey Hills as part of the Community Earth Heritage structures seen here then please get in touch!! Rangers and the West Midlands Fire Service. News from Worcestershire

Volcanic Rocks on North Hill o l l o w i n g a f i e l d t r i p a l o n g t h e p a t h from North Quarry, past Ivy Scar and up to North Hill, a team of FTrust geologists and volunteer Richard Edwards have discovered previously unidentified outcrops of volcanic rocks that form a thin veneer on the Malvern Complex Granites in the north .

These rocks occur as repeated Volcanics lie on top of the Discussing newly found volcanic rocks on North Hill. beds of a pale grey rock with dark Malverns Complex, but the unit clasts (possibly a volcanic ash), was no longer thought to be have dragged down part of the which are separated by thicker exposed in this part of the Malvern Warren House Volcanics and beds that resemble lava flows. Hills. Their presence can be incorporated it into the fault zone Initial investigations suggest that explained by movement on the during the formation of the the outcrops are dominantly East Malvern Fault, which could Worcester Basin to the east. basaltic lavas. All rocks were affected by low grade (greenschist Getting to know facies) regional metamorphism, the outcrop. which means that their original mineral assemblages have been altered by elevated pressure and temperature.

These are the first volcanic rocks to be identified in the north Malverns and their occurrence is likely due to movement on the East Malvern Fault System. The Precambrian Warren House

Teme Valley Geological Society

h i s is a n e a r l y n o t e because not only is it in the to say that the centre, of the Abberley and Teme Valley Malvern Hills Geopark, but T also because it has such a Geological Society is diversity of rock types and being established and it geological ages. Two 8 week will be based in geology courses were held in GEOPARK WAY — AWARD WINNER! Martley, West Martley during 2010, with Worcestershire and is tutor Dr Paul Olver. More will t w a s r e c e n t ly a n n o u n c e d that the Geopark Way open to all who have be held in future and a project has been announced joint winners of the an interest in the regular programme of events ENI Geological Challenge Award. We share the is planned once the society I landscape and the award with the ‘Millom Geodiversity Project’ for the has become established. If rocks around us. you are interested in hearing “Millom Rock Park.” (www.millomrockpark.org.uk). So far an acting committee more about this, please call The award recognises the work of geologists who has been formed and has John Nicklin (Acting have made a major contribution to the understanding held its first meeting. Secretary) on 01886 888318. of the geology and landscape of the United Kingdom Martley is a good base and we are very proud that the excellent Geopark

www.EarthHeritageTrust.org 2 News from

Research of Kenchester Ludlow Research Group Kettleholes Whitman’s Hill isits h a v e b e e n m a d e to kettle holes in the h e Lu d l o w Re s e a r c h Gr o u p , academics Kenchester area with Hereford Amphibians and interested in finding out more about the VReptiles Team. The photo shows a kettle hole TSilurian Period, paid a visit to Whitman’s Hill at Kenchester with Will Watson of HART looking for Quarry in the autumn. They were led by Dr David Ray water beetles. Soils were recorded at this and other who has been doing research to correlate bands of sites. A visit was also made to a dingle near Pudleston volcanic ash (bentonites) here with those at Wenlock to see a hard sandstone band creating a waterfall. Edge, Dudley and Gottland. He showed participants evidence of varying sea levels shown by the limestone

Kenchester Kettleholes. and shale bands in the quarry. The study of sequence is becoming more widely used to correlate different sites by recording the worldwide rise and fall of the sea level.

Geology at the Kymin.

Cooperation with the National Trust n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e l o c a l g e o l o g y at the Kymin has been provided to the National Trust. This Iproperty, a Georgian banqueting house with a naval temple is perched on a ridge above the Wye Valley. The photo shows the large blocks of the Upper Devonian Quartz Conglomerate Formation which are just below the building and the view looking towards Monmouth.

Geology App…

In late September, BGS GEOPARK WAY — AWARD WINNER! released through the Apple Store a free of Way has received national recognition. The award charge iPhone/iPad/ ceremony will take place during the spring or SmartPhone. It provides GPS-located access to the summer of 2011. Please check our website for 1:250,000 map base announcements or if you wish to be kept through a web server. informed please contact — [email protected] or Go to: http://itunes.apple. [email protected]. Copies of the Geopark com/gb/app/igeology/ Way Trail Guide can be obtained from the id392258040?mt=8 Trust Office: 01905 855184

www.EarthHeritageTrust.org 3 The Champions Take Off!

i n c e t h e l a s t p r o j e c t u p d a t e the Champions A giant willow dragonfly in groups have grown substantially, with over 20 Callow Hill Quarry. new recruits signing up to get involved with S Archways through time the future of their local site. at Callow Hill Quarry.

With each of the groups now trained in everything that the project represents; a featuring local musicians and included a the geology of their site and equipped passion for not only the geology but also haunting solo performance from a with the tools to conserve them, they the ecology, seen in the balance between harpist. As the light faded, a geological have now begun to arrange and run their clearing enough vegetation to reveal the presentation prepared by the Champions own launch events. These events have interesting geological features, but also was projected onto an outdoor screen been as varied as the geology seen at maintaining a habitat for the bees and and narrated by a local vocalist, the sites. adders, as well as a profound sense of explaining the creation of the Malvern The Champions at Gardiners Quarry in community spirit with all ages attending Hills and the significance of the features the Malvern Hills decided to host a to show support for the project. found in the quarry. The evening was display based day at the quarry with The day began with the Westminster brought to a close with a lone abseiler local geological specimens supplied not Bank Quarry launch which included a descending the face of the quarry, only by the Trust, but with the display at the site and an explanation of highlighted by fireworks. The site was volunteers' own examples as well. The the geology by the Champions to the then returned to its natural state the Champions put the training received many interested, passing local walkers. very next day. earlier last year to good use by leading From here, a guided walk led by the There are more launches happening this walks around the site, identifying and Champions showed people the geology of spring and with the examples set by the explaining the features found in the the hills and the stunning views from the other sites we are all anticipating even quarry including the position of the West side of the Malverns, finishing at more spectacular events, including a Colwall fault and the possible dolerite Dingle Quarry. The small quarry creates a guided tour of the Croft Castle sites, a dyke in the rock face. natural amphitheatre; a feature put to geological artistic workshop in Hadley The Callow Hill Quarry site, situated in amazing use by the Dingle Quarry and the revealing of the limestone the Wyre Forest, launched during the Champions who organised a concert pavement on Little Doward. Seed Festival that was running in the Forest at the same time. It featured a time trail leading from the main Earth Heritage Trust marquee down to the Quarry, with willow archways sculpted by the Champions that described what the environment looked like millions of years ago up to the present day. There were willow sculptures in the quarry in the form of giant dragonflies representing what would have been found during the Carboniferous, the time at which the geological features of this site were formed. Dingle Quarry is one of the smaller sites located on the Malvern Hills but what it lacks in grandiose stature it makes up for in geological significance and the ingenuity of the Champions who have adopted it. This launch encompassed Musicians and spectators “rock out” in Dingle Quarry.

www.EarthHeritageTrust.org 4 Tomlinson-Brown Trust

ave you ever needed that extra funding to get an Earth Sciences initiative off the ground, make a field trip viable or Hperhaps to help a particularly deserving student? TBT is a charity specifically set up to The Tomlinson-Brown Trust welcomes promote and encourage the applications for funding from schools appreciation, education and public across the age range needing financial awareness of Earth Sciences. support for Earth Science initiatives.

Projects TBT has supported:

Nunnery Wood High School Worcester — Curriculum Day for 270 year 9 students to Earth Heritage Trust site

Baskerville School, Harbourne — Mini geopark in School Grounds

Chantry High School — Geology Conservation Garden in school Grounds

Bishop Vesey Grammar School — New Geology Text Books for ‘A’ level students

King Edwards Five Ways — Geology road show for primary schools Geology road show for primary schools. — Geology field trips to Iceland

Earth Heritage Trust ‘Champions Project’ — Helping schools prepare for Champions Project activities.

For further Information about TBT and funding opportunities contact:

Tex Wales Secretary Tomlinson- Brown Trust: [email protected]

Iceland field trip.

www.EarthHeritageTrust.org 5 Geopark Way News h e l a s t 18 m o n t h s h a s b e e n a b u s y t i m e along the Geopark Way trail. Funding provided through Tthe Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund supported a project titled ‘Exploring Aggregates along the Geopark Way Trail’ enabling research into the history and geology of a number of aggregates sites, the creation of three new circular trails, community geology and landscape displays, interpretation boards, trail improvements and the publishing of the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark Map. At the centre of all this activity have been the Geopark Way Trail Watch volunteers (an enthusiastic and priceless group of volunteers who monitor the condition of the Geopark Way trail) along with Geopark Way trail Watch volunteers clearing a section of the trail in community groups, schools and individuals who were Wellington Heath, Herefordshire. keen to explore their local geology and the history of the aggregate sites on their doorstep.

Volunteers and local community members attending ‘Introduction to Geology’ courses.

Volunteers and local community members exploring a former aggregates quarry on a guided site visit.

Available now to download from our website, or pick up a copy from EHT:

n Exploring Aggregates along the Geopark Way Trail booklet: providing an informative and illuminating look at the aggregates industry and holding a magnifying glass over nine former aggregate sites found on or near the Geopark Way Trail

n The Alfrick and Suckley Hills circular geology and landscape trail

n The Martley Circular geology and landscape trail

n The Cradley and Mathon circular geology and landscape trail

Many thanks for the support, volunteer hours, dedication, knowledge and good times provided by the many volunteers who have allowed this project to develop into what it has become.

www.EarthHeritageTrust.org 6 A New President for the Abberley and Geopark Way News Malvern Hills Geopark

h r i s Da r m o n h a s a c c e p t e d the invitation of the Geopark Partnership to become its Csecond President. He takes over from Professor Aubrey Manning who said … “It has been a great London for the pleasure, as well as an communication of geology Honour, to serve as the AMH to the general public. He is Geopark's first President. It the current national Former President, Aubrey Manning. was my great fortune as a chairman of the YHA just-retired biologist to England and Wales. begin an association with Our new President said… earth scientists. I have learnt a huge amount and “It is indeed an honour and come to understand privilege to be asked to something of the become the Second excitement of interpreting President of the Abberley the structure of the Earth and Malvern Hills Geopark in around us. No biologist succession to someone so should fail to recognise how greatly respected as Aubrey the history of life is linked Manning. I come to the to the history of our planet. presidency as someone who One of the great has spent more than 30 achievements of the years in geotourism and New President, Chris Darmon. Geopark team has been the adult education. My own way in which they have association with the Malvern made geology accessible to Hills goes back around 40 everyone through meetings, years and there is no finer excursions and a whole area of England to begin a series of outstanding lifetime of enthusiasm for publications. I have so much landscape and rocks. I ' enjoyed visiting and being greatly look forward to !"#$"%&'()**' in the field with you in this being more closely involved +,&-.-&-"%'/01'"."0&%' delectable part of England. with the exciting things 23#4#&-05'/01',"6"73/&-05' Now I hand over to Chris already being undertaken by &8"'/&&3-79&"%'#:'&8" Darmon — this time a real the partners in the Geopark ' '' geologist! I know you will be and getting to know the in good hands. I shall want area's geology even more.” +77"36";'/01''' partners send their sincere you for all your kindness to thanks to Aubrey Manning &8 me over the past years.” ' for his support since 2004. ?/&931/;'(@ %&''C/3&0"3%8-2'' the RH Worth Prize by the fascinating geology and ' Geological Society of landscape of the Geopark. $#3'$93&8"3'1"&/-6%'.-%-&' DDDE!"#2/3>'E#35E9>'' #3'2-,>'92'/'!"#$"%&'()**'6"/:6"&'' www.EarthHeritageTrust.org 7 THE AGGREGATES LEVY SUSTAINABILITY FUND 2002-2011

i n c e 2002 Nat u r a l En g l a n d 's ALSF Grant Scheme has supported projects that reduce the effects of aggregate extraction on local Scommunities and the natural environment. Here at the Trust we have DEVELOPING GEODIVERSITY SITES successfully applied for ALSF money since 2002 to carry out an enormous variety of projects ranging from recording and storage of site data to Whitman’s Hill hugely popular initiatives which have brought people together from all Geodiversity Discovery Venture (2005-2007) walks of life in the single objective of enjoying their surroundings. £124,000 The project allowed the Trust to obtain a 10-year LGS DESIGNATION & DATABASE lease on the quarry, in LGS Designation and Database (2002 order to create a long-term and 2004) £50,000 & £18,700 management strategy. Site The Trust made the most of funding in works and vegetation 2002 to record and designate 30 Local clearance were undertaken Geological Sites (LGS) associated with to improve access and a aggregates sites and to develop the existing geoconservation database. number of educational This was followed two years later by resources were created. the opportunity to designate an The local community was additional 18 LGS. also involved. The quarry is New Geodiversity Records Database now used by many groups (2009-11) £161,547 and organisations for With recent technological advances research and educational the Geoconservation Database at the Trust has been completely redesigned in order to make activities, with the fossil it a faster and more efficient system of obtaining and storing records and information from collecting area being an ever increasing archive of information alongside improving the capacity to view database particularly popular with information on GIS software school children.

GEODIVERSITY ACTION PLANS Broadway Quarry (2006-2009) £192,419 Feasibility Study (2009-10) In 2009 the Trust produced Geodiversity Action Plans for £45,812 the two counties. These documents are the result of two Situated on the edge of the years of detailed consultations and audits. All future Trust Cotswold escarpment initiatives and projects are now designed around fulfilling Broadway Quarry is a the actions within the Plans. designated Local Geological WALKING TRAILS Site (LGS). The quarry was subject to a detailed and The Geopark Way (2008-2009) £3060 widespread feasibility study Information about the Geopark Way trail was added to the Trust website. Waymarking the Geopark Way trail into its future use and commenced. management upon restoration. The restoration Geology and Landscape Walks for Health Programme (2007- 2008) £21,600 plan includes the retention This project promoted geology and Natural England’s Walks of a geological face and the for Health programme within the Abberley and Malvern Hills recreation of an area of Geopark. Four suitable walking trails were developed in lowland calcareous , Alveley, Stourport and Ledbury. Trail leaflets grassland in the quarry were published. floor.

www.EarthHeritageTrust.org 8 THE AGGREGATES LEVY SUSTAINABILITY FUND 2002-2011

FACT FILE DEVELOPING GEODIVERSITY SITES n Total value of all projects: £839,400 n Value of sponsorship provided by ALSF: £626,600 n Total number of Local Geological Sites (LGS) designated: 48 n Total number of Site Management Plans written: 9 n Development and delivery of a technologically advanced and user friendly database which will be used by many people for years to come to store and retrieve information n Production of county based Geodiversity Action Plans, which now form the basis of every day running at the Trust and have helped to influence third party approaches to geodiversity across the two counties n Numerous groups of adults and children visit Whitman's Hill on an ongoing basis. The project has lead to further ground-breaking academic study of the site's geology Interpreting and Managing waymarking along the n The signage provided along the Geopark Way has Aggregate Sites (2008- length of the trail. guided thousands of walkers along the trail 2011) £90,088 Communities and n The projects have involved hundreds of volunteers The first project saw the individuals along the trail over the years, bringing together local communities, creating long lasting partnerships and inspiring many development of geological got involved in their local to get involved in geoconservation and to further their site management plans and sites, visited other sites knowledge of Earth Science site interpretation along the trail and gained templates for six further understanding of Community Earth Heritage their local geology and the Champions sites. In the merits of geoconservation. next phase of funding, biological, archaeological and landscape information was added to the plans. Recommendations from the plans were carried out, which involved making the sites more accessible to visitors and site interpretation materials were produced.

Exploring Aggregates along the Geopark Way (2009-2011) £135,188 The outputs of the project were to produce a booklet on the aggregates along the Geopark Way trail, to develop three new circular walks leading from the main trail and complete

www.EarthHeritageTrust.org 9 Leinthall Earl’s Quarry, Herefordshire.

Ne w Ge o l o g i c a l Re c o r d s Da t a b a s e

q u i e t b u t i m p o r t a n t r e v o l u t i o n has been taking place in the Geological Records Centre over the last 18 months. Wellington Quarry, Herefordshire. Although not always the most attractive side of A the sometimes taxing process of geoconservation, how site records are stored and accessed is understanding geological terms! nevertheless an important component of work. In addition to the new database, the For many other local geoconservation turning point of a new era in data Trust won some additional funding from groups, such geological records are management. Gone is the old Microsoft ALSF to write and publish information on commonly held in environmental or Access database — useful in it's time, the Trust website on the aggregate biological record centres. EHT however, but which has now become a bit clunky resources of the two counties. These is one of a minority of groups that and inefficient for today's fast moving webpages contain information on what houses and manages an independent world. In its place is a new database, aggregates are, as well as providing a geological records centre. Funded by the running from a piece of software called summary of each geological unit in Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund Filemaker Pro. A dedicated EHT server Herefordshire and Worcestershire that (ALSF) administered by Natural England, will be housed in one of the University has produced aggregate. It is anticipated Trust consultants and volunteers have IT rooms, this will mean that the that these webpages will be used by been beavering away on improving database and additional pieces of geologists and members of the public information held on 250 aggregate sites information such as digital photos and alike, when talking about the many across the two counties. Work has project reports will be available for quarries and pits in the two counties. included gathering land registry consultants and volunteers to access far Thanks must go to the consultants and information, identifying and (correctly!) more easily than at present. Thanks volunteers who have been working hard cataloguing site specimens, field must go to Decent Group; the database throughout this project, to ensure that surveying, deleting and merging entire consultants who have been creating the the Trust retains one of the best site records where duplications currently new system for the Trust, ensuring that independent Local Geological Records exist! This is all in preparation for the complex data and lists are made clear Centres in the country and has a transfer of the cleaned data to the new and easy to access on the new system. database fit for whatever the future records database. The Trust is at the The consultants at Decent have enjoyed may hold for geoconservation.

www.EarthHeritageTrust.org 10 The Geological Records Centre — he Trust established the Geological Records Centre (GRC) in 1996, to act as a repository come and use it! Tfor information collected by volunteers, professionals and consultancies, on the geology of the two counties. It houses an extensive archive of local geological information in the form of:

• A comprehensive geological and geomorphological sites database • Digital geological, topographical and site information • Geological site reports • Site management plans for key localities • Peer and non-peer reviewed research papers • General geology textbooks • Local geology publications • Regional geology publications • Ordnance Survey maps at a variety of scales from 1:10,000 • Geological maps at a variety of scales from 1:10,000 The Geological Records Centre. • Site photographs (digital and hard copy) • Collection of rock and fossil samples from the two MEMBERS NEWSFLASH — counties • Display collections for educational use Books available to borrow • Thin sections from the GRC!!!

• Rural and urban geology trail guides from the e a r e n o w a b l e t o you cease to become a Explore and Discovery Trail Guide series offer a basic loan member, then the books Wservice of a must be returned, but you All this information is available to members, number of geological books will continue to be able to individuals, public and private organisations, who are and memoirs to members. In access the GRC as any other welcome to visit the GRC by appointment. It is also exchange for showing your ordinary member of the possible to submit data requests using our membership card (or we can public. This borrowing information request form — please contact eht@ check our membership service is part of our worc.ac.uk for more information. database), you will be able continuing effort to make to take out up to five books the fantastic geological for a period of four weeks. resources held at the GRC You may renew these loans more accessible for PUBLIC NEWSFLASH — once, for a further four members, and is yet another weeks, if there are no benefit of becoming an EHT books available for outstanding requests for the supporter. This service is purchase from the GRC!!! titles currently lent to you. If available immediately.

p a c e is a l w a y s at a Survey, Geologists' premium here in the Association and Ussher SGRC. As a result, Society, as well as journals Donations there is a number of books and proceedings including and professional the Geological Journal, Th e Tr u s t h a s b e e n p r i v i l e g e d to have received donations publications that the Trust alongside some foreign of books and articles from our President, Professor David has made available for publications. A complete list Dineley and Life Vice-President, Les Morris. These kind purchase. The list includes of titles is available upon donations from their own extensive personal collections books and memoirs from request, please contact will contribute to the array of resources available from the British Geological [email protected]. the GRC.

www.EarthHeritageTrust.org 11 West Midlands Geodiversity Strategic Stone Partnership The Partnership continues to meet Study ceases quarterly. After a successful 2009/10, Study ceases in which detailed geodiversity descriptions for Landscape Character f t e r a l m o s t t w o y e a r s , • Malvern Stone being favoured Areas of the West Midlands were the English Heritage amongst the stone buildings produced, further condition monitoring work was undertaken; funding was funded work has now flanking the Malvern Hills A again available from Natural England drawn to a close. Over the • Ubiquitous use of Old Red for the 2010-11 financial year. For the course of the study, data for Sandstone rocks in Trust, this meant condition monitoring over 1000 buildings was Herefordshire a further 20 Local Geological Sites (LGS) across the two counties, with the collected and over 300 • Common use of results being fed back to Natural building stone quarries Sandstones in northern England and then logged in the GRC. identified. Worcestershire Additionally, the Partnership has been hearing about changes to Natural Over 100 different local names • Use of Carboniferous England's workstream and priorities. for stone were confirmed (from sandstones across The Partnership responds collectively Alveley Stone to Withington Worcestershire and individually to a number of Stone), and almost 30 exotic (i.e. government consultations on the imported into the area) stone • Widespread use of Tufa in natural environment, including the types recorded. Even though this ecclesiastical buildings important White Paper which will precede new legislation on represents just a tiny fraction of • The rare yet extremely local conservation and the natural information surrounding the use of Tintern Sandstone and environment. This is an important time source and use of stone across Quartz Conglomerate in for geoconservation, as the coalition the two counties, it does provide southern Herefordshire government sets out its agendas and some evidence to allow us to priorities; we need to ensure that continue to build a picture of the All this information is now with geoconservation and geodiversity is not distribution and use of stone in English Heritage, who will, with drowned in the sea of austerity. By Herefordshire and the assistance of the British continuing to meet, assist and provide best practice in the West Midlands, the Worcestershire. Examples Geological Survey, present the member organisations will be able to include: data collected from all over England on its Minerals UK support each other to ride the waves of funding cuts that will no doubt bite • The dominant use of Cotswold website. In addition, stone in the forthcoming year. Further Stone in the south east of atlases summarising the information on the partnership can be Worcestershire, alongside its distribution and extent of stone found at www.geowestmidlands.org.uk use for quoins and dressings across the two counties will also across the two counties be published.

Byton Meander, River Lugg LGS, actively eroding meander bank.

St Peter's Church, Arley, Worcestershire, made St Mary's Church, Almeley, Herefordshire, of local carboniferous sandstones. constructed from Old Red Sandstone.

Lord’s Wood Quarry LGS, Carboniferous Llanelly Formation. www.EarthHeritageTrust.org 12 FROM THE CHAIR... A Story of Martley Pit a r t l e y Pit is a g o o d e x a m p l e of the long and illustrious history of geology in our two counties. It was first mentioned by MMurchison in his System which was published in 1839. By 1900 the main rock had been trenches were excavated along the edge recognised as igneous and the connection of the old Martley Pit by the landowner made with similar granite rocks seen on under the direction of Dr Paul Olver from in the Malvern the Woolhope Field Naturalists Club, Hills. which itself has a history of geological field work going back to the 1850s. The fact that these Precambrian igneous These excavations have revealed that rocks had been thrust over the younger the Cambrian Malvern Quartzite has quartzites had also been proposed. itself been thrust over the Carboniferous Sediments in Martley Pit. These rocks were all thought to be Halesowen Formation, which in the main surrounded by younger coal measures, trench consists of a series of colourful reddish Raglan mudstone which can be now called the Halesowen Formation. (orange, grey and black) clay or seen at the bottom of the trench Since then the old pit has been filled in mudstones; these rocks occupy the extending from the pole to the bottom and is now overgrown by conifers. middle of the trench wall in this right hand corner. Further work is now However, the geology around Martley photograph taken by John Payne. The underway and publication of these new received a boost in early 2010 when new rocks are lying unconformably upon findings is expected to follow.

includes letters, photographs and specimens collected in the days when the present owner’s great grand father helped AGM MAY 2010 Roderick Murchison in the studies leading to the publication of HERGEST CROFT, HEREFORDSHIRE “The Silurian System”. The collection contains fine specimens of fossil fish and starfish as well as a variety of brachiopods, n a s l i g h t l y d a m p d a y in May we all gathered at Hergest corals and orthocones from many local sites. Croft to attend the Trust AGM. Laurence Banks had Overy kindly allowed us to use a room for the AGM We were sorry to hear that Roy Fenn has since passed away. which had lovely views onto the gardens. The gardens at Hergest Croft contain fine specimens of trees Once the business of the AGM was completed we enjoyed a from all over the world and a wide variety of plants, including guided tour of the R W Banks collection. Roy Fenn talked to us their famous range of rhododendrons. There was also the about a subject, which he has spent many years researching — opportunity to purchase plants grown at Hergest Croft. the pioneer geologists who had associations with Hergest Croft. A few hardy souls stayed for a walk up on to Hergest Ridge at He introduced us to the R W Banks geological collection, which the end of the day to enjoy the geology and the scenery.

Trust members being shown the collection by Roy Fenn (third from left). AGM 2011 The next AGM will take place at Bewdley Museum on Saturday 21st May. More details will follow in due course.

www.EarthHeritageTrust.org 13 The Geology Trusts

h e l a s t y e a r h a s , a s a l w a y s , been a busy one for The Geology Trusts. At the start Tof the year, we completed an ALSF funded project to monitor the condition of all of our aggregate sites and carry out a survey of the soils and any Quaternary deposits at each.

We developed this project to address a previously identified skills gap in this field. The project benefited from the services of three local experts, Dr John Conway from the Royal Agricultural College, Ian Fenwick, retired author and lecturer on soils and Quaternary sediments, and Dr Nick Chidlaw, a based sedimentologist. Guidance documents and field recording sheets were developed for the description of both soils and Quaternary deposits, and a three day training course was held for staff and volunteers from eight participating counties. The guidance documents are now freely available from the new Geology Trusts website. www. thegeologytrusts.org.

As summer approached, several county groups turned their attention to completing work on the Strategic Stone Study, a project that we have been carrying out in partnership with English Heritage for the last two years. This required us to describe our local stone built heritage by compiling a record of the range of building stones in each county and carrying out fieldwork to identify their use in local villages and towns. The result of this nationwide project will eventually be available on an interactive website hosted by the British Geological Survey.

For the third year running, we continued to work with Natural England on a project to produce a national database of all of the Local Geological Sites (LGS) in England and to monitor their current condition. The Geology Trusts have compiled boundary maps and data on the basic attributes of all LGS across ten counties. The work of visiting each site to assess the condition and need / potential for future management is ongoing, with over 1000 sites in total. Thanks to the fieldwork of staff and volunteers in each county, we have already completed more than half of them.

Julie Harrald (Director), January 2011 Photos taken during the soils and quaternary training days.

www.EarthHeritageTrust.org 14 Nunnery Wood Ace Day

n 10 No v 2010 Nunnery Wood High School year 9 experienced an Ointroduction to the science of geology with a day of activities both in school and out in the field.

Volunteers and consultants from the Trust shared their knowledge of geology with the 270 year 9 pupils. The event was sponsored by the Tomlinson Brown Trust.

Below is an account of the day written by Elly Lengthorn, Science Lead Teacher at Nunnery Wood High School, who instigated the whole event:

The year 9 students had the chance to enjoy a variety Students identifying their fossils. of geology activities on their most recent science ACE day — all with the kind help of the Earth Heritage Trust — it included two excursions to Whitmans Hill Quarry and Tank Quarry in the Malvern Hills.

The quarrying operation at Whitmans Hill, which stopped in 1988, has dug deep into the hill and exposed the underlying Silurian rocks. Geologist Moira Jenkins pointed out layers formed from volcanic ash and ancient coral reefs to the year 9s before they had the opportunity to scour the quarry for fossils. The mudstones and limestones were rich in fossilised remains and our students found Brachiopods and Bivalves. A brachiopod. The volcano erupting! Students also had the chance to visit Tank Quarry, with geologists Sue Hay and Natasha Lee, to look at volcanic rocks and their structure. They had a chance to help make a volcano and investigate the surrounding landscape.

Back in school the students heard a lecture on geology and its influence on our lives from Philip Horsfall, a recent geology graduate, and had the chance to try two practical geology activities. A ‘What rock am I?’ investigation with the help of Mike Preston and 6 students from King Edwards VI Five Ways School, as well as having a go at casting their own fossil with the assistance of some volunteers from the Earth Heritage Trust.

The students were each given a reference card which included a geological map of Great Britain and a fossil identification leaflet to encourage them to take a closer look at the fossils they found! What rock am I?

www.EarthHeritageTrust.org 15 Can you spare some time for the Trust?

o y o u h a v e a f e w h o u r s of free time occasionally? Would you like to do Dsomething productive with that time? Look no further than this list of opportunities to get involved with the work of the Trust!

You don't have to commit to a regular schedule — much of the help we need is on a one-off basis, although some things can be done on a regular rota if required. Some of the volunteer work has to be done at our offices in Worcester, but there are other opportunities all over the two counties (even further afield sometimes!). It won't cost you anything but your time, and you'll get a lot of appreciation.

Our requirements are varied — from people with no experience of geology right up to trained geologists. Help and advice is always available if you're unsure about what you could do. So please have a look at these;

n Occasional office work, eg, preparing mailings, archiving. Must be done during the week at Worcester University.

n Rock and Fossil Roadshows (5 or 6 a year spread over the two counties— but you don't need to come to all of them). Introducing children to geology through play, with fun activities such as painting a plaster “fossil” or doing a “Dinosaur Detective Trail”. We also have Trail Guides and other merchandise for sale. You don't need to know geology for this, you just need enthusiasm, although we also need people with geological experience to help with the specimen table.

www.EarthHeritageTrust.org 16 Can you spare some time for the Trust?

n Events and Exhibition. County fairs and parish n Data entry. Inputting information on local fetes, etc — if you can help man a stand geological sites into our new database. Geological sometimes, we want to hear from you. No knowledge essential. Must be done during the experience necessary. week at Worcester University.

n Walks and talks. Accompany the leader or lecturer n Helping to inform local newspapers, magazines to a local event to help sell Trail Guides and/or and websites when the Trust has an event in the merchandise and promote the work of the Trust. local area. No experience necessary. We also have three one-off opportunities; n Trail testing and monitoring. Volunteers are n Someone who has a jigsaw (the workshop variety) needed to test new trails prior to publication, and and can cut very simple dinosaur templates about also to occasionally walk our published trails to 7cm long out of soft wood. see if anything has changed. No experience necessary, as these trails are intended for the n A teacher (preferably science) to help with general public. producing geology information packs for schools. Geological knowledge is not needed. n Field work. Accompanying and assisting consultants during field trips. Basic knowledge of n Someone to regularly update our website. geology required, but full training is provided. We rely on the time given by our volunteers, without whom much of our n Specimen identification and cataloguing. Working work would be impossible. If you think you can help, please contact Margaret Rodway on 01684 567588 or by e-mail to: with our growing rock, mineral and fossil [email protected]. collection. Geological knowledge essential. Must be done during the week at Worcester University.

www.EarthHeritageTrust.org 17 Rock and Fossil Roadshow Programme 2011 Come along and learn about Come along and make your 11-3pm, Sunday September rocks, fossil, minerals and own fossil, see if you have 11th 2011 Earth Science. Lots of fun what it takes to be named a In the area around the Wyre activities and specimens to ‘Dinosaur Detective’, take a Forest Visitors Centre, the handle and examine. look at local rock and fossil Wyre Forest, Callow Hill nr specimens and many more fun Bewdley, 11-3pm, Tuesday April 19th activities. A free event in the Worcestershire DY14 9XQ 2011 centre of Great Malvern Town. Across the country the Hereford Museum Resource Forestry Commission will be and Learning Centre, 11-3pm, Friday 19th — celebrating ‘The International 58 Friar Street, Tuesday 23rd August Year of the Forest‘ on 11th Vernon the Velociraptor. Hereford HR4 0AS Bewdley Museum, Load September. At the Wyre Forest A joint roadshow with Street, Bewdley, there will be a variety of the Wye Project’ a £2.8m, Hereford Heritage Services. A Worcestershire DY12 2AE activities and displays three year partnership funded whole host of activities As part of the ‘Cuckoo Chance throughout the day, including conservation scheme for 40 including fossil making, fossil — The secret life of the the Trust’s Rock and Fossil historical sites within the rubbing, creating your own 3D Cuckoo’ exhibition, which Roadshow. A free event. lower Wye Valley area. A model of an ancient swamp explores the work of Edgar Medieval themed, family and badge making. Rocks and Chance; ornithologist and 10-5pm, Sunday September focused day of events and fossils from across pioneer of wildlife film 18th 2011 activities including: Herefordshire will be on making in the 1920s. Every Chepstow Castle, Bridge Re-enactments, leather work, display. There is a small day we will be running Street, Chepstow, face painting, tours of the charge for the ‘making’ different Rock and Fossil Monmouthshire NP6 5EZ castle, metal making, food, activities, other activities are Roadshow activities. On ‘Medieval Mayhem!’ Come Trebuchet and of course the free. Tuesday 23rd August we will along to celebrate the Trust’s Rock and Fossil be holding ‘Ask the Experts’ delivery of the ‘Overlooking Roadshow. Free entry into the 11-3pm, Saturday July 2nd sessions — bring along your castle and the roadshow. 2011 own rock and fossil specimens The Lyttelton Well, 6 Church to quiz the experts! A free St, Malvern, event. Worcestershire WR14 2AY

Fossil Painting. Geology Courses 2011 ‘Volcanoes in Action Course Dates: Wednesday evening meetings from 7.30 p.m. — 9.30 pm: — past and present 22nd June, 29th June, 6th July and Major eruptions punctuate our history 13th July. Plus two day field trips on from AD79 and the destruction of Sunday 26th June and Saturday 23rd Pompeii and Herculaneum through to July Mount St Helen in 1980. We will Venue: Martley Memorial Hall, explore the origins of such Worcestershire. EHT Events catastrophic eruptions, their Cost: £50.00. products, the people involved, their Course Tutor: Dr Paul Olver The Earth Heritage Trust runs a potential in changing our weather “This was an excellent series of talks number of events throughout the systems and the steps now being — I would love to hear more. The year including guided walks, stalls, taken to monitor these dangerous yet practical aspects — identifying talks and open days. Please check spectacular features of our natural samples and field outings — are world. Practical identification of the Earth Heritage Trust Calendar particularly useful.” Sarah Williams — volcanic rocks will be supported each at www.EarthHertiageTrust.org for after attending a 6 week course run week by the use of 35mm slides and current events. by Paul Olver during the summer 2010 handouts.

www.EarthHeritageTrust.org 18 WALKING FESTIVALS u r i n g t h e s u m m e r o f 2011 Herefordshire Dand Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust are contributing walks to both the Herefordshire Walking Festival and the Malvern Walking Festival.

Herefordshire Walking Malvern Walking Festival 2010. Gullet quarry on the southern Malvern Hills geology walk. Walk leader John Payne. Festival: 18th to 26th June 2011 H&W EHT lead walk: “Wye Gorge Malvern Walking 2011 celebrates the tenth Geology” Festival: anniversary of the Walking Tuesday 21st June 2011 10.00am to Festival, which continues its 3.00pm 28th May to 5th June Looking at how the Wye Gorge was traditional combination of The Walking Festival with a formed & how the rocks create enthusiastic, knowledgeable difference. Discover the joys of spectacular scenery; down the leaders with the peaceful beauty walking. 38 guided interest walks. gorge, along the riverbank, of the Herefordshire countryside. NEW — 65 mile 6 day History Trail, gradually climbing the wooded Old favourites and new ideas fill Hills End to End & back challenge hillside. The walk visits King nine long days of delightful (18 miles), 6am Breakfast walk, Arthur’s Cave. summer walking although decisions Magical Mystery Tour, Nature are not easy with over fifty For bookings and full programme details visit Lovers walk, Geology walks, Teddy programmed walks. www.walkingfestival.com, or Tel: 01432 268430, or Email: [email protected] Bears Picnic, Evening stroll, and yet still more...

H&W EHT lead walk 1: “Southern Malverns Geology Walk” Wednesday 1st June Walk No. MWF53 2 pm — Est. Geology Courses 2011 Finish: 5 pm. ‘The Rocks Beneath Venue: Bewdley Town — venue to be Distance: 3 miles Circular confirmed. H&W EHT lead walk 2: “Volcanoes, your Feet — Cost: £50.00 Course Tutor: Mike Preston Rocky Shores & Glaciers of Introduction to Malverns” “An excellent course suitable for those Thursday 2nd June Geology’ with some geological knowledge and for This course will introduce the rock those with none. The tutor's passion and Walk No. MWF63, 2 pm — Est. succession as an essential component of enthusiasm for his subject was infectious Finish: 5 pm. our local landscape. The course will be we all Distance: 3 miles Circular supported by practical work in class using came away hungry for more!” Carol rocks, minerals and fossils. Simple In addition the Ledbury to Mathieson after attending Mike's 6 week identification and fieldwork techniques section of the Geopark “Introduction to Geology” course in will be explained using these specimens Way trail will be walked over a Bewdley, Spring 2010 and local geological maps. period of three days (Friday 3rd —

Course Dates: 6 week evening course All enquires or to book a place on the Volcanoes Sunday 5th June) in action course, or to register your interest for (one session a week) plus two day field the ‘An Introduction to Geology’ course contact: For bookings and full programme details visit excursions. Autumn 2011 — dates to be Natalie Watkins on 01905 542014 or e-mail n. www.malvern-hills.info, or phone Malvern Tourist Information Centre on 01684 892289 confirmed. [email protected]

www.EarthHeritageTrust.org 19 Herefordshire & Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust : Geological Records Centre : University of Worcester : Henwick Grove : Worcester WR2 6AJ Tel: 01905 855184 : Fax: 01905 855132 : Email: [email protected] www.EarthHeritageTrust.org

Woolhope Naturalists’ Field Club Geology CONSULTANTS Section Programme Sunday 15th May: Little Doward led by Sue Hay n c e a g a i n t h i n g s a r e c h a n g i n g at the Trust; having been Saturday 18th June: Senny Bridge very busy over the last eighteen months with four major Area. Led by John Davies Oprojects and quite a number of smaller contracts July to be confirmed running, we have now come to the end of the Aggregates Levy August to be confirmed Sustainability Funding. September 24th: Cleeve Hill led by Dave Owen At the end of the Summer 2010 and Alex will continue to work full Mid October: Weekend in East Jessica Donaldson secured a job at time on the Champions Project Devon Wren’s Nest in Dudley. Jess has until the end of August. Liz, Tom November to March: monthly stayed in touch with us and it is and Natalie will be working on a indoor meetings good to see her building on the part time basis over the next few experience she gained at the months as there are always many There is a £2 charge for non-members attending events. For further information Trust. The middle of March saw jobs which need to be done to please contact Sue Hay on 01432 357138 or our Database Consultant, Natasha keep the Trust running effectively. [email protected] Lee, depart for pastures new. Eve

Personnel and contact information

All can be contacted by telephone on 01905 855184 and 542014 or by e-mail on [email protected] (unless indicated otherwise).

President: David Dineley

Chairman: Sue Hay

Vice-Presidents: Les Morris and Peter Oliver

Secretary: Julie Harrald

Office Manager: Liz Elston [email protected] com . Geologist: Moira Jenkins [email protected] judepayne Senior Consultant, Geodiversity: Tom Richards Above: Natasha’s off on an expedition! [email protected] — E: INFO@

Senior Consultant, Corporate Liaison: com . Eve Miles [email protected]

Senior Consultant, Community Liaison: judepayne . Natalie Watkins [email protected] www

Champions Assistant: Alex Bailey : [email protected] design

Jess taking children fossil Graphics and Website Consultant: hunting at Whitman’s Hill. Jude Payne, [email protected] graphic