Malvern and Abberley Hills Geopark

I am doing some research on behalf of Hereford and Worcester Earth Heritage Trust for a discovery guide about the Abberley Hills area. The area covers the villages of Abberley, Great Witley, Martley and Knightwick and the associated hills.
Abberley hills and those that stretch south to Knightwick form part of the northern end of the newly designated ‘Malvern and Abberley Hills Geopark’. The area of the Geopark falls within the counties of Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Shropshire and Worcestershire and covers 12000 square km . Within the Geopark are 13 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and 62 Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS).

A Geopark is a territory with a geological heritage of European significance. The aim of any Geopark is sustainable development through its geological heritage, namely ‘Geotourism’. The Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark was successfully established in 2004 and is part of the European Geopark network, joining Marble Arch Caves and North Pennines as United Kingdom members. Its founding was the culmination of hard work by the Hereford and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust with support from many people and organisations across the two counties. Their aim: to protect and enhance this small but important part of our natural world.

Sections of the discovery guide will focus on what it means to have Geopark status, the geology of this particular part of the park, the culture, history and present day activities of the hills and surrounding villages and a list of accommodation and services. This projected is funded by European aggregate tax and so a section will also be devoted to covering the
quarrying history of the hills.

The trust is very keen to involve the local people and organisations in the future goings on of the Geopark and you may be able to provide us with information that can be used in the guide. Thus, your input on this discovery guide would be much appreciated as would any information you can give me. For example, we are particularly interested in any information about quarrying in the hillside what the products and markets were, local uses for the stone and archive photographs. I am also aware that at one time coal was exploited in the Martley hillside area but I have been unable to find out any more than that! I would also appreciate any good photographs of the local area as the opportunities to take good photographs are becoming less and less this time of year and the deadline for this guide is just after Christmas. I am aware that proper representation of the local villages and what they have to offer as Geotourism destinations is important and would welcome your comments. If you would like any further information about the trust and our work, please feel free to ask.

Many thanks,
Kate Harris

My number: 01905 621193
Email: kathryneharris@hotmail.com

Earth Heritage Trust at University College Worcester, Woodbury Hall: 01905 855184

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