TEME VALLEY GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Martley

Martley :

• about 1200 residents• 7 miles west of Worcester• Malvern Hills DC• active community

Martley

Martley :

• set in attractive countryside by the river Teme• popular with walkers – long distance paths• history of quarrying • interesting geological features

Teme Valley Geological Society :

• Formed in 2010• 70 + members• regular meetings and trips out• vehicle for Leader grants • encouraged by H&W Earth Heritage Trust (Geopark)

Martley Geology Project :

PHASE 1 :• £26,310 GRANT• 100% support rate• ran from 1/8/11 – 31/12/12• excavation of Martley Rock, interpretation panels,

fencing and landscaping : new visitor attraction• geological audit of parish (40 sites), lifelong learning

courses, talks, library, tools for work parties, display panels, storage facility

• European contacts

MARTLEY ROCK

MARTLEY ROCK

MARTLEY ROCK

Martley Geology Project :

PHASE 2 :• £10,360 GRANT• 100% support rate• runs from 22/10/12 – 30/9/13• 2 new trails / guides, interpretation boards at 4 new sites,

geological courses for young people, new leaflets, car park & temporary trenching at Martley Rock, visitor centre in village with maps

Wider economic aims & benefits :

• Develop Martley Rock and “new” sites as visitor attractions

• Help develop geo tourism as new market sector with EU wide connections (www.geo-village.eu/)

• Strengthening walking choices in area (MCW, Walkers are Welcome, Geopark Trails, Worcester Way)

• Broaden educational / career choices • Initiatives with farmers / landowners• Social / community development – learning, exercise,

rural issues, isolationism etc

Ongoing issues :

• Counting visitors – visitor books, leaflets, stile counters, take up

• Maintenance – volunteers / work parties• Wider consequences – expansion of village, pressure on

schools, new housing planned !

Summary :

Something to work with - geo assets

Encouragement - EHT, village

Financial support to deliver - Leader, RDPE

Determination to see thro’ - Individuals

How were we successful ?

The Future :

• To maintain and improve the geological assets and supporting facilities that we have already secured and consider opening up new sites

• To continue to develop Martley as a geological destination with economic, educational and social benefits

• To work with other EU communities and establish a network of geological attractions through models of best practice