Latest map of the moon HERE
Down To Earth Extra, May 2020 HERE
Paul Gannon–Mountain Rescue
Paul Gannon–Graded Bedding
Paul Gannon–Crossbedding Extra
Paul Gannon-Clues from Footpaths
Paul Gannon–Which Way is Up?
Country Loo by Paul Gannon
Trap Topography by Paul Gannon
Dobkow, Poland Visit
21st-24th October 2018, Dave Cropp and John Nicklin visited Dobkow, Poland. Borne out of our meeting with Prof. Mazurski of Wroclaw University, who came to the Symposium in Ludlow in 2015 and was an expert in (geology) tourism (unfortunately he has since passed away). He wrote a paper comparing Dobkow and Martley so easy for us to go out there and encourage them to join the nascent Geo-Village movement.
Hiring a car at Wroclaw we drove the 150 (ish) km to Dobkow, a village of some 200 situated at the edge of the more mountainous southern regions of Poland. We stayed for a couple of nights at Villa Greta, a beautifully refurbished farm house and outbuildings that was the childhood home of the current owner, Chris, along now with wife Evalina. As explained to us, the couple wanted to stay in the area but needed to make a living so opened rooms and as business grew, more and more accommodation, along with dining and bar facilities, all housed in a most characterful old building. Many of their visitors were (and still are) Germans returning to explore and enjoy the land where their families used to live until the end of WW2 when they were forced out. Seeking to develop their business, the couple returned to basics–what did the area offer? It turned out to be geology, a region of varied volcanics from three main eras–submarine, +-500Ma, sub aerial, +-300Ma and similarly in the Cenozoic 30-10Ma with excellent exposures within short driving distances. Sedimentary deposits too, historic towns, local restaurants–what else does the discerning geology tourist need? Their ambition knew no bounds and with the strengths of the area in focus, developed a business plan with geology at its centre. Gathering a team around them, EU funding was sought, a grant of some 800 000 Euros obtained, leading to the restoration of another derelict farmstead dedicated to our science. The centre has a permanent staff of 4 or 5 and hosts many thousands of visitors each year, including many school parties, whilst we were there 2 coach loads of excited youngsters arrived for a tour and lessons. Inside the centre, on three floors, were static exhibits, interactive LED displays, classroom space, a small cafe, a well stocked reception with attractive gifts and even an earthquake platform(!). In another building a workshop to cut and polish rocks and yet another building more classroom space, rock exhibits and so on. How do they do it? How do they finance it? We gained some insight but not the full picture, but what an astonishing credit to all those involved, especially Evalina and Chris.
Dave and I explored the area, weather worsening on the 2nd day so
we did not make it to the top of a prominent peak in the area, Ostrzyca, a volcanic ‘neck’ from the Cenozoic, standing at 501m above sea level.
Then, just a short river side walk from our lunch stop at the old mill, we came across this rhyolite dome with picnic place, shelter and interpretation boards.
We brought back with us a guide book to the geology, maps and leaflets, available from TVGS library. Worth a visit–YES, definitely.
Members Evening Sept 24th 2018
The evening commenced with a look back at last years activities and future plans, HERE is the presentation.
Tim Carter gave a short talk about his recent trip to Bornholm, a Danish island in the Baltic with a spectacular range of geology to be seen in rugged cliffs and many quarries, easily accessible. Rocks from 1.7Ba directly adjacent to Cambrian of around 500Ma. HERE is Tim’s presentation. Expensive place, nevertheless Tim was a good, perhaps unwitting sales person and am sure we would all love to visit! HERE is a link to one of the museums and here is the island’s location:
Arthur Tingley updated us on the progress of the Knighton mapping project and one can only admire and respect the dedication over 4 or 5 years now, that Arthur has brought to this project. His team of apprentice mappers has come on in leaps and bounds, hopping from crag to crag, clip board in hand. Arthur is now bringing together all the findings and these will be field tested to either prove or disprove, in the case of the latter it means more work needed.
David Cropp talked and showed slides of his and Jane’s (Dave’s wife) trip, this month, to Greenland (Ilulissat) where they took small plane and boat journeys to see the gigantic glacial ice conveyors that calve into the north Atlantic and where the effects of global warming are startlingly apparent. Surely one has to go there to appreciate the scale of the ice cliffs and bergs and to see the numerous sea monsters that displayed close to the shore.
We had a general discussion as to the direction of the Society. Those present added to ideas from previous meetings. Many members and visitors are happy to come along just for the evening with its talk, library and social interaction, but others enjoy, in addition, field trips, geology courses, local events, academic work and so on. It is one of the duties of the committee to follow up as many of these ideas as is reasonable given the timetable and capacity. To cope with our ambitions to cover a wider range of activities and interests, it is felt that an increased level of partnership working with like minded groups would benefit all. For example, this year, there have been field trips with the Woolhope club and at the time of this meeting, Dave and John are to shortly meet the Chair and other members of the Earth Heritage Trust to investigate joint working and support.