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 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 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 ( 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