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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
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TEME VALLEY GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY Martley
Martley : • about 1200 residents • 7 miles west of Worcester • Malvern Hills DC • active community
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 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 : How were we successful ? Something to work with - geo assets Encouragement - EHT, village Financial support to deliver - Leader, RDPE Determination to see thro’ - Individuals
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