PRINCIPALS
VISIT THE GEOPARK
Before leaving the education service
in Torbay Heather Maxwell and Chris Turner went to Kents Cavern
in Torquay to find out why Torbay has Geopark status. |
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Heather Maxwell is
retiring from South Devon College and Chris Turner is moving
on as Executive Head of two schools in Bournemouth. After a
busy and productive life in the Bay they were intrigued to visit
the caves which are site of the earliest human remains in Britain.
They discussed the
recent archaeological finds excavated by Exeter University and
the move to use the caves for civil weddings. |
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They posed for a picture in the ‘pulpit' where stalagmites and
stalactites have been growing for millions of years as the rainwater
seeps through the limestone rocks. The Principals discovered that
Torbay has unique status as the only urban Geopark in Europe because
Torbay 's geology has shaped the land, coast and bay to create
a beautiful place to enjoy work and leisure activities. |
Torbay has
important rock features in the Bay and even a geological era
named after our county – the ‘Devonian'.
There are now plans to create an informative
handbook about our local geology and each of the gateway sites
such as Kents Cavern, Cockington, Berry Head and Occombe Farm.
The Principals learned
about the planned GeoQuest festival for next year which will
enable visitors and locals to appreciate our heritage. Also,
the range of informative courses on this subject at Brixham
Adult & Community Learning Centre starting from September
– see attached prospectus page 7. There are also free talks
in September at Maypool YHA with David Ayres talking on Geology
and John Risdon giving an illustrated talk on the History of
Seaside.
Fact File:
In 2007, the English Riviera received international recognition
for its geological, historical and cultural heritage becoming
one of just 57 areas around the world to be endorsed by UNESCO
as a Global Geopark. |
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