This Geology Field School’s aim is to introduce the participants to aspects of the geology of mid-Wales with a particular emphasis on how our underlying geology influences our landscape. We will also consider how our geology has influenced man’s activities by looking at the building stones of Cwmhir Abbey and the location of an important spring that fed the Abbey water supply.
Joe will give an introduction to geology and the geology of mid-Wales in a zoom call before the Field School. This will give our participants the opportunity to gain a preliminary grounding for the weekend.
Day 1 will be based around Llandrindod Wells. We will meet at The Lake and take a 4 mile walk to see a range of local rock types and understand what they tell us. At the top of Little Hill we hope to enjoy the panorama view in the context of the underlying geology, and then walk to Bach-y-Graig – where we should find fossils – and on to Rock Park, to look at the well known mineral springs.
Day 2 will start at the Abbey ruins in Abbeycwmhir, where we will look at the local stone used to build the Abbey and also the very different facing stone that is reputed to come from Grinshill near Shrewsbury. We will then drive through Bwlch-y-sarnau to a disused quarry where we will see an exposure of the geology that makes up the hills around the watershed of the Clywedog Brook, which provided the main water supply for Cwmhir Abbey. We will then drive to Ffynnongarreg to investigate this headwaters area further, including examining a range of rock exposures and studying the landscape to learn the reasons for the emergence of the spring known as Saints Well.
It is our hope that, as a result of the training, you will begin to be able to interpret the influence of geology on our landscape and that you will be inspired to stay in touch with us and join our group of community heritage volunteers – and contribute geological observations to understanding our heritage when visiting our Abbey or the granges that it owned. It is our intention to collate these new findings and host discussions on-line, through our website and Zoom discussions, so that we can all learn more about the fascinating history and prehistory of our countryside.
Attendees will receive an information pack prior to the event. This Field School will involve walking on steep and uneven ground. Please note that young people (under-18s) and vulnerable adults will need to be accompanied. Please provide your own transport for Day 2.
Places on this Field School will be limited. Tickets to participate can be booked on Eventbrite via the link below
A minimum donation of £1 is required when making the booking
For further information contact Mel at history.cwmhirabbey@gmail.com
If you wish to attend for one day only, please book in the usual way, but let Mel know.
Sounds amazing and sorry I missed it. I was on another walk with Brecknock W. Will you have more events like this geology one. I am a total beginner.