Places Stories

Day four of the inaugural group walk along the Geopark Way was yet another in this sequence of hot, sunny weather.

This nine-day trek is the headline event of this year's Malvern Walking Festival, which is now in its fifth year.

Thankfully, walk conditions on each day have been made more bearable by a gentle breeze.

Let us enjoy it, as local weatherman, Paul Damari, forecasts cooler conditions on the morrow.

Dr Oliver

The now smaller party of 27 walkers (seven having to return to their daily routine) proceeded up the lane to Shavers End Quarry, a scar at the eastern end of Abberley Hill, where we met Dr. John Oliver, Vice-President of the Earth Heritage Trust and consulting geologist.

He informed us that the Abberley Hills ridge, that rises out of the otherwise gently rolling landscape, is made up of limestones and shales, that formed during the Silurian Period around 420-million years ago.

The rocks of Shavers End were first laid down horizontally in a shallow sea, when the Geopark was then in the southern tropics!

Over the next 300-million years, the rocks were forced to fold up and back over themselves.

Subsequently, the folded rocks were faulted, resulting in the distinctive vertical pattern seen today.

Brachiopods

The non-geologists in the party were introduced to their first sighting of brachiopods that were clearly visible, once we knew where to look!

You wait a couple of million years to see one, then like London buses, three or four come along together!

Dr. Oliver explained that Abberley Hill's terrain changes from grey, Silurian rocks to the chocolate coloured soil of the Haffield Breccia.

The latter is Permian in age, and is made up of angular fragments of volcanic rock.

These breccias rest unconformably on the Silurian rocks. 

Walsgrove Hill

After Dr. Oliver's valuable and interesting input, we continued past the familiar landmark that is Abberley Clock Tower and up the steep side of Walsgrove Hill. 

For much of the remainder of the day, walkers were able to appreciate stunning views of the Teme Valley, another of Worcestershire’s best-kept secrets.

A friendly farmer put us wise when once we strayed from the route; he told us that his farm's land was the only one in the area to be composed of both limestone and sandstone – we nodded sagely in agreement and, quietly, were suitably impressed!

Martley church

At Martley Church, the party was informed of the Go West project, that was launched in 2008 in various Teme Valley churches of the Diocese of Worcester.

The objective is to encourage visitors to explore the region by means of inter-active information points at the churches, which almost certainly provide the only continuity and vestiges of the area’s rich heritage and local distinctiveness.

Malvern Hills

The walk terminated at the Admiral Rodney pub at Berrow Green.

Unfortunately, it is not open all day - how quickly we start to take such things for granted!