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Land of my Fathers Hen Wlad fy nhadau A Geological History of Mid Wales and its Metal Mining |
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| Prof. O.T. Jones Wales' greatest geologist | |
| Report - Prof. J. Cope's talk | |
| Report - Dr. J.Davies "In the Beginning" | |
| Other Events |
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of The Geological Society of London (The oldest geological society in the world) and the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Geologists' Association, an exhibition with free entry is being held in the Minerva Centre, Llanidloes, from Monday 25th to Saturday 29th of September 2007. It is supported by the Geological Society under their "Local Heroes" scheme.
There is a programme of associated field trips and lectures.
It is being organised by Mid Wales Geology Club in association with The Welsh Mines Soc and Central Wales RIGS with the participation of CCW.
Have you ever wondered what happened to make Mid Wales look as it does?
500 million years ago Mid Wales was the bed of an ancient sea, lapping the shores of a long-gone continent called Avalonia, and we were located roughly where Australia is now. The mountains of Avalonia shed their sediments into the sea until it was filled. Eventually plate collisions about 395 million years ago crumpled up the sea bed into the dry land that is now Mid Wales. It was eroded flat and uplifted again, and finally shaped during the Great Ice Age to the picturesque lowlands of eastern Central Wales, and the breathtaking western uplands we call the Cambrians. During this long history hot fluids, from the still-wet mudstone deep in the Earth, left copious deposits of lead, zinc and other minerals in the fractured rocks. In more recent times an astonishing 250 metal mines were sunk in this area - not all leading to the hoped-for fortune!
| 24th to 29th September 2007 | Exhibition of Geological & Mining History in Mid Wales at the Minerva Centre, Llanidloes Daily from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm (until 9.00pm on 27th) Entrance free. |
| Thursday 27th Sept 7.15 pm |
A Special Evening of Illustrated Talks for the general public interested in the history of our landscape development and the local mining. The subject will be introduced by Lembit Opik, M.P. Then Prof. David James, Fellow of the Geological Society, will describe the geological history, and Mr George Hall, President of the Welsh Mines Society, will tell the story of metal mining in the district |
| Tuesday & Wednesday 25th & 26th Sept | Schools Mornings. Activities and talks for schools Youngsters will get "Hands on" with volcanoes, panning for "gold" etc. |
| Sunday 30th September | Geological field trip "In the steps of O.T.Jones" to the Rheidol Gorge, led by Dr. Denis Bates, Central Wales RIGS. This will appeal to both the newcomer keen to understand what is so special about this district, and the amateur who already has some idea |
| Field Trip to Penyclun and Bryntail mines (near Llanidloes) led by the Welsh Mines Soc. for newcomers and amateurs more interested in our mining heritage. | |
| Sunday 7th Oct | A geological field trip to Cerrigwynion Quarry and Caban Coch Quarry (Near Rhayader and Elan Valley) with Prof. David James. We will see submarine canyons, evidence of powerful events which formed our rocks |
| Wednesday 23rd May, 2007 |
The Missing Years of Mid Wales geology. What happened in Wales during the 350 million years between its formation and the recent ice age? Professor John Cope, National Museum of Wales. |
| Wednesday 20th June 2007 | "In the Beginning": The early geology of Mid Wales. Dr. John Davies. CCW |
| Wednesday 17th Oct 2007 | The Legendary O.T. Jones: 'Field Marshal' of the Silurian Rocks. A speaker from Mid Wales Geology Club. |
| Wednesday 21st Nov 2007 | Grappling with Welsh graptolites: the story of the extraordinary Gertrude Elles. Prof. Cynthia Burek, University of Chester |
| Thursday 21st Feb 2008 | "The Great Ice Age": formation of a Mid Wales Landscape. Prof. Neil Glasser, Aberystwyth University. |
| Thursday 20th Mar 2008 | A Fateful 1834 Welsh Journey: and decades of Bitterness, Sedgwick versus Murchison. Colin Humphrey (Mid Wales Geology Club) |
| Click here to go to the full Geology Club programme. | |
Mid Wales Geology is a club of amateur geologists, much assisted by the local professionals, and drawing its members from the whole of Mid Wales. We meet indoors in Newtown on the third Wednesday or Thursday evening of every month, and we hold monthly field trips. New members are always welcome: contact Bill Bagley 01686 413967
The Welsh Mines Society is dedicated to recording and preserving the legacy of Welsh mining, especially the metal mines, and works with the Welsh Mines Preservation Trust, which is conducting preservation projects here in Mid Wales, supported by CADW.
Central Wales RIGS (Regionally Important Geodiversity Sites) is one of a national network of organisations dedicated to safeguarding interesting geological sites and encouraging public interest in them.
The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) is the national organisation for protecting, conserving and enhancing our countryside, landscape and environment.
The Geological Society of London. 2007 is a rather special year for geology in Britain, the Geological Society, Britain’s national geological society, and the oldest in the world, celebrates its 200th anniversary. A national programme of regional activities is being organised for the year.