FAMILIES in Worcestershire will have another opportunity to learn about the area where they live and how it was formed when the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark annual Geofest takes place this year.

The geopark covers 1250 sq kilometres stretching from Bridgnporth, Shropshire, in the north to Minsterworth, Gloucestershire, in the south and from Ledbury in the West to Worcester on the east side.

It is one of 10 geoparks in the UK and shows outstanding geology spanning 700 million of the earth’s history.

The 18 member organisations of this geopark have organised a three-month programme of events and activities highlighting and celebrating the local geology, landscape, heritage and wildlife. These include walks, talks, exhibitions and children’s activities as well as ‘Ask the Expert’ sessions and demonstrations.

This year’s geofest starts on Saturday May 30 at Bodenham Arboretum, Wolverley, near Kidderminster, with a Building Stone Roadshow. This will consist of a number of family friendly activities focused on stone and stone buildings.

Visitors can follow a building stone trail around the arboretum, watch experts build a dry stone wall and then have a go themselves, work with a local artist on a building stone creation and learn lots of fascinating facts about local stone from across Worcestershire.

The event takes place between 11am and 3pm at Bodenham Arboretum and admission is free.

On Sunday May 31 there is a chance for people to learn about local rocks and fossils at the Severn Valley Country Park Visitor Centre, Alveley.

Local geologists will be available to answer questions and visitors can discover more about the country park’s industrial past, the impact of the Ice Age on the Severn Valley and the rocks and landscape in the park by following the geology trail. The park is open from 11am to 4pm.

Renowned geologist and president of the geopark Chris Darmon will be visiting the geopark on the opening weekend. He said: “I’m really looking forward to being there at the launch weekend, to visiting many of the venues for the events and meeting as many people as possible.

“GeoFest 2015 is the result of a lot of dedicated people working extremely hard to share their passion for landscape and geology with the general public and it’s a fantastic opportunity for people to get to know more about the area in which they live and to start seeing the landscapes they may well take for granted day to day, in a totally different light.

“I’d urge anyone who hasn’t been on a geofest event before, to book onto one this year and see what they’ve been missing. There’s a fascinating opportunity for them and their children virtually every day of the 12 weeks of the geofest – you are privileged to have this happening in your area – take advantage of it and be enthralled!”

On Saturday June 6 in Ledbury there will be a guided geology, landscape and building stones walk when people can take a leisurely stroll around Ledbury and the surrounding landscape with geologist Andrew Jenkinson and discover the relationship and history between the local geology and the fabric of this historic town.

It starts at 2pm at the Market House, High St, Ledbury, and is expected to finish at 5pm. The cost is £2 for an adult and £1 for a child. To book ring 01938 820764 or e-mail andrew@scenesetters.co.uk.

In Worcester on Tuesday June 9 at 1pm there will be a 30-minute talk entitled the Conservation of the Bredon Hill Roman Coin Hoard at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, Foregate Street, Worcester. The cost is £2.

There’s a guided Geology and Landscape walk across the Malvern Hills on Saturday June 20 and another one at the Stourport Canal basin and the ‘Windswept Dunes of Hartlebury Common’ on Saturday July 11.

There’s a Behind the Scenes Tour of the Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service on Tuesday July 14 at The Hive, Sawmill Walk, The Butts, Worcester, and a similar experience the following day at the Hartlebury Museums Collection Centre when many of the archaeological treasures stored there will be on display.

And that’s barely scratching the surface of events. There is lots of information and a programme to download from the web site – just go to www.geopark.org.uk.

There are full details of all the events including the date, the time, the cost and a description of what is on offer. Many of the events are free – some have a small charge to cover costs – but they’re all fun and most will get people out in the fresh air, allowing them to experience and wonder at the landscape and geology of the areas in which they live – and see them through different eyes.

Chris Darmon added: “We’ve put together a very full programme of events for people over the three-month period and it really would be excellent to see people supporting the events and hopefully coming back for more once they’ve realised how enjoyable they are!”

For more information on all the events visit the web site or call the geopark office for details on 07547 481 440.