There is now a G.A. Guide 'The Geology of Watchet and its Neighbourhood, Somerset'. It is written by Professor Eric Robinson, formerly of University College, London, who now lives in Watchet.

It is an extremely comprehensive guide by a true expert and is good value at £6.00. It can be ordered from the Geologists' Association website.

Festival of Geology - first weekend in November

Did you know that the Geologists' Association is holding its annual Festival of Geology in Liverpool on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th November? The event is at the World Museum and is from 10.00 - 4.30 on Saturday.
There will be something for everyone - geological displays by all the local societies, trade stands (good chance to buy early Christmas presents), books and, of course, Rockwatch with all its activities for children.
There are more details on the G.A website.

Geology Books in North Wiltshire

Did you know that there is a bookshop, 'Earth Science Books' run by Geoff Carss and based in North Wiltshire? Click here to view the website. The shop specialises in geology books, especially those concerning the British Isles. There is a good stock covering a broad range of subjects - British Geological Survey memoirs (over 300), classic 19th century text books like Lyell, Mantell, Geikie, palaeontology, especially micropalaeontology, student text books, Stephen Jay Gould first editions and much more.

Geoff says that if anyone contacts him as a result of reading this blog, he will give a 10% discount on purchases!

Fossils and funny bones for the under 8s

Did you know that Explore @ Bristol is running workshops for the under 8s?

"Fossil Finders: Discover the magic of prehistoric worlds through playful and imaginative games and activities in this hands-on workshop. Children will make their own fossils, move like a dinosaur and find out about the creatures that once roamed the Earth."

The cost is £1.75 per pupil for an hour long visit and 30 pupils and 15 adults can be accommodated at one time.

Dates - 15 - 19th October, 12 November - 7th December, 21st January - 8th February, 3 - 14th March, 12 - 23rd May.

Geology of Bath video

Please click here to view a short video about the geology of Bath. It would be fun to produce one with images of famous geological sites in the west country. Please send me your jpeg photos and I will put something together - or rather, the Animoto team will.

Soudley Valley Geology Trail

The popular Soudley Valley Rural Geology Trail, Forest of Dean has two new interpretation boards, courtesy of the GGT (Gloucestershire Geology Trust) and Rusbridge and Soudley Parish Council. There are two interpretation boards, one concerning the geology and geology trail, the other about the Hod Boys which will overlook the sculpture of a Hod Boy at the picnic site below Bluerock Quarry.

There is also a very good booklet (£1.95) about the trail, available from the nearby Forest of Dean Heritage Centre.

International Year of Planet Earth

As you know, Professor Mike Benton of the University of Bristol is currently President of the Geologists' Association. The GA celebrates its 150th birthday in 2008 (GA150) and 2008 is also the International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE). The GA with the GSL Education Committee as a partner, is organising an educational/outreach programme, the aim of which is to combine a poster campaign to all schools with linked web materials, and a programe of talks in schools by students, coordinated by University Earth sciences/geology departments. The plan is to make a sustainable and continuing programme.

Also for the International Year of Planet Earth and making a difference to the education of children across the world is Earthlearningidea. We are publishing 5 Earth-related activities up to December and then one a week for the whole of 2008. These activities require minimal resources and equipment.