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News from the Geopark

Geopark Festival takes to the air with Royal seal of approval

Beaming messages around the world from Britain's oldest home in Torquay has won Royal approval.

For a solid 48 hours enthusiasts have been in radio contact with fellow geoparks around the world as the second annual English Riviera Geopark Festival got under way.

Now the Duke of Edinburgh, patron of the Radio Society of Great Britain, has given the event his official backing.

And anyone who manages to speak to two geoparks during the international link up will receive a special certificate.

On the certificate, the Duke says that winners have made a valuable contribution to the promotion of the Global Geoparks Network which is made up of 56 Geoparks around the world.

Last year, with the help of experts from Torbay Amateur Radio Society and West Devon Radio Club, broadcasters made contact with Brazil, Tasmania and Siberia.

Geopark chairman Nick Powe said nine European Geoparks and one outside Europe actively took part in the second Geopark Communication Event.

He said: "New for this year is an award scheme for radio enthusiasts around the world to apply for a special certificate to mark the event.

"To qualify they have to establish contact with at least two Geopark radio stations.

"It was great to receive the confirmation from Buckingham Palace that the Duke of Edinburgh has endorsed the Geopark Communication Award certificate.

"He wanted to match the contributions made by Prof Nickolas Zouros, coordinator of the European Geoparks Network, and Dr Margerete Patzak, coordinator of the Global Geoparks Network.

"It reinforces that this is not just a Torbay event but a global one and the fact the geological heritage is increasingly valued."

On Thursday visitors can join archaeologists from Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum on a dig from 10am to 4pm free of charge.

Historian John Risdon will lead a three-mile Geopark Coastal Guided Walk from Kents Cavern, on Saturday from 10am to 12.30pm free of charge.

Contact John Risdon on 01803 844102 for more information.

For information on more events taking place during the festival, which runs until June 7, including fun with fossils at Goodrington, farmyard fun at Occombe Farm, a mini archaeological dig at Berry Head, boat cruises, children's workshops, arts and crafts and guided walks, and Occombe Beer festival on June 5 and 6, see the geopark website www.englishrivierageopark.org.uk