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News from the GeoparkNew look centre helps unlock World of Wonder2 Jun 2010One of Torbay's gateway sites, which helps residents and visitors discover the wonders of the resort's Geopark, has re-opened following a facelift. The Seashore Centre at Goodrington, run by Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, opposite the beach and the revamped Inn on the Quay, is perfectly located to be the headquarters for the trust's marine education work. It has been playing a leading role in the Bay's English Riviera Geopark Festival this week, including a Mystery Mammoth day enjoyed by youngsters. Children spent the day identifying prehistoric bones, creating giant cave art and making fluffy pom-pom mammoths and plaster fossils to take home. A mammoth tusk was on loan from the University of Plymouth and was brought to the event by current student and Geopark volunteer Helen Morton. The tusk was originally discovered in Siberia and is thought to be 10,000 years old. Geopark education and community officer Emily Beale said: "Having a real woolly mammoth tusk at this event which children can see and touch really brought the Ice Age to life. It's evidence that these huge creatures really did exist and we can imagine them roaming around Torbay thousands of years ago." The centre will host regular Tuesday and Thursday afternoon beach activities during the school holidays as well as a host of beach activities seven days a week, taking place between now and the end of September. This year's festival dairy is packed with a wide range of events right across the Bay, and includes guided Geopark walks and talks, a sunset picnic, arts and crafts events and children's workshops. Greenway ferries will also be offering Geopark cruises during the week, including a free trip for local residents and businesses (booking required). Among the festival events still lined up are: Today: Rockpool magic and sunset beach picnic 4.30pm-7.30pm at the Seashore Centre, adult £8.50, child £7; Fossil Giants, 1.30pm-3pm at Torquay Museum, adult/child £1. Thursday: Geopark Cruise, depart 7pm (Torquay), 7.30pm (Brixham), Greenway Ferries, free to local residents; Crystals Rock, 1.30pm-3pm at Torquay Museum, adult/child £1; Cockington Family Fun Quest, 1pm-3pm at Cockington Court, child £2.50; Violent Volcanoes, 1pm-3pm, Seashore Centre, £2.50. Friday: Family Craft Workshops, 10am-3pm at Brixham Museum, normal admission price; Toothy Terrors, 1pm-3pm, at Seashore Centre, £2.50; Occombe Farm Beer Festival with live music, Friday 4.30pm-11pm, Saturday 11am-11pm. Sunday: Spellbinding guided walk of Torquay's Geo-Trail, 10am-1pm. Meet Kents Cavern car park, adults £3, free for children. |