Hands-on geology

18 October 2019

Find out what lies beneath the surface of the North Pennines with some fun geology activities for all ages, and see an exhibition of stunning photographs from across the area, thanks to National Lottery funding.

The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership is running a ‘Hands-on geology session at the Witham in Barnard Castle. The free drop-in event on 26 October from 10am to 4pm offers games and activities which explore the AONB’s geological story, including Geology Jenga, fossil making and rock sampling.

Gemma Mason, Geology Projects Trainee, said: “We have lots of fun activities based on the geology of the North Pennines AONB. Geology Jenga is a unique game that we’ve developed which is based on the different layers of rocks which lie under the surface of the landscape we see today.”

There is also the opportunity to see the entries to the Framing the Land competition, in which photographers were invited to capture the geology and landscape of the area. The exhibition at the Witham closes on 31 October.

Framing the Land and the hands-on geology activities are part of the North Pennines AONB Partnership’s Earthworks project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the INTERREG Atlantic Area programme.

Similar activities will be running at Newcastle City Library on 23 November and at Locomotion at Shildon on 24 November. For more information contact Gemma Mason on 01388 528801 or email gemma@northpenninesaonb.org.uk