Geopark Festival Lines Up Dozens Of Events

The third annual English Riviera Geopark Festival is shaping up with more than two dozen events already on the calendar.

The festival is staged to celebrate Torbay's status as a member of the European and Global Geopark Network and one of only six geoparks in the UK, and encourage people to enjoy, and learn more about, the Bay's stunning natural and cultural heritage.

The main events will take place during the summer half-term week with the launch on May 29 at the Goodrington Seashore Centre.

This will include activities based on the beach and in the Seashore Centre building such as cave art, fossil hunting and an imaginary archaeological dig.

Confirmed events currently include family activities, guided walks, arts and crafts and the fifth Occombe Beer Festival at Paignton's Occombe Farm on June 4 and 5.

This will offer the chance to sample around 60 real ales from across the West Country, local ciders and perry.

There will also be a Pimm's Bar, live music from local bands, a BBQ and hog roast.

Another highlight will be the amateur radio event GB6GEO, the third Geopark International Communication Weekend on May 22 and 23 based at Berry Head.

Visitors will get the chance to talk to amateur radio users in some of the other 56 Geoparks around the world - from Brazil and Tasmania to Siberia - thanks to the expertise of members of the Torbay Amateur Radio Society and West Devon Radio Club.

Three artists will spend the week walking across the Bay, stopping at key Geopark sites to work with local community groups on a GeoQuest event.

At the end of each day, there will be a GeoSupper and performance at an evening venue for which tickets will be sold.

The GeoQuest journey will begin at the Valley of the Rocks, Watcombe, on Tuesday, May 25, and will finish at Torquay Museum/Rock Walk on Monday, May 31.