A planned new footpath on Anglesey will take walkers on a journey back through time – all the way to 860 million years BC.
In those days, Anglesey was part of what we now know as Antarctica and the island is still on the move – at a rate of three centimetres a year towards Russia.
The path will take in the story of a relative newcomer, St Patrick, who founded a church in Llanbadrig in the 5th century and marks the spot where the Dalai Lama remarked he had found the most peaceful spot on earth.
The idea was masterminded by the GeoMôn group which earned the whole of Anglesey international recognition for its unique and fascinating geology in 2009.
The lady behind the five-year journey to earn the island its status as a Global Geopark, of which there are only two in Wales, is Dr Margaret Wood, founder of GeoMôn.
Dr Wood, a retired geology teacher and former research scientist, is an expert in Anglesey’s geology and discovered the existence of Precambrian fossils in amongst the rocks of the island’s coast line. The fossils, which are ancient evidence of early life cyanobacteria, better known as blue green algae, date back to 800-860 million years ago and are currently the oldest recorded fossils in Britain.
For more than 20 years, Dr Wood has wanted to share the fascinating geological history of Anglesey with visitors and habitants of the island alike.
Now her plans to turn an existing footpath on the Anglesey coastline, which runs between Wylfa Head and Llanbadrig Church, into a treasure trail of geology, culture, history and learning look set to become a reality.
Dr Wood said: “It is very exciting to think there is now a possibility to get the project moving and we are hopeful it will now come to fruition.”
Much of the aim of GeoMôn’s work is to help encourage geo tourism to the area which is also something the group must show evidence of to retain the island’s Geopark status.
The group was formed in 2003, became a social enterprise in 2009 and two years later achieved its status as a charitable trust, thanks to support and advice from WINSENT (Wales Ireland Network for Social Entrepreneurship).
The aim of WINSENT is to support social entrepreneurs who use their business skills to reduce poverty and social inequality and breathe new life into communities across Anglesey and Denbighshire.
The WINSENT project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Ireland Wales Programme (INTERREG 4A).
GeoMôn’s plans have also been backed by Llanbadrig Community Council and the group has just received a grant towards the project from Isle of Anglesey County Council’s Ymweld â Môn project.
Revealing her plans for the footpath, Dr Wood said: “This stretch of Anglesey coast is a very exciting area geologically. It is formed from a rock type known as melange and is one of the most significant areas in the world to see and learn about melange.
“Melange is basically a big mixture of rocks, some small and some as big as half a kilometre across which have been jumbled together.
“Our long term aim along the stretch from Wylfa to the west side of Cemaes Bay is to lay out large boulders of each of the main rock types in Anglesey with small information plaques at each telling its age, rock type and a short explanation of its formation. These would be arranged from the oldest to the youngest rocks and the space given between the rocks would also give an indication of the geological period between them. “We’ll be looking for additional funding to achieve this part of the project.”
The plans also include rock tables with stone seats which will offer school children a convenient spot to write up their findings and other visitors a moment of quiet reflection and chance to enjoy the view.
Further on in the route, on the far side of Cemaes Bay overlooking the Gadlys Quarry, there will be information boards set up about the rare fossils and a history of the old industries at Cemaes.
There will also be an explanation of the energy features which can be seen from the same spot, such as wind turbines, which have helped Anglesey gain its status as an energy island.
The path will come to an end on the headland by Llanbadrig Church, where it is possible to see some of the best examples of melange.
But there will also be a chance for visitors to learn about the history of the church which was established by St Patrick in the 5th century after he was shipwrecked nearby while on route to Ireland.
He managed to scramble to safety on the shores below and up to the area just in front of the church where walkers will also be able to see a cave and a fresh water spring. Here he stayed and founded the church which can be seen today although it has been rebuilt twice since then.
And the interesting stories do not stop there as Dr Wood explained: “A few yards from the church on the other side of the path is a mound of rock that contains the quarry where the first fossils were found and above it where the Dalai Lama sat and said he had found the most peaceful place in the world.”
The new footpath is representative of a wider aim by the social enterprise to help regenerate tourism in the area.
Dr Wood said: “We want to do things which are interesting and exciting and encourage visitors to the area which in turn might create jobs and help the local economy eventually.
“That is why working with Winsent has been very helpful because I have been able to gain guidance and advice about all sorts of matters and been able to share my experiences and any problems I have had with other people running social enterprises.”
Martin Price of Consultancy Coop based in Wales, is working with Isle of Anglesey County Council in delivering WINSENT for social enterprises in the county.
Dr Price said: “We are able to support a whole range of unique and fascinating projects with social enterprises which take an innovative approach to helping to regenerate the communities which they are a part of.
“The work being done by GeoMôn is a great example of this and their desire to use the geological attractions of Anglesey to promote a new and invigorated form of tourism for the island is unique.
“Margaret has and will be joining us on various workshops which will help her develop GeoMôn and help ensure the future viability of their work.”
Isle of Anglesey County Council Leader, Councillor Bryan Owen, said: “Geo tourism is a growing activity and Anglesey’s stunning geology gives us a genuine opportunity to benefit from this sustainable tourism market.
“The proposed support for GeoMon – in particularly with regard to interpretation services and raising its profile – is an attempt to add significant value to the Anglesey tourism agenda by encouraging a greater understanding of our geological heritage for locals and visitors alike. ”
While walkers visiting Anglesey this year will have to wait to enjoy the GeoMôn project, they can make the most of the Anglesey Walking Festival which takes place from June 2 -17. Members of GeoMôn will be conducting guided walks as part of the festival which will explore all the beautiful island has to offer.
To find out more about WINSENT go to www.winsent.eu or email Sue Haygarth at [email protected]
To find out more about GeoMôn go to www.geomon.co.uk
To find out more about the Anglesey walking festival go to www.angleseywalkingfestival.com
