Wally Web Whippet Sniffs Around

Find out more about the Water Cure in Malvern

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Click on the icon if cursor changes to a hand
and/or
on the hyperlink if more than one website

 

This first section is all about Malvern's Rocky Past

Background An understandable introduction to geology of the Malvern Hills
Task Copy the pictures from Gullet Quarry and write some captions to explain how they show the formation of the hills
How?

You may want to look at this site and then the next before completing this task.

 

Background The water in Malvern springs is so pure because the rock the rain water passes through are granite. This means it does not absorb minerals. They are also the oldest rocks in Britain. This animated BBC site shows how they were formed.
'Britain's Rocky Past' - A spectacular animation and interactive timeline featuring 4600 million years of continental drift, fossil life and rocks. Unmissable!
Task
  • Spot where Britain starts its journey
  • Watch how parts of Britain are frequently covered in ice
  • If the rocks of the Malvern Hills were formed in Pre Cambrian times, where on the globe were they at that time? (It is possible to print a page which shows this. Right click > Print BUT it will use a lot of black ink so check with your teacher first.) # see below
  • Continue to explore the site as much as you want.
How?

BBC 'Welcome the Britain's Rocky Past' Animation

  • Let the animation play through several times to spot Britain's migration, then click on 'Interactive Timeline'
  • Click on 'Precambrian' and then on 'Rock Map'. Move your cursor over the red spots.

    # To save on ink use the 'print screen' button on your keyboard.

    • First open up a new page on a word processing programme or art package.
    • When displaying the correct screen press 'print screen' button.
    • Nothing appears to happen but it has copied the whole screen to the clipboard.
    • Go to your blank page and paste.
    • Crop it to just the area you want.

 

Background Continues the theme above. This is a summary of a Ray Mears Programme, 'The Essential Guide to Rocks' which featured the Malvern Hills.
Task Draw a cartoon of the development of the Malvern Hills with appropriate dates. The paragraph 'A long geological history' will help you.
How?

BBC 'The Essential Guide to Rocks' Programme 2

 

Background Hereford and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust have produced an illustrated guide called 'Explore Great Malvern- Buildings Stones Trail'.
Task Follow the trail to discover that
'Great Malvern is characterised by the presence of the local Malvern rock. However it is possible to see a number of other rock types used as building material. This guide aims to introduce the visitor to aspects of geology through the use of building stones, both local and far- traveled....'
How?

Buy the trail (£1.95) from

 

Background

Hereford and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust produce Rock and Fossil Road shows suitable for KS2. They are two hour sessions for up to two classes at a time. Six or seven activities are put on which they cycle through:

  • make fossils
  • silurian seascapes collage
  • feely boxes - rocks minerals etc
  • what rock am I?
  • evolutionary timescale
  • what is your house made of?
  • fossil rubbings

Information worksheets are supplied

Teachers set of specimens are supplied to take away.

These sessions are free when held at University College Worcester, but limited.

Ring 01905 855184
Task Persuade your teacher!
How?

Hereford and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust

 

And on to other aspects now....

Background These maps show how Malvern developed over a period of time.
Task

Print off each map. Write explanations about each one explaining what caused the town to develop.

On the final map comment on some of the names of the roads. Why do you think they were so named?
How?

Open this page for maps

Open this page for extracts from old guide books about Malvern

 

Background Thousands of people travel on the M5 motorway and see the Malvern Hills some distance away.
Task Thousands of people travel on the M5 motorway and see the Malvern Hills some distance away.
How?

The bullet points on this web site The Countryside Agency are useful. The rest is detailed but scan through to pick up some phrases for ideas.

Malvern-hills.co.uk Web site >features and maps>panorama will display a full panoramic view of the whole length of the hills

 

Background Information about the Worcestershire Beacon over the years....
Task Find out why and when Worcestershire Militia took an unnessary foot journey to Swindon!
How?

BBC Worcester site

 

Background Every year the springs and wells of Malvern are decorated. First look at the normal photos , then of them decorated.
Task Plan how you would decorate a spring or well.
How?

Malvern-hills.co.uk

  • Malvern Miscellany
  • Organisations and clubs > spa association

The Railway.....

Background The coming of the railways was a very important aspect of Victorian life. The Malvern Hills caused a problem!
Task It is the late 1850s. You have just spent a day labouring in the tunnel. As you walk away from your work you discuss the difficulties of the job and whether it will ever be worth it!
How?

BBC Hereford and Worcester Site

 

Background Not everyone approved of the development of Malvern through the introduction of the Water Cure or the railway. Read some arguments for and against.
Task Run off copies of the supplied information. Underline the main points in each then use these to prepare a discussion about the pros and cons of your chosen topic.
How?

Hastings opinion
This looks back more than 40 years after the railway had come to Malvern but could reflect the opinions some people had at the time.

Malvern Pictorial Report -1855