Anglesey celebrates global Geopark status

Anglesey will officially celebrate its success in gaining Global and European Geopark status at Oriel Ynys Môn, Llangefni, tomorrow (November 6).

Speakers at the event will include GeoMôn Patron, Lady Anglesey, Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, and County Council Leader, Cllr Clive McGregor.

Awarded by UNESCO earlier this year, Geopark status now recognises Anglesey as a world class visitor attraction in terms of its geology. It will also allow the GeoMôn partnership to work, both locally and across the globe, to develop exciting geology-based projects.

The Island boasts some of the most diverse and spectacular geology in the world, including important geological sites like South Stack, Holyhead's Breakwater Country Park, Cemaes, Parys Mountain, Newborough and Llanddwyn.

GeoMôn's Llansadwrn-based Director, Dr. Margaret Wood, and her team of supporters, worked towards gaining Geopark status for more than five years.

Dr. Wood explained, "To become a Global and European Geopark requires much more than world class geology. To be successful, the Geopark must also demonstrate that it actively conserves this geology and also contributes to the local community both economically and in terms of understanding of its heritage.

"GeoMôn will now work to raise the profile of the Geopark across the island, particularly in the key locations such as South Stack, Llanddwyn Island and Parys Mountain. We want to continue to work with the Isle of Anglesey County Council and local businesses, particularly those in the tourism sector, to add value to the local economy in a sustainable way."

The Geodiversity Partnership, GeoMôn, includes the Isle of Anglesey County Council, Countryside Council for Wales, Menter Môn, and the Gwynedd and Môn RIGS Group (Regionally Important Geological Sites). GeoMôn is also supported by the Welsh Assembly Government through its Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund.

County Council Business Development Manager, Jon Pinnington, said, "Geology tells us the story of our planet over a staggering 4,500 million years. An important part of this story is told right here on Anglesey. Geotourism is a fast developing market across the world and this designation gives us the opportunity to promote Anglesey as a fascinating place to discover the earth's past."

Economic Development and Tourism portfolio holder, Councillor Bryan Owen, added, "Geopark status fits in well with our promotion of the Island as a place with a stunning, unspoilt natural environment and our geological heritage will now be promoted worldwide. With the support of the European Geopark network we now have the potential to develop geo-tourism as an added dimension to Anglesey's rich tourism product."

For further information on GeoMôn, visit www.geomon.co.uk