Lichen Apprentice Scheme Wales

Friday 3 June. Meet in the car park at Keepers (Pen Ffordd y Goch) Pond on the Blorenge beside the B4246 at 10.30 Grid ref SO 255107. Examine and marvel at the way lichens have capitalized on the remnants of our glorious industrial revolution. We will examine the best and even possibly the only remaining British example of an iron ore strip mine developed using North American methods during the Second World War and then abandoned on the Canada Tips and the remains of an early and short-lived iron smelting complex at Garndyrys. We can compare the lichens of these secondary but nevertheless important habitats for lichens of iron-rich rocks with nearby natural outcrops and debate the case for their conservation and the value they add to the World Heritage Site and its interpretation. Its an upland site so come well prepared for any sort of weather in stout footwear. There is a pub but I cannot be certain it will be able to provide any sustenance so recommend you also bring food and drink for the day just in case.

Ray Woods