Dudley Council, which owns Wren's Nest Nature Reserve, is hoping to attract more visitors to this hidden treasure with a project to add a visitor centre, viewing access to the Seven Sisters mine, interpretation panels explaining the geological wonders of the site, and better guidance for fossil hunters, as part of a £1.1million 'Ripples Through Time' project.
Fossils at Wren's Nest
Geologists, palaeontologists and naturalists - including Charles Darwin - have visited the site because of its fascinating fossils and well-preserved ancient geology. The fossils were formed between 439 and 409 million years ago when the site was covered by tropical seas and coral reefs inhabited by thousands of trilobites, sea lilies, brachiopods and other creatures.
Fossil hunters have always found much to be uncovered at the site, and to date more than 700 types of fossil have been found at Wren's Nest. Of these, 186 of which were first discovered and described at the site - including the Calymene blumenbachi, otherwise known as the 'Dudley bug' - and 86 are unique to the site and found nowhere else on Earth.
Wheelchair Access
Work began in June 2010 to improve access to the site, which will allow wheelchair users access to the fossilised coral reef for the first time. Graham Worton, Dudley Borough geologist, said the site is "one of the UK's most important and fantastic outdoor field laboratories", and said the site should be enjoyed by all.
"This is one of the nation's greatest treasures for giving a window on the history of the world," Mr Worton said. "We really want to make this the world's first mine quarry site that people can go round in a wheelchair. We'd love to be able to allow people in wheelchairs to fossil hunt on the coral reef just like other kids.
"We want to bring in more sensory stuff, maybe have some fossils that people who can't see can feel. We want to give opportunities for more people to enjoy the site. The heritage we've got is immensely enviable. We want to make it known and get people involved to come and see and feel the heritage that is here and to protect it for the next 200 years.
"It might be a few paths and some interpretation boards, but it will make a huge difference to people enjoying the site."
Fossil Hunting
Dudley Council encourages fossil hunters to visit the site, and visitors are allowed to take away any fossils they find on the ground. The council also provides information to help identify any fossils that are found.
The only restrictions placed on fossil hunters is that no tools can be used, and fossils must not be taken out of the rock face.
Visiting Wren's Nest
Wren's Nest, Dudley, UK, is open all year and is an open access site. Dudley Council plans to keep as much of the site open as possible during the access improvement work, and guided tours are available for parties.
Sources:
- Interview with Graham Worton, Dudley Borough geologist, carried out in person May 2010.
- History and information from Dudley Council.
Pam Griffin - Pam Griffin is a journalist working in Shropshire, UK. She is interested in first aid, singing and playing music, history, and ...
