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| The
Tellus South West launch team, (from left) myself [Andy Howard], Emma Ward, Sonya Cassidy, Cally Oldershaw |
Dr Andy Howard is today's guest BGS blogger and shares with us the latest news about Tellus South West airborne
environmental survey and all the events at it's big launch on 8th August:
First off what is Tellus South
West and why are we doing it? Essentially we’re scanning the whole of Devon, Cornwall and parts of
Somerset from the air to gather a wealth of new data and knowledge that will
extend our understanding of the area’s geology, soils, natural resources and
environment.
There’s lots more info at these
sources:
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| Oh
Snap! The survey aircraft in action over
Mount’s Bay Cornwall http://aroundperranuthnoe.blogspot.co.uk/ |
This wealth of high-quality data,
of large (and often inaccessible) areas can help us make the right decisions
about developing resources, managing our environment and growing our economy.
Decisions about resources such as tin, copper, tungsten, china clay, geothermal
energy and fertile soils. Decisions about managing hazards, such as floods,
landslides, groundwater contamination and radon. And decisions about sustaining
the environment, economy and landscape for heritage, tourism, investment and
jobs. As BBC Spotlight South West observed, ‘It’s quite a list’.
We’ve had a very hectic few weeks
pulling together the launch event in Newquay so here’s a glimpse into the week’s
events............
Emma Ward (BGS Geoscientist) and I shared the long drive down from
Nottingham to the Tellus South West launch in Newquay, arriving on 7
August, the day before the big event.
First up, it was a recorded interview at BBC Radio Cornwall in their Truro
studio, to go out on the David White Show the following morning.
With that ‘in the can’, it was
off to Camborne to see if we could see the survey aircraft in action. We
spotted it in the distance, flying low over Hayle Towans. We tried to get
underneath for some good pictures – but, how hard was that? Lots of twisty
country lanes with high hedges, and losing our sense of direction. Eventually,
after an hour, we gave up, parking up in a lay-by to stretch legs. Then,
suddenly, the survey aircraft appeared majestically over the brow of a hill and
was above us before I could reach the camera. It was low, 80m altitude and
amazingly quiet. A quick u-turn and we were after it, to get a good vantage
point for the next survey pass, 200m to the east. Sure enough, 10 minutes later
it was back, higher this time, and I’m happy with my cherished bit of shaky
smartphone video!
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The Team
from Fugro Airborne Surveys, and the Reims Cessna F406
aircraft, who are carrying out the Tellus South West Survey for BGS |
Then it was off to the hotel and
– disaster! No phone reception. So it was off in the car again to the nearest
cliff top for a phone interview with Simon Clemison for BBC TV South West
Spotlight. An hour later he had a storyboard together for the next day’s filming,
all cooked up on the phone overlooking a beautiful Cornish sunset.
So it was up bright and early on
the 8th for a live interview on BBC Radio Devon breakfast show, on the phone from the hotel office with some
tea and toast. Then off to the Classic Air Force Museum Newquay for the project
launch. First up it was two more radio interviews (BBC Radio Cornwall (again!)
and Pirate FM, and then on to the filming with Simon for BBC Spotlight South
West. Meanwhile, Emma’s doing a great ‘Krypton Factor’ job, assembling the BGS
displays from some deranged poles, screws and washers in the boot of the car,
and fielding some tricky questions from the stakeholders while I’m swanning off
being interviewed. And back at BGS Keyworth, the local BBC East Midlands crew is filming some
geophysics in 3D, ready for inclusion in the BBC Spotlight piece.
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| Some
young visitors to the Classic Air Force Museum, at the controls of the survey aircraft |
And the launch? Simply great, we
had 50 attendees from the media, local government, universities, industry and
the media. And all for a project not yet 4 weeks old. Thanks to our Tellus SW
Comms manager Sonya Cassidy, and Cally Oldershaw from Camborne School of Mines,
for doing a super job with the organisation and guest list. To Jojo and the
Fugro Airborne Surveys team for help with organising aircraft flights for the
media. And finally to our hosts, the Classic Air Force Museum Newquay - we
couldn’t possibly have chosen a better place for the launch. The Museum has
some great displays of post war military and training aircraft, beautifully
restored and many in flying condition. If you’re holidaying in Cornwall, do give CAF a visit
and take the kids, you’ll have a great day.
………….so, after all this, we’re
proud the project is now in full swing and bringing in great data. Keep an eye
on the web and the blog for more information and news (and pictures of course).
Tellus South West project manager
(among other jobs)
Want to know more?
Classic Air Force Museum Newquay http://www.classicairforce.com/
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