Partners, Corporate members and Supporters
GeoMôn is fortunate to have a number of Partners, Corporate members and Supporters
2024/5 has seen a significant increase in the number of partnership collaborations with organisations across Anglesey.
In particular, a presentation to the Ynys Môn Business Co-operative (an organisation of 54 local businesses) by Martin Schwaller led to a greater understanding by the business sector of the activities of GeoMôn and the potential in working together to raise the profile of the Geopark and Anglesey.
A number of businesses have already started to collaborate with GeoMôn including Anglesey Bees, Hootons Produce Suppliers, Halen Môn, Bragby Mona Brewery, Anglesey Spirit Company (who all contributed to the EGN 10th Anniversary Meeting at UNESCO HQ, Paris) plus a very close working relationship with The Hogan Group which owns the Coedana Granite Quarries and the Blue Schist quarry near Mona.
An immediate aim is to develop simple working relationships with businesses and other organisations which have an appreciation of the special nature of Anglesey and are supportive of the work we do as a UNESCO Global Geopark. These are ‘Friends’ of the Geopark:
Amlwch Town Council • Anglesey Bees • Anglesey Mining Company • Anglesey Tours • Cadnant Gardens • CPRW • Gadlys Hotel and Restaurant • Halen Môn • Isle of Anglesey County Council • Hogan Group • Morlais Tidal Energy • Marquess of Anglesey Column • Mencap • Medrwn Môn • M-Sparc • Oriel Cemaes • Oriel Môn • Probus Society • W.O. Jones Printers • Ynys Môn Business Co
Amongst like-minded charities and organisations, our partnership with the Anglesey Antiquarian Society is proving particularly stimulating – with Professor Frances Lynch explaining the significance of Neolithic monuments on some of our walks, and Rob Crossley writing an article on Erratic Archaeology for the latest volume of the Transactions of the Society.
We also co-promote and attend meetings of the North Wales Geology Association, and are developing joint projects with cultural groups including the Holyhead Maritime Museum, the Ucheldre Centre and local artists. Our participation in the Public Map Platform has been important in helping make some of these connections.
Partners
Isle of Anglesey County Council.
Natural Resources Wales, NRW (formerly the Countryside Council for Wales, CCW, the Forestry Commission, FC, and the Environment Agency Wales, EAW)
Red Squirrel Trust ; formed to protect native species and forests which are threatened by the grey squirrel. This includes the rare red squirrel which has been driven close to extinction. The eradication of grey squirrels from Anglesey has heralded the dramatic recovery of the red squirrel population which is now crossing the bridge to colonise Gwynedd.
Corporate members –
Hogan Group
are now Corporate Members and we are hugely grateful for them for funding GeoMôn to be a tenant company at the M-Sparc Science Centre, where we now have access to business facilities including meeting rooms, dedicated advice and support, access to the Enterprise Zone (and thereby further future partnerships with companies in M-Sparc), a dedicated mail box and much more. This will be of enormous benefit as we move forward. They are also funding GeoMôn’s office facilities (our registered address) at the Town Hall, Llangefni.
Henllys HPB,
located just a mile from the town of Beaumaris is historic Henllys – formerly a Franciscan Friary, now converted into comfortable, stylish cottages and apartments, together with its county-standard 18-hole Golf Course, commands 150 acres of hillside parkland, overlooking Beaumaris Castle, the Menai Strait and, beyond, the spectacular mountain ranges of Snowdonia
Marquess of Anglesey’s Column Trust
The Marquess of Anglesey’s Column stands on an outcrop of rock in beautiful woods, sparking historical and geological interest. The column, built in 1817, has 115 steps leading up to the statue of the Marquess and the viewing platform, which offers stunning views over Anglesey, the Menai Straits, and Eryri (Snowdonia). We collaborate over the amazing geological interest in the site, both the blue schist bedrock and the Carboniferous limestone used in its construction..
Amlwch Industrial Heritage Society
The Amlwch Industrial Heritage Trust celebrates the rich and varied industrial history of Amlwch, Porth Amlwch an industries associated with Parys copper mine. Their website has details of many different industries over the centuries. We collaborate across the obvious overlapping mutual interests centred around the copper mine and the harbour in which our Visitor Centre is located.
Halen Môn
Located along the shore of the Menai Strait, we take seawater directly from the Menai Straits – we have a pipe opposite the entrance which goes out about 100ft – and pump it daily at high tide. This seawater is then filtered and concentrated in our evaporation plant before being transferred to our crystalliser baths where further evaporation takes place to produce our pure Seasalt crystals. Minerals in seawater are derived from the weathering of rocks on land and transported into the oceans by rivers. Sometimes geological processes lead to water being saturated with minerals which then precipitate out as rock salt [in various forms] such as the Cheshire rock salt. Our process mimics nature in concentrating the mineral in the water before finally evaporating all the water off. By using low vacuum we reduce the energy needed. Salt crystals form slowly and can grow to some size. This is a natural, renewable, low energy, harvesting process. Sign up to our consumer or trade newsletter
We have a blog with various interesting articles about Anglesey, including Dr John Conway’s five favourite rocks
Outdoor Alternative,
Outdoor Alternative in Rhoscolyn is the perfect base for adventure, education and exploration. The place to escape the busy world and enjoy the outdoors in a low impact way.
In An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Outdoor Alternative has been awarded the Green Tourism Gold Award, and we offer families, friends, outdoor groups, schools and universities 4 star sustainably responsible accommodation.
Our location offers the possibility of car free adventures, with sandy beaches, hidden coves, sea cliffs, the coastal path and Borthwen Bay all minutes from the door. A 20 minute stroll across the beach takes you to The White Eagle, a family friendly pub serving a seasonal menu showcasing locally sourced ingredients.
RSPB South Stack
Our MOU is with the RSPB, South Stack is their premiere reserve in the geopark, where rolling heathland and farmland meet rugged and rocky sea cliffs. Facing South Stack island and the Irish Sea beyond, the cliffs are a vital breeding ground for Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins in spring. The rare Chough can be seen swooping along the cliffs all year round.
This Anglesey reserve is home to Ellin’s Tower, a bright white Victorian building that looks a little like a castle. It looks out across the cliffs, down to the lighthouse which stands watch over the seas.
Ynys Môn Business Cooperative (“YMBC”)
is a non-political platform focused on economic development and professional networking within Ynys Môn. We believe that by connecting the business minds of our island, we can foster an environment that not only supports existing businesses and attracts new investment opportunities to the area.
Our actions will always be aimed at the betterment of the Ynys Môn businesses, as well as the wider community. We prioritize the needs of local businesses that create employment opportunities by helping them find solutions that benefit the people who call Ynys Môn home. We want to see the island prosper and evolve, to better serve the needs of today’s people and those of future generations.
Supporters
Menter Mon Enterprise Agency, our landlords at our visitor centre, the Watch House, Porth Amlwch
The University of Bangor
b-Active, Rhoscolyn providers of geokayaking activities
Cemaes Heritage Centre, Cemaes Bay community craft shop
The Hidden Gardens, Plas Cadnant, Menai Bridge, venue for some of our guided walks
Hooton’s Homegrown, Farm Shop, Brynsiencyn
The Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead starting point for some of our geotrails
Oriel Cemaes, Artist prints and picture framing, Cemaes Bay