See what prehistoric organisms lived in Aquadrome at guided walk and workshop

Residents and visitors have an opportunity to go on a guided walk through the Rickmansworth Aquadrome at the Chalk Tales and Fossil Trails on Saturday 10 October.

On this walk, which begins at 10:30am until 12pm, you will learn about the importance of the chalk valley landscape of the Aquadrome, including the River Colne – a globally rare chalk stream that runs through it - their history and their wider significance.

The walk will be hosted by Lewis, a Palynologist, focusing on microfossils, Andrea and Jason, who are both nannopaleontologists - the study of minute calcaerous fossils, which is the smallest category of fossils - from Petrostat, a Geoscience company.

There is a separate event after the walk called ‘The Microfossil Lab: Chalk and Fossils under the Microscope’ at Batchworth Canal Centre from 1pm until 3pm hosted by the same people.

Here you will discover the microfossils that link the chalk landscape of Rickmansworth Aquadrome to the organisms that make it up.

Cllr Chris Lloyd, Three Rivers District Council’s Lead Member for Leisure, said: “Rickmansworth has been known to be inhabited since the Ice Age but going back further to what prehistoric organisms lived here and how they lived before man is very fascinating!

“Hertfordshire is home to 10% of the worlds chalk streams and attracts rich and diverse wildlife. The council has done some amazing work to protect and restore this rare habitat in the district, but education is key so the wider public understand why it is vital that these chalk streams must stay healthy and strong.

“This guided walk and workshop, I am sure, will be a fun and educational day out. Thank you to the officers and National Lottery Players for making this event possible.”

The Chalk Tales and Fossil Trails can be booked here and The Microfossil Lab: Chalk and Fossils under the Microscope can be booked here. The events need to be booked separately.