As someone pointed out at the end of this wonderful day, we have seen rocks getting older and then seen the same rocks getting younger again.     Ten of us, and two beautifully behaved dogs, walked, with Neil Aitkenhead ably directing us, across the anticline formed by folding of the Pendle Grit and Warley Wise Sandstone into the Bowland Shales (with limestones thrown in) and then back again.

All these rocks, with some tight folding and fossils in places, including a fish scale, were seen on a walk down the Wharfe valley from the Strid to Addingham, on splendid footpaths and passing very interesting and largely geologically-controlled scenery around Bolton Abbey.     Those of us, used only to near-horizontal beds in the West Yorkshire area, delighted in steep dips in the limestones and shales exposed in the river banks.     Lovely countryside, some sunshine, bluebells, grey wagtails and herons gave us a lovely day out.

Many thanks to Neil for arranging such an excellent trip for the group.

The group at the Strid, River Wharfe.

The Upper Colne Valley Dry Stone Walling Project has won a major European award for cultural heritage achievement.

It is one of 28 award winners chosen by the "'European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Awards" scheme.

The Upper Colne Valley Dry Stone Walling Project, which received a grant of £37,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and was launched in 2006, was managed by Kirklees Council in partnership with the Dry Stone Walling Association (West Yorkshire Branch) and in association with the Huddersfield Geology Group.

Major elements of the project, all aimed at raising awareness of the importance of dry stone walls and helping people to learn about the geology and dry stone wall heritage of the area, have been:-

The project has also included several dry stone walling taster sessions and guided walks which have proved very popular with local people and are continuing to be run.

It was one of 138 projects from 24 countries entered in the 2009 round of the awards scheme, which is organised jointly by the European Commission and Europa Nostra, the pan-European Federation for Cultural Heritage.    Independent experts visited each project for assessment and the final 28 award winners, from 15 countries, were selected during a series of meetings held over a number of months.     Those that go on to be Grand Prize winners will each receive €10,000 in prize money.

Councillor Christine Stanfield, Kirklees Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, said: "To receive such a prestigious European award is a fantastic triumph not just for the project itself but also for the hugely successful partnership working.     Primarily it was a project to raise awareness locally - so to receive recognition at an international level is indeed a real pat on the back for all those involved.     We are indebted to the Dry Stone Walling Association (West Yorkshire Branch) and the Huddersfield Geology Group in helping us deliver this project."

For further information contact Neil Windett, Kirklees Countryside Manager, Kirklees Culture and Leisure Services, tel: 01484 234076, email: neil.windett@kirklees.gov.uk.