THE new headquarters for the Black Country’s aspiring Global Geopark will be unveiled this weekend with the opening of the relocated Dudley Museum.

After moving to the Dudley Archives building in Castle Hill, the museum will be officially opened to the public on Saturday (September 30) by Halesowen’s Paralympic medallist and grand slam wheelchair tennis champ Jordanne Whiley.

Visitors to the museum will be able to visit a Geopark themed gallery dedicated to telling the story of the Black Country’s geological history and why it’s bidding to become an UNESCO Global Geopark.

People can find out more about the 45 geosites across the Black Country, which would be part of the Geopark, including Wren’s Nest National Nature Reserve, Walsall Arboretum, Wolverhampton’s West Park in Wolverhampton and Sandwell Valley.

Councillor Ian Kettle, Dudley Council’s cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “We have world class geology across the Black Country, which we are incredibly proud of, and we remain confident in our efforts to be recognised as an UNESCO Global Geopark.

“Our new gallery and headquarters gives us a permanent base so people can come along and find out more about this special project to put the Black Country on the international map.”