A Mabe-based sculptor will be delving deep into the heart of west country granite and its history with a five day field trip at the start of October.

Dr David Paton will be exploring the granite landscapes of south-west England for Tracing Granite: In Search of a White Cross, from October 4 to 8.

Organised as part of the groundwork programme, geographers, geologists, artists, film-makers and writers will join sculptor David Paton to consider the social and industrial history of granite masonry and the future of the industry in the south west. The group will visit quarries and search for a cross of feldspar – a rare geological occurrence.

There will be a number of points during the field trip where the public can join the participants and meet specialists and quarry workers, at locations including Godolphin House near Helston, Trenoweth Quarry near Penryn, Luxulyan Quarry, Hantergantick Quarry near St Breward and Blackingstone Quarry on Dartmoor.

There will also be a talk by Dr Ruth Siddall on Cornish and Devonian Stone in London, on Friday, October 6, at 6pm in Helston Community College.

Dr Siddall, a geologist specialising in the study of minerals and rocks used in cultural heritage and currently working with Slade School of Fine Art, will discuss how stone from south west England, particularly granite, is ubiquitous in London, and how its use declined.

There will also be a seminar on Tracing Granite at Plymouth University on Sunday, October 8, from 4.30 to 6pm, led by dr Paton.

The event will bring together geographers, geologists and geoscientists – Rose Ferraby, Hazel Gibson, Ruth Siddall and Iain Stewart – to reflect on the experience of the field trip.

In search of a white cross has been commissioned by Groundwork and developed with support from FEAST, National Trust, Plymouth University, Falmouth University's School of Film and Television, and Cultivator, a project funded by the European Structural and Investment Funds, Arts Council England and Cornwall Council.

Information about joining the field trip at its public locations, along with details of dates, times and map references, is available at c-a-s-t.org.uk/event/tracing-granite-search-white-cross

Film and text about the field trip will also be published on the Groundwork website later this year at groundwork.art