News 

	Morecambe Bay Partnership Cross Bay Walk August 2005
	Bay-wide heritage group to form May 2005
	Fish on a Bicycle May 2005
	Low Tide Day Event May 2005
	More clarity on cockling April 2005
	Two Tonnes Tidied by Volunteers  November 2004
	Morecambe Bay - Who Cares? October 2004
	Proposed Bridge Across the Bay seminar June 2004
	Local Government Reorganisation February 2004
	Revised Cross Bay Walk leaflet, August 2003
	Still Time to Turn the Tide on Beach Litter, 15 July 2003
	Childrens Conference on Biodiversity, 14 July 2003
	Olive & Cedric Honoured, 14 September 2002
	Your Bay, Your Voice Offshore Wind Farms - Good or Bad, 05 September 2002
	A step in the right direction, Walney Wind Farm 2 July 2002
	Cross Bay Walks Leaflet, 10 May 2002
	Why you love Morecambe Bay, 5 February 2002
	Have your say about the Bay, 19 October 2001
	Offshore wind energy developments, 10 April 2001
	Shipbuilders - endangered species?, 25 March 2001
	Leaflet explains scheme to care for Morecambe Bay's wildlife, 19 October 2000
	The most important thing that has happened for wildlife in the Bay – ever, 13 October 2000
	Morecambe Bay – Long-term plans to prevent coastal floods, 25 April 2000
	Experts to pull together all aspects of research on Morecambe Bay, 10 April 2000

Cross Bay Walk

A relaxed cross bay walk is the perfect start to an August weekend.  Always an astonishing experience, the walk on Friday 12th August is special opportunity to learn more about this magical part of our coastline.  This walk is being organised by the Morecambe Bay Partnership.  The Partnership staff and trustees will be happy to discuss your questions – so for anyone curious about the Bay and it will be a great opportunity to learn more.  

The Morecambe Bay Partnership is a small local charity that has been running community and education projects focused around the Bay for many years.  For example, working with small friendly teams of volunteers the Partnership has removed 5,000kg of litter from local beaches in the last couple of years.  It seems fitting then, that if you fancy stepping out for a healthy walk, the obvious group to join is the Morecambe Bay Partnership. 

The walk will be led by Cedric Robinson, the Queen’s guide to the sands and will leave Arnside soon after 10 am, arriving in Grange-over-Sands before 2 pm. 

 This event will give people the chance to meet the staff and find out more about the work we do.  Anyone interested in joining the walk is asked to call Donna to register on 01539 773447 or e-mail dl@morecambebay.org.uk to receive full details.

Bay-wide heritage group to form

Morecambe Bay Partnership is delighted by the success of their heritage seminar, held on Saturday 21 May in Arnside.  Over 90 people were present and Susannah Bleakley, Morecambe Bay Partnership Officer and one of the organisers said, “The meeting had a real energy, people have clearly enjoyed the day and are expressing an enthusiasm to get on, do more and get networking.  It seems we have inspired people.”  

Richard Newman, Cumbria’s County Archaeologist, and one of the speakers, said “There is unanimous agreement from Saturday’s seminar to form a network for progressing our knowledge of Morecambe Bay’s Coastal Heritage & Archaeology.  Cumbria County Council will be pleased to be part of this and support it.” 

Richard Newman addressed the seminar about the threats to our coastal heritage.  He highlighted features such as the Pepper Pot on the shore near Jenny Browns Point, Silverdale.  The shoreline here is currently eroding, which if it continues, may threaten to undermine the structure itself.  He also reflected on the predicament of a wharf and pier structure on the coast between Bardsea and UIverston.  This feature is known about, but has not been adequately studied or recorded and is highly vulnerable as it is in the inter-tidal area.  It is likely to pre-date the mid Nineteenth Century.  The very dynamic nature of the inter-tidal area means that any features that appear may be rapidly covered again, or quickly eroded.  

The seminar also heard presentations from the Lancashire County Archaeologists and representatives of Morecambe Bay Partnership, English Heritage, Lancashire County Museums Service, the Local Heritage Initiative, the National Trust and various local heritage and archaeology groups.  

Jack Manning spoke about the work of his Comp Scar Research Group who have been making a record of the remains of a fish trap on Cartmel Warf.  No definite age has been assigned to this feature, it might be relatively modern, but is perhaps more likely to have been constructed when the monasteries were powerful in the area.  Until scientific dating is done we cannot know.  The fish trap might be even older, as it has clear similarities to one on the Severn Estuary which was radiocarbon dated as late Saxon.

Susannah Bleakley said, “One of our aims is to make people more aware of the local heritage, and how they can join activities to monitor and record ancient features.  The seminar on Saturday was a very exciting day.  The presentations showed us that without doubt, the more we look, the more we will find and there is great enthusiasm for a group to co-ordinate and learn together.  This is our past.  It holds the story of what has shaped the land, the culture and the communities of Morecambe Bay.  Clearly this of great importance, as it is one part of the answer to the question, ‘Who are we?’  It reflects what has made us and this area.”

Anyone who is interested to learn more should to contact the Morecambe Bay Partnership on 01539 377447. 

Contacts: 

• Susannah Bleakley,  Partnership Officer,  Morecambe Bay Partnership 
  01539 773447  (work)   or 07985 033991 (Mob)    or 015395 68632 (home) 
• Peter Iles, Lancashire County Council  01772 531550  piles@env.lancscc.gov.uk
• Richard Newman, Cumbria County Council  01539 773428  richard.newman@cumbriacc.gov.uk

Looking for Half Term Fun?

Have you considered building a Fish on a Bicycle?

Morecambe Bay Partnership BeachCare Project is holding a weekend of activities to celebrate the Festival of the Sea and the opening of the new Walney to Wear Cycle Route on May 28th and 29th.

We will be holding beach cleans at Earnse Bay from 10am to 2pm on Saturday 28th and at Sandy Gap on Sunday 29th from 10am. Once we have got enough safe, recyclable rubbish we will then, on the Sunday with the help of two professional artists, all work together to create a sculpture using the waste. The artwork will represent the work the BeachCare project does, the Festival of the Sea and the Cycle route – we have suggested a Fish on a Bicycle but the final decision will be up to all of you who come along to help.

The aim of the event is to celebrate the coast, show people how much the Bay has to offer and also to promote volunteering with the BeachCare project, as we regularly run events around the coast to clean up and care for the beaches for which we need lots of volunteers to help.

The event will be free to attend but we are asking people to get in touch and let us know if they plan to come along as we need to know how many to expect. 

Please call Anna on 01539 773449 or e-mail beach@morecambebay.org.uk

Looking for Half Term Fun?

Have you considered trying Yoga on the Beach?

Morecambe Bay Partnership BeachCare Project is holding a Low Tide Day Event to celebrate our beautiful coastline on Tuesday 31st May at Half Moon Bay, Heysham from 12 noon until 5pm.

The event is being sponsored by Youth Action Network but everyone - young and old are guaranteed a fantastic day of fun. 

We will have workshops where people can try Ashtanga Yoga, beach art and rockpool dipping. There will be guided walks exploring the coast and the bird and wildlife plus games and competitions on the beach.

We are still adding to the list of activities and would be very grateful if anyone is able to offer to run a workshop in the field of music, dance, drama, art or anything else you feel would work well in this environment - please let us know. 

The aim of the event is to show people how much the Bay has to offer and also to promote volunteering with the BeachCare project, as we regularly run events around the coast to clean up and care for the beaches for which we need lots of volunteers to help.

The event will be free to attend but we are asking people to get in touch and let us know if they plan to come along as some workshops will have limited space available so registration will be necessary. Please call Anna on 01539 773449 or e-mail beach@morecambebay.org.uk

More clarity on cockling

Who does what?  Who works for who?  Who has the authority? Where do I go?  Who do I ask? What can I do?

Having realised there was a need for some clarity about the complex and emotive subject of cockling, the Morecambe Bay Partnership organised a seminar, which brought together representatives from several different agencies involved in the management of cockling around the Bay.  Judging by the fantastic number of attendees and support for the event from a wide range of organisations, it seems clearer than ever that people were both interested and confused by this difficult issue.

Inspite of recent news of the closure of the cockle beds many people realised that this would not be a permanent situation and there were lots of areas to be considered for when they reopen. 

The presentations reported on recent activity by the NW and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee, the Health and Safety Executive, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Police and local authorities, including the introduction of the permit scheme, efforts to manage problems such as litter and access to the shore and the improvements in coordination between a large number of different agencies.

Jim Andrews of the NW and N Wales Sea Fisheries Committee explained that at the end of 2003 when the current phase of high intensity cockling activity commenced that there was very large numbers of cockles in Morecambe Bay and that with the exception of the Bay, cockle beds had been closed from the Dee to the Solway.  Consistently, high prices for cockles and high levels of stock have resulted in a very long period of activity.  Since the introduction of the permit scheme for cockling 860 permits have been issued.

Sue Todd of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said that before 2004 the agency was aware of cockling but most of the incidents they had been involved with were on the Dee.  During 2004 there were 24 incidents, 4 of which involved rescues.  So far during 2005, there have been very few incidents. 

Tony Trenear from the Health and Safety Executive stressed that the H&S Act requires employers to take reasonable measures to reduce risk.  Health and Safety guidelines for cockling activities in Morecambe Bay were produced in April 2004 and are available in Polish and Chinese.

Inspector Richard Vernon of Cumbria Police explained the joint efforts with the Inland Revenue and Immigration to handle social issues.

Simon Rowley of South Lakeland District Council explained the environmental health aspects of cockle harvesting.  All cockles from Morecambe Bay must be purified or cleaned; they cannot be sold as food until this process has taken place.  All gathered cockles are subject to movement documents and random sampling is carried out to check these licences.  There is new EU guideline legislation, which is expected to be introduced shortly and there are some questions about the implications of the stricter levels on radionuclides in shellfish.

Peter Loker of Lancaster City Council talked about a number of aspects that his council had been concerned about.  Among the points he raised were that he has been advised that it was less environmentally damaging to leave abandoned vehicles where they are than to attempt to move them.

Two Tonnes Tidied by Volunteers 

On Saturday 30th October, 30 volunteers cleaned up a massive 2 tonnes of beach waste and debris from the shore between Hest Bank and Bolton-le-Sands.  

The litter collected consisted of a large amount of cockling-related waste and plastic bags, bottles, drinks cans as well as some unusual items: - a child’s paddling pool, two mattresses, a barn door and a large vessel’s mooring buoy (pictured).

The Morecambe Bay Partnership co-ordinated this clean up and thank everyone who took part.  Thanks also go to Station Road Deli and the fish and chip shop in Hest Bank who offered deals on lunch to all those who got involved on the day and to Morrison’s supermarket, who kindly donated drinks and biscuits for the helpers.

Councillor Keith Budden, Chairman of Bolton-le-Sands Parish Council, who took part in the event, which was organised by Morecambe Bay Partnership, said of the day, ’It was a very rewarding and worthwhile experience. I thoroughly enjoyed helping out and also meeting the other volunteers who took part. I’m delighted that we managed to clear so much waste as well.’

Many of the volunteers were local people from the Hest Bank area who are keen to start up a regular BeachCare group to run cleans on their beach so if anyone is interested in getting involved please contact the Morecambe Bay Partnership on 01539 773449 for more details.

Morecambe Bay – Who Cares? 

“We all do.”  That ‘s the response that the Morecambe Bay Partnership received on holding their AGM and conference last Thursday (21 October 2004) in Morecambe.  Judging by the fantastic number of attendees and support for the event from a wide range of organisations, it seems clearer than ever that Morecambe Bay is at the heart of our local communities.

The presentations in the morning reported a proposal from the Sea Fisheries Committee to implement a regional permit scheme to ensure better management of cockling in the Bay and the region as a whole; a totally new concept in energy generation, combining offshore wind and gas – which would be the first of its kind if the developer, Eclipse Energy, gain permission to go ahead, efforts to improve our bathing waters by working with farmers to reduce inputs of agricultural effluent to watercourses.  Those staying after lunch took part in workshops to discuss shark sightings, the regeneration of both Grange and Morecambe and a philosophical approach to education, with those present discussing beauty and its relevance to citizenship and environmental education.

“An excellent balance of leadership and grace”

One of the highlights of the day was the presentation of Honorary Life Membership of the Partnership for Captain John Green, the outgoing chair of the Conference.  Captain Green, pictured with his wife Sheila and Morecambe Bay Partnership Officer, Susannah Bleakley, will continue to support the charity by serving as a Trustee.  Captain John Green said: “Morecambe Bay has been an important part of my life, just as it is for many of us, and to be able to continue caring for this special place and sharing its magic with locals and visitors through working with the Partnership is something I hope to do for many years to come.”

Captain John Green was awarded Honorary Life Membership in recognition of his outstanding commitment to work of the Morecambe Bay Partnership; the excellent balance of leadership and grace with which he has chaired the Partnership’s conferences and seminars from 1999 to 2004; his generous support for the development of the Partnership, and, for his tremendous work with the RNLI, merchant shipping and many other local initiatives.

John’s early career was spent at sea aboard merchant ships.  In 1966 he joined the organisation that later became Associated British Ports.  John was the Port Manager and Harbour Master for Barrow, Silloth & Fleetwood for 14 years.  He retired from ABP in 2000 and has since served 2 years as Chairman at Furness Enterprise.  John has been involved with the Morecambe Bay Partnership since its inception and is presently a Trustee.  He has taken a very active role in supporting and delivering its work.  He was Chairman of the Morecambe Bay Partnership Conferences and Seminars from 1999 until Thursday 21 October.   Happily he will continue as the Vice-Chair.  John is a strong supporter of many local initiatives, including the Barrow RNLI and Barrow Sea Cadets.  He is greatly admired by all those who know him for his gentle charm and good humour.  

Mega Beach Clean up 

The next big event for BeachCare, the Morecambe Bay Partnership’s community programme is a Mega Beach Clean.  This will take place at Hest Bank this Saturday, 30th October, in conjunction with Make a Difference Day.  Everyone is very welcome to come along, find out more about our work and join in the clean up with other friendly members of the Partnership’s community volunteers.

Proposed Bridge Across the Bay Seminar 

The Morecambe Bay Partnership is holding a seminar on 29 June to discuss the concept of a bridge across Morecambe Bay.  This will be held at the Victoria Hall, Grange-over-Sands at 1.30pm 

Susannah Bleakley, Morecambe Bay Partnership Officer, said “The Partnership wants to provide an opportunity for informed debate.  The concept of the bridge is of interest to many sectors including economic development, wildlife and environment, renewable energy, regional competitiveness and transport.  The seminar will provide an opportunity for all these and other important issues to be raised and discussed.”

If you would like to attend you must register with the Partnership. Email info@morecambebay.org.uk or phone 01539 773447.

Confirmed sponsors for the event are:  Associated British Ports (Barrow), Bridge Across the Bay Ltd, BAE Systems, Cumbria County Council, Environment Agency, Lancashire County Council.

All Change Here?  

What the work of the Boundary Committee may mean for us.

The Morecambe Bay Partnership will hold a seminar at 2pm on 11th February 2004 in Kendal at the Lake District National Park Offices.

This seminar has been arranged at short notice because the current consultation on local goverment reorganisation closes on 23rd February 2004.  This meeting is timed to allow us to hear different views and incorporate these into any responses to the Boundary Committee.

Emma Brown from the Boundary Committee in London will make a presentation on the process and timescales of the local government reviews.  The organisations represented will give a short comment on what the proposal means to them.

The County and District Councils will be able to present their views on which options they favour and why.  This is an opportunity for all of us to discuss the proposals and consider what the changes may mean to us.

If you wish to attend, please contact Michelle Waller on 01539 773447

Revised Cross Bay Walk leaflet

Morecambe Bay Partnership has updated and reprinted the
Arnside to Grange-over-Sands Cross Bay Walk leaflet.

People have walked across the sands for hundreds of years.  Before the railway, it was the main route to and from Furness.
Today, people take the walk for fun.  It is a fantastic way to raise money for charity whilst experiencing the scenery  of the Bay.  But it's so popular that it can cause disruption to residents.

Last year 10,000 copies were distributed and proved extremely successful in easing the congestion.  Michelle Waller, Morecambe Bay Partnership, said "Our leaflet encourages the use of public transport where possible.  When people do use private vehicles,
we ask that they show consideration and adopt a responsible  approach to gathering and parking."

A grant awarded by Friends of the Lake District along with contributions from Arnside Parish Council and South Lakeland District Council enabled the reprint.

The Grange-over-Sands Tourist Information Centre (tel: 015395 34026) keeps a diary of walks and the contact details for organisers of charity walks.

To download a copy of the new leaflet click here.

Still Time to Turn the Tide of Beach Litter

With just two months to go before the annual Beachwatch survey the Morecambe Bay Partnership is urging more groups to get involved.

The third weekend in September (20th & 21st) is set aside for the event, but anyone wanting to take part needs to start thinking about the event now.

Beachwatch is a national survey, part of a worldwide initiative, carried out each year to record the amount of litter washed up on our shores but traditionally the North West is under represented.

Dominic Charkin, Beachcare Officer for the Partnership said "last year only 7 North West beaches were reported in Beachwatch.  Compare that with over 30 in both the South West and South East.  I'd like to prove that people in the North West care just as much about their coast."

The partnership already has information about groups intending to undertake the survey.  However, there is still a real need for more people to both help at these surveys and to help organise others.  "What is good about activities like this" said Dominic "is that it creates a sense of community and brings together people from all walks of life".

Anyone wishing to help with or organise a Beachwatch should contact Dominic at the Partnership on 01539 773449 or beach@morecambebay.org.uk.  He will support organisers and can provide promotional material for events.

Childrens Conference on Biodiversity

A Childrens Conference on Biodiversity, held at The Lantern House Ulverston and sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, has been hailed as a great success by all those involved.

65 children, aged from 9-13, from 6 South Cumbria Schools, were challenged to question the impact of several environmental and conservation issues around Morecambe Bay.

Rick Lee, of the Community Learning Partnership, related the legend of the shooring of the last wolf in England on Humphrey Head in the 15thC, a clear example of a lost species from our world.  The legend leads to questions about whether this or any species really matters to us and whether the 100 or so other endangered species in Cumbria should be allowed to suffer the same fate.
The most poignant comment of the whole day was from James of Ulverston High School "I've never questioned like this before".

Michelle Waller, of MBP, was very impressed with the clarity with which the children experssed their thoughts "It was refreshing to see children stimulated to think about things rather than to simply receive and repeat information.  They have an innate capacity to question things if you give them the freedom to do it.  Using the environment and the range of species to be found in Morecambe Bay provides them with the medium to explore conceptual and critical thought and they learn a lot about our world at the same time."

Organiser of the Conference Chris Rowley, of the Mermaid's Purse Education Project, sees the development of wider thinking skills as fundamental if children are to achieve their full potential.  "A fundamental aspect of this project is the importance of listening to other people's opinions and finding truth in the creative thoughts of others regardless of age and apparent ability" he explained. "The conference delegates displayed wisdom beyond their years when challenging the preconceptions that many adults hold as truth".

The format of this Conference will be included in a guidance pack for teachers wishing to follow similar activities.  The pack will include a book to stimulate 'thinking' in environmental education but the concept could equally well be used in all subject areas from Are to Zoology.

Chris has been on secondment from St Martin's College for 12 months and will continue on a part time basis to develop this work, with other schools and Environmental Partnerships, nationally.  The book will be published in October 2003.

For more details contact Chris Rowley 01539 773449 mermaidspurse@livingearth.org.uk 

Olive & Cedric Robinson Awarded Honorary Life Membership

Cedric Robinson is the Queen’s Guide to the Kent Sands, and Olive is his wife. 

The Morecambe Bay Partnership made Olive and Cedric their first Honorary Life Members at the AGM  in Ulverston on 10 September 2002. 

This is recognition of the tremendous work they do, the welcome they extend to so many people, their love of the Bay, which they so gracefully and naturally share, and the respect they show for the Bay and all of us. 

Captain John Green with Olive & Cedric

Morecambe Bay Partnership AGM 
& Offshore Wind Farm Conference

If you are interested to learn more about the proposals for a large wind farm off the coast of Walney Island, then contact the Morecambe Bay Partnership on 01539 773447.  They are organising a conference to give local people the opportunity to discuss the proposal with the developers.  There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion.  The conference will be held in the Coronation Hall, Ulverston from 4.30pm on Tuesday 10 September 2002. 

How will they look?  How much power will they generate?  Will fishermen be allowed to fish between them?  What will become of them at the end of their productive lives?  Will they be a hazard to ferries and yachts?  All these and many other questions can be discussed. 

Warwick Energy has submitted a proposal for a 30 turbine wind farm off Walney Island.  If this goes ahead, by the end of 2004, the Walney Wind Farm would provide enough electricity for all the homes in Barrow, Dalton, Ulverston, Grange-over-Sands, Kendal, Morecambe and Heysham and all the coastal settlements in between.  All the homes in the eco-footie can be powered by the wind farm on the second toe nail.*  Is this a step in the right direction?  

 * Based on 87,000 average homes, and estimates of wind speed which take account of the fact that the wind doesn’t always blow.  

This proposed wind farm could make a very significant contribution towards renewable energy.  And could take some pressure away from more sensitive landscape areas onshore.  

The closest turbine will be more than 7 km offshore.  On bright and clear days they will be visible; on murky days we will not see them at all. 

 This proposed wind farm has such a large potential to generate power because the wind strengths are greater offshore and because these are very big turbines.  The proposal is for turbines with a mast height of 75 metres and 50 metre blades.  Compare this with the turbines at Lambrigg near junction 37 of the M6 where the mast height is 43 metres and the blades are 30 metres. 

 The total project costs are currently estimated to be over £100million.  It is hoped that it will act as a catalyst to attract a new manufacturing facility to the area with the scope for the turbines, towers and foundations to be made locally.  If it goes ahead, there could be 50 jobs during the construction phase in 2004 and up to 16 full time jobs providing a local maintenance facility during the 20-year operational life of the wind farm. 

Independent experts have carried out an assessment of the potential impact on the local environment.  Copies of this are available at main council offices and libraries.  The proposal is described in the Morecambe Bay Partnership’s newsletter ‘Baywatch’ which is available from libraries and TICs or on request from 01539 773447.  

Everyone is invited to comment on the Walney wind farm proposal.  You can make a quick response by completing the tear-off slip from the newsletter or write directly to the Department of Trade and Industry.  All views are important – those for and against are encouraged to respond. 

Please contact us with questions or comments.
© Copyright 2002 Morecambe Bay Partnership.  All rights reserved.
Registered Charity No. 1089559