Explore every episode of the podcast The Morecambe Bay Podcast

An island with its own castle, a local pub, and a 'King'? 👑

Off the tip of the Furness Peninsula lies Piel Island—a tiny 50-acre haven packed with centuries of dramatic history. Visible right across Morecambe Bay, this unique spot plays host to the famous Ship Inn and stories you won't hear anywhere else.

In this episode, we step ashore with the Morecambe Bay Partnership following their charity walk to explore what makes this remote island so legendary.

Hit play and join us for our debut visit to Piel!

The Morecambe Bay Podcast is an independent podcast celebrating the people, places and stories of Morecambe Bay. Since 2021, we've interviewed historians, artists, conservationists, business owners, authors and community leaders from across Lancashire and Cumbria. Whether you're interested in local history, wildlife, walking, heritage, culture or tourism, you'll find inspiring conversations about one of Britain's most remarkable coastal landscapes.

It's community action at its best; residents living on Sunderland Point which juts out into Morecambe Bay are working with the Morecambe Bay Partnership and Lancaster University to deliver the first small-scale saltmarsh restoration trial.

Here we take part in a project which sees biodegradable structures anchored in sand with the aim of arresting erosion and encouraging beaches and marsh to return.

With storms becoming more frequent, this project is being watched closely to see other parts of the UK coastline could benefit from pioneering work underway in Lancashire.

The Morecambe Bay Podcast is an independent podcast celebrating the people, places and stories of Morecambe Bay. Since 2021, we've interviewed historians, artists, conservationists, business owners, authors and community leaders from across Lancashire and Cumbria. Whether you're interested in local history, wildlife, walking, heritage, culture or tourism, you'll find inspiring conversations about one of Britain's most remarkable coastal landscapes.

Here's something a little different from the podcast for you.

This is the sound of a walk I recorded at Leighton Moss, the RSPB's reserve near Carnforth, specifically from the main entrance to Causeway Hide.

Hear the wind passing through the reeds and trees as they lose their leaves. Even an unexpected low-flying jet couldn't spoil the soundscape which I hope maybe transports you there!

We walk in, take a few pictures which I'll share on social media, and then head back out.

If you like it, there may be more and in the meantime check out https://radiolento.podbean.com/ which inspired me to try this out.

Sian Phillips is well known in musical circles around the Bay and beyond: she's a leading light and has inspired many to take up music. Her brother was Dom Phillips, a journalist and one of two men murdered earlier this year while researching the deforestation of the Amazon. After a grim search up and down the winding Itaquaí river of the Javari Valley, Brazilian police confirmed in June that Dom and Bruno Pereira one of the country's best known and effective defenders of the forest and its inhabitants had been killed. Now, Lancaster University researchers, musicians, artists and other supporters are staging a month-long series of events including an international conference to highlight the Amazon and the two men who were killed. Called 'For Dom, Bruno and the Amazon' it was launched at Halton Mill. For more details see: http://www.haltonmill.org.uk/DomBruno

Does Morecambe Bay have anything in common with the Amazon? Throughout November events are taking place across north Lancashire to highlight the region which is close to home for some.  Sian Phillips, well known in musical circles around the Bay, lost her brother Dom earlier this year when the journalist was one of two men murdered while researching the deforestation of the Amazon. After a grim search up and down the winding Itaquaí river of the Javari Valley, Brazilian police confirmed in June that Dom and Bruno Pereira, one of the country's best known and effective defenders of the forest and its inhabitants, had been killed. Now, Lancaster University researchers, musicians, artists and other supporters are staging a month-long series of events including an international conference to highlight the Amazon and the two men who were killed. Called 'For Dom, Bruno and the Amazon' it was launched at Halton Mill.

Stuart Nevin is an inspiration. Don't take my word for it, the dozens who turn out in all weathers to run along the prom in the C2K5 - coach to 5k - training sessions are proof of the difference he and his supporters are making. In the week when the latest session began, and with long dark nights approaching, could this be the kind of activity that helps people both physically and mentally?

Stuart certainly thinks so.

On a blustery night on Morecambe promenade he told me how he almost gave up on the sport he loves and how he's determined to encourage as many people as possible to give it a go.

He's encouraged dozens to grab their trainers and take to the promenade to try out running. Stuart Nevin created Morecambe Community Runners which now boasts a membership of nearly 700 and began another 'C25K' course this week. His own story is inspirational and in the next edition of the podcast he explains why he's on a mission to help people get the most of activity. 

As regular listeners to the podcast will know, swimming in Morecambe Bay is growing in popularity. The M.A.L.L.O.W.S (Morecambe and Lancaster Lancashire Open Water Swimmers) are a thriving group promoting an activity that's increasingly seen as beneficial for mind and body. On Saturday they may have gained their newest member! Rev Ian Dewar is the Lead Chaplain for the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust and is currently raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support by swimming the equivalent of the length of the English Channel. As architect of the Bay Health Festivals he's also considering developing swimming as part of future health events.  How did he enjoy his first drip in the Bay?  Enjoy the podcast!

It's a sport that appeals to all ages and to people from all walks of life.

Archery is thriving and the Morecambe Bay Archers have recently welcomed another group of new converts to their ranks.

The distinctive sound and satisfaction of hearing an arrow land on the target is infectious and as you'll hear in this podcast, it's addictive too! 

 

In this edition of the podcast we go behind the scenes to meet those helping make a difference when times are tight. From fuel to finance, benefits to legal rights, North Lancashire Citizens Advice are increasing their team of volunteers who are at the forefront when it comes to offering help for people from all walks of life. As you'll hear, they've never been busier. We'll hear from Gully Trevena, Advice Services Director, Gemma Thompson, Administrator, Karen Gilbertson, Advice Matters Team Leader and Joanna Young, Research and Campaigns Lead. If you need advice you can find really good information and advice online at www.citizensadvice.org.uk or via the Adviceline 0800 278 7882 To make a face to face appointment with an adviser call 01524 400 404 and to get advice by email you can contact enquiries@northlancashirecab.org.uk

They're at the forefront of providing help for people from all walks of life who may need some guidance and have themselves never been busier.  From fuel to finance, benefits to legal rights, North Lancashire Citizens Advice are increasing their team of volunteers and working to diversify where advice can be gained. In the next edition of the podcast we go behind the scenes to meet those helping make a difference when times are tight. 

They say 'tide and time waits for no man.' Andy Bradbury should know.

He's one of two pilots who work to navigate ships safely into the ports of Glasson Dock and Heysham, no small feat given the tidal range of Morecambe Bay and the variety of ships - big and small - that he's called to look after. Born and bred close to the sea, hear how efforts to put him off a life on board ships backfired, just how much of a challenge it is to chart the narrow passage into Glasson and how he has a surprising way of relaxing ashore.

Enjoy too the pictures of Andy at work, courtesy of Rob Wicks.

Spivs, American cops, classic cars and buses - there's a real mix in Morecambe this weekend.

The podcast has been out an about capturing some of the sounds of the event which has brought big crowds to the town.

Join us on this mini tour!  

It's taken 2 years of painstaking work but a historic Morecambe Bay fishing boat is about to return to the Bay.

The Morecambe Bay Prawner Trust acquired the 130 year old Spray after it faced an uncertain future.

Built in Arnside, the sturdy wooden craft was built to handle the dangerous waters, rushing tides and strong winds of Morecambe Bay.

I've been given a look around the boat by trustee and skipper Robin Ashcroft who shares his hopes for its' future.

Spray was built by Crossfields of Arnside and her history and restoration will be covered at this year’s Crossfield Conference, run by Arnside Sailing Club on Saturday 22nd November 2025.

Morecambe's Vintage by the Sea Festival is back next weekend. It's estimated over a million pounds was brought into Morecambe by the 2019 event which this year will feature everything from food and drink to art and design, celebrating 20th-century design, fashion, vehicles and entertainment. Morecambe-born Wayne Hemingway and Lauren Zawadzki from Deco Publique are hoping the event, to be held on 3 and 4th Sept, will prove as much a draw as earlier festivals. The event is without doubt one of the highlights of the Bay's entertainment calendar promising 'a sensual delight, a big dressing-up box, a collector’s dream and a joyous creative feast for all ages.'

Battling unseasonably windy weather 500 people raising money and interest in the fight to reopen Grange lido became the latest group to cross the wide expanse of Morecambe Bay from Arnside to Grange. Some had travelled from as far as New Zealand to take part in an event which is growing in popularity. 

Campaigners want to bring the lido back into use - 2025 is the target date for swimmers to return. 

Meanwhile Michael Wilson, a Flookburgh fisherman, is Queens Guide to the Sands and led the latest group of walkers across the Bay. In this podcast we hear about the role, the challenges he and his partner face in staging the walks and how they're on track to raise £700,000 for charities and good causes by leading the walks.

Battling unseasonably windy weather 500 people raising money and interest in the fight to reopen Grange lido became the latest group to cross the wide expanse of Morecambe Bay from Arnside to Grange.

For an update on the latest news from the lido and an insight into life as the Queen's Sand Pilot listen out for the next edition of the podcast, coming soon.

After a gap caused the pandemic, Morecambe's Vintage by the Sea Festival is back with organisers expecting strong interest in an event that features everything from food and drink to art and design. It's estimated over a million pounds was brought into Morecambe by the 2019 event and Morecambe-born Wayne Hemingway is hoping the event on 3 and 4th Sept will bring a similar boost to the Bay.

They've been a part of the area since 1920 and have never been relegated. Today Morecambe FC - the Shrimps - are in League One and aiming high. But what happens on the pitch is only part of the story of a football club who are active in all walks of life around Morecambe Bay. The man who oversees a wide range of activities across all parts of the community and involves a team of around 200 people is also one of the youngest senior leaders in football.

Despite floods, Storm Arwen and recent extreme heat the RSPB's reserve at Leighton Moss continues to be the Bay's food bowl for birdlife.

The bittern population might be booming but the extremes of recent weather conditions are causing concern. But the largest area of reed beds in north-west England is proving popular to a whole new audience of wildlife fans. The pandemic has served to increase the number of people of all ages who now visit and take an active interest in wildlife around the Bay.

They're on call to help 24/7: a team of volunteers who put to sea to answer calls for help in all weathers.

The crew of Fleetwood lifeboat form part of a chain of 238 lifeboat stations around the UK. This weekend (Saturday from 11am) they'll be holding their first open day since the pandemic, a welcome opportunity for volunteers, their families and supporters to mark the vital role the station's Shannon and D class lifeboat play.

For the sixth year running a festival with a difference is taking place and this time it spans the Bay. The organisers of The Bay Health Festivals have a very simple aim: to create spaces and opportunities for people to have conversations – easy or difficult – with family, friends, neighbours, and with ourselves.  The hope is that by taking time out, we'll rediscover the art of living well and with the current pandemic it may be needed now more than ever before. For an extended version of this podcast check out The Lost Art of Living website.

The Morecambe Bay area is home to diverse communities as well as a wide range of industries. There are two nuclear power stations here, the M6 runs close by plus the sea itself is busy with maritime activity and there are air routes overhead.

All the more reason to have active and agile emergency services on hand for when we may need help.

At the moment Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service are recruiting on-call firefighters in and around Morecambe. Once known as 'retained' these are people who often have another job and rather than being based at a fire station, provide on-call cover from home or work. They respond to emergencies when their pager alerts them, so must live or work near the fire station.

In this edition - recorded just as an emergency call came in - we hear from firefighter Rosie Pearson and station manager Kevin Warwick.

They were once familiar sight and, after an absence prompted by the pandemic, a small fleet of historic buses once again ventured back onto the streets of Morecambe and Heysham on Sunday 22nd May. The Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust promotes the restoration and preservation of buses which once plied the streets of the area. This year's event, supported by Morecambe BID and Stagecoach, proved popular with passengers enjoying the chance to ride to destinations around the area aboard historic buses. So who looks after the fleet and what's the aim of the charity? The Morecambe Bay Podcast climbed aboard to meet some of those behind the event.

Every picture tells a story and it’s certainly true when it comes to a photography project quietly gathering momentum in Morecambe.

It’s the idea of  creative Johnny Bean.

He’s capturing pictures of people who make a difference in Morecambe.

From tap dancing pensioners to fishermen, hairdressers to the town's member of Parliament and everyone in between; characters who make the town what it is.

Johnny is recording images for posterity and to chart how the town is changing.

We met up - near arguably the town’s most famous son ! to talk more about Morecambe Faces.

 

https://johnny-bean.blogspot.com/

The scenes from the conflict of Ukraine have prompted many people around the Bay to support the communities affected by the war. 

It might be hundreds of miles away but the images and stories emerging seem very close to home for many: that's certainly true for members of Bay Search and Rescue. 

Among the volunteers' rescue fleet is a Sherp, an all terrain vehicle that - in normal times - is made in Kiev. The Morecambe Bay team have travelled to the company's factory in the past and know many of those who build the life-saving truck. They've been prompted to gather a lorry load of supplies donated by the communities around the Bay including Morecambe Football Club. Later this month (21st April) a team led by one of the organisation's founders, Gary Parsons, will drive the donations from the Bay to the Polish border with Ukraine.

'I think they thought I was mad!' Photographer Tessa Bunney whose new exhibition today (Sat 9th April) describing how her subjects viewed her during a three year long mission to document one of Morecambe Bay's oldest industries.

She's braved the Bay's famously variable weather to take thousands of images of the fishermen and women who ply their trade on these hazardous sands and channels.

The Lancaster Maritime Museum on St George's Quay in Lancaster is hosting the exhibition until July. So how did she manage to gather such an amazing collection of images - and how do you choose which to display? Tessa tells us about the challenges she faced and the characters she met during the course of work to create this important lasting record of an industry that will forever be linked to the Bay.

After battling to keep going during the pandemic, Morecambe Band are celebrating recent success when they emerged as 4th section winners in the North West Areas Regional Contest 2022.  The brass band has a long and proud history. Formed in 1875 and still going strong today, Morecambe Band are looking forward to a busy season in 2022. In September they have a place in the National Finals. I met some of the longest serving and newest members of the band at a recent rehearsal and heard about their big plans for the future.   

It's known as the small charity making a big difference; from artwork and the Morecambe Bay cycle path to beach cleans and recent sunset talks. The Morecambe Bay Partnership has a new Chief Executive who's arrived in the area after spending nine years working in conservation on the Scilly Isles. Sarah Mason is six months into the role and joins at an interesting time. The Eden Project, concerns over sewage discharges and the effects of increased tourism prompted by the pandemic are among matters causing debate around the Bay. On a wintry day in Arnside she tells us more about her plans for the charity.  

It's the TV crime drama that has put Morecambe on the map: ITV's The Bay has attracted millions of viewers and while the plots have proved to be gritty the characters, not to mention the stunning views of Morecambe Bay, have certainly proved popular. With series 3 about to be launched, creator Daragh Carville who lives in Lancaster, is keeping his fingers crossed that he's managed to develop a new central character who the audience will take to their heart. Morven Christie starred in the crime drama as DS Lisa Armstrong in the first two series but decided to move on to pastures new. Marsha Thomason will be playing Morecambe CID’s new Family Liaison Officer DS Jenn Townsend when the new series starts on 12th January. In our most detailed podcast so far, Daragh told me about his fascinating career so far, the extensive research that has gone into The Bay as well as offering a real insight into how TV dramas are created.

Murmurations: thousands of starlings, all in synch, flying wingtip to wingtip have inspired many to try and record the stunning spectacle. For photographer Darren Andrews it prompted the creation of a book which contains dozens of images gathered around north Lancashire and on North Pier in Blackpool. He's now working on shooting a film which is taking real patience as he tries to plot where the murmurations will occur. For the podcast it was a real challenge to record and describe what we saw by a roadside wood not far from Leighton Moss recently. But listen closely and enjoy the anticipation and sense of achievement as we record our sights and sounds on a trip into Arnside and Silverdale to track the murmurating starlings around Morecambe Bay.

One of the more unusual features in the diary of events taking place around Morecambe Bay returns over the festive period. The annual Dip in Morecambe Bay in aid of St John's Hospice will take place on New Year's Day morning. Hundreds of hardy souls - many wearing fancy dress - will take part in the event which brings in much needed support for the charity, enabling it to continue the work carried out across north Lancashire and south Cumbria since 1986. Despite the pandemic the charity is poised to expand the services offered at a time when there are growing numbers of people looking for support.

The memories of Storm Arwen are still strong around Morecambe Bay.

The first bad storm of the winter brought down powerlines cutting off homes and leaving communities without power for days. The disruption caused by the storm, which unusually blew in from the north, affected many all around the Bay.

You don’t have to travel far to see evidence of the destruction caused. Trees that had stood proud for decades were felled in one night and landscapes changed forever.

For this edition of the podcast we return to Eaves Wood near Silverdale. While the storm did damage the area, work to nurture nature here continues. The area is home to a wide variety of species and more are being reintroduced as part of the Back on our Map (BOOM) project as we’ve heard in an earlier edition of the podcast.

National Trust area ranger Craig McCoy explained more about the work that’s underway and how he and a small team of colleagues and volunteers are giving nature a helping hand.

Charlie Overett is a true 'sand grown'un'. He grew up living opposite the Central Pier in Morecambe, close to where the town's fishing fleet would land their catches. And it was here that at the tender age of 13 that he and his mates would use borrowed rowing boats to escort cross-Bay swimmers back to Morecambe from Grange. This taste of Morecambe maritime life set him on a career that was to take him as a merchant season to the Far East, an offshore supply boat captain around West Africa before the lure of home proved too powerful and he came back to the Bay to fish. His story his amazing! Enjoy.

Get outside, learn and connect with nature: that's the key to overcoming the impact the pandemic has had on some sections of the community around Morecambe Bay. The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery is a new group created with support from the People's Postcode Lottery to bring together a host of organisations. From Fleetwood to Walney Island, with help from Lancashire and Cumbria Wildlife Trusts, the aim is to make use of the natural surroundings to entice more of us to get involved. One of the first events took place on Morecambe Beach. 

Bikers from across the UK descended on Barrow on the longest day to mark the second Dave Day to be held to mark the life and work of the Dave Myers who hailed from the town.

Hairy Biker Dave has a loyal following and his wife Lili is continuing to raise awareness as well as money for cancer care and other good causes.

Over 20,000 bikers came to Barrow today with people lining their routes from London to south Cumbria.

I've been meeting a few of the well wishers as well as some hairy (and not so hairy!) bikers.

Morecambe's Winter Gardens is one of those structures that oozes atmosphere.

It's a beautiful building which once played host to the likes of George Formby, Gracie Fields, Vera Lynn, the Who and the Rolling Stones. Working hard to raise the money needed to prevent the ravages of time taking hold are a small dedicated band of volunteers. This week they had some good news - the building was awarded a grant by Historic England bringing the amount raised this year to almost £1million .

The Winter Gardens is open this weekend before closing from mid-December to complete a three month programme of restoration work in preparation for Easter 2022 and the 125th anniversary of the theatre.

I was lucky to be shown around the building on Saturday to hear how work is progressing.

Stunning artwork produced by a man inspired by Morecambe Bay is on show in Lancaster's City Museum. Titled ‘Reginald Aspinwall: a troubled landscape’, it focuses on a celebrated landscape painter who lived and worked in Lancaster from 1870 until his death in 1921. He painted many local scenes including Heysham beach, Sunderland Point and the fishermen of Morecambe Bay. But, as the title suggests, he enjoyed a mixed career. An alcoholic, the last few years of his life were spent in the workhouse and he died in the County Asylum (Lancaster Moor). The exhibition is in partnership with the Harris Museum Art gallery & Library in Preston and includes letters and archive items relating to Aspinwall: interwoven with the artworks are anecdotes from the artist’s life. The exhibition runs until Sunday 7th November.

Chas Jacobs has become familiar as an artist whose distinct work has helped spread the appeal of Morecambe Bay.

From working in industry he's made painting a career and for 18 years has been passing on his skills and enthusiasm to a whole new generation, a number of whom are now artists in their own right. And his appeal is global with work in demand from ex pats living around the world.

For this edition of the podcast we met up in his studio where his productions come to life.

It's certainly different and it really made me think: a dance performance in a woodland that's bordered by a by pass, a housing estate and within a stones throw of a wind farm. Underlie is part of the Entangled arts festival which is on from Sept 18th-26th. Heysham Moss is an area I know well. I grew up living close by and the dance portrays the history of the area, no mean feat given there's a cast of one, no music and the audience are under strict instructions to remain quiet. I was invited to the dress rehearsal which was held on a calm night with the moon rising and the extraordinary nearby birdlife in fine voice. Enjoy the podcast and check out the website for more pictures and video.

Walney Island is fast becoming a mecca for visitors. They're making the most of the brilliant beaches, ample food available nearby and maybe even enjoying the views of the Bay. But these visitors aren't human. The seal colony there is thriving and a new arrival, a seal pup born just a few weeks ago, is the latest arrival. Georgia de Jong Cleyndert is the Marine Conservation Officer for the North West Wildlife Trusts and has been talking about how the new pup is settling in and why the area is becoming so popular with seals, great and small. You might be able to see the seals via this live feed: https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife/cams/seal-cam

How often have you thought 'I must write that book...'? How hard is it? And what does it feel like when a publisher finally says 'yes'? 

Sarah Dodd's debut novel has just been published and it's loosely based on the Bay. 

Keeper of Secrets is set in the village of Littendale, a fictionalised version of Silverdale and the book, about a child's encounter with a lynx, was heavily inspired by a particular location near Jack Scout and the woods near Jenny Brown's point.

Sarah and I met up recently to talk about the book and the process of becoming a published author.

With magnificent views over a wide sweep of Morecambe Bay, the lido at Grange over Sands was a popular spot with swimmers and sun worshippers for decades.

Built in 1932 the art deco structure is the only surviving seaside lido in the north west and one of only 4 in England. In 1993 it closed and fell into disrepair becoming blot on the Bay.

In recent months efforts to reopen it have taken a step forward with work to stop the rot. Earlier this summer South Lakeland District Council agreed to begin work aimed at 'making the derelict Grange Lido site stable, safe and accessible.'

A so-called “light-touch” refurbishment will take place.

On a windy afternoon, on one of the last days before the site is declared out of bounds to visitors to allow work to begin, members of the Save Grange Lido organisation showed me around the structure.

It's billed as a project that will inspire 'wonder and a connection with the natural world.' The Eden Project North could also bring 400 jobs and help attract millions of pounds of investment to Morecambe. The development could open in 2024. With Lancaster City Council agreeing to a plan to transfer seafront land which was once the site of the Bubbles fun pool to the project (subject to planning permission) and crucial meetings held this week to lobby for government support, momentum seems to be growing.  Tim Neary from the Eden team met up with me in Morecambe this week and told me how plans for the ambitious project will be submitted in a few weeks' time.

Do you remember Frontierland? The theme park may be long gone and the hoardings that surround it have become a longstanding feature but they are now becoming an attraction in their own right. The reason? A group of artists have used the blue boards as an unlikely canvas to display an amazing array of artwork.

This weekend's edition of the podcast features someone who has spent nearly two decades trying to help people living in one community around Morecambe Bay.

As local journalist Mike Whalley explained earlier in this series, the West End of Morecambe has undergone major changes from the heyday of tourism in the town in the 1950s and 60s to the era when former boarding houses were converted into flats. For the past 19 years Tracey Cole of the charity West End Impact has volunteered to help people living in the area who may need support. In this episode she explains how the work began, the challenges the organisation has faced and where she sees the area going in the future.

This is a gem!

A recording of the sights and sounds of Morecambe made over 40 years ago has been shared publicly for the first time since it was produced.

Sounds of Morecambe and District was a cassette made by a small team led by Peter Mason-Milward in 1981.

As well as the sounds of Marineland, go karts at Heysham Head and the Harbour Band Arena it also featured interviews with some of the stars of the day who visited the area. They include presenters Pete Murray and Isla St Clair along with Colin Crompton, the comic whose routine took aim at Morecambe in TV’s The Comedians.

Using recording equipment from Lancaster and Morecambe Hospital Radio where Peter was chairman, the result is an extraordinary audio archive of the resort in the 1980s.

Isla St Clair had the honour of switching on Morecambe illuminations in 1980 and told Peter about her love for the town. Meanwhile Colin Crompton said his jokes about Morecambe as ‘a cemetery with lights’ and a place where ‘they all turn out to watch the bacon slicer’ were taken too seriously by tourism staff and on the tape admits the town is ‘not bad.’

The cassette was produced as an audio postcard of the area with around 150 sold by Peter and his colleagues to tourists staying at hotels around Morecambe.

We met up recently with his wife Cath to listen back to Morecambe over 40 years ago.

1' the laughing clown

1'30" Pete Murray

4' Peter explains where the idea came from

5'50" Memories of working with Eric Morecambe

7' Top interview tips from Eric!

10'30" Isla St Clair switches the lights on

12'30" Colin Crompton

15' Gypsy Lee

16' Peter explains how people gave time to the recordings

16'30" Marineland

17' Heysham Head

19' Wrestling on the Central Pier

19' 30" The sand train to Heysham

The National Trust is a major custodian of a variety of land all around Morecambe Bay, from the rocky cliffs at Heysham Head to the sandy expanse of Sandscale Haws and numerous sites in between. One of those is Eaves Wood, an amazingly diverse landscape near Silverdale, where a new route for walkers has just been opened up. If you're a fan of wildlife it's on the flight path to the nearby RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss, is home to deer, butterflies and for historians there's a mix of derelict buildings and landmarks to be discovered. Plus ancient woodland that seem to defy natural science by growing from limestone rock. The walk is here https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/arnside-and-silverdale/trails/eaves-wood-circular-trail and in this episode of the Morecambe Bay Podcast Nancy Burditt, Senior Programming and Partnerships Officer – Outdoors, South and East Cumbria and Morecambe Bay for the National Trust took me to see the route.

Sound transports us: it might be one reason why you’re listening to this podcast. A group of artists around Morecambe Bay have worked to create a live stream of the sound of a part of the Bay. The southernmost tip of Walney Island is inaccessible and a mecca for wildlife. Now, thanks to the work of Full of Noises, listeners can eavesdrop on nature in this remote part of the Bay. It’s part of an international project to encourage us all to make time to stop and listen. To hear the feed, click on this link; http://acousticommons.net/streams/the_spit_south_walney.html

#VolunteersWeek podcast

It began as a way of beating the boredom of lockdown and has now grown into a thriving community group. Linda Denby got fed up with seeing rubbish during her daily exercise and began picking it up. Others followed her lead and the Carnforth Wombles were launched. Supported by Carnforth Town Council they recently collected their 1,000th bag of rubbish. Now other neighbourhood groups are being launched to clean up things 'the everyday folks leave behind.'