The Morecambe Bay Podcast

How do you make the environment and sustainability interesting to primary school children?

Can older students be persuaded to consider careers around Morecambe Bay instead of moving away?

The Morecambe Bay Curriculum is a partnership between Lancaster University, Lancaster & Morecambe College, University of Cumbria and the Eden Project.

Set up in 2019 the project aims to influence the National Curriculum at all levels by supporting teachers to embed sustainability and place into their everyday teaching.

From environmental art to the history of walking the Bay, how science mimics nature to the opportunities of eco-tourism, the Morecambe Bay Curriculum supports teachers to help young people understand the Bay area better.

The aim is to boost young people’s wellbeing while also preparing them for jobs in ‘green’ industries as well as instilling a sense of local pride.

For more details of the curriculum: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/morecambe-bay-curriculum/

For details of how to enter the Ripple Effects photographic competition:

https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/morecambe-bay-curriculum/ripple-effects/

They are a band who draw inspiration from the Bay for their songs and are marking a milestone this summer.

Named after a scene in the cult TV comedy Father Ted,

With songs such as Blue Sky Morning, Eyes Wide Open and Lune Valley Ramble songwriter Chris Barlow explained how they came together - and more about the name!

The lecturer and former school teacher is also heavily involved in the Morecambe Bay Curriculum which will feature in a future episode of the podcast.

Download music @https://hiroshimatwinkie.bandcamp.com

Morecambe’s place as a venue for live music goes

Howard conducts the Promenade Concert Orchestra, the only one of its kind between Manchester and Glasgow.

Formed in 2007 professional clarinettist Howard was keen to provide the opportunity for residents and visitors to Morecambe and the Bay area to enjoy light orchestral music. From Palm Court, ballroom and café music; to shows, radio, television and film music the orchestra has developed a highly successful series of concerts at the Platform in Morecambe.

The orchestra is make up of professional, semi-professional or talented amateur musicians from the Kendal, Lancaster and Morecambe areas.

Conductor Howard Rogerson tells us how the

One of the first episodes of the podcast featured some of those hardy souls who enjoy swimming in the Bay all year around.

The group, Morecambe and Lancaster Lancashire Open Water Swimmers, was set up around the time of the pandemic and continues to grow.

Jon Gibirdi is a founder member and has begun cataloguing information and stories about swimming. A book and a film are both underway.

We met up on the beach at Morecambe to talk more about the projects and how swimming is still a big part of his life.

M.A.L.L.O.W.S Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/481845428828245/

Sandscale Haws at Roanhead supports a wealth of wildlife and with magnificent views across the Duddon Estuary onto the Lakeland Fells on a fine day it's idyllic.

40 years ago the National Trust became custodians of the national nature reserve.

It's home to a quarter of the UK's population of rare natterjack toads and 2024 marks a momentous anniversary.

Over the next few weeks there are opportunities to take part in walks at dusk to see and hear these amazing amphibians.

In this episode enjoy the sounds of the reserve as I take an evening trip with National Trust wardens Darren and Emily and a few hardy souls on a spring toad patrol.

Notes:

Start; birdsong and wind blowing through the grass welcome us to the reserve

1'30" Darren Mason, National Trust warden explains more about the work to maintain the site, why toads have made it home and how they're thriving in this part of Cumbria.

6mins We head out with a small group keen to see natterjack toads.

7mins Darren explains how erosion affects the coastline

10mins We hear how storm can bring some benefits to the sand dune system

13'29" Emily points out strings of toad eggs as the amphibians prove to be elusive!

14'19" Our first toad!

15'24" One visitor had travelled from Suffolk to experience toads at Sandscale

16'40" Drumming snipe

Thanks to Darren, Emily and the National Trust team in south Cumbria.

For an organisation that only came into being in September 2023, the Bay Veterans Association has proved there's a real need for support for ex servicemen and women around the Bay.

The Lancaster and Morecambe area is more 'vets' than many other areas.

A new hub offering support and providing activities has just opened in Euston Road, Morecambe.

The response from the community to an appeal for support has so far been phenomenal with the Duchy of Lancaster, Persimmon Homes and many others offering support.

The opening of the hub is just another step on a path that Janine, Janet and Gary who are the association's directors hope will be a vital service for all service family members.

Bay Veterans Association Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/p/BAY-VETERANS-ASSOCIATION-61551807855021/

To say it's home to only a few dozen people Sunderland Point they are a musical lot!

The village has made a name as the home of a thriving sea shanty band.

The Sunderland Point Sea Shanty Crew are in demand to perform around the Bay and further afield - they've been part of the Edinburgh Festival.

Made up of a wide range of people they're creating their own music alongside well known sea shanties.

Morecambe Bay is reknown for paths and tracks offering brilliant views but it's also part of a national network of walking routes connecting all of Great Britain’s towns and cities as well as thousands of villages.

Using existing paths, ways, trails and roads, people can use Slow Ways routes to walk or wheel and is designed to make it easier for people to imagine, plan and go on walking journeys.

There are currently over 8,000 Slow Ways stretching for over 120,000km. This network of routes was created by 700 volunteers during the Spring 2020 lockdown, creating a unique Slow Ways map in the process. 

In this episode we'll hear from the man who came up with the idea and a walker from Morecambe who's certainly making her mark on the map.

We know Morecambe Bay is a draw for tourists and that industry is big business around the Bay.

It's often hard to believe the changes that have taken place along Morecambe's seafront.

A shipbreaking yard, several piers and a three masted sailing ship used in Disney film could once be found along this popular piece of coast.

A project to capture the knowledge and memories of coastal life through the eyes of those who witnessed change is now active. Coastal Connection has developed a network of 20 locations - 17 in Morecambe and 2 near Overton and one at Sunderland Point - where a QR code allows listeners to hear the memories of people living by and working on the Bay.

It's the work of Steve Fairclough who explains more in this podcast. To hear the stories follow this link to the sites :https://www.timeandtidebell.org/morecambe-map/