'Feet First in Furness' get on track coastal railway walks

Join a group of people enjoying trips out to walks, accessible from Barrow Station and timed to start around 10.30am.

Wednesday 14 December 2011 - Cark circular taking in Sandgate and Cowpren Point.

Wednesday 11 January 2012 – Dalton Station to Furness Abbey circular walk.

Wednesday 8 February 2012 - Askam Station to Dunnerholme.

For further information contact Richard Scott, Cumbria CVS Barrow on 825630 or email: richardsc@cumbriacvs.org.uk

Walk to Piel Island - 21 August

Barrow’s Wildside Events

Barrow’s Wildside Events - July

Barrow's Wildside is an exciting new project that aims to improve green spaces in Barrow for wildlife and the local community. Being outside and closer to nature improves your well being too! Loads of exciting plans are being planned for young and old alike. You and your family can get involved in walks, training, practical conservation work.

Summer Wildlife Surveys in Barrow

Wed 27 July - North Scale meadows - meet Fire Station, Mill Lane, Walney SD 181 693

Thurs 4 August – Biggar Bank – meet the Roundhouse, Walney SD 178 675

Events and activities

Sun 24 July ‘Conservation work party at Next Ness Nature Reserve’, near Ulverston 10am-3pm. Meet at entrance to Next Ness Grid reference SD 300 786. Help improve habitats for local wildlife on this small reserve. Contact 01229 582790.

Sun 24 July ‘Owl prowl and creatures of the night’ 9-10.30pm, meet at Mill Café car park, Furness Abbey. Grid reference SD 220 717. Meet the resident Tawny Owls of Abbots Wood. Bring a torch. Ring 01229 471066

Sun 24 July ‘North Walney family wildlife safari’ 1-4pm, meet West Shore/Earnse Bay car park. Grid reference SD 171 698. Contact 07786 482884

Tues 26 July ‘An introduction to identifying grasses’ 2-5pm, meet St Francis Church, Schneider Rd, Ormsgill. Aimed at complete beginners. Booking essential. Ring 01229 471066.

Thurs 28 July ‘Creatures of the estuary’ 2-4pm, Use pond nets to fish for a variety of weird and wonderful sea creatures. Meet Sandscale Haws car park, grid reference SD 200 756. Ring 01229 462855.

Sat 30 July ‘Westfield Trail’ 12-4pm, a gentle walk with views across salt marsh and mudflats to Piel island and Walney. Meet Concle Pub, Rampside, grid reference SD 233 660. Ring 01229 471066.

Sat 30 July ‘Minibeasts’ 1-4pm. Meet West Shore/Earnse Bay car park. Grid reference SD 171 698. Contact 07786 482884. Search for butterflies, beetles and snails – make your own insect feeder.

Walk to Piel Island - 24 July

Walk from Snab Point to Piel Island (Part Of The Islands of Barrow and Furness Walking Festival) Sunday 24th July 2011, meet minibus at the Dock Museum 10:15am.

Organised by Art Gene and led by Barrow’s current Mayor Cllr John Murphy:

Additional presentations along the route from a range of specialists with expert knowledge and anecdotes told by local people. A guided walk peppered with local stories historical facts and observations about this unique historic natural environment. On arrival at Piel there will be an opportunity to see Art Gene’s developing designs for new interpretive materials, furniture, fixtures and fittings for the Ship Inn which have been commissioned by Barrow Borough Council.

We will also listen to a selection of short anecdotes about Piel told by local people and have time to explore the island and its 13th century castle.

Add your Story - Art Gene are collecting stories to be included in a new Visitor Book for the Ship Inn - If you have a story there will be an opportunity to write yourself into history!

Please take special note of the guidelines to the walking festival in the festival brochure link below

Itinerary;

10.15-10.30am - meet at the Dock Museum, Barrow. If you are on foot there will be free minibus transport to the start of the walk and the bus will deliver you back to the Dock Museum at the end of the walk

10.15-10.30 - meet in the larger car park at the Dock Museum

10.30 - 10.50 - drive in convoy to Snab Point where there is a free car park

11.00 - 11.10 - gather for health and safety messages from guide John Murphy followed by details of the day’s programme from Maddi Nicholson (Art Gene)

11.10 - 12.00 - walk to Piel Island with information stops presented by a range of specialist speakers.

12.00 - 1.00 - a drink, food, listening to Piel Memories and an opportunity to write yourself into history with your short story or anecdote about Piel

1.00 - 2.00 - an hour to explore the island on your own or with John Murphy, other experts and knowledgeable local people. We will also explore the interesting flora and fauna of the Island.

2.00 prompt - gather outside the Ship Inn Entrance and walk back to Snab Point

4.00 - 4.30 - minibus back to the Dock Museum (or make your own way home)

How to get to the Dock Museum

http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=6

Follow this link to a downloadable copy of the Islands of Barrow Walking Festival

http://www.barrowbc.gov.uk/pdf/BBC_Walking_2011.pdf 

Island of Barrow and Furness Walking Festival - walks this week

Friday 15 July - Biggar Village Walk

Meet: Thorney Nook car park, Walney Island 5.30pm.

John Murphy will lead a walk along the shingle-beach on the west side of the island. Be prepared to get your feet a bit wet as we go out to look at the remains of the submerged forest. On our return we will be investigating the salt mining industry and exploring Biggar Village. Circular Walk, approx 4 miles.

Saturday 16 July - North Walney Nature Reserve Guided Walk

Meet: Earnse Bay car park, Walney Island 1pm (til 4pm)

Join in a guided walk around one of the best coastal nature reserves in Cumbria. Four mile walk will take in beach, ponds, sand dunes and hay meadows with plenty of opportunities for spotting wildlife. Dogs welcome but must be kep on a lead at alltimes.

Saturday 16 July -Ormsgill Quarry and How Tun Woods Wildlife Walk

Meet: St Francis Church, Schneider Rd. 2pm (til 4pm)

Part of Barrow's Wildlside Project. A chance to find out what fantastic wildlife is present virtually in the town centre. The quarry is suitable for wheelchairs but How Tun Woods is not suitable for wheelchairs. Parking available at Tally Ho car park, Schneider Rd roundabout.

Sunday 17 July - South Walney Nature Reserve Wildlife Walk

Meet: Nature Reserve car park 10.30am (til 12.30pm)

Part of Barrow's Wildlside Project.  A guided walk around the reserve looking at the bird life and other interesting wildlife. No dogs allowed.

Sunday 17 July - The Fringe of Morecambe Bay

Meet: The Tarn, Leece village 1pm

Join John Murphy for an amble down to the delightfully named hamlet of Peasholme. We will be exploring the northern fringes of Morecambe Bay and returning through ancient woodland and footpaths (4 mile circular).

Islands of Barrow and Peninsula Walking Festival

Some dates for walking festival ...

Love Barrow Walk - Friday 1 July 2011. Meet 1pm at the Town Hall Courtyard. We will start with a short tour of Barrow’s magnificent town hall before strolling around the heritage walk of St. George’s Square with John Murphy. For further information contact John Murphy on 01229 473746.

North Walney - Thursday 7 July / 14 July / 21 July and 28 July 2011

Walney Sunset Walk 6.45pm from West Shore Car Park, led by Richard Scott of Feet First in Furness. A walk all around the north end of Walney island exploring North Walney Nature Reserve and including some rough walking across dunes (approx 2 ½ hours). For further information contact Richard Scott on 01229 825630

Furness Abbey to Roose Greenway - Friday 8 July 2011

Meet at Furness Abbey Amphitheatre car park 6pm for a lovely evening stroll around Furness Abbey. We will be looking at the history of this iconic Abbey before we meander along the Greenway to Roose Station and returning via Abbotswood. For further information contact John Murphy on 01229 473746.

Follow link for full details - http://www.barrowbc.gov.uk/pdf/BBC_Walking_2011.pdf

'Doorstep Walks' in and around Barrow - FREE pack

'Doorstep Walks' is a county-wide initiative through Active Cumbria. It is NHS-funded, providing a high-quality folder of eight varied walks in a pack for independent walkers. To pick up your FREE 'Doorstep Walk Pack', please call in at CVS, Lesser Kings Hall, 57 Hartington Street, Barrow or contact Richard on 01229 825630 for further details.