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Inspirational walking and wheeling events coming to Morecambe Bay

Credit: Kinetika/Rosa Productions

‘The Ways Around The Bay’ initiative launches later this spring and will bring two new creative and interactive commissions to Morecambe Bay.

The events are designed to get people excited about exploring the area in low-carbon ways.

Morecambe Bay Partnership is working with internationally-renowned arts organisation Kinetika in partnership with Kendal-based Rosa Productions, for ‘Bay Lines - Beach of Dreams’, an environmental investigative arts journey that will get people walking, talking and recording the coastline, whilst Everybody’s Cycling will get people cycling with 7 days of exciting activities for those who may not usually have the opportunity or confidence to ride a bike.

Bay Lines will present two linked events – the Bay-wide visual arts journey will take place in June,  with a related community, storytelling and digital project, both leading to a series of public events at the end of August.

Inspired by the ‘Beach of Dreams ’ programme, initiated by the same team, led by artistic director, Ali Pretty in 2021, ‘Bay Lines – Beach of Dreams’ will specifically focus on Morecambe Bay using cycling routes and public footpaths.  Artist-led ‘foraging’ walks will take place in June to collect dye materials, images and stories from the landscape, followed by a ‘Natural Dye’ artists’ residency between 29 July and 6 August, and workshops, led by Kinetika artist, Lesley Robinson.

Bay Lines will form part of the national Beach of Dreams 2025 programme which will culminate in a collective journey around 10,000 miles of coastline across the UK and Ireland, led by Kinetika and Creative Lives.

In May and June locals will be invited to share stories about each mile of coastline around the Bay, and contribute to designs for silk pennants made by Kinetika with local participants which reflect each mile of the natural environment of the coast, sands and estuaries.

Over the August bank holiday weekend, four events will take place across the Bay with a finale in the Morecambe area, when beach installations of the pennants will form a striking display for all to enjoy alongside other outdoor ‘place-related’ performances celebrating the Bay as a place for exploration.

By contrast, Everybody’s Cycling is bringing seven days of interactive try-out cycling events to the Bay with the aim of increasing cycling levels working with local schools and community groups culminating in a weekend of cycling fun for all.Primarily located in the Morecambe area with bike ‘try-outs’ and free ‘bike doctor’ sessions, there will be an array of conventional and unique bikes to ride, including ones adapted for people with disabilities.

The sessions are designed to give people the skills and confidence to either start cycling or get out more and reap all the benefits that cycling brings such as better health and wellbeing.

Sarah Mason, the charity’s Chief Executive said ‘we’re thrilled to be working alongside Kinetika, Rosa Productions and Everybody’s Cycling this year who are all experts in their fields. They will do a fantastic job helping us to raise the profile of Morecambe Bay as a great outdoor destination for whatever level of ability or interest you have.’

The events form part of the launch of Ways Around The Bay, a programme which aims to establish Morecambe Bay as a centre for walking, cycling and exploring the Bay in low carbon ways. The initiative is creating more inclusive access, so everyone can enjoy the Bay’s inspiring landscapes, nature, history and culture. The programme is funded by the Department for Levelling Up (Coastal Communities Fund) via South Lakeland District Council.

Full details about the events programme and how to get involved, will be announced in spring.

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