Podcast
The Morecambe Bay Podcast
Hosted by Nigel Thompson · EN
It's home to one of the UK's most famous seaside resorts, is known worldwide for its birdlife, stunning sunsets and as the birthplace of comedian Eric Morecambe.
In this series of podcasts journalist Nigel Thompson, who has had a lifelong association with the Bay, hears from people who make Morecambe Bay special.
With over a hundred episodes it's a breath of fresh air, all about the Bay.
#MorecambeBay
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Saving Sunderland Point
May 2200:22:24Tap to summarizeIt's community action at its best; Sunderland Point community to deliver their first small-scale saltmarsh restoration trials.
Transcribe →Saving Sunderland Point
May 2200:22:24Tap to summarizeIt's one of the best bits of the Bay; Sunderland Point originates from the 17th century when it was known as an area of safe anchorage.But the seas is causing erosion, both at the point itself where around 1 metre a year is being loss and on the approach where marsh grass is struggling to keep hold in a delicate climate that's increasingly scoured by tides.Now residents are working with Morecambe Bay Partnership to try and give nature a hand. Through Our Future Coast which is funded as part of DEFRA's Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation programme innovative, environmentally friendly structures are being placed on the foreshore to help remaining grass flourish. We've joined them to hear what life is like on the point and to hear how the project could become a test bed for locations around the coast of the UK and beyond.
Transcribe →The Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust ‘Vintage Bus Running Day
May 200:23:12Tap to summarizeDing ding!The Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust is preparing to stage the eleventh ‘Vintage Bus Running Day’ on Sunday, May 17th. Preserved buses which range in age from the 1930s to more recent times will be operating a free service between Heysham Village and Carnforth railway station via Morecambe promenade and Happy Mount Park. In the run up to the event we've been behind the scenes at Trust HQ to see how the volunteers behind the day keep the fleet on the road. And also in this podcast hear how my dad made his impression on bus fans far and wide.Enjoy!Fore details check out: www.rvpt.co.uk or www.facebook.com/RVPT.events
Transcribe →Ep 153 Picturing the Bay with Liz Withey
Mar 1500:24:45Tap to summarizeWho hasn't tried to capture the perfect picture of the Bay?Is it down to skill or just managing to be in the right place at the right time?Photography Liz Withey from Carnforth has taken some brilliant shots of the Bay, the Lakes and Lancaster over the years and you can see some of them at The Junction Gallery on Carnforth railway station.We met in the gallery for a chat during which she offers some top tips and we discussed mutual love of steam trains!
Transcribe →Fore Get Me Not Golf
Feb 2300:20:24Tap to summarizeDementia is a growing challenge. As the population ages and people live for longer, it has become one of the most important health and care issues facing the world. In the whole of the UK, the number of people with dementia is estimated at 850,000.That's one reason why a golf programme with a difference is underway here in Morecambe Bay.Called Fore Get Me Not Golf it aims to foster a sense of community among those with dementia along with their carers.Heysham Golf Club is now hosting monthly Dementia Cafes but, as you'll hear, with the success of the programme here there are high hopes it could be adopted all over the UK.
Transcribe →More Music
Feb 1100:21:31Tap to summarizeMarianne Barraclough is the executive director of More Music, the community music and education charity based in the West End of Morecambe. As you'll hear, it's an organisation that appeals to young and old and has great track record in getting people from all walks of life involved. Marianne tells us why she wanted the gig, shares her musical background and reveals how she still keeps her hand in today.BTW the team have got a busy few weeks coming up:Dare! Young children and their families can swim with the silver fish, peer through telescopes, ride the tide and take a leap, with a newly-created musical experience on 20 & 21 February at More Music in Morecambe at 10am, 12pm & 2pm.Girls Can is a free two-day workshop over the weekend of Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th March for girls, young women and non-binary people aged 12–19.
Transcribe →A lifetime at sea
Jan 2500:46:36Tap to summarizeThis feature-length episode of the podcast features a conversation with someone from the Bay who has spent over five decades at sea in a variety of roles.I've been talking to Tony Cowell who first went to sea when he was just 3 years old!He's seen the sea at its best and worst during a career that has taken him from skippering some of Fleetwood's best known fishing boats to serving as lifeboat coxswain.While he is still chair of RNLI Fleetwood he's just retired as captain of the Fleetwood to Knott End Ferry, a post he held for two decades.
Transcribe →Ep 149 Marking Eric's centenary
Jan 700:12:09Tap to summarizeMuch loved - and much missed; Eric Morecambe would have been 100 years old in 2026.Plans are afoot to mark his contribution to the world of comedy.But did you know as well as delighting millions with his performances and pursuing birdwatching as a hobby Eric was also a keen artist?It's one reason why the man behind the Morecambe Bay Art Fair is keen to mark Eric's life.Artist Anthony Padgett has been explaining more about the ideas that are gaining momentum (read more and keep in touch here).We met - where else - at the statue of Eric!The Morecambe Bay Podcast will be recording a series during Eric's centenary year. If you'd like to get involved get in touch.nigel.thompson@journalist.com
Transcribe →Ep148 Sunset over Morecambe Bay
Dec 1600:14:10Tap to summarizeWe're back - with a new series of fascinating people to meet from all around the Bay!Kicking us off is a chat with Chris Barlow, singer songwriter and a Senior Lecturer in Primary Education (with a Geography specialism) at the University of Cumbria.We've spoken before about his band Hiroshima Twinkie in an earlier episode but this time he tells us how a collaboration with year 6 pupils at Sandylands Primary School in Morecambe has resulted in a song that's a guaranteed earworm!Sunset Over Morecambe Bay has just come out and with royalties being split between the band and the pupils who wrote it, it's maybe an ideal Christmas present?Enjoy the song and our conversation with Chris.Notes:Check out the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqbLx3hVVWMThe song's available here: https://hiroshimatwinkie.bandcamp.com/track/the-sunset-over-morecambe-bay?fbclid=IwY2xjawOuk11leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeV9AiPHb-Mj6hAP8nFjP5cVAxJ7MadRzos1FrwL6Qv5Ww4KkR__2JMvJnEvI_aem_OhxlQNJhICVywxhV8KUAMA
Transcribe →A walk on the Moss
Oct 2100:10:11Tap to summarizeHere'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.
Transcribe →