Podcast
The Morecambe Bay Podcast
Hosted by Nigel Thompson · EN
Morecambe Bay: home to iconic seaside resorts, world-famous birdlife, and stunning sunsets.
Join journalist Nigel Thompson—who shares a lifelong connection to the UK's northwest coast—as he uncovers what makes this seaside region so iconic.
From world-renowned birdwatching and stunning sunsets to local history, culture, and the legacy of comedian Eric Morecambe, this podcast celebrates the heart of the Bay.
With over 150 episodes featuring inspiring local guests, it’s your ultimate audio guide to coastal life in Morecambe Bay.
#MorecambeBay #Lancashire #Cumbria
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Vinyl revival and cassette comeback; meet the man enjoying musical archaeology
4d ago00:16:21Tap to summarize🎧 Is vinyl making a comeback?‘Musical archaeology’ that’s how the man who says he’sfulfilled his ambition to run a record show likens collecting vinyl records.It’s National Vinyl Record Day on August 12th andfor one small record shop in the Bay it’s an interest that is growing and among an audience you might be surprised by!Steve runs La'l Record Shop in Bolton le Sands. He says people are still buying vinyl, CDs and even cassettes in the age of Spotify and streaming.What is it about holding a physical record, discovering an old album or hearing music the way it was originally meant to be heard?🎶 From vinyl revival to cassette comeback — we explore why physical music is having a moment.Give it a listen — and maybe rediscover the music on your shelf!
Transcribe →Why We Swim: Dr Mark Christie on Morecambe Bay and the science of open water swimming
2w ago00:27:57Tap to summarizeWhy do so many of us love swimming in Morecambe Bay?Open water swimming has become one of the UK's fastest-growing activities, but for many people it's about far more than fitness.In the latest episode of the podcast, I speak to Dr Mark Christie, whose life took an unexpected turn after osteoarthritis ended his passion for fell running. Discovering open water swimming transformed both his physical and mental wellbeing, and inspired him to write a book - One Man and His Tow Float - canvassing swimmers all over the UK and recording why so many people are drawn to rivers, lakes and the sea.We discuss:🌊 The mental and physical benefits of open water swimming🌊 Why cold water can help build resilience and boost wellbeing🌊 The powerful sense of community among swimmers🌊 How spending time in nature changes the way we feel🌊 Essential safety advice and tips for anyone thinking of giving it a goDrawing on conversations with Olympic open water swimmer Hector Pardoe, ice swimming champion Colin Hill and coach Ceri Smith, Mark shares the latest research alongside his own inspiring story.Whether you're a regular swimmer in Morecambe Bay, you're thinking about taking your first dip, or you're simply curious about the appeal of open water swimming, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.If you enjoy the podcast, please follow, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone who loves Morecambe Bay.
Transcribe →50 Acres, A Castle, and a King: The Legends of Piel Island
2w ago00:20:31Tap to summarizeAn 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.
Transcribe →Turning the tide; how saltmarsh conservation work could help save Sunderland Point
May 2200:22:24Tap to summarizeIt'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.
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 →Keeping history on the road ;the Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust
May 200:23:12Tap to summarizeDing ding!As the Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust prepared to stage the eleventh ‘Vintage Bus Running Day’ in May, the podcast was invited for a sneak preview of the fleet.Preserved buses which range in age from the 1930s to more recent times operate a free service between Heysham Village and Carnforth railway station via Morecambe promenade and Happy Mount Park. At Trust HQ we saw how the volunteers work to keep the fleet on the road, hear why they do it and their hopes for the future. 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.eventsThe 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.
Transcribe →Ep 153 Picturing the Bay with photographer Liz Withey
Mar 1500:24:45Tap to summarizeWho hasn't tried to capture the perfect photograph of Morecambe Bay?Is it all about technical skill, or is it simply being in the right place at the right time when the light is just right?Landscape photographer Liz Withey, from Carnforth, has spent years capturing stunning images of Morecambe Bay, the Lake District and Lancaster. A selection of her work is currently on display at The Junction Gallery on Carnforth railway station, where we met for this episode.Liz shares her favourite locations, offers practical photography tips for anyone hoping to improve their own pictures of the Bay, and explains what makes this landscape so special to photograph. Along the way, we also discover a shared enthusiasm for steam trains.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!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.
Transcribe →Fore Get Me Not Golf; How Golf Is Helping People Living with Dementia in Morecambe Bay
Feb 2300:20:24Tap to summarizeDementia is one of the biggest health and care challenges facing society today.As people live longer, more families are affected by dementia, with around 850,000 people in the UK currently living with the condition. Behind every diagnosis are relatives, friends and carers looking for support, understanding and connection.That's why an innovative project in Morecambe Bay is making such a difference.Called Fore Get Me Not Golf, the programme uses golf to bring together people living with dementia and their carers in a relaxed, welcoming environment where friendships can flourish. At Heysham Golf Club, monthly Dementia Cafés are helping to build a supportive community, reduce isolation and show how sport can benefit wellbeing as well as physical health.As you'll hear, the success of the programme in Morecambe Bay is attracting attention, with hopes that this inspiring model could be adopted by golf clubs and communities across 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 →