A LOOK at important remnants of military activity on Walney starts a wide range of archaeology events in Furness this month.

Sunday, July 10, will give Furness people a chance to see the work done so far to investigate and record 20th century military sites on Walney.

Some of the sites could soon eventually be lost to coastal erosion, or to the effects of age on what were often designed as temporary buildings.

And from July 16 there is a host of free events in the Bay Archaeology Festival: Rediscovering the Bay’s Old Ways.

The military landscape of Walney Island has been studied by the Morecambe Bay Partnership on the Headlands to Headspace Scheme, which is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

An informal event from 11.30am to 3.30pm in the function room at Furness Golf Club, Central Drive, Walney, on Sunday will bring together military heritage experts, historians from Manchester Metropolitan University and volunteers who have been undertaking the survey work.

Members of the public are invited to book free places at the event and a buffet lunch is being provided.

You can see 3D models produced for some of the structures, look at the results of archaeological recording, see maps and plans of the sites, share your knowledge or memories of the sites and have a go at 3D modelling.

The Bay Archaeology Festival links in with the British Festival of Archaeology and takes place from July 16 to 31 July.

Louise Martin of Morecambe Bay Partnership, said: “Morecambe Bay has a very rich and unique cultural heritage and, over the past two years, we’ve been working with archaeological specialists and local volunteers on a number of projects to protect, preserve and learn more about some of the fabulous sites we have in our vicinity.

“This festival is all about celebrating and sharing some of that work and the discoveries we’ve unearthed, but also about giving local people and visitors a chance to find out more about the wonderful sites and historical features that are on our doorsteps.

“We’ll be hearing from regional and national specialists, as well as local volunteers, and it’s an opportunity to rediscover the place you live in.

"Stone circles, hillforts, ruined abbeys, military landmarks, cave archaeology and much more are all included and there’s plenty to fascinate everyone.”

On Saturday, July 16, a series of archaeology lectures is being held from 10.30am to 1pm in the Forum, on Duke Street, Barrow.

Andrew Davidson, of Historic England, has the theme Between the Wilderness and the World: the Cistercians and Furness Abbey.

His talk will examine how Furness fitted into the Cistercian world, as well as how the evolution of the Cistercian Order over four centuries was reflected in changes to the Abbey complex.

Caron Newman, of Newcastle University, will talk on Furness Abbey’s impact on the land between Coniston and Windermere. Furness Abbey was the largest of all the monastic houses in Cumbria.

Its endowment included the whole of the Forest of Furness, Walney Island and the manor of Ulverston, plus extensive estates elsewhere in Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire and beyond.

Dr Hannah O'Regan, of Nottingham University, will talk about Cave archaeology and Morecambe Bay, particulary in the Grange area.

Sam Edwards, Ben Edwards and Amy Walling, of Manchester Metropolitan University, will talk about the military history of Walney Island.

This will be based on their work with the Headlands to Headspace project, recording the military heritage of the Morecambe Bay area and training volunteers to spot and record military heritage.

Dr Bill Shannon will look at the history of the mapping of Morecambe Bay. The first time the words ‘Morecambe Bay’ appeared on a map was not until 1774 – before that, it was generally called Kent Sands and Leven Sands.

Dr Shannon explores how the bay appeared on maps going as far back as the 15th century, and examines three large-scale maps from the 17th century – depicting Sowerby Wood, Piel Island and the Cartmel Peninsula.

Saturday, July 16, also sees a Family Archaeology Day from 11am to 3pm at the Forum, Barrow, with art, dig boxes and Minecraft for those aged at least five. Just turn up.

The same day has Lego workshops at the Dock Museum, Barrow for those aged at least seven.

Sessions from 11am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 3.30pm, hope to recreate some Morecambe Bay landmarks in building bricks.

To book a free place call for Sunday’s Walney military event, or the Lego workshops and Forum archaeology talks on July 16, call 1601539 734888 or visit www.morecambebay.org.uk/events.

We will look at other events in the archaeology programme in a future article.