THERE is plenty of family fun to be had around south Cumbria this weekend as we celebrate the start of spring.

Saturday March 24 - Barrow's Beautiful Places. The Forum. 10am until 3pm.

THE Barrow's Beautiful Places fair will celebrate the borough's landscape and natural heritage.

Bringing together a number of special guests, the event will showcase the array of places to see and advise people on where to go locally.

The area's three nature wardens, from South Walney, North Walney, and Sandscale Haws, will be attending, as well as representatives of the Furness Abbey Fellowship, Barrow Park and the Dock Museum.

Barrow Library's archive service will also be showcasing the history of the borough, while Cumbria GeoConservation geologists will explain the important rock formations in the area, including information about which quarries supplied the stone to build some of the town's iconic buildings.

Visitors can also seek advice on walks, wildlife and the new England Coastal Path.

Walney adventure training instructor Rob Davis will also be giving a presentation.

Charity car wash at Barrow Fire Station, Walney Road. 10am until 2pm.

FIREFIGHTERS are hosting a charity car wash this weekend.

For a donation towards the Firefighters' Charity, motorists can have their cars cleaned, while children will have the opportunity to get a closer look at some of the life-saving equipment.

Anyone who would like to attend on the day is asked to drive into the fire station using the entrance at the back off Phoenix Road.

Coniston 14 road race.

THE South Lakes will take on an athletic vigour this weekend with the annual Coniston 14 Road Race.

As the season blooms into life on the roadside, more than 1,200 runners will have a spring in their step as they tackle one of the country’s most scenic challenges.

The top runners will be hoping to put their names in the record books, with the best men’s time of 69:25 and the top women’s clocking of 90:57 both having been set in 1989, by R Dooney and C Newman respectively.

The run starts at John Ruskin School, in Coniston, and makes a 14-mile circuit of Coniston Water, with views over the lake to the Coniston Fells for those with the energy to look up from the road.

For the first time, there will be a road closure between Coniston and Torver for the start of the race and along Lake Road, Coniston, for the finish.

The race attracts many a wide range of runners; those wanting to keep fit, those in training for marathons, people raising money for their chosen charities, and those competing against friends or looking to improve their personal best times.

South Cumbria Music Festival at the Coronation Hall, Ulverston. Morning session at 10am, gala night at 7.30pm.

THE curtain will be drawn on another successful year of the South Cumbria Music Festival this weekend as the adult choirs take to the stage.

The festival, which started on March 18, will conclude with a special gala night at the Coronation Hall and will include the Esther C Croskery and Aprille C Bonner Performance Award.

Award winning ladies choir Ottovoce will open the Gala this year and Cumbria Horn Ensemble will close.

Performers from all disciplines have showcased their talents throughout the week and have been competing for a valuable cash prize.

Tickets are available by calling 01229 584 653, or by visiting the Festival Office at the Coronation Hall.

Charity fundraiser for Barrow mum at Cloud 9, in Dalkeith Street, Barrow. 7pm.

THE memory of a young mother whose life was tragically cut short will be commemorated at a charity event in Barrow.

In April 2012, just days after giving birth, Carly Scott died aged 26 after succumbing to an undiagnosed heart condition - peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM).

Since then Carly's mother, Angela Herdman, of Walney, has dedicated her life to raising money and awareness of cardiomyopathy so no other family should have to bear the loss of a loved one.

On Saturday (24) a fundraiser will be held at Cloud 9, in Dalkeith Street, with all the proceeds going to charity Carly's Angels and Cardiomyopathy UK.

The owner of Cloud 9 has donated the venue free of charge to Mrs Herdman for the charity evening. The event starts at 7pm; to find out more about how to buy tickets, which are just £5, visit the Facebook page for Cloud 9.

Bands including Mad4It, Threefold and Katie McGuire will be playing; and prizes including a weekend drive of a Mercedez Benz, or a B&B stay at Beech Hill Hotel are on offer.

Sunday March 24 - Piel Island walk. 9.45am

THE first organised group walk to Piel Island is taking place this weekend.

John Murphy will be leading the spring stroll across the sands from Walney to Piel this Sunday.

Mr Murphy will be sharing his knowledge about the island's ancient history and wildlife. There will be the chance to learn about Piel's king and knights, castle ruins and visit the Ship Inn pub. Visitors may even see seals on the walk.

The meeting point is The King Alfred Hotel, on Ocean Road, Walney at 9.45am.

A car convoy will then depart for Snab Point at 10am.

The event is suitable for all age groups, children must be accompanied by adults. Those taking part should wear suitable footwear.

More details are available from Mr Murphy on 07891006434.