A TRIBUTE to the fragility of nature and human life has been unveiled at a south Cumbria nature reserve.

Until now a deeply significant part of Walney Island's heritage has lain hidden, buried under its sand and soil.

With the help of an app visitors will be able learn more about the area's civilian and military links to the First and Second World Wars.

On a beautiful spring morning last Sunday, the project was unveiled to a crowd of more than 70 people.

Maddi Nicholson, co-founder at Art Gene helped oversee the project from conception to completion.

She said: "It was a blooming smashing day, there were 75 people there, I was surprised. We had 60 booked for the day, but some just turned up, it was fabulous."

The One For Sorrow installation is the latest development in the Fort Walney Uncovered project. Run by Art Gene, it seeks to bring the area to life and connect its residents with its rich history and natural beauty.

To guide visitors through the installation, an app called 'Seldom Seen' was built by London developers PAN Studio. Landmarks along the walking route are highlighted, and enhanced with audio recorded by history and wildlife experts.


A screenshot showing an aerial view of the First World War era practice trenches on Walney Island. During the First World War the area was used to train soldiers before they were sent to the Western Front. When viewed from above, outlines of practice trenches can be seen, and spent rounds fired from rifles 100 years ago can still be unearthed. There was also a large coastal artillery battery manned during the Second World War to protect the vital shipbuilding industry in Barrow.

The combination of art, history and natural beauty in the area was something Ms Nicholson knew had to be portrayed with sensitivity.

She said: "The fragility of nature, that sums it up. What we wanted was something that was a light touch, for me it is an incredibly sensitive site. Many men trained there for war, went off, and didn't come back, that is incredibly poignant."

A memorial gate has also been installed, embellished with metal birds, painted in a camouflage pattern. "In a way they are an embodiment of the men and boys who didn't come back (from war)," Ms Nicholson added.

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock was at the opening, and afterwards tweeted he had "learnt a lot" during the day.

Click here to learn more about Art Gene.

Related content:

An archaeological dig has uncovered secrets of Walney's past

Almost half a million pounds will be spent in preserving and promoting the South Cumbrian Coastline