MEMBERS of the a community a rallying round to celebrate being part of a very special neighbourhood. 

Walney councillors have banded together to organise an event which highlights the activities and projects which make the island a wonderful place to live. 

It's All Happening On Walney aims to inform residents about all the different things that are happening on the island, including community allotments, beach cleaning, cycling, film-making, micro-brewing, tourism and wildlife conservation.

The event was dreamt up by Councillor Helen Wall, who said: “Walney has so many things going for it, but they don’t always get the limelight they deserve, so I decided it was about time we shouted about them a bit more.

“It’s All Happening on Walney will be a one-stop information shop for anyone to pop in, free of charge to have a free coffee or a cup of tea and talk to the many people and organisations who are doing exciting projects on Walney.

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“It’s quite informal, no-one will have to sign up to anything, it’s just an opportunity to let more people know what’s happening and see if they want to get involved.

“Other councillors have been really supportive and the mayor and deputy mayor, Ann Thomson and Anita Husband, volunteered to serve the teas while Colin Thomson offered to help out on the day.”

The event will take place at the Spring Mount Centre, Amphitrite Street, Walney, on Saturday April 9 between 10am and 4pm.

In need of a little financial help to get the event off the ground, Cllr Wall approached Cumbria county councillors for Walney, Frank Cassidy and Mel Worth, who agreed to use money from their allowances.

Cllr Cassidy said: “Most people around here would admit that Walney is the jewel in Barrow’s crown - well, all Walneyites would anyway.

"Maybe we just need to exclaim it a bit more often.

“Helen has done a superb job of pulling this all together and everyone will be given a big welcome on the day.”

Cllr Worth said: “Walney is such a fantastic place to live-there really is so much going on and now we are looking forward to summer, let’s all get out there and enjoy it.”