Rain clouds couldn’t stop the fun as a wildlife group marked a 40th birthday

The Mail, on Friday, May 24, noted: “Almost 1,000 visitors braved the elements to help Cumbria Wildlife Trust celebrate its 40th year on Sunday.

“Despite pouring rain, organisers of the 2002 Great Furness Walk and Country Fair say they had a successful and enjoyable day.”

Trust senior fundraising officer Helen Haydock said: “The rain was a bit of a downer but we are very pleased with how it went.

“Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves and the walk went very well.”

The event was held at Ulverston Victoria High School and pupils from the school swing band helped to provide the entertainment.

Also there was dance group Bay Beat, The Fairly Famous Family and birds of prey from the Corio Raptor Care and Rehabilitation Centre at High Bentham.

Mountain bike stunt rider Jez Avery soared over the heads of brave volunteers who stood between a pair of ramps on the school field.

The Cumbria Wildlife Trust runs more than 40 nature reserves and helps raise awareness and knowledge about wildlife in the county.

It was established as the Lake District Naturalists’ Trust in 1962 and changed the name to Cumbria Trust for Nature Conservation in 1974 to reflect the creation of the new administrative county of Cumbria.

The trust’s reserves include South Walney, Witherslack Mosses and Hutton Roof Crags.

It also encourages volunteer groups for wildlife projects and has 15,000 members.

The national origins of the county trust stretch back to 1912 when Charles Rothschild set up the Society for the Promotion of Nature Reserves.

His vision eventually led to the setting up of 47 wildlife trusts around the country.

One of the special sites he identified as worthy of protection was the raised bog at Meathop Moss, near Grange, which he said was: “One of the most interesting places in England.”

You can find out more about the work carried out by the trust on its website at https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/YPLSCK1ooiE0l5VfMuekT