After hearing about it for many months, I finally made my way down to Grow Kitchen in Morecambe, found nestled just off the Central Marine Way and behind the old Queen’s Head pub (which is now up for auction, by the way). Grow Kitchen styles itself as “Morecambe’s newest brunch spot,” and also using local producers and suppliers wherever possible.
So, as I am always interested in places that are committed to sustainability and promoting the local economy, I headed down with my mum to try it out. I was interested to see their speciality “hash brown” dishes on the menu, all with different ingredients and flavours. I decided to try the traditional hash brown dish, and was surprised to see that it wasn’t like what I usually understand as hash browns – they weren’t chopped up bits of potato and onion, and then fried in oil (or cooked from frozen!). It was more like roast potatoes “hashed” with other ingredients. The one I had was loaded with leeks, egg, homemade salsa, spices and herbs. There were others that also included bacon, halloumi, or tofu. I thought the new take on the dish was very interesting, and tasty to boot!
One thing I was glad to see as well, on the reverse side of the menu, was some insight into the local suppliers that Grow Kitchen uses for their ingredients. Whilst it wasn’t all that detailed, it was clear that they make an effort, wherever possible, to source from businesses local to the area. It’s one of the things I think is really important, and try to support wherever possible. As a bookworm, I was also happy to see that there was a book drop-and-swap on the window, allowing people to pick up books for free, and exchange them for others that they no longer need. Definitely a spot to try out and with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options, there is something for everyone to try!
In need of a little bit of peace and quiet, or nature therapy? RSPB Leighton Moss, near Silverdale, is the perfect place to find it. There’s areas of the reserve that are accessible without an RSPB membership, such as visiting the Eric Morecambe Hide (found just off the Warton road (not accessible during very high tides)), and the Causeway and Lower Hides, found just along from the main reserve. The walk to the lower hide is about 3km each way, and a decent pair of welly boots is definitely recommended! Then again, it’s also the best place to see otters on the reserve (and apparently there are two cubs at the moment!), so I think it’s absolutely worth it!
The reserve itself is a varied habitat, but is most famous for its reedbeds – the largest in north-west England. This precious habitat is home to all sorts of species, including Bearded Tits, Bitterns, Marsh Harriers, Otters, Greenshank, Redshank, and many many others! It also provides an essential breeding ground for migratory birds that arrive here in the late winter or spring, finding cooler or warmer climes (depending on which direction they’ve come from!) in order to lay their eggs and raise their chicks.
There are seven hides across the reserve, with four being accessible to wheelchair users (you can download the trail map here). There’s also the skytower, which will take you up into the trees for a literal birds-eye view of the reserve, and view that stretches for miles in various directions. The tower is a great place to watch the incredible Starling murmurations that happen at dusk on lots of evenings – sometimes these formations have been estimated to contain over twenty-thousand birds as they undulate through the sky!
Bearded Tit (courtesy of the RSPB)
If you go during the week, or early in the morning, the reserve is generally quieter than at the weekends, which might afford a better opportunity to see some of the shyer birds and wildlife. One species that definitely isn’t shy, however, are the local robins, who are so used to humans and the birdseed they offer, they’re quite willing to fly onto your outstretched fingertips to take the seed, as long as you stand still for a bit. It’s amazing when they do it, and it was so cool seeing a robin up that close. Now, to just tame my resident garden robin to do the same…
Aside from the wildlife, there’s a cosy café in which to warm up after a walk at this time of year, and a wildlife shop where the proceeds, of course, go towards the RSPB’s mission of saving nature. If you know anything about me, you’ll know how passionate I am about the natural world. Nature is under threat and it needs our help and intervention so, if by my going for a nice walk and buying a cup of coffee, I can help do a tiny bit – count me in!
Marsh Harrier (courtesy of the RSPB)
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Sometimes it can feel like everywhere we turn there’s bad news to be read or heard, so I decided that I was going to spread a little bit of the good things that are happening as well. Whether it’s community groups, charity, or larger environmental/governmental good things, I wanted to push out some of the positive things happening in our Northern Community. In that vein, here are four good news stories that caught my eye…
£20M secured for Morecambe’s West End over the next decade.
Local MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, Lizzi Collinge (Labour), announced this week that she has managed to secure £20M of the Pride In Place (Plan for Your Neighbourhoods) fund, made available by the government, for investment in Morecambe’s West End.
The area will receive £2M per year for the next decade and be administered by a board of locals.
Morecambe’s West End was once a booming area of independent shops, businesses, B&Bs etc. and whilst plenty of people have strived to maintain their own businesses, it is great to see investment coming in for the area as a whole. I’m excited to see what projects the money is spent on!
Long Term Resident Adopted at Lancaster Animal Care
Lancaster Animal Care has been looking after animals since 1978, taking care of unwanted and abandoned animals across the North-West. They predominately look after cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, and guinea pigs, although when you go up to the centre you might meet their three resident goats, or their turkey, Twitch.
But aside from that, in excellent news, their longest resident – Trevor – has been adopted after seven years in the care of the Centre. Trevor is a tri-pawed (three legged) lurcher who is loving life relaxing on sofas, and going for relaxed walks with his new human. Yay, Trevor! I hope you have a wonderful life in your forever home. <3
If you are in a position to think about rehoming an animal, and it is a (huge) responsibility you are prepared to take on, you can see the animals available for rehoming on their website for more information.
St John’s Hospice to Host “Jail and Bail” Fundraising Event at Lancaster Castle
On October 22nd, St John’s Hospice will be hosting a Jail and Bail event at Lancaster Castle, where you have the opportunity to get your own back on your boss for scheduling that Friday afternoon meeting-that-could-have-been-an-email. This pantomime tongue-in-cheek event will be held in the centuries old jail cells at Lancaster Castle, where participants will have to rely on co-workers, teammates, friends and families, in order to raise the £999 “bail” money.
The prisoner will be issued with a prisoner’s outfit, and have their mugshot taken, before being taken to the A Wing of the Castle to begin the fundraising challenge. All the money will go to St John’s Hospice, a charity that supports people with life limiting illness and their families.
The event is being sponsored by Atkinson’s Coffee.
Music Festival Held at Local Pub Raises Thousands for Mental Health Charity
A Music Festival held at the George & the Dragon pub in Lancaster, has raised £2330 for Positive Futures. The event took place over six days in August and involved music, a quiz, and a raffle. The money is going to be used to help get resources to those who are considering taking their own lives due to mental health issues, and might help them choose an alternative action in a moment of crisis.
6m Mural of Georgia Stanway Unveiled in Barrow-In-Furness
A six metre of the 2* Euro-Winning Lioness Georgia Stanway has been unveiled in her hometown of Barrow In Furness, celebrating her and the rest of the team. I wrote an article about Georgia Stanway following the Lionesses win in July, and how she reached the England squad and her links to her hometown.
Do you have a good news story you’d like me to feature? Send an email to bryony@thenorthishlass.co.uk so I can feature it in a future good news post!
