Enjoy events galore in the Forest of Bowland this summer

That's the message from the Forest of Bowland National Landscape Partnership, co-ordinators of the annual Festival Bowland events programme.

Opportunities over the summer months include family-friendly activities, a National Meadows Day celebration, guided Tramper treks and the chance to  step back in time on a geology walk in the beautiful Trough of Bowland.

Sandra Silk, Project Officer with the National Landscape Partnership said, "The events in the Festival Bowland programme are delivered by a range of different organisations and individuals and take place across the National Landscape. Whether you live locally, or you're visiting on holiday, we hope you'll be able to find something which catches your interest and encourages you to explore this fantastic area."

Garstang Library will be hosting indoor family nature discovery activities with Wyre Coast & Countryside Service and library staff on the 14^th of June and the 9^th of August. The Saturday morning sessions are free and no pre-booking is needed.

Wyre Council also have lots of walking opportunities which don't need booking ahead, so people can see how they feel on the day. Walks graded "access for all" start from Garstang on most Mondays, offering the chance to take in fresh air and enjoy views of the River Wyre, Lancaster Canal and the Bowland hills.

Legstretcher walks from Garstang on the 20^th of June and Calder Vale on the 25^th of July are a little longer, and graded "moderate", but participants can still just turn up. For those who are busy during the day, a short evening walk from Catterall is planned for the 18^th of June starting at 6.30pm.

Bowland's National Meadows Day celebrations will be taking place at the Crook o' Lune Picnic Site near Lancaster on Saturday 5^th of July. Visitors can learn how to record plants and wildlife on the iNaturalist app, get help with invertebrate identification and find out all they need to know about meadow creation.

Wyre Council are organising Tramper treks for people keen to enjoy the countryside but unable to walk too far. The ranger service will be exploring a route from Dunsop Bridge on the 9^th of July and one from Garstang on the 13^th  of August. Early booking is advised.

Wyre Rivers Trust will be uncovering the secret world of rivers in Scorton on Thursday 24^th of July and Thursday 21^st of August. Sessions are suitable for accompanied children of five years and older and, although admission is free, advance booking is needed.

Downham will be the location for a fun, family workshop delivered by artist, Keith Parkinson, on Tuesday 12^th of August. Celebrating the peak of the Perseids meteor shower, Keith will inspire budding artists to create fantastic night-sky themed artwork to take home.

Geologist, Trevor Lund, will be inviting people to step back in time millions of years on a walk in the popular Trough of Bowland on the 20^{th of} August. Participants will also get the opportunity to look amongst the old mine waste for samples of the minerals worked there in decades past.

Forestry England will be leading explorations for those enigmatic nocturnal mammals – bats - from Gisburn Forest on the evening of  the 22^nd of August, followed closely by a sunset amble from Scorton with Wyre Rivers Trust on the 28^th of the month.

This summer also sees the culmination of Are You Lost?, a project delivered by artist and writer, Rob St John, as part of the national Nature Calling arts programme. Working with communities, Rob has created a series of  sound, film and textile installations which will be open to the public. Key dates are the Pendle Festival of Culture in Nelson on the 28th of June, Dunsop Bridge on the 2^nd and 3^rd of August and Gisburn Forest on the 30^th and 31^st August.

Full details of the Festival Bowland programme, including the events above, are available on the Forest of Bowland National Landscape Partnership website at www.forestofbowland.com/festival-bowland.

Details of the Are You Lost? public events will be available in mid-June from Lancaster Arts website at www.lancasterarts.org