[T]he charity Sustrans is organising a musical bike ride, storytelling, treasure hunt and activities for all the family along the old iron ore railway track at Cleator Moor, West Cumbria, to celebrate one year’s anniversary of the Tracks of the Ironmasters project.
The event on Saturday 29 April from 11am-3pm includes a guided bike ride with the fantastic musical Boom Bike, from Whitehaven Harbour to the historic track at Cleator Moor, which is part of the popular Sea to Sea cycling and walking route. To register for the free guided bike ride sign up here at the Sustrans website NW events section.
Storyteller Ian Douglas will entertain all the family from his pedal powered caravan and there will be workshops and activities for everyone to enjoy. Find out about the people who worked along the old railway tracks and learn more about its fascinating history and the rare wildlife which now thrives along it.
The old railway track runs from Whitehaven to Rowrah, and Workington to Seaton, Siddick and Broughton Moor. It is linked to former iron ore mines at Knockmurton and Kelton and ironworks at Workington, Cleator and Distington and includes a number of historic bridges and remnants of the path’s past, such as a rock crusher and railway signal.
Last year Sustrans won a £859,300 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to preserve and improve the natural, social and industrial heritage of Tracks of the Ironmasters, and to share it more widely. Sustrans is working with local people to restore the historic features and natural habitats along the path and tell the stories from a vibrant community linked to the railway.
Nikki Wingfield, Heritage Lottery Project Officer for Sustrans in West Cumbria said: “We’re celebrating a year since our successful bid with the Heritage Lottery Fund, with bicycles, stories and music. Come and find out what we’re doing on the old tracks of the ironmasters and how you can get involved. Everyone is welcome, please let us know if you’d like to join the led ride.”
The open event will be a chance to meet Sustrans team and volunteers and find out what work they have done so far and what’s next for the Tracks of the Ironmasters
The C2C route attracts around 15,000 cyclists every year for the challenging 140 mile long distance ride between Whitehaven and Sunderland. The path is also an important wildlife haven, attracting the nationally rare small blue butterfly, red squirrels, lizards, many types of bats and a very diverse range of wildflowers.
Sustrans manages the Whitehaven to Rowrah and Workington to Broughton Moor and Siddick sections of the C2C. Together they form part of the National Cycle Network – 14,000 miles of cycle and walking paths, many of which are traffic-free. For more information about Sustrans look up www.sustrans.org.uk
If you would like to find out more please go to http://www.sustrans.org.uk/events/tracks-ironmasters-launch-event or register for musical bike ride here http://www.sustrans.org.uk/events/guided-bike-ride-musical-twist-whitehaven-cleator-moor or contact Nikki.wingfield@sustrans.org.uk
The path can be accessed from Leconfield Street (B5295) and is well signed. Parking if needed is in Cleator Moor village. The nearest stations are Whitehaven and Corkickle approx. 5 miles away
