A POLAR bear and his ‘friendly human’ journeyed through Kendal today as they headed northwards on a pilgrimage in aid of climate change.

Former film set designer Bamber Hawes stopped off at Carnforth, Beetham and Milnthorpe yesterday before passing through Kendal this afternoon with his polar bear sculpture Clarion to highlight concerns about global warming.

Mr Hawes set out on the odyssey from his home in Shropshire on October 10 and is walking 300 miles to Glasgow in time for COP 26.

The artist made Clarion in 2019 using a lightweight frame of thin bamboo poles, with his shape formed from willow withies and heavy-duty tissue paper with exterior PVA glue bonding and sealing all together.

“I can’t think of anything better at this time to show my earnestness about climate change,” he said.

“And I really think we should sort this issue and this seems to be raising awareness, people are getting involved.

“We walk and we make connections, it’s been a lovely experience, one of the best of my life.

“Forming a community each day and new people join me.”

The unusual duo has been joined by many supporters along the route and Mr Hawes has a team helping him organise places to stay en route, with Mr Hawes and Clarion bedding down in numerous places including a church and a barn full of cows.

And each morning Mr Hawes and accompanying walkers read a dedication to ‘centre them’ for the day.

“It’s ever evolving, and it would be lovely to see people,” he said.

On arrival in Glasgow Mr Hawes will hand over his ten-foot creation to a climate campaign group who will be performing inside COP.

“I’m not sure what will happen to the bear after,” said Mr Hawes.

“I’ve been told school children in Glasgow have created an igloo for him.”

Mr Hawes will be travelling to Sadgill tomorrow and up to Haweswater and Askham on October 22 and people can live track him and see his progress on his Facebook page Clarion_the_bear.