Hundreds cross Morecambe bay in torrential rain to Save Ruskin's view

Almost 200 people turned out, despite the terrible weather, to take on the iconic Cross Bay Walk.

The walk began at Arnside Promenade on Saturday (July 15) and ended at Grange Promenade. The route usually has to be planned on the day of the challenge when the tide departs the shore on the day.

It is around six-eight miles long and has to be led by a guide due to the quicksands and fast-flowing tides of Morecambe Bay. King's Guide to the Sands Michael Wilson, Winner of the Visit England 2023 Unsung Hero Award, navigated them safely through the challenging weather and terrain.

Robin Ree, a campaigner and took photographs of the walkers, said: "Watching the long line of exhausted bedraggled walkers coming to the end along Grange promenade, there was a wonderful smiley sense of achievement and real camaraderie. It was a truly heartwarming experience to be able to witness and record it."

The riverbank at the iconic spot is now unstable making its viewpoints and footpath unsafe. Supporters of the Save Ruskin's View campaign are trying to raise £1,000,000 to restore it from continuous and unpredictable erosion from floods.  

The area had to be urgently closed to the public in September 2021 with public access to the cemeteries of St. Mary's Church, The Glebe Field, Cockpit Hill, The Motte, and the Rugby Club now shut off.

Residents and visitors have now lost a community space as well as a major heritage attraction which they say has had a significant impact on the local economy.

The view, one of Kirkby Lonsdale's most cherished attractions, was loved by art critic John Ruskin in the 19th century and painted by artist JMW Turne. Unfortunately, it is now subsiding down towards the river Lune.

Funding is needed to restore and stabilise the area otherwise Ruskin's View and the footpath will be permanently lost. 

Over £5,500 has been raised on the Friends of Ruskin's View Just Giving Page alone.

Robin himself has been trying to raise money and has had one of his pictures of the scenic view turned into a special edition puzzle which is now sold at The Kirkby Lonsdale Jigsaw Lounge with the money going towards the campaign.

Robin said: "It’s difficult to calculate the economic benefits of re-opening the Ruskin's View route but the level of disappointment and deep frustration caused by the closure is a constant topic of conversation within the town .

"There are many amazing active money raising initiatives underway and planned for the future, including my own contribution of selling local pictures in the Towns Tourist Info Shop. I have also provided pictures for the Jigsaw Shop to create a special edition Ruskin's View Jigsaw.  There is also a raffle run by the local TIC of a large framed Winter & Summer picture of mine which has raised close to £500."

To find out more about the campaign, visit the Save Ruskin's View - Charity Appeal in Kirkby Lonsdale website.