Talk: The Crossing of Morecambe Bay - Julian Blatchley

Locals have always known how treacherous the crossing of England’s second largest bay can be. Whether by foot across the sands at low tide, or by boat on the flood, many lives and much merchandise were lost; yet the journey was made regularly, probably for thousands of years. Why was this treacherous crossing preferred to a land route? How long did it continue, and why did it stop? Julian will cover the history of the crossing from pre-history to the present day.

Julian has been a seaman all his life. Now living on the edge of Morecambe Bay, he has become fascinated by the story of this tidal expanse and the immense challenges it presents to seamen and landsmen alike. A lifetime's interest in the history of both the sea and the Furness / Lake District area has shown how the land and sea crossing of this mercurial and often fatal littoral has had a significant impact on every stage of our history, and may do so again in our future. Join Julian for ‘Over Sands’, a deeply researched talk which is also informed by his local knowledge and half a century of seafaring.