NEWS COMMUNITY


Protecting Allonby Bay’s wildlife


Allonby Bay is home to a hidden world of unusual and varied marine life, including many different species of sponge, soſt coral, sea squirt, anemone and reef- building honeycomb worms. In 2023 it was one of just three sites across the country to be given the gold standard of protection by the government, when it was designated England’s first inshore Highly Protected Marine Area (HPMA). Tanks to a £250,000 grant from Te National Lotery Heritage Fund, local communities will have the opportunity to come together to celebrate and protect Allonby Bay’s special wildlife, reviving a sense of place, community and economy. Over the next two years, it’s also hoped that volunteer sessions and training courses will create a pool


of skilled citizen scientists who will monitor the coastline. Cumbria Wildlife Trust is working in


conjunction with Allonby Parish Council, Marine Management Organisation, Natural England, North West Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority, Solway National Landscape and Solway Firth Partnership.


The Highly Protected Marine Area designation protects all the species and habitats within the site boundary, including the seabed and water column.


In brief AGM


Cumbria Wildlife Trust members are invited to the Annual General Meeting, which will take place online via Zoom on Friday 21 November at 10.00am. As well as the formal business of the meeting, we’ll share all the latest news and developments, with an overview of the Trust’s work over the past year. The event is free to attend and you are asked to book in advance to receive the joining instructions. Remember, if you are unable to attend on the day, you can vote in advance by proxy. Further details, including the agenda, are enclosed with this magazine, or visit www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org. uk/events


NEW PROJECT Wilder Hadrian’s Wall


A new project has begun to identify sites and seek opportunities for future habitat restoration along the Hadrian’s Wall corridor. Te 18-month project is a joint initiative between Cumbria Wildlife Trust and Northumberland Wildlife Trust, funded by the Ecological Restoration Fund, to plan and develop projects that will drive the creation of a nature recovery network along the historic landmark from Carlisle to Newcastle.


GOSLING SIKE


European award finalist


Gosling Sike’s community wildlife garden has been shortlisted as a finalist in Natur Im Garten’s ‘European Award for Ecological Gardening 2025’. Te garden has been included in the ‘Gardening focused on community’ category, owing to our partnership with Garden Organic, for how we manage our green spaces, focus on biodiversity, demonstrate sustainability and work closely with the community. Natur Im Garten is a well-regarded gardening movement, and


its awards are considered prestigious – similar to an RHS Britain-in-Bloom award, but Europe-wide. Te prize award ceremony, during which the winning projects will be announced, is taking place in Austria on 21 November. Wish us luck!


Our previous edition We apologise for a mistake in the article about ants in the summer edition of Cumbrian Wildlife. Southern wood ants are found in Arnside and Silverdale, but not in Grubbins Wood Nature Reserve and our records have been updated. Thanks to Gary Skinner for spotting this error. Gary is the co-author of an excellent and highly recommended new guide to British Ants: Ants by Gary J. Skinner and Andrew P. Jarman, published by Pelagic Publishing (2025).


Magazine survey Enclosed with this edition of Cumbrian Wildlife is a short survey, as we’d love to know your thoughts on your magazine. We want to bring you the news and features you want to hear about, and we value your thoughts on how its written and designed. You can return your survey in the envelope provided, or complete the survey online – look out for an email with a link. Thank you.


We’re delighted to be the only British finalist to have made it to the final 30 in Natur Im Garten’s 2025 awards.


Cumbrian Wildlife | November 2025 35


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