Museum of Lancashire
The countryside has arrived at the Museum of Lancashire this month, complete with bird song and beautiful vistas.
A brand new exhibition marking last year's 50th anniversary of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is being staged at the Preston venue and will run until 26th July.
Designed with families in mind, activities include a camouflaged bird hide with binoculars, a wildlife spotter game and the chance to have a go at building a mini "dry stone" wall.
Museum-goers will find a celebration photo wall, a memory tree where visitors can leave stories and comments, a range of authentic equipment from the museum's own farming collection, plus a large-scale piece by artist, Olivia Keith, who is capturing the "Bowland year" in sketches.
The exhibition also features pictures and excerpts from the Bowland Scrapbook – a specially commissioned anniversary publication capturing rural life in Bowland over the past five decades. Copies of the popular Scrapbook, which are available at the museum, are being sold to raise funds for Champion Bowland, a social enterprise charity supporting environmental and tourism projects within the AONB.
Charlotte Steels, Senior Museum Manager for Preston and East Lancashire, said, "Collaborative projects such as this are a great way of reaching new audiences and we hope that the exhibition will encourage visitors to explore both the treasures of the museum and the beautiful Forest of Bowland itself."
Ends
Notes to Editors
For information about the Forest of Bowland AONB and Bowland Revealed please contact Sandra Silk on 01200 448000
For information about the Museum of Lancashire please contact Charlotte Steels on 01772 534066
The Museum of Lancashire
* The Museum of Lancashire is one of 12 museums and heritage sites owned and managed by Lancashire County Council
* Opening hours – Tuesdays – Saturdays and Bank Holiday Mondays 10.30am-5pm and Sundays 12 noon – 5pm
* Admission to the museum is free
The Forest of Bowland AONB
* The Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is one of 46 AONBs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
* The Forest of Bowland was designated as an AONB in 1964. The AONB legislation (National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000) was designed to protect areas of unspoiled natural beauty for future generations.
* The Forest of Bowland AONB was the first Protected Area in England to obtain the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas in September 2005.
* 13% of the AONB is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its extensive habitats of wet and dry heathland, particularly heather moor and blanket bog.
* A major part of the AONB’s fells is designated as a Special Protection Area under the European Birds Directive.
* The Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) – informally the Forest of Bowland Partnership – guides the management of the AONB. Lancashire County Council acts as the lead authority alongside County, District, Parish, land owning and farming community, environmental and recreational partners.
AONBs – Core Messages
* People are passionate about Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and care deeply about their future.
* Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are some of the most beautiful and cherished landscapes in Britain. They need to be cared for, now and in the future.
* Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are dynamic, living landscapes that underpin the economy and the health and wellbeing of society.
* Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are vibrant landscapes. They offer a wealth of opportunities for everyone to enjoy them and help look after them.
* Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are designated landscapes which provide a range of benefits for people and wildlife.