Wyre Tourism Familiarisation visit hailed a success!

On March 20 a group of Wyre Tourism Association (WTA) members and Wyre Council staff and volunteers visited some of our WTA members establishments and enjoyed a lovely day out.  We started out with a drive along the seafront at Fleetwood and saw the Sea Change project and work on the Marine Hall gardens.

We then carried on to Fleetwood Market where Julian Brent, Market Manager gave us a super tour of the stalls which were very varied and interesting.  Farmer Parr’s Animal World was our next port of call with morning coffee and some rather nice cakes.  Farmer Parr himself conducted a tour around the farm and the Fylde Country Life Heritage Museum.  We were also joined on the tour with local celebrity Syd Little (from Little & Large fame).  We were impressed with the more unusual animals they now have on the farm.

We drove along the award winning Cleveleys promenade for arrival at The Venue for a super value lunch of top quality.  The Venue is in a wonderful location overlooking the sea and such a relaxing facility we could have stayed there for the afternoon.  On board the coach again we headed for the Bridge House Marina and Caravan Park tucked away off the A6 at Garstang.  This holiday home park is close to the Lancaster Canal and has a very popular day boat hire which will take you along the Canal to Guy’s Thatched Hamlet at Bilsborrow or the Plough at Galgate for lunch.  It is within easy walking distance of Garstang by walking on the Canal towpath and via the road.

Our next visit was to the Ashdene bed and breakfast.  Situated off the A6 the family have owned the establishment for over 20 years and were fully occupied when we visited.  Walkers and cyclists are some of the many visitors that return year on year .We finished our trip by visiting The Priory at Scorton.  We enjoyed afternoon tea in the contemporary bar and popular restaurant with a log fire. The Priory is situated in the village square at Scorton with parts of the building dating back to 1650.

A wonderful day out was enjoyed by all and it was fantastic to see just some of the gems we have in Wyre.

All the establishments mentioned and other great ideas on places to visit, things to do and places to eat can be found on our website: www.visitwyre.co.uk

Joy Allen.

Visit Fleetwood and Cleveleys Supervisor.

Irish craic on the Lancaster Canal

Me sampling one of the many oysters on offer!

Guy’s 19th Oyster Festival took place from 2nd to 7th Sept. The fun really started with the Grand Seafood Luncheon on a blistering hot afternoon on Friday 3rd September – which I was lucky enough to be invited along to. There’s no mistaking this event as we witnessed a barge drifting slowly up the canal side toward Guys Thatched Hamlet, carrying a precious cargo of oysters, to the sound of Irish pipes, accompanied by two well known celebrities, Stuart Hall and Ted Robbins. The ceremony continued as the oysters were loaded onto a horse and cart and paraded along the cobbled lane to their ultimate destination, the Festival Marquee. We were entertained until the wee hours of the morning by a line up of international singers, dancers and celebrities, as the Guiness flowed and with oysters a plenty. A spectacular event and a real Irish craic had by all!

 Alexandra Holt, Visit Wyre Manager