Exclusive floodlit swan evenings at WWT Martin Mere, Lancashire

WANT to experience a truly unique wildlife experience? WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre in Burscough, Lancashire, is hosting after hours floodlit swan evenings every Tuesday night, starting 10 January 2023. Join a warden and sit in the comfort of the Discovery Hide after hours and watch as hundreds of whooper swans shine bright by floodlight on the water. As you watch the live bird feed, listen to insightful live commentary about their migratory journey from Iceland and why they spend the colder months at Martin Mere.

Reserve Manager, Louise Clewley, said:- "We are joined by hundreds of whooper swans in winter, reaching peak numbers in January when we can see up to 2,000 swans on our reserve each year. Our floodlit swan evenings are an amazing opportunity to get a closer look at the species and learn all about them from our expert team. As well as the swans, you'll see other migratory species, such as pink-footed geese, wigeons, and pintails. If you are a nature lover, this is an event not to be missed."

This event is ideal for families and groups and starts promptly at:- 18:30, until 20:00. Booking is essential for this event and costs:- £6.60 (child), £10.51 (concession), £12.33 (adult). To book or find out more, visit the WWT Martin Mere website.

Support with cycling inspires drivers to switch to pedal power for short journeys

IT'S the time of year when new bikes are traditionally gifted in their thousands to children and adults alike. But why are so many bikes lying unused in sheds and garages across the land? Cycling charity Cycling UK says that the UK could be a nation where cycling is the natural choice for short journeys, if people are given the right support.

The organisation's flagship Big Bike Revival programme supported over 80,000 people to begin or return to cycling between April 2021 and March 2022. Over a third (36%) of respondents to the 3-month follow-up survey reported that they had started cycling 50% of the journeys they previously drove.

With the creation of an estimated 77,000 new cycling trips of 1.5 miles on average, this is the equivalent of going halfway to the moon!

The benefits of cycling are clear:- it saves money, reduces congestion and pollution and improves health and wellbeing. The vast majority of survey respondents reported feeling happier after attending a Big Bike Revival event. In addition, over half experienced improved mental and physical wellbeing.

Despite cycling's benefits, currently only 2% of journeys in the UK are cycled. Cycling UK believes that more low cost interventions like the Big Bike Revival are essential to achieving Government targets across the UK:- doubling cycling journeys in England by 2025; reducing car journeys by 20% in Scotland by 2030; significantly reducing car journeys in Wales by 2040 and for 20% of journeys under one mile to be cycled in Northern Ireland by 2025.

Cycling UK CEO Sarah Mitchell said:- "These dramatic results show the difference it can make when we support people to cycle as a form of transport rather than a sport. The programme's track record of getting people out of cars and onto a bike is a clear sign that people are willing to cycle when it is introduced to them in the right way. I'm especially pleased that the Big Bike Revival has reached people who don't usually cycle, like women and people from minority ethnic groups. The Big Bike Revival is a blueprint of how to get more people in the UK cycling, particularly in harder to reach areas. This is vital as the need for cycling; a cheap and accessible form of transport; will only grow as the cost of living crisis deepens." 

The results are part of a report on the Big Bike Revival, which aims to break down barriers to cycling by upskilling people in cycle maintenance, teaching them to ride or boosting their confidence with led rides and other activities.

With £2 million of funding from the Department for Transport, over 300 community and not for profit groups delivered free activities in areas across England between April 2021 and March 2022.

For Zoe Bird, 46, from Derby, attending cycle maintenance sessions for women through Big Bike Revival encouraged her to start cycling for the first time as an adult. As well as enjoying the sense of freedom and the environmental benefits of cycling, it has made a real difference to her transport habits. She said:- "Big Bike Revival has given me the confidence and self-belief to swap my commute and errand journeys from driving to cycling missions. Cycling isn't just for Lycra clad sporty people!"

Active Travel Minister Jesse Norman said:- "It's great news that this programme has transformed travel habits and given thousands of people the confidence to switch to cycling. The Government has committed £600m since the start of the pandemic to accelerate the use of active travel. It is a great way to get fit, save money and keep the planet green."