Morecambe Bay, Lancashire - Time and Tide Bell

The Morecambe Bay Bell

Overview

Location

Tides

The Morecambe Bay Bell

Morecambe Bay is the largest continuous intertidal area in the whole of the UK fed by five major rivers, the Leven, Kent, Keer, Lune and Wyre. Approximately 120 square miles (310 square km) of mainly sand- flats and mudflats are exposed at low tide and covered on most high tides. Morecambe Bay is given the highest possible level of conservation designation in the form of European RAMSAR site and Special Protection Area. The underlying reason for this designation is that Morecambe Bay supports large numbers of shellfish, crustaceans and other mud-dwelling creatures, also over 200,000 birds, mainly waders and wildfowl, spend the winter months in Morecambe Bay. In addition to overwintering birds, many thousands of migrating waders use the Bay as a refuelling pit- stop on their way to and from their breeding sites, connecting this site to Africa, Greenland, and Siberia. The Morecambe Bay bell was installed on Friday 8th March 2019.

The Morecambe Artist Colony website:

The bell is an art installation suspended over the sea from the Stone Jetty off the Promenade. It is one of a national programme of tidal bells in British coastal waters designed by the international artist Marcus Vergette. Developed to draw public attention to the threat of climate change a clapper hanging down into the sea causes the bell to toll as the tides rise and fall.

High Water Springs October 2021

This month Pete Moser is accompanied by Ben McCabe. For the non-initiated, Springs (the opposite of Neaps) is the highest tide of the month.

High Water Springs in Morecambe, August 2021

This month Pete Moser dedicates the bell ringing to his friends in Hong Kong. May you live in peace and may your communities grow stronger in the face of terrible hostility.

Bell ringing July 2021

Pete Moser's playing of the bell at high water springs brings out its extraordinary harmonic properties this month.

Recording at High Tide, May 27 2021

Photos from throughout May.... One of the unusual features of the Morecambe Bell is that it only rings due to the waves at higher tides, those either side of springs.

Seasonal tunes, High Tide in Morecambe, December 2020

Pete Moser and friend celebrate the highest tide in December 2020.Wrapped up warmer than in August , and with less wind. Thanks, all!

The bell is rung at high tide, August 21 2020

Exploring the full range of harmonics, using a variety of mallets and strikers - multi-instrumentalist Pete Moser is at it again.

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