VOLUNTEERS are being sought to investigate the First and Second World War defences of Barrow and Walney Island to contribute towards a Virtual Reality (VR) model of the wartime landscape.

Morecambe Bay Partnership is searching for volunteers in the area to join a six-week practical training course in archaeological research and digital interpretation.

Barrow has long been famous for its history of shipbuilding, maritime industry, and innovations in military defence engineering. This made the area a target for bombing raids in the First and Second World Wars.

To protect the shipbuilding capabilities of the town, defences were built in Barrow, on Walney Island, and the surrounding area. Many of the structures can still be seen, however, most are being destroyed by vandalism, coastal erosion, and time.

The organisation needs help to record the remaining structures before they disappear entirely.

The training course will teach you to produce a professional record of local military installations, how to search for historical information online and in the archives, and help you gain the digital skills needed to contribute your research to an innovative Virtual Reality (VR) model of the wartime landscape.

Archaeology and Heritage Officer for the Partnership, Claire Bradshaw said “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to investigate this fascinating aspect of Barrow’s history and test out new digital ways of sharing it with the community. We hope volunteers will gain the confidence to do their own research and develop skills in mathematical surveying, digital mapping, and 3D modelling”

Training will take place on Tuesday afternoons or evenings from the 16th of August.

Sign up here.