The Birks

01/08/2026

This video contains an extract from my interview on BBC Radio Cumbr...

26/07/2026

Thank you to Pete Armitage, dedicated committee member, for sharing a photograph of the Birks taken when he was there studying A Level Geography in 1970.
https://thebirks.org.uk/2026/the-birks-in-1970/

16/07/2026

It was a lovely day for the annual Birks garden party, hosted by Jenny & Ros. Many former Grove School staff gathered to chat about the old days. Can you recognise anybody? The money raised will be used to fund a piece of public art that will be installed in the grounds later this year. Thank Jenny & Ros.

03/07/2026

***Summer 2027***
July/August 2027 dates will become available from 9am on Sunday 5th July.
All bookings need to be placed through our calendar on thebirks.org.uk/book
During the summer holidays, bookings are for seven nights, running Saturday - Saturday
Thanks

03/07/2026

Last week, under an impressive Duddon Valley sky the final piece of a 20 year project was put in place.
Some of you may remember having lessons in the undercroft, the space under the boys barn. The structural work has transformed the area making it ready for opening in September as a dedicated classroom. Andy & Chris again worked long, long hours to finish the work. After fitting the skirting board, they carried on grouting and sealing the floor, putting up the window plaques and plumbing in the kitchen unit. One of the old bedroom doors has been stripped back and used as a cupboard door using the original hinges. The old horse shoe that was nailed to the external door has been cleaned and put on the door for good look. The cattle stall, last used over 67 years ago has been put back in it’s rightful position and enhanced with gallow brackets. If that wasn’t enough they went on to replace the broken glass in the barn window and finish off the banding and sill work on the undercroft window.
Other jobs taken on by Alex, Jenny & Stew included grounds maintenance, clearing debris for the water supply, tidying around the building and painting.

17/06/2026

The Birks Committee was saddened to hear of the death of another ex Grove member of staff, Pat Jackson - maths teacher extrordinaire. Whilst not involved with Birks trips, she will be remembered for organising the fabled student trips to South Africa and her commitment to raising funds for Vukani School, a Black Township School that had few resources but dedicated members of staff not unlike Pat. Here are a few photos from the first student visit in 2003.

13/06/2026

Emma Gledhill (nee Phillips) has kindly shared some old and new photos of her experience at the Birks. Emma visited in c.1993 as a Grove School student.
https://thebirks.org.uk/2026/birks-nostalgia-a-new-generation/

10/06/2026

09/06/2026

Fancy working with the Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery team? The National Trust are offering a Level 2 Assistant Ranger Apprentice role.

You will be working alongside our partners - including local farmers, the University of Leeds, Forestry England, and the South Cumbria Rivers Trust - as part of the Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery Project, restoring a diverse range of habitats. These include farmland, woodlands, heathland, peatland, and upland areas. You will gain hands-on experience in boundary repair and construction, habitat and monitoring surveys, access improvements, and the planting of trees and wildflowers. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of an ambitious 20-year, 2,800-hectare restoration project.

More information in the link below. Application deadline is 22nd June.

Please share.
Showcase Cumbria Nature Rich Miterdale National Trust Lake District

https://bit.ly/43p5BGh

06/06/2026

Thank you to Janet Tozer for sharing these fabulous pictures from 1989. https://thebirks.org.uk/2026/birks-nostalgia-summer-1989/