Wednesday 6th March 2019 at 10.30 a.m a Walk: around Blackburn Road area

We met at St Paul’s Community Centre, Halliwell Road.

Wednesday 13th March 2019 at 10. 30 a.m a -Walk: Over to Mortfield – circular walk

Above image: Herbert Shepherd Cross – Shepherd Cross Street is named after him.Herbert was MP for Bolton.

(Above; the weather brightened for us rain ceased)

Wednesday 20th March 2019 at 10.30 a.m a –Walk: around Halliwell Road area 

We came to the crossing junction Smithills, Mossbank Way and Halliwell Road. As you turn left onto Mossbank Way there is an artistic feature by the road. It shows the Bolton hills, river,town centre using stones and bricks. There’s even a Bolton elephant

Wednesday 27th March 2019 at a–Walk: over to Astley Bridge area

We started our walk with a brief look inside St Paul’s Church, Halliwell Road.

Image above; Bolton Library and Museum services collection.

Wednesday 3rd April 2019 at 10.30 a.m a Walk: Down to the Valley

We arrived by ACDO; still a family company run by grandson Brandon Pilling. Established by Harry Pilling during 1900s; opening premises here 1928.

Tuesday 9th April 2019 at 10.30 a.m  Walk: The Ashworth’s estate

Go through the gate (by your feet to the left an old marker sign indicates Lancashire Electric.)

Tuesday 16th April 2019 at 10.30 a.m Walk: Over to Astley Bridge

We came to St Paul’s Church; built 1848 by J W Whitaker housing, extended 1868 by J Medland Taylor to accommodate the nearby, growing population. It has an impressively wide interior.

We must compliment the friendly greeting we received at the church; who were busy with their coffee morning and a litter pick. They happily allowed us into the church for a nosey!

Above; our Guide Suzanne, recounting the story of Dr Redmayne, buried here.

Tuesday 23rd April 2019 at 10.30 a.m – Walk: Into the Valley

Above: pausing at bridge over the Eagley Brook.

One of our group Alec; spent much of his youth making dens in these woods. He showed us a horse shoe embedded in a tree.

Tuesday 30th April 2019 at 10.30 a.m Walk: Museum tour and Firwod Fold

Above: we had Harvey the dog join our walk today.

The path to the left brings us out onto a lodge; water stored here for Hardcastle’s Bleachworks.

Tuesday 7th May 2019 at 10.30 a.m –Walk: The Bradshaw brook

Saturday 17th August at 1.00 p.m  Around the Ashworth’s estate

Turning left outside the museum, up the steps by the car park, follow the path onto Green Way. Left, take a right up The Stray and cut across the field. There is a path which meets Oaks Lane and a continuation path opposite which follows the line of the railway lines.

We spotted an old boundary marker post (above) Lancashire and Yorksire Railway.

These are the old gate posts for Birtenshaw Hall, this was another home for the local Ashworth Family. We paused at the Ousel Nest Woods interpretation board.

Following the path down. First to run ahead was Harvey the dog who fancied a swim.

Pausing on the bridge close to the dam, holding back the water for Jumbles reservoir, created 1970s. On the bridge over the railway line.We paused to look at some photos showing steam trains, presented by local historian David.

Sunday 29th September at 1 pm  Walk: Smithills and Thornleigh area included tour of Smithills Hall

We started off with a brief tour inside Smithills Hall.The weather was rather damp, we agreed a different route than originally planned due to the weather.We took the bridge by the lake, down to the coaching house.

Old coaching house and former stables.

With all the rain the Astley Brook was very full!

We then took a detour so Terry could show us the plaque above, on the wall to the rear Thornleigh School. “RHA” were the initials for Richard Horrocks Ainsworth, associated with the Smithills estate.

Following the road back up to the farm retracing our steps back to the hall.

Tuesday 1st October 2019 Walk: Firwood Fold and along the Bradshaw Brook

Local historian Terry (striped brolly) told a lovely story about Nat Lofthouse (footballer) running the pub in the 1960s. Unwritten rules for ex-footballers running pubs; passing teams could pop-in and the licensee had to stand them a round (buy). Obviously the road here can take you to Blackburn, so whenever they played at Burnden Park, they stopped here and Nat had to buy them a drink.

Original plan to cut through to Bradshaw was curtailed (above is bridge on previous day’s reccy)We took the path right, bridge over the Bradshaw Brook, the rain had caused water levels to be incredibly high.Local historian David shared with us that the brook next to the weir is the boundary marker for the old UDC areas of Bolton and Turton.And always with a sense of fun…my group participation request to indicate the boundaries was enthusiastically fulfilled. Terry (left) is the “B” of the Bolton boundary whilst Steph (right) is showing the “T” for Turton 😁We then ascended up to Scope-o’th-Lane onto Tonge Moor Road.Crossing the road, right up Ripley Street we caught sight of a pacer train under the bridge…..above…you are never too old to enjoy a train! Back to the museum.Above photo – a mushroom growing on Green Way.Tuesday 8th October 2019  Walk: Bradshaw Brook to Harwood We paused to look at a photo corner Bradshaw Brow and Turton Road from local historian David. Showing Scowcrofts corner shop, the family were philanthropists. And would you believe it…amongst the group (above) we had a member of the Scowcroft family on our tour!Turning into Bolton Aboretum we bumped into a Council Officer and member of “Friend’s of Longsight Park” marking out spots for new benches in the park. (Above)The trees here, have tags (above) denoting their species.Last week the bridge above was flooded and we couldn’t use it.The path continues across the road into Harwood Vale.Coming out onto Hough Fold Way. Left here taking a left onto Ashdene Crescent. There is a pathway on the left taking us back into Longsight Park.We retraced our steps, with a quick photo in the sunshine on the bridge.Taking a right up to Bradshaw Chapel/St Maxentius Church.The lane (right) down to the vicarage offers a stunning view over the reservoir, once serving the local bleachworks.St Maxentius church built 1872 by EG Paley. Below memorial to the Scowcroft family, mentioned previously.The tower, once served as a chapel of ease, dates 1640. One of our group Terry, told a lovely story – “as a child we were told the tower had blown away from the church in the wind – we believed this!”Tuesday 15th October 2019 Walk: Bank Top and EagleyAbove; an unusual thing to carry in your boot! At the beginning we gathered around local historian David’s car. He was transporting old tram tracks from Halliwell Road (as you do!)Saturday 19th October 2019 at 1 PM- Walk: Bradshaw Brook to Firwood Fold

Tuesday 24th September 2019 at Walk: over to Bromley Cross Wednesday 23rd October 2019 a Walk: Over to Queens Park– At the playing field local historian Terry (below) shared his knowledge about a religious/boundary cross that was found here (currently in storage)We stepped inside Halliwell U-Can Centre, we were greeted by Fida from Bolton Council- he explained about the services/groups at the U-Can and the group wandered around looking at the stunning stained glass windows and history notice boards.Into Queen’s ParkThe First World War Gallipoli memorial is impressive – a credit to the park.Terry (right above) shared told us the wall behind was known as “the pie crust” by children years ago.Above is the Barlow Dobson bridge dedicated to Benjamin Dobson.Tuesday 30th October 2019 a Walk; Up to Smithills Hall Final 2019 Crompton Walk was bathed in glorious sunshine as we set off.

We stepped inside art studios at Falcon Mill – thanks to local artist Pete Marsh for showing us around.

The Christmas Do! I offered to to show the group around Manchester.We met in Manchester at Victoria Train station, we spent several hours learning about the history of Manchester.We stopped inside John Ryland’s library (above)

Phew…all walks completed for 2019. We have had fun, shared stories, all learnt new facts and created friendships along the way. Thank you everyone who took part. Suz x