CELEBRATIONS marking the 125th anniversary of Britain’s biggest rights of way dispute are reaching their peak.

The Winter Hill Walk will take place on Sunday to commemorate the 125th anniversary of when over 10,000 people from Bolton marched over the hill to regain access to a path that had been off closed off by a landowner.

Colonel Richard Ainsworth, of Smithills Hall, unlawfully blocked the path that crossed his land on the slopes of Winter Hill, so that he could practise his game-shooting without being disturbed.

The Winter Hill Trespass of 1896 was an important milestone for the people of Bolton.

Now, 125 years on, people are gathering to commemorate Britain’s biggest rights of way dispute. Organisers anticipate that up to 1,000 people will join them for the walk.

Bolton historian and one of the event’s organisers, Paul Salveson, said: “We are really looking forward to celebrating the 125th anniversary of Britain’s biggest ever rights of way dispute. It was a time when tens of thousands of local people marched up to the moors after Colonel Ainsworth after he had blocked off public rights of way so that he could hold private grouse shooting parties with his friends. It’s a fascinating part of of our town’s history that shouldn’t be forgotten.”

Walkers are invited to assemble on land next to Halliwell Health Centre on Lindfield Drive from 10am for a few short speeches before setting off at 10.30am. Speakers in attendance include Mayor Linda Thomas, Guy Shrubsole, Nick Hayes and Kate Ashbrook.

The PCS trade union samba band Drumming Up Support, which has a number of members living in and around Bolton, will lead the the first part of the walk up Halliwell Road.

To coincide with the walk, there will also be a family fun day with music and lots of events at Smithills Hall throughout the day.

Folk musician Johnny Campbell released his song Winter Hill Trespass on August 18 to commemorate the rights of way dispute. Campbell is expected to join the walk and play his song at the fun day at Smithills Hall.

Bolton Town Hall will also be lit up in green on the night of Sunday and Monday. This is to coincide with the anniversary march on Sunday and the date of the original Winter Hill walk.

An organiser of the event, Martin Challender, said: “Preparations have gone really well with the support of Bolton Woodland Trust, Bolton Museums and Library Service, Bolton Ramblers, Live from Worktown, Diamond Buses and many others. We’ve had lots of interest from far and wide.

“After all the Covid issues of the past year and a half, this is a fantastic opportunity to bring people together and celebrate our local history and an inspiring story of defiance in the face of of injustice. It’s something that people can really relate to.”

He added: “People are welcome to come and join us for all or part of the walk or just come and watch. Not everyone will be able to walk all the way up to Winter Hill and over to Belmont but thanks to Diamond buses we will have free transport to bring people back.”

General Secretary of the Open Spaces Society, Kate Ashbrook, who is set to speak at this year's anniversary event, reflected on the historic milestone.

She said: "On 6 September 1896, ten thousand brave people from Bolton asserted their right to use Coal Pit Road, the main path to Winter Hill, which the landowner, Colonel Ainsworth, had obstructed with a locked gate, 'keep out' notices, and gamekeepers.  While today we can enjoy that path by right, our freedoms are still being denied to us, though perhaps more insidiously."

Ashbrook added: "Green spaces, where people have roamed free and children have played, are being trashed and built on apace. Country paths are made hostile by fencing, CCTV notices and big gates. Local authorities do not have the resources to defend paths and green spaces as they have done in the past, yet these have never been more valued for our health and well-being, as demonstrated by the pandemic."

Social, newsletters, subscriptions and getting in touch...

You can follow the Bolton News on social media, by joining us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

We also have dedicated Facebook groups on Crime & Court, Traffic & Travel, Nostalgia and our Camera Club page

If you want to make sure you don't miss the most important news stories every day, sign up to one of our free e-mail newsletters 

Gain unlimited access to the Bolton News website with a premium digital subscription - we are running a £2 for two months special offer

Or if you want the Bolton News newspaper delivered to your door, get in touch with our home delivery team or call us on 0800 953 0227

Finally, have you got a story for us? If so, contact us at newsdesk@theboltonnews.co.uk or by using our online contribution form