BUILDING on the already successful Worktown Walks series of free, downloadable audio-walks, Bolton-based arts and heritage organisation, Live from Worktown is launching the fourth of these historically themed guides.
The Trespass Trail: A Walk up Winter Hill and around the Smithills Estate has been made in collaboration with the Woodland Trust at Smithills Hall and has been written by Woodland Trust volunteer, Tony Greenwood.
He said: "On Sunday, 6th of September 1896, at least 10,000 people from Bolton marched to the top of Winter Hill to protest at the closing of a track by the local squire Colonel Ainsworth.
"This walk describes some of the events on that day. We meet some of the characters involved and hear stories about places we pass, both on the march and before and after that great event.”
STUNNING: Dean Ditch, Winter Hill
The walk is a circular route beginning and ending at Smithills Hall and it takes in the story of the mass trespass which was re-enacted by over 1000 people on Sunday 5th of September for its 125 anniversary. Tony devised the walk after being inspired by earlier Worktown Walks made in response to the pandemic.
He said: “This is a fascinating piece of local history, telling the David and Goliath story of how the working people of Bolton sought to take back a right of way over Winter Hill from the rich landowner. Now, as part of Worktown Walks, people can experience this story while walking through the very countryside in which it took place.”
HISTORY: Winter Hill 125 anniversary march. Picture: Henry Lisowski
Along with Tony, who has written and researched this walk with input from Live from Worktown’s Dave Burnham and The Woodland Trust’s Vicky Entwistle, project lead, Brad B. Wood has narrated and produced it. The team is completed by Peter Firth and Dave Bryce who trialed the walk and composed and performed the accompanying music. Additional voices have been provided by poet, Oliver James Lomax, Our Fold frontman, Damien Riley, DOA studio’s Andy Dawson and two of Brad’s fellow Bolton FM presenters, Andy Openshaw and Tony Bridge. The walk also includes the historically inspired protest songs of Nat Clare. Future Worktown Walks will offer further comprehensive narratives woven around specific, local themes, as well as featuring introductions to places that even locals may not know about -
Visit livefromworktown.bandcamp.com, to download all the walks with maps, directions and audio commentary.
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