The organisers of the 2009 Rochdale Canal Festival, which runs from Saturday 11 July – Sunday 19 July, have teamed up with the Ramblers ‘Get Walking Keep Walking’ urban walking project to encourage people living in the Manchester area to get active and explore the historic waterway.
During the week-long free festival, there will be three fabulous themed walks on offer which are designed to appeal to people of all ages and interests, highlighting the best that the Rochdale Canal has to offer. Get Walking Keep Walking is funded by the BIG lottery (1).
On Tuesday 14 July the Salford Ramblers are running a Musical Manchester Walk – a 4 mile canal walk which takes in the Bridgewater Hall, the Roundhouse and other legendary venues that have helped to put Manchester at the heart of the country’s music map.
Meet: Manchester Town Hall, Albert Square (main entrance) at 11am. Booking essential: 0161 242 8216.
On Wednesday 15 July there is a 3 mile Treasure Hunt and Magical History Tour around historic Miles Platting and Ancoats. Hosted by Ramblers Get Walking Keep Walking, Adactus Housing and Miles Plodders, the walk will guide people through the heartland of the industrial revolution.
Meet: 11am, Trinity Church, Butler Street, Manchester. Booking essential: 0161 242 8216.
Finally on Thursday 16 July there is an evening canal walk for people who are unable to get out during the day. Hosted by Ramblers Get Walking Keep Walking, the two hour, 4-5 mile long circular walk will take in Chadderton Hall Park and finish at the Rose of Lancaster.
Meet 6.30pm at Mills Hill Rail Station, Middleton. Booking essential: 0161 242 8216.
Rambler Simon Barnett comments: “The Ramblers is delighted to be taking part in the Rochdale Canal festival. The Rochdale Canal is one of the finest waterways in England, and this event provides people with a golden opportunity to discover the world of walking that lies on their doorsteps. Walking is fun, free and social so get your trainers, boots and shoes on and join us for our short canal walks no matter what your age or walking ability.”
Lucy Rogers, Rochdale Canal Development Manager at The Waterways Trust, said: “We are delighted that the Ramblers are putting on these special waterway walks as part of the Rochdale Canal Festival. The walks will help people to discover both the canal and fascinating history of the surrounding area.
“There is so much going on during the week-long festival including kayaking taster classes, festival fun days, heritage and wildlife workshops and fishing. The programme is packed full of exciting range of hands-on activities to really show off the canal – all of which are free to take part in and I urge people living in the area to come down, get involved and enjoy the canal.”
The award winning festival aims to promote and celebrate the restored Rochdale Canal, through a programme of events and activities designed to encourage people to spend their leisure time making the most of the canal and all it has to offer, from boating and walking to relaxing and enjoying the wildlife. More festival information and a full listing of all the free events can be downloaded from www.thewaterwaystrust.org.uk
The Rochdale Canal Festival is organised by The Waterways Trust, British Waterways, Rochdale Council, Manchester City Council, Oldham Council, Calderdale Council and the Rochdale Canal Society. Funding has been made available through the South Pennines LEADER programme (Rural Development Programme for England), which is jointly funded through Defra and the European Union, and is managed by Yorkshire Forward in the Yorkshire and Humber Region, the Environment Agency, Oldham Council and Manchester City Council.
