Birtle walks map

Councillor Peter Winkler (Norden Ward, including Birtle) and Councillor Pat Sullivan, Chairman of the Birtle Trust with the new Birtle Trust Walks Map

Local community group, The Birtle Trust, gathered this week for the official launch of a project many months in the making. Trust members and supporters have created a special map of local walking routes, intended to help people to explore Birtle, which is home to many old mills, churches, bridges and other sites of beauty and historic interest.

To launch the map members and local residents were invited to walk one of the five routes and gain sponsorship for their efforts. The day raised over £120, which was donated to the Pack Horse Inn’s charity, Happi Days, which raises money throughout the year for a number of good causes.

Members of the trust, all volunteers, help to maintain the woodlands, footpaths and bridleways within Birtle. They are determined planters of trees, bulbs and seeds and are constantly working to maintain access to the area for all, along with many other conservation projects.

The map was designed by trust member Sean Fallon and was produced with funds provided by Ward Councillor, Peter Winkler. To mark the launch of the map the pair set out with others from the trust to walk one of the more challenging routes and put the directions to the test - Not even the rain could stop them.

Councillor Winkler said: “I have been an active supporter of the Birtle Trust since I came to represent Norden; although an outlying part of the ward they are certainly never forgotten.

"The Birtle Trust is a fantastic group and work really hard to preserve the beautiful countryside that we are so fortunate to have on our doorsteps. I was delighted to be able to support the walks map project as it is helping to open up Birtle to more people and encourage them to explore our countryside, local historic sites and beautiful scenery.”

The Birtle Trust was established in the 1980s as a voluntary organisation, dedicated to protecting the area’s rural charm and preserving its history. The Trust also acts as a co-ordinating body with local authority planning committees, voluntary organisations and other societies to help maintain the quality of the local countryside.

The Birtle Trust meet on the second Wednesday of each month at the Pack Horse Inn, Birtle, and new members are always welcome.