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Jul 07, 2020 09:40 BST
Walk on through Bury’s beautiful nature,guided by local
experts
Residents are to be helped to discover the beautiful countryside
and natureon their doorsteps through a new book of 13 guided
walks[https://www.gmwalking.co.uk/bury-self-led-walks].
The compilation of self-guided walks in each of Bury’s six
townships waslaunched this week by Bury Council together with a
small group of walkleaders and community volunteers.
They met at Burrs Country Park to enjoy a 2.5 mile walk
alongside the River
https://www.gmwalking.co.uk/bury-self-led-walks
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Irwell, with views of the East Lancashire Railway.
Bury Council has worked with local walking group leaders to
compile tworecommended routes for each of Bury’s six townships.
There is also an additional town centre walk around heritage and
culturalattractions, to celebrate Bury’s Town of Culture
status.
Each walk has an easy to read illustrated map and simple step by
stepdirections. They are between 1.7 miles and 3.5 miles in
distance and shouldtake between an hour and an hour and a half for
most people.
The nature walks include circuits along the River Irwell at
Summerseat,Prestwich and Radcliffe, Elton reservoir; as well as
from Greenmount, andthrough Chesham Wood and Ainsworth Wood.
The town centre walk takes in the East Lancashire Railway,
TransportMuseum, Robert Peel statue, The Rock, Bury Market, Kay
Garden, the FusilierMuseum, Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre,
the Victoria Wood statueand The Met.
The number of people walking regularly leapt up during the
coronaviruslockdown as people took advantage of their daily
exercise slot to exploretheir local areas.
Now community leaders want to support people to continue to keep
activeand enjoy the parks, green spaces, rivers and open areas that
are close towhere people live.
The booklet is particularly aimed at people of any age who would
prefer towalk with friends or family at a time suitable to them,
rather than as part ofan organised event.
Brian Oseman, from Bury, is one of around 10 health walk group
leaders whohelped to choose the routes in the booklet.
He said: “These are all tried and tested routes selected from
our favouritewalks. There are wooded areas, rivers, lakes and
points of interest along the
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way and they are suitable for most people.
“It was lovely to see so many families out walking during the
lockdownperiod and these walks are an ideal way for them to keep
discovering thelocal area.”
David Haywood, from Elton, also used to lead the health walks
before thecovid-19 pandemic. He said: “Sometimes we had more than
20 people takingpart, which is quite a large group, so it will be
great for more people todiscover these walks by themselves using
these maps.
“I hope it will mean that more people can discover what is on
their doorsteps.People say to us that they have lived in an area
all their lives and never seenthe places they discover on foot.
“Walking and being outside in the fresh air also brings great
health benefits,and they are all places you can get to by foot
without a car or bus.”
Cllr Lucy Smith, cabinet member for transport and
infrastructure, said: “We’revery lucky in our borough to be close
to many green spaces, parks, hills, riversand reservoirs on our
doorstep.
“We planned this booklet before the Covid-19 pandemic, but
taking dailyexercise during the lockdown has been a great pleasure
for many people andwe want that to continue.
“Stepping out for a walk is good for our physical and mental
health and it’ssomething that can be done by most people with no
more equipment than apair of sturdy shoes and a coat in case it
rains.
“We hope people will explore these walks time and again and make
walkingoutdoors part of a healthier active lifestyle that everyone
within thecommunities and neighbourhoods of Bury can enjoy.”
Printed booklets will be available to collect from Bury Town
Hall and fromlocal libraries and leisure centres when they
reopen.
ENDS
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Press release issued: 7 July 2020.
Picture: At the launch of the walks booklet in Burrs Country
Park are (fromleft) Cllr Lucy Smith; Laura Ettrick from the Friends
of Burrs Country Park;walk leader David Haywood; and walks
participant Joe Ellul.
Find us on: Facebook.com/burycouncil,
Flickr.com/buryphotos. @burycounciland bury.gov.uk
Contacts
Peter DohertyPress ContactPress OfficerPress
[email protected]
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