Discover Middleton guided walk

A group of people interested in finding out the history of Middleton gathered yesterday (Saturday 28 March) to take part in a Discover Middleton guided walk.

Starting at 11am, the group met at Middleton Post Office before heading off into Middleton to discover the great, the good and the gruesome.

Guide, Elizabeth Sibbering said: “I tend to do one of these walks once every six months. They usually get a good response.”

The walkers got to find out about archers, skill weaving, body-snatching, a killer flood, Sam Bamford and the Peterloo Massacre.

Elizabeth added: “We found out about Edgar Wood and looked at Long Street Methodist Church and St Leonard’s as well as learning about Sam Bamford and L S Lowry.”

The tour lasted around 90 minutes, with the group finishing at a 1632 timber-framed pub to be refreshed by locally brewed Middleton ale.

Jenny Pettett, who went on the walk, said: “I live in Middleton and thought this would be a good way to find out a bit more about where I live.”

Mike Chivers travelled from Stockport for the walk. He said: “I used to live in London and did lots of walks like this in London. I now live in Cheshire and tend do a few. I decided to do this one because there aren’t many walks about Middleton, so this gave me the opportunity to learn about a place I haven’t been before.”