Rochdale backs South Pennine heritage festival

Narrowboat on Rochdale Canal

On Saturday 8 September the unique South Pennines Heritage Festival is launched, with many of the events taking place in and around Rochdale.

The festival presents a programme of 75 events over a three week period, and hopes to encourage people from Rochdale and neighbouring authorities to experience and enjoy many different facets of the area's special heritage - its landscape, wildlife, social and industrial history, and its culture.

Activities and events taking place in Rochdale:

• Sunday 9 September 
  Littleborough Blue Plaque Walk 
  A walk through Littleborough's town centre to celebrate local heritage. Booking essential: 01706 373421
  
  
• Monday 10 September
  Canalside cures 
  A short walk lasting approximately one and a half hours looking at how plants on the canal were used to cure ailments. This walk is particularly suitable for families and schools. 07795 838335
  
  
• Wednesday 12 September
  Middleton Green Gym
  Join Gary Piggot and Rochdale BTCV for a day of practical conservation work and activity.  Booking essential. Call 01706 713244.
  
  
• Wednesday 12 September
  Around Hollingworth Lake
  An easy stroll around Hollingworth Lake.  A level walk ideal for the less energetic!  Meet at Hollingworth Lake visitor cenrte at 2pm.
  
  
• Saturday September 15
  Route 92 Heritage cycle trail 
  A leisurely cycle ride looking at the heritage of the old railway line route.  Starts from Rochdale Station at 10am.
  
  
• Monday 17 September
  South Rochdale Forest Trail
  A 5 mile walk through the countryside between Kirkholt and Tandle Hill Park in Oldham.  Starts from Balderstone Library, Rochdale at 1.30pm.  For details call 01706 924234.
  
  
• Tuesday 18 September
  Summit, Warland and the Pennine Way
  An introduction to the enormous variety of scenery of the South Pennines and its amazing history.  Starts at Littleborough Station from 10.30am.
  
  
• Tuesday 18 September
  Canalside Cures
  A short walk lasting approximately one and a half hours looking at how plants on the canal were used to cure ailments. This walk is particularly suitable for families and schools. 07795 838335.
  
  
• Sunday 23 September
  Across the High Pennines
  A station to station walk over the medieval Rapes highway, a transpennine pack horseway, canals, reservoirs and high moorland views.  Starts at Littleborough Railways station at 11.15am.
  
  
• Sunday 23 September
  Rochdale Canal Society annual boat rally
  The annual gatherine of traditional and modern narrowboats and their crews.  Boat rides, stalls, brass band, children’s games.  From 10am onwards on the canalside at Summit, 1 ½ miles north of Littleborough.  For more information call 01706 646132.
  
  
• Sunday 29 September
  Canalside Cures
  A short walk lasting approximately one and a half hours looking at how plants on the canal were used to cure ailments. This walk is particularly suitable for families and schools. 07795 838335.
  
  
• Saturday 29 September
  A journey along the Rochdale Canal 
  A canal boat ride and guided walk along the Rochdale Canal to Clegg Hall.  Booking essential – 01706 373421.

Pennine Prospects is organising the festival on behalf of the local authorities, national agencies and voluntary bodies taking part. Development Manager Graham Joyce said: "We've ensured that every event is fully accessible by walking, cycling or public transport - this is both to reduce the environmental impact of travel, but also to encourage physical activity, to emphasise the health benefits to everyone of walking and cycling in the magnificent green setting of the South Pennines."

A key objective of the three-week festival is to attract not only local people but also people from nearby towns and cities such as Leeds, Bradford, Manchester and Preston and further afield into the South Pennines making use of the region's excellent rail network to access the magnificent countryside heritage.

This year's festival is sponsored by Northern Rail, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water and United Utilities.