The group has collected reminiscences of local social, environmental and industrial history. The reminiscences are particularly from older and socially excluded people in the Bollington area of Cheshire.
The group has now used these recollections to create a number of village nostalgia trails of local memories. The trails record sites of historical or industrial interest.
Local people are being encouraged to walk the trails to increase their understanding of their local area.
Youth groups and four local schools have been involved in design workshops that are producing interpretive materials and features for the trails.
Pamphlets have been produced to include maps, memories, pictures and routes. There is a Children's Quiz enclosed with each pack. These are available from a range of village outlets such as Bollington Pubs, Post Office and the Drop-In Centre.
The group intend to submit a further application to develop further routes to encircle the village. They also wish to produce a book to bring together the information gleaned from the project.
The third trail called "Written in Stone" relates to the lives of quarrymen who worked locally since the 15th century. The fourth Trail was opened in July 2004 and is entitled 'Revolving in Time'. It depicts the life of the agricultural and mill workers in and around Bollington from 1700 onwards. Cedric the Sheep markers show the way and at the picnic spot, a carved Cedric the Sheep, a Timewheel and a poetry bench have all been installed.
The latest Trail, 'Drifting through the Past', tells the tale of the miners, who worked 200 or so mines in the area, extracting coal and fireclay. Montgomery Mole is featured on the markers. The Trail had its official Opening on 10th July at 10.00am. The Trail features include a working model of a bell-pit, displaying local schoolchildren's artwork, a carved Montgomery Mole, a carved bench and a coal sculpture. After the morning walk, a picnic at the Drop-In and children's games were followed by the first Bollington Nostalgia Hill Race. For more information please phone 01625 576311 or check www.bollingtondropincentre.org.uk.
It is estimated that over 500 children and 200 adults were involved in the project overall. Long term benefits not only include community involvement and education but the trails benefit the increasing number of visitors and help to boost Bollington’s tourist trade.
