On Saturday 12 February 98 walkers took part in the Pootle over the Pike walk that was UProjects contribution to the Transport for Greater Manchester's 2018 Winter Walks Week.

Walkers set off from Oldham`s award winning Alexandra Park on the 8 mile route that visited The Park Bridge heritage site,  once a bustling, noisy centre of industry a hundred years ago, now a quiet backwater between Ashton under Lyne and Oldham on the banks of the River Medlock.

From here the walkers followed the quiet (and in some places icy) country lanes to Hartshead Pike, The Pike was once an ancient beacon site possibly lit through times of unrest, the name refers to the Hill and the tower monument upon its summit.

Returning to Alexandra Park via the Lees area the walkers passed through Glodwick Lows, now a site of Special Scientific Interest Significance (SSSI) for its Middle Carboniferous fossils and tales of quarrymen, hermits and dare devil riders. Alan Price was on hand for an informative talk on the history of the area.

"It was great walking in sunshine, talking and joking with so many friendly people of different ages! A great way to spend part of your Saturday!" Alan Price.

Many thanks to the volunteer walk leaders from Oldham’s Local “Let’s go for a Walk” Health walk scheme for their help along the route