Footpaths in your own village or parish which are not often walked can give an interesting new view on somewhere familiar, and can encourage you to reexamine the context of key buildings or geographical features.
Exploring a new place entirely using footpaths is an excellent way to build up your knowledge of an area, without having to negotiate unfamiliar road networks and unwanted traffic.
Not all walkers are of course as organised, or dare I say, interested, in the countryside to see the need to carry a detailed map, so rely on consistent and accurate signage to help them on their way.
The Manchester Society for the Preservation of Ancient Footpaths was founded in 1826, when a local landower, Ralph Wright made the decision to close several paths on his estate, Flixton Park, and attempted to reroute others nearby, but came up against resistance from a neighbouring farmer, Samuel Wood. The society was formed when the case attracted national interest, and after several years of legal arguments, Wood emerged as the victor.
The society actively worked to protect footpaths for 40 years, with meetings being held at the old Manchester Town Hall in King Street.
Meanwhile, in 1876, the Hayfield and Kinderscout Ancient Footpaths Association was formed, achieving great strides in conservation of rights of way in the area, namely the Carr Meadow - Kinder - Stonyford Bridleway.
By 1894, these two societies had merged to form the Peak and Northern Footpaths Society and they continue to protect the network of paths, by clearing or reporting obstructions, building bridges or by adding their distinctive footpath signs.
I came across these signs during a walk around Over Alderley and was struck by their visual appeal, usefulness in guiding walkers, and I hope to see many more of them in the future.
As with many invaluable preservation and conservation groups, the Society is run by dedicated volunteers, designing and maintaining signposts, updating the invaluable footpath archive and fronting countless battles to safeguard the publics right to walk in the countryside.
For more information and to support the work of the Society, visit their website here:
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