Walk Start Point: Trinity Methodist Church Ancoats, Ridgeway Street, Ancoats. M40 7FZ.
Distance: under 2.5 miles
Time: 1 ½ hours approx
Terrain: The terrain is easy but sensible footwear for walking along the towpath is recommended.
The tow path may be slippy or muddy in places at various times of the year as well as being uneven in places.
There are various places to drink and eat along the way should you wish to.
Start point between Church front door and tree on green space.
Cross Butler Street (Main road) on to Ridgeway Street. Near the Top on the right opposite Tewksbury Road you will see The ALLEY. Tinsley Close.
REFLECTION POINT 1
- Take a look around what do you notice?
- Think about all the different plants that you can see.
- Who do you think put them there?
- Why do you think they were put there?
- Think about this local community and what they have created.
- Think about the benefits of coming together and creating something like this?
- How does seeing this make you feel?
- Think about the different people who live around you. Do you know them?
- Are you involved in a local community group or project?
- Think about what the benefits are or could be to you.
- Think about what the benefits are to your community.
- Perhaps you might like to be thankful for those who have created this wonderful oasis in their community and the pleasure it gives.
- What are you thankful for that brings you pleasure?
JOURNEY ONWARDS
Continue onwards then turn left at the top onto Varley Street
Go past Parkview Community school then turn left onto the Rochdale canal
Keep to the canal path with the canal on your right.
Notice the mill on your right and continue.
Continue along the canal and go under New Union Street through a cobbled covered walk way.
As you go through the covered walkway with cobblestones notice the street art.
REFLECTION POINT 2
- Be still for a few moments, take a look around- WHAT DO YOU NOTICE?
- You have just walked on cobblestones – think about what that felt like under your feet.
- Look down at the footwear you have on- How helpful or not was this footwear for this kind of path?
- Sometimes like the cobbles we walk upon surfaces that are not easy to walk on, think about difficult surfaces we may have walked on.
- The steps we take in life are not always easy or comfortable. – Think about what or who helped you to navigate that part of your life?
- Perhaps you might like to be thankful for that time and for those who helped you on your journey.
JOURNEY ONWARDS
Continue along the towpath with the canal on your right on to the metal bridge/walkway at New Islington marina then turn right between metal structure and then turn left between Murray mills and the canal (on your left) and continue down Red Hills Street.
At the bottom on the left you will see a shared space stop here for a short while.
REFLECTION POINT 3
- Take a look around what do you notice?
- If you feel comfortable close your eyes for a few moments and recognise what you notice.
- When you opened your eyes did you notice anything different than what you first saw?
- Did you notice the sound of the traffic?
- Think about all the different forms of transport that is available in the city.
- Think about what mode of transport you use.
- Think about all the hustle and bustle going on around you and notice what people are doing.
- Think about the speed at which life is taking place at this moment for some.
- Think about what speed life happens for you.
- Think, do you need to slow down or speed up and if so how can you best achieve this?
- We are currently in a place where life is happening, think about what are the things that are life giving for you?
- Think about how you might live more in life enhancing moments.
- Jesus once said, ‘I have come that you may have life in all its fulness,’ think about what this might mean for you.
- Perhaps you might like to be thankful for the things that give you life.
Journey on!
With the canal to your left continue and go left onto Great Ancoats Street over canal and follow the road.
Cross over Old Mill Street and continue to Ashton Canal (Islington Wharf) and turn left and follow towpath with canal on your right.
Continue until you get to Canal Cottage on your right.
REFLECTION POINT 4 Canal Cottage
- Take a look around what do you notice?
- As you stand in front of the cottage what do you notice about the other buildings around?
- Think about which you prefer and why or if you like both in the current context.
- Perhaps standing in this present moment, this scene enables you to think about the past.
- Think about the heritage, industry and life along this canal.
- Think about what are you thankful for in your past.
- Think about what you are thankful for now.
- As you think about the new building what new things are you thankful for.
- In this ever-changing world what is your constant?
- Think about where you get guidance
- Perhaps you might be thankful for those who have helped and guided your life.
JOURNEY ONWARDS
Continue along the canal with it on your right hand side.
When you see a mill on your left with a yellow sign and some steps go up the steps.
This will bring you onto Beswick street go left to the Old Mill Street cross over at the crossing back onto Butler street and you arrive back at Trinity Methodist Church.
