Walk Start Point:- Trinity Methodist Church Ancoats, Ridgeway Street, Ancoats. M40 7FZ.
Distance: 3 miles approx.
Time 1 hour 15 mins approx
Terrain: The terrain is easy but sensible footwear for walking along the towpath is recommended. Watch out for low bridges
There are cobbles and uneven paths with tree roots at some point along the Canal. There are also a couple of busy roads to cross.
Start point at Church front door go left then go left along Butler Street and cross Butler street then turn Right down Holland street. Cross over and go right alongside the canal (with the canal on your left).
Follow the toe path until you are opposite Victoria Mill, find somewhere suitable to stop and reflect.
REFLECTION POINT 1
- Take a look around What do you notice?
- As you stand in this place think about the history of this place.
- Think about what may have gone on here
- Think about how many people worked here.
- Think about the conditions in which those people worked and the long hours.
- When the word ‘WORK’ is mentioned what is your first thought?
- Was there a time when you didn’t go to work? Think what that was like.
- Was there a time when your job was just about getting paid
- Think about when you work or have worked and what was challenging about it.
- Think about an aspect of work that you enjoyed.
- Think about what work enabled you to do.
- If you had a choice to do whatever you wanted in work or retirement what would it be? Would it be different?
- Perhaps you might like to be thankful for the work that you have done which gave you great reward on many different levels.
JOURNEY ONWARDS along the canal in the same direction.
Reflection POINT 2
- Take a look around what do you notice?
- On this unit is the number 3
- Think about what is your favourite number and why.
- The number 3 is very significant in many ways, can you think of any?
- Can you think of anything that has the number 3 or has 3 of something?
- Can you think of a series of books or films that are a trilogy?
- Think about where we began this walk, what is the building called? TRINITY.
- If the word TRINITY is mentioned, what do you first think of?
- If you have a church background perhaps you can think about what or who the Trinity is. Or if you don’t what do you think it is?
- Perhaps you might like to be thankful for 3 things that enable you to feel good.
JOURNEY ONWARDS along the canal to Lock 74
REFLECTION POINT 3 Heritage board Lock 74
Take a look around, What do you notice?
- This canal is part of the great heritage of Manchester and the Industrial revolution, think about what Canal’s did back in their heyday.
- Our history is an important part of who we are and part of our cultural identity.
- Think about the place where you come from originally.
- Think about who the significant people were or industries or impacted the local economy.
- Take a look at The Lowery painting on the board entitled ‘Going to work’.
- Think about what pieces of art, music or literature you enjoy and inspires you.
- LS Lowery captured the life of ordinary people through some of his paintings like this, what do you think Lowery would paint if he was telling the story of your life?
- Think about who else might be in that painting.
- Perhaps you might like to be thankful for the creativity you experience in your life and for those who you share it with.
JOURNEY ONWARDS along the Canal until you come to Lock number 71 and then turn around and retrace your journey back to Butler Street just past Lock 81.