Walks will go on, pledges charity

A leading charity has vowed that countryside visitors should continue to enjoy the rugged delights of Marsden Moor —despite a moorland fire which devastated 200 acres.

The walks programme, popular with outdoor enthusiasts from neighbouring Saddleworth, is to continue as planned, following the fire which destroyed many nesting sites for wild birds less than a fortnight ago.

Gemma Wren, countryside officer for the National Trust, which owns the moor, said: “The walks will go on as planned although we will have to make a few diversions here and there to avoid the affected areas.

“The great shame, of course, has been the effect on the wildlife sites in the area which will take a long time to recover.”

Forthcoming walks include a Riverhead Brewery Walk of 16 miles on Saturday, May 23, visiting reservoirs that the brewery uses in its brew names.

On June 6, walkers will be out on moorland again for a nine-mile trek hearing about prehistoric inhabitants on Marsden Moor.

Then on June 10, a nine-mile hard walk will observe moorland birds which escaped the fire.

An historic walk around Marsden goes ahead as planned on May 25.

More details from the estate office on 01484 847016.