FOOTPATHS

After many years of campaigning  a walk was organised on Saturday April 18th 2009  to officially re-open a footpath through ‘The Dells’ a route linking Eccleshall with Wincote Lane. The footpath had been omitted from the Definitive Map in the 1950’s.

Over 50 walkers attended the opening walk. The route was formally opened by John Wood who used to walk the path as a child from his home at Laundry Cottage to Eccleshall Secondary Modern School.

Refreshments were provided at Wincote Grange by Jill and Steve Rodgers. The costs of signage and kissing gates, installed by David Greenaway, had been funded jointly by the County Council and Parish Council. Councillors John Allen and Henry Butter were thanked for their determination and perseverance in  persuading the County Council to re-consider the case for re-opening the route.

A  leaflet has been printed and is Number 12 in a series of circular walks around Eccleshall Parish. The leaflets are available from Eccleshall  Library and the Parish Clerk.

Eccleshall has a very extensive Parish, the second largest in the County, comprising some 20,000 acres.

 There are 134 public rights of way in the Parish listed by the County Council and set down in the DEFINITIVE MAP.

Considerable work has been undertaken by the Parish with the agreement of Landowners, farmers and Staffordshire County Council to improve the network of Rights of Way.

Stiles have been installed, finger pointer posts, waymarking and bridges built.

There are 18 volunteer walkers who report problems to the Parish Council, each volunteer looks after and walks monthly, 8 paths

 A cardex system is maintained giving data for each path/right of way

  The Parish Council has a footpaths budget and employs a handyman.

All rights of way have been waymarked. 

In addition a leaflet is available describing a walk linking 5 open spaces in the Parish - The Eyeswells, Washpits, Elford Heath, Copmere Pump Site and Copmere Picnic Site.

There is also a booklet detailing  8 favourite walks in the Parish.

Copies of these leaflets and the book are available from Eccleshall Library or Mrs. C. Heelis, 42, Badgers Croft, Eccleshall. e.mail: eccleshallpc@btinternet,com

The Parish Council has produced 12 walk leaflets detailing  walks in Eccleshall Parish:

Walk No. 1 - Copmere Ramble

Walk No. 2 - Eccleshall - Brocton - Copmere - Pershall

Walk No. 3 - Eccleshall - Elford - Wootton - Eccleshall

Walk No. 4 - Croxton - Highlanes - Chatcull - Croxton

Walk No. 5 - Fairoak - Hookgate - Broughton - Fairoak

Walk No. 6 - Croxton - Fairoak - Bishops Wood - Croxton

Walk No. 7 - Eccleshall - Ellenhall - Walton - Chebsey

Walk No. 8 - Eccleshall - Pershall - Copmere

Walk No. 9 - Waltonhurst - Ellenhall - Eccleshall

Walk No. 10 - Eccleshall to Croxton and return via Sugnall

Walk No. 11 - Eccleshall - Elford - Horsley - Cash Lane - Wincote - Eccleshall

Walk No. 12 - Eccleshall– Shaws Lane– Johnson Hall– The Dells– Wincote– Cash Lane – Elford Heath

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