The North Arden Heritage Trail

Follow the trail...Parish Walk Maps!

• Ansley
• Arley
• Astley
• Baddesley Ensor
• Fillongley East
• Fillongley West
• Hartshill
• Hartshill Hayes
• Kingsbury
• Main Trail Baddesley and Baddesley Common
• Nether Whitacre
• Shustoke

December 2009 - Fillongley sculpture celebration

Children from Fillongley's Bournebrook Primary School took part in a celebration to launch the 'Family' sculpture that has recently been installed on the crossroads next to their school. From ideas and themes put forward by local residents and our enthusiastic Design Committee volunteers, and during artist led workshops and stone carving sessions with the school children and members of Fillongley's Golden Years group, Castle Donington based stone sculptor Graeme Mitcheson was able to develop and create this striking sculpture. Each member of this 'back-to-back family' is holding something relevant to the area's heritage - from the lamb (farming) to the loaf (the ancient mill), and the lantern (depicting the light that burned in the church to remember the village's dead) to the cloth banner draped over the arm (representing both the silk weaving industry, and the De Hastings family coat of arms). It's hoped the statue will stand for many years - a reminder to everyone...not least the residents and children who helped us...of the Fillongley of years gone by. Something they too can take their children along to see and proudly say...'we did that, for you'.

More Photo's....

December 2009 - Ansley sculpture celebration

The North Arden Heritage Trail project also recently installed a fabulous heritage themed carved 'boulder' on the green opposite the Boot Inn in Ansley Village , another piece of Graeme Mitcheson's work. As well as consultation and meetings with residents, and support from the parish council, members of the local Young Women's Group and Youth Club were asked exactly what Ansley meant to them....what did they think Ansley was all about?  After getting stuck in and trying their hands at stone-carving workshops, their suggestions, including great crested newts, brook-jumping children, playing conkers on the green, The Boot and the fish & chip shop, were added to those already put forward and the carving began. The resulting sculpture depicts images of Ansley's industrial and agricultural heritage - the mines and coal, the railways and brick works, the swirling ribbons of the long gone ribbon making industry, as well as the horse and cart and ploughed field. The vibrant central image of the man being pulled between the dragon and the lamb is taken from the Norman carving in St Laurence's Church...an image representing man's struggle between good and evil. Go along and visit the sculpture - see what else you can find, it really is packed with history and heritage just waiting to be found!

 More Photo's....

Summer 2009 - Arden Trail Update

• Download the Summer Newsletter on the progress of the project.  

January 2009

• Download the January newsletter on the progress of the project

January 2009

Volunteers bridge the gap on heritage walk

A group of enthusiastic volunteers has transformed a muddy track in Ansley by building a bridge to create an alternative route for walkers.

The path across Mr Rowland's land at Robinson's End Farm is a public right of way and forms part of a circular walk between Ansley and Astley on the North Arden Heritage Trail.  Although the path across Mr Rowland's field is a popular route, it has also been heavily used by cattle and farm vehicles,  turning it into a hazardous mudbath for walkers.

Thanks to the 'Thursday Volunteers', headed up by Geoff Treadwell, Rights of Way Officer at the County Council, the team set to work to build a footbridge across a ditch, complete with kissing gates at either end to deter any curious cattle!

Jo Gordon, who is Project Officer for the North Arden Heritage Trail said:

" The new bridge will make a tremendous difference for people walking the trail, as not only is it relatively mud free but it's also in a more convenient location.  A special thanks must go to the farmer, Mr Rowland, and others across North Warwickshire, who have worked with Geoff and the project to make the paths more accessible for people of all ages and abilities.  "

" The group is always looking for new volunteers, " she added, " So if anyone would like to join them in the North Warwickshire countryside for some fresh air and bracing exercise, we'd like to hear from you! " 

The North Arden Heritage Trail (NAHT) is a three year project funded through Heritage Lottery to create a 25 mile circular walk passing through 12 parishes in North Warwickshire.  For more information or to volunteer to help, ring the project on 01827 719219; email : ardentrail@northwarks.gov.uk 

December 2007- Arden Trail Update

Download the December quarterly newsletter on the progress of the project

Autumn 2007 - Arden Trail Update

Download the Autumn quarterly newsletter on the progress of the project

*New* Quarryman's Leaflet

This Leaflet is about various walks around the old Hartshill Quarries and countryside of Hartshill in North Warwickshire.

Download the Quarryman's Leaflet.

June 2007 - Arden Trail Update

Download the June quarterly newsletter on the progress of the project

March 2007 - Arden Trail Update

Download the March quarterly newsletter on the progress of the project

December 2006- Arden Trail Update

Download the December 2006 quarterly newsletter on the progress of the the project

25th November 2006- Atherstone Sculpture Unveiled

As a lead up to the Heritage Lottery funded North Arden Heritage Trail project, a pilot project was run and has now been completed with the unveiling of a new sculpture on Atherstone's Dicken's Night. Funded by a £10,000 grant from the Public Arts fund of Warwickshire County Council, the statue was officially unveiled on Saturday 25th November, outside the Co-op Foodstore on Station Street, Atherstone.

The Yorkshire Artist, Michael Disley created the sculpture, following a stone carving workshop and consultation event held in October 2005. Four of these bold three dimensional carvings depicting local heritage will form part of the sculpture, the others, produced by local people will be placed along the canal towpath through Atherstone. The feature has been created from millstone grit and the carvings from Sandstone. It shows two figures, an adult and a child, reaching for the ball during the Atherstone Ball Game, an event that has taken place on Shrove Tuesday for 800 years. Both figures wear hats to celebrate Atherstone's place in the hatting and felting industry. The child stands on a pile of books in recognition of both the town's position as a place of learning since the 16th century and the more recent booktown initiative.

Download a photograph of the sculpture

22nd November 2006- Project Launched!

Around 120 people attended the official launch of the North Arden Heritage Trail project on Wednesday 22nd November at Nether Whitacre Village Hall, where West Midlands author and broadcaster Professor Carl Chinn was the guest speaker. At the event, opened by Councillor Adrian Edgington, Mayor of North Warwickshire, Project Manager Garry Jones, gave a presentation about the future development of the trail, encouraging people to come forward with their ideas and get involved.

Carl Chinn then took to the stage to speak of the importance of local heritage, providing a link between the past, the present and the future. Garry said: " Carl Chinn's inspiring talk emphasised how much of the heritage of Birmingham and southern Warwickshire actually stems from North Warwickshire - an area which has always lived in the shadow of Warwick and Stratford. He explained how dialects, fables and several historic families have their roots in the Borough. As for the event, it was an impressive turnout for a rainy November evening, so I hope the enthusiasm will continue for the duration of the project over the next three years! "

10th February 2006

The successful Heritage Lottery Bid for the North Arden Heritage Trail is celebrating a lottery win with the news of a £442,500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The money will fund the creation of a heritage trail exploring the historic tracks and walks in the North Arden Landscape.

Commenting on the award, HLF's regional manager Anne Jenkins said, "Much of the physical evidence of North Arden's agricultural, industrial and craft heritage has been lost over the years. This project will allow people to share their memories of the past and ensure that the ancient traditions aren't forgotten. Hopefully this news will encourage more groups to come forward and apply for funding to protect the area's unique heritage."

The bid was submitted to HLF on behalf of the North Warwickshire Community Partnership by Carolyn Cox from the County Council and Julie Taylor and Judith Edwards-Sturley from North Warwickshire Borough Council. It followed months of consultation with local people including Town and Parish Councils, schools, walking groups, disability groups, Atherstone Civic Society and North Warwickshire Heritage Forum. Julie Taylor from North Warwickshire Borough Council said: "This is a great achievement for North Warwickshire, which will surely put the Borough on the map both locally and regionally. The trail will highlight North Warwickshire's distinctive history, heritage and landscapes and hopefully bring many more visitors to the Borough. "