Walking the Irwell Sculpture Trail: An Art Teacher’s Journey for Dementia UK
On the 17th and 18th of August, I walked the entire Irwell Sculpture Trail, from Bacup to Salford, in just two days, to raise funds for Dementia UK. When planning this, I knew it was going to be a huge physical challenge but it felt appropriate to do something difficult considering the difficulties families face when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia.
The Irwell Sculpture Trail is the longest public art trail in the UK, spanning an impressive 33 miles (53 kilometres) and weaving its way through some of the most diverse landscapes in the region. From the rolling hills of Bacup to the urban sprawl of Salford, the trail is peppered with over 70 sculptures by various artists, each piece reflecting the rich history and culture of the area. However, you need to know that a majority of the sculptures are off the trail in what the trail map describes as ‘clusters’ and you need to choose if you want to add many km’s to your walk to see them all. I chose to stick to the main trail, only occasionally venturing into a cluster to see something particularly appealing.
Dementia UK provides life-changing support for families facing dementia; their work is often a lifeline for the families they help. My family was affected by this cruel disease, and we had to watch my father slipping away piece by piece over a ten-year period. I felt I was doing the walk for not just my Dad but my Mum, who was his full-time carer and put him first without fail during that time.
The walk began in Bacup, a town nestled in the Rossendale Valley. One of the joys of the walk is following the river Irwell from its source through the quiet scenic hills of Lancashire, through historic mill towns and countryside, watching it widen and widen as you move towards Salford.
On this walk, you have to take the rough with the smooth, and I’m not talking about your feet! You will pass through beautiful countryside, but you will also pass through some ugly industrial areas and very ordinary towns. you get the full flavour of this part of the world.
By the time I reached Salford on the second day, my legs and feet were aching, and I was utterly exhausted. But I also felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. I did have to grit my teeth at times and push on with the thought ‘I’m doing this for my Dad!”
Walking the Irwell Sculpture Trail was a challenge. Covering such a huge distance in just two days pushed me to my limits, but it was worth every step. Not just for the funds raised for Dementia UK, but for the awareness it brought to the cause, and the personal reflection it offered me.
This journey was about more than just walking; it was about connecting—with the art in the landscape. I loved how the sculptures we looked at connected with some aspect of the locality, be it the landscape, cityscape, history or industry.
I can’t recommend walking the Irwell Sculpture Trail in two days unless you are looking for a real challenge. If you want to enjoy it and see all of the clusters, I would suggest 5 days.
It is good to push ourselves out of our comfort zone from time to time and this certainly was a challenge for me.
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