‘A godsend’: Volunteers rally to make threatened Padgate Walking Day 'just brilliant'

A CENTURY-OLD Warrington tradition which was cancelled just weeks before it was set to take place was pulled back from the brink by volunteers.

For around 100 years, Woolston and Padgate Walking Day has seen churches, primary schools, scout and guide troops, and marching bands parade up and down Padgate Lane each June in a celebration of their faith and the community.

But the festival’s usual organisers, Churches Together of East Warrington, pulled the plug on the event this year after low numbers of volunteers to organise and marshal the event, which centres on local children, raised safeguarding concerns.

Front garden parties are a big part of Walking Day, as shown (L - R): Mavis Roberts; Polly Birchall; Barbara Birchall; Tallulah Birchall; Lauren Lee; Linus, the dog (Image: Peter Carroll)

Despite this, a turnaround decision was made following a passionate response from residents for the century-old event to go ahead on the planned date of Saturday, June 22, at 2.30pm.

Warrington Pipe Band were out in force at Padgate Walking Day 2024 (Image: Peter Carroll)

And go ahead it did. While St Peter’s Catholic Primary, Woolston CofE, Bruche Primary, Cinnamon Brow CE, and Christ Church CofE primary school did not attend, St Oswald’s and Oakwood Avenue schools formed the core of the parade, along with Scouts, Guides, and community groups.

These included Velocity Community Dance CIC and Rylands Sharks Rugby Club, who agreed to join the parade for the first time.

'It's a euphonium' - Robin Ramsey with Haydock's Valley Brass Band (Image: Peter Carroll)

Music from both the Valley Brass Band, from Haydock, and the Warrington Pipe Band ensured the atmosphere of the parade was as festive as ever, and doubts over whether the event would go ahead did nothing to dent spectator numbers.

From Churches Together East Warrington branch (L to R) Fr Dave Heywood; Rev Mark Coles; Dan Howarth, who's a trainee priest (Image: Peter Carroll)

Father Dave Heywood, chairman of East Warrington Churches Together, said: “It’s been a brilliant day, just brilliant. It’s remarkable how the community have come together.

Dave Birch (centre) from Rylands Sharks rugby club with son Jack Birch (left) and Evyn Norman (Image: Peter Carroll)

“The volunteers have been an absolute godsend.”

Dave Birch, under 12s coach at Rylands Sharks, said: “This is the first time we’ve walked as a club but it’s great to be involved.

“We decided to do it because a lot of the players’ school pulled out, and we thought it would be sad if they’d have to miss it.

Hugo-Sunny Jenks (left) and Harlow-Sky Jenks enjoying pretty fancy looking ice-creams (Image: Peter Carroll)

“My own son goes to Bruche Primary and they’ve always been involved before, but they decided to pull out over safeguarding concerns.

“For it not to go ahead at all would be unthinkable. It’s been going on in Padgate for 100 years, but the threat of it being cancelled made people rally round.

Local scouts doing their bit to make Walking Day a success (Image: Peter Carroll)

“This year, it’s just going to be a bit different. There’s no police presence, which is a shame, but the people of Padgate have really stepped up to plug the gap.”

Warrington borough councillor for Poulton North, Sue Emery, took a lead role in ensuring Walking Day 2024 went ahead as usual.

Dave and Lisa Ingram and son, Archie (front) (Image: Peter Carroll)

Addressing concerns about organisation and safety ahead of the event, she said: “All that can be done, has been done”.

Speak at the event, Padgate resident, Hannah Delluze, said: “My son Freddie is walking at with St Oswald’s, but I’m absolutely gutted my old primary school, Padgate Primary, isn’t involved this year.

Warrington Pipe Band lending a little military dignity to proceedings (Image: Peter Carroll)

“It’s my absolute favourite time and I look forward to it all year.

“As a community, we’ve got to do everything we can to keep it going.”