WARRINGTON Walking Day will follow a different route through the town centre this year.

The procession will no longer head down Arpley Street, instead following a route through Palmyra Square and Winmarleigh Street.

Traditionally, schools and churches turn right out of the Golden Gates onto Sankey Street and down Arpley Street before heading along Museum Street.

But this year, groups will turn left onto Sankey Street, head down Springfield Street, clockwise around Palmyra Square and onto Winmarleigh Street before linking back up with Museum Street.

Warrington Guardian:

A Warrington Borough Council spokesman said: “Throughout the year, we participate in routine planning meetings with the churches and faith groups involved in Walking Day.

“We ask them for their feedback in order to plan the next event and to ensure improvements are made if necessary.

“The changes to this year’s route reflect the feedback provided by representatives from the churches and faith groups.”

Walking Day will also mark the official unveiling of the refurbished Golden Gates after a £500,000 restoration project.

Warrington Guardian:

The Golden Gates being put back into place following their refurbishment

To celebrate the event, the family of Frederick Monks – the man who originally donated the gates to the town in 1895 – will be in attendance.

Mark Edwards, a retired guilder who worked on the grade two-listed gates the last time they were refurbished in the late 1970s, will also be on during a ceremony ahead of the beginning of the walk.

The Warrington Brass Band will play an original fanfare called the Gates, composed specially for the occasion.

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Walking Day will then leave Bank Park at 10.30am.

Mayor of Warrington Cllr Wendy Johnson said: “Walking Day is a fantastic Warrington tradition.

“It’s great to see so many people and families join in year after year, filling the town centre with life.

“This year will be particularly special for Warrington residents with the rededication of the Golden Gates, and we’re delighted to be joined by guests who have personal and family connections with this iconic symbol of Warrington.”

Warrington Guardian:

PICTURE GALLERY > Padgate Walking Day 2019

Brian Hall of Hall Conservation Ltd, the specialist company which undertook the restoration work, added: “We're absolutely delighted to be part of Warrington's very special Walking Day.

“It was an honour to be asked to restore the magnificent Golden Gates – they are a fantastic piece of heritage for the town and its people.

“We're very pleased to be part of this great community event.”

For full information on road closures in the town centre tomorrow morning, click here.

Free seats are available to book on Sankey Street for Walking Day and the rededication ceremony by calling 442142.

The full list of schools and churches taking part in order of leaving the Town Hall:

  • St Elphin’s
  • St Mary’s
  • The Salvation Army
  • Elmwood Avenue
  • St John’s United Reformed
  • Latchford St James’ and St Hilda’s Mission
  • Our Lady’s
  • St Augustine’s
  • Latchford Methodist Church
  • Christ Church Latchford
  • Sir Thomas Boteler
  • Friars Green
  • Bold Street
  • Holy Trinity
  • Wycliffe
  • The Religious Society of Friends
  • Cairo Street
  • St Andrew’s
  • St Stephen’s
  • St Benedict’s
  • Buckley Street
  • St Alban’s
  • Sacred Heart
  • St Barnabas’