Shoe Trail
27 June - 15 August
This exciting project takes inspiration from Rossendale's historical links with the shoe and brick industry. The Shoe Trail directs people from Rawtenstall town centre, through the Rossendale Valley and up to the Halo Panopticon at Top o' Slate using giant footwear designs as way markers.
The giant, ceramic shoes were designed by school groups from All Saints High School, Fearns High School and Haslingden High School in Rossendale. The students worked with artist Julie Miles to produce designs that could be recreated using clay. Each of the way markers is hand carved to provide a truly unique way of guiding people into the beautiful Rossendale countryside.
The giant shoes are positioned on the top of dry-stone walling and other key sites at regular intervals along the Trail. They are placed at sites where trail users can admire the view or examine points of specific interest.
Rossendale Valley is famous for its shoe industry, but in the early part of the 20th century the area was also a major contributor to brick making and manufacture. The Shoe Trail aims to recognise this ‘forgotten' industry by using clay to produce the way markers. Top o' Slate was once a clay pit for the brick factories of Heys and Duckworth, Haslingden Brick and Tile Co. and R. Holding Pike Law Patent Brick works making the ceramic way markers even more important in celebrating the area's heritage.
The Shoe Trail starts and ends with carved relief brick plaques produced by artist Julie Miles. At Top o' Slate the plaque depicts the historical industry of the area from felt making, block printing, carpet printing through to the production of slippers, brick making and the railway. A similar plaque is positioned in the ground outside Rawtenstall station. This piece is carved with images that celebrate the town's heritage as well as pictures that represent the Rossendale landscape. A carved image of the Halo Panopticon is included to encourage walkers to visit Top o' Slate. These plaques have also been designed with the help of school groups.
The Shoe Trail has been developed in partnership with Groundwork Pennine Lancashire and Lancashire Country Museum Service and is supported by Rossendale Borough Council. A special note of thanks goes to the students for their help end enthusiasm in designing the way markers and plaques.