Byte-sized walk brings town’s history alive

Two Leek residents with an interest in local history have created a digital walk around the town that can be accessed via smartphone or computer.

Having read the Ray’s Rambles book by local historian Ray Poole, Dave Swarbrook and Debbie Potts with help from Rob Povey have produced a digital copy of the first walk in the publication which covers historic buildings and points of interest around Leek town centre.The project has been delivered with the full permission of Ray’s widow Dorothy and original publisher, Churnet Valley Books.

The pair also added archive photos and more recent ones to add to the original text.The walk can be completed in one session or users can just click on the point they are near or interested in. People can even enjoy the images and information from the comfort of their own home which could be of interest to ex-pat ‘Leekensians’.

Dave Swarbrook said: “We hope that having the walk in digital format will introduce Leek’s fascinating history and heritage to a whole new audience as well as refreshing memories for those already familiar with the town.“We would like to thank the Nicholson Museum’s newly appointed curator, Alison Nicholls, for her advice and guidance based on her previous experience of producing similar walks around Stoke-on-Trent.”

Debbie Potts added: “It has been a labour of love to work on this project. If this digital walk proves popular, we hope to work with other authors and historians to digitise walks that could include pubs and blue plaques and other historic and social aspects of the town.“The Ray’s Rambles book is still in publication. It contains 21 local walks and can be purchased from The Book Shop in Stanley Street, Leek. It would make a very good Christmas present!”To view the walk, look out for posters around the tow or click here