A CHURCH’S congregation embarked on a 14-mile walk to mark its 175th anniversary.

About 60 members of Christ Church, Walmsley, walked the length of the parish’s historic boundary, resurrecting an ancient tradition in the process.

The walk took between seven and eight hours to complete, with the idea coming from an ancient Norman tradition.

Before maps had been invented, communities would walk the perimeter of their area to make sure they remembered where the boundaries were.

It is thought that children and young people would sometimes be taken along and bumped against the boundary stones so they remembered for the future.

Organiser Ken Holt said: “We had a super day for it and the weather was fantastic.

“It was a really good event. As far as we are aware no-one from the church has done this before.

“It was an historical occasion and went very well.

“Fourteen miles is no walk in the park, so to get 60 people to do it is fantastic.” The historic boundary of Walmsley was established by an act of parliament in 1844.

The walk started and ended at Dunscar Bridge and took in Eagley Brook, the eastern side of Bromley Cross, the Last Drop, Turton Heights and Blackburn Road, before heading over towards Belmont and dropping back down to Dunscar Bridge.

Christ Church now plans to embark on this walk every five years.

Free copies of the route are available at Bolton Library.