A GROUP of walkers will set off on a series of five walks this month to commemorate a little-known uprising close to 200 years ago.

While raising money for Ramsbottom Pantry, the group will pay homage to the 1826 Weavers Uprising, which saw textile workers travel across the West Pennines and Rossendale in protest of extreme poverty and starvation.

The walks will chart the approximate course that thousands of weavers took as they travelled across east Lancashire destroying hundreds of power looms in cotton mills across the area.

Following the uprising, many of the protesters were sentenced to prison, while others were transported to Australia or handed the death penalty.

The walks will be led by Open University academic Dr David Scott along with his dog Flossy who will undertake an eight-mile walk each day from April 24 to 28.

Beginning on Whinney Hill near Enfield as the Weavers did almost two centuries ago, the walkers will traverse through the Pennines before arriving in Chatterton on the final day, where they will lay a wreath to commemorate the weavers and others who succumbed to starvation and disease.

On behalf of Ramsbottom Pantry, Joseph Bramhall said: "Ramsbottom pantry would like to thank David for selecting our organisation to raise money for during this event.

"Unfortunately, in 2022 we can still draw some parallels to the hardships the workers and their families had to endure 196 years ago.

“This year more than ever the families we support will feel the squeeze of inflation and the fuel crisis.

"The money we hope to raise for this walk will go a long way in continuing to support those in need throughout our community."

In addition to the walk, David, along with other historians and members of the community, have set up the Weavers Uprising Bicentennial Committee who aim to raise more awareness about the revolt.

The committee will be formally launched on the first day of the remembrance walks and will work with heritage groups and museums to organise and advocate for further commemorative events over the next four years.

If you would like to donate to David’s fundraiser in aid of Ramsbottom Pantry, you can click here.