Reading & Libraries
Inspire Libraries awarded microgrant to deliver nature-focused 'Places to Connect' programme
Inspire Libraries has been awarded a £6k grant by Natural England and Libraries Connected to delive…
Our guide is Sophie, a young woman grappling to understand her place in a town her family has long called home. As she introduces five stories that move through the years of coal mining, and we hear from those who work with the local community now, this is a rich exploration of the past, present, and future of Ollerton.
This walk starts and ends near the Hop Pole Hotel in Old Ollerton, taking us to New Ollerton and back. Walking past St. Giles’ Church, we go up Wellow Road, left onto Back Lane and via Middlefield to a traffic-free path running alongside the disused railway line. Coming out onto Darwin Drive we go into the skatepark, and from here along the path past Tesco’s into New Ollerton. Walking along Sherwood Drive we head up Briar Road to Church Circle, and stop at the community garden. Retracing our steps we head back into old Ollerton and end up sitting in the Remembrance Garden facing the Maun.
The walk crosses a number of roads and is on
pavements and paths. There are no steep sections
at any point.
There are a total of 11 tracks on this walk, with regular stops along the way. There are also sections when the audio is playing as you walk. It should take you around two and a half hours to complete Sophie’s story. Distance: 3 miles.
You can download the audio tracks and save them to your audio device before you set off, or stream them from your device on the go; either from the links below or, if you prefer, via a streaming platform such as Spotify or Audible - see the links at the bottom of this page.
Track 1 - Sophie's Story (Ollerton)
To be listened to at the bench opposite The Hop Pole.
Track 2 - Sophie's Story (Ollerton)
To be listened to at the bench where Church Street meets Market Place.
Track 3 - Sophie's Story (Ollerton)
To be listened to at the entrance to Private Road / Middlefield.
Track 4 - Sophie's Story (Ollerton)
To be listened to at the railway bridge.
Track 5 - Sophie's Story (Ollerton)
To be listened to at the skatepark at the centre of Darwin Drive.
Track 6 - Sophie's Story (Ollerton)
To be listened to at Lifespring Church, Sherwood Drive.
Track 7 - Sophie's Story (Ollerton)
To be listened to at the Church Circle.
Track 8 - Sophie's Story (Ollerton)
To be listened to at the bench opposite A. W. Lymn’s.
Track 9 - Sophie's Story (Ollerton)
To be listened to at the railway bridge.
Track 10 - Sophie's Story (Ollerton)
To be listened to at the bench where Church Street meets Market Place.
Track 11 - Sophie's Story (Ollerton)
To be listened to at the Remembrance Garden.
Sophie’s Story was written by Andy Barrett and read by Julia Bird, with Andy Barrett, Stuart Bull, Margaret Knowles, Hannah Lucy Stone, and Emma Rayner. The sound design was by Adam P McCready. Thanks to all those whose voices are included; to everyone who shared their stories and knowledge; to Andy Oxnard, Alistair Littlewood, and the many people who helped with the research for this walk.
The audio can be streamed from the following platforms (and, if you have subscriptions with any of these, you should be able to download them as well):
You can also access the audio and maps at www.sherwoodvoices.co.uk
For those who don't have access to their own devices, there are also a limited number of MP3 players available to borrow. Find out more here.
