Days out: arrow in on Robin's walk

Days out: arrow in on Robin's walk

Conrad Astley
28/ 4/2006

VISITORS can get fit while celebrating the birthday of Robin Hood next week. And they can learn there is much more to the story than Kevin Costner and Brian Adams.

To mark May Day - traditionally believed to be the day on which Robin Hood was born - bosses from Gorton Monastery have organised an educational health walk around Debdale Park.

Visitors are encouraged to join the walk through Gorton's green spaces, which they may not have known about before.

The walk will be led by the monastery's David Gray, who will be dressed as Robin Hood's trusty companion Friar Tuck, and will tell visitors about the facts behind the myth.

Those attending the walk can learn about who Robin Hood was, and find out about Manchester's unexpected links with the outcast - including how some believe his grave can be found in one of the city's churchyards.

They can also find out about how the archer's legacy was forgotten for centuries under the waters of The Solent, how a legend that was almost lost in the mists of time was reborn during England's hour of need, and why a king tried to ban football.

All will become clear to visitors who arrive at Debdale Sailing Centre's car park at 2pm on May 2.
The walk is expected to last one hour, and fancy dress is optional. Call 223 3211 for more information.

THE cream of the world's bike racing talent is descending on Cheshire this weekend. The Bennett's British Superbike Championship, one of the world's top race championships, gets under way at Oulton Park tomorrow (Saturday).

Motorbike fans can watch a packed show of races featuring talented riders from the UK and overseas.

The championship is one of the biggest events of the year for the sport and regularly attracts trackside crowds of more than 25,000 as well as millions of television viewers.

Last year's races featured the closest finish of the season, in which Ryuichi Kiyonari beat Gregorio Lavilla by just 0.004 seconds at the Cheshire racetrack. Organisers say, with even more top riders this year, the event should be as thrilling.

The event runs from tomorrow (Saturday) until Monday. Weekend tickets cost £26, and camping costs an extra £10, but cheaper one day tickets are also available. Call the ticket hotline on 0870 950 9000.

YOU know we're well and truly into spring when the first bluebells of the year begin to poke through. Now, a North West visitors' centre is celebrating the first appearance of the blue flowers with a special event on May Day bank holiday.

The National Wildflower Centre in Court Hey Park, near Knowsley, in Merseyside, is holding a Bluebell mosaic day on Monday, encouraging visitors to join artists and create their own mosaic masterpiece which will adorn the walls of the centre.

The centre, dedicated to the conservation of wildflowers, is holding the event between 11am-1pm and from 2-4pm.

For further information or to book places, call 0151 738 1913 or email info@nwc.org.uk .


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