A GENTLE stroll around the streets of Bolton could have an added dimension thanks to a new guide book produced by Halliwell Local History Society.

Retired heating engineer and history society member Peter Nightingale spent six weeks researching and writing about a one an a half mile route around Captain's Clough.

The resulting booklet - titled Captain's Clough - takes the walker along Chorley Old Road, up Ivy Road and Church Road before heading back down Captain's Clough Road.

Along the way places and buildings of historical interest are pointed out with short descriptions of important people who lived there.

The book, priced £2 is the first a series of at least five guides which the history society is hoping to produce.

Others in the series are likely to include a walk to The Two Lads and Winter Hill and a stroll around Doffcocker.

Despite knowing the Captain's Clough area well Mr Nightingale says he was surprised at some of the information he dug up during his research.

"It is not exactly what you would call an interesting area so it was a challenge to come up with something interesting," he said.

Mr Nightingale became fascinated by the life of Captain Roger Dewhurst, after whom the area is named.

"I didn't realise just how important and powerful a figure this Captain Dewhurst was," he said.

"It was amazing to read about his rise and his family's eventual decline."

The booklet is available from members of Halliwell Local History Society and some local booksellers.

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