A group of lost hikers attempting a walking route in the Dovestones area that’s been popularised by social media had to be rescued over the weekend.
This has prompted mountain rescuers to issue a warning urging walkers to be wary of the “potential risks that may be encountered” on the route, and encouraging people to do their research and ensure they’re up to the challenge before setting off.
The hikers had been attempting the so-called ‘Trinnacle Trail’, an eight-kilometre route in the Dovestones and Saddleworth area of Oldham, when they got into difficulty.
Just after 6pm this past Sunday evening (27 August), the group managed to contact Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to say they had “made an error” and were lost on the trail, before police contacted Oldham Mountain Rescue Team and a two-hour rescue mission supported by police helicopters begun.
The group were located by Phonefind technology as being in Middle Edge Moss, in between Birchen Clough and Holme Clough, and after mountain rescuers found them and established they were “ok, but cold”, some were escorted down on foot while others were flown down to the vehicles for “a more thorough check”.
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They then returned to Oldham Mountain Rescue Team’s base for “a brew, biscuits, and a warm up.”
Mountain rescuers issue warning after saving lost walkers on ‘popular social media route’ in Dovestones area / Credit: Oldham Mountain Rescue Team | Pxfuel
The trail – which has been popularised by social media, and has become a favourite of those wanting to take selfies with the impressive three-pronged gritstone pillar known as the ‘Trinnacle’ – has often been called one of the best walks in the UK, and as such, has seen a huge surge in walkers attempting to make their way around in recent months.
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But Oldham Mountain Rescue Team is keen to warn that “some parts that are more than a walk”.
Issuing a warning following this past weekend’s rescue mission, Oldham Mountain Rescue Team wrote on Facebook: “Although the Trinnacle Trail has always been a popular destination for those in the know, exposure on social media, along with local and national news outlets, has meant the number of people tackling the trail has surged.
“Whilst we always encourage people to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, it is important that they understand the potential risks that may be encountered.
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“It may be advertised as one of the best walks in the UK, but it must be understood there are some parts that are more than a walk – the section up Birchen Clough past Greenfield Waterfall is a scramble that often requires the use of hands and feet to make progress up the rocky steps; it is not for the faint hearted.
“As well as the challenging terrain, even on the brightest of days, the weather in the hills can change in an instant.
“What may be shorts and t-shirt weather down in the valley, can soon become a very different prospect at higher levels on the edge of Saddleworth Moor – [with] rain, high winds, and poor visibility frequently encountered.”
The Trinnacle, where the so-called ‘Trinnacle Trail’ gets its name / Credit: Trevor Harris (via Geograph)
Oldham Mountain Rescue Team says more than 25% of its incidents are now in the Dovestones and Saddleworth area, with people “usually following some iteration of the Trinnacle Trail”, and on the worst of occasions, incidents involve “serious and / or potentially life-changing injuries”.
The team then went on to issue advice, and urge curious walkers to take “appropriate precautions beforehand” to ensure they have an “enjoyable and memorable outing” in the beautiful surroundings.
Featured Image – Oldham Mountain Rescue Team
News
Tracey Neville appointed as Managing Director of brand new Stockport County Women’s team
Danny Jones
Stockport County FC have finally and officially launched their new women’s team in what they are hailing as a “new era” for the female football in the area.
Moreover, they’ve hired an experienced international coach to head up the department, with Tracey Neville MBE selected as the Managing Director of the new outfit.
Sister to footballing brothers Phil and Gary Neville, but with an oft-overlooked impressive reputation of her own – having not only won bronze at both the 1998 Commonwealth Games and World Netball Championship in ’99 before going on to coach her national team – she arrives with plenty of pedigree.
Now swapping her discipline for a different set of nets, Tracey Neville will lead the pre-existing Stockport County Ladies setup into their next modern chapter as the SCFC Women.
The club is delighted to announce the launch of Stockport County Women, marking an exciting new era for women’s football in our town.
Writing in a short announcement on social media, the Hatters said: “The club is delighted to announce the launch of Stockport County Women, marking an exciting new era for women’s football in our town.
“Founded in 1989 as Stockport County Ladies, the team has spent 37 years as a volunteer-led community club, providing opportunities for women and girls across the borough.
“From the 2026–27 season, the team will compete as Stockport County Women, reflecting the growth of the women’s game and the club’s commitment to equality and opportunity.”
Also confirming the appointment of an experienced women’s and international sports personality, Tracey Neville, as the new MD, they’ve issued a clear mission statement.
Put simply, she and the rest of her staff are going to be tasked with creating “a clear pathway from grassroots to elite women’s football for Stopfordians.”
Commenting on her new role in a lengthier club statement, Neville said: “I am incredibly proud to be joining Stockport County at such a pivotal moment for the club and for the women’s game.
“My career in elite sport has shown me what is possible when there is a clear vision, strong leadership and a genuine commitment to developing talent from the ground up. Women’s football is at a defining point, and Stockport has the opportunity to do something special.
She goes on to add: “This is a community club with deep roots, and my focus will be on creating a clear, credible pathway for girls and women to progress, while building the standards, culture and infrastructure needed to compete at the highest level.”
“We want young girls in Stockport to believe that they can reach the top of the game without leaving their community. That’s how you build something powerful, sustainable and truly representative of the people it serves.”
This comes following another major announcement with the news of the next phase of the infrastructural development, with the wider football club set to take control of Stockport Sports Village (SSV) and turn it into the home not only of the youth academy, but County Women and grassroots club Stockport Town.
As for Stockport County Women, it was only last year that they were playing against Liverpool’s female senior first team at Edgeley Park, and with all the investment happening in and around the organisation, you can expect more dates like these in the near future.
Stockport County Ladies become Women from next season onwards.
Four people arrested as part of investigation into fatal head-on crash in Bolton last month
Emily Sergeant
Four people have now been arrested following a devastating and fatal head-on collision in Bolton last month.
Simultaneous warrants – which were conducted alongside Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Trading Standards – took place in Ladybridge and Bolton town centre this week, and resulted in four people being arrested.
A 42-year-old woman and 46-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of fraud offences, while a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, and an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking.
All four people arrested currently remain in police custody for questioning, as the investigation into the serious collision continues.
The arrests have been made after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to reports of a collision on Wigan Road in Bolton at around 12:45am on Sunday 11 January, where a Seat Leon was travelling down the road and collided with a Citroen C4 Picasso – which was a taxi.
The driver of the Seat, and two passengers – who were all aged between 18 and 19 – died following the collision, and the driver of the Citroen was also sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
The three teenagers who died have been named by GMP as Muhammad Danyaal Asghar Ali, Farhan Patel, and Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, all from Bolton, while the taxi driver was named as Masrob Ali from Blackburn.
Four people have been arrested as part of an investigation into a fatal head-on crash that happened in Bolton last month / Credit: GMP
Five passengers from both vehicles were taken to hospital for treatment, and it has been revealed by GMP that a 29-year-old woman who suffered ‘life-threatening injuries’ during the incident is now in a stable condition.
“Our investigation into this tragic incident has led to four arrests from two warrants in Bolton,” Detective Inspector Andrew Page, of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, confirmed.
GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) is still appealing for information and witnesses, and are urging anyone that may be able to help to come forward. This includes anyone who saw the vehicle driving before the collision, witnessed the incident itself, or has dashcam / CCTV footage.
Emily Sergeant -
29th August 2023 
