Bovril contest creates new footpath

The Mold Railway Footpath has been lovingly transformed thanks to restoration funding from The Bovril Great Outdoors Revival Campaign, and is now open to walkers of all abilities. The restoration project was entered into Bovrils ‘doing up the countryside’ competition by Howard White, Chairman of the local Ramblers Cymru group. The tidy-up was awarded a share of the £100k Bovril prize fund in February, and was unveiled in March with Mold Town Mayor, Tony Cattermoul, joining members of the Ramblers and the public at the grand unveiling – which culminated in a leisurely stroll along the new pathway.

The former Mold and Denbigh Railway line runs north from near the town centre of Mold for half a mile, linking with pleasant level riverside paths. Overgrown vegetation was trimmed back and rubbish removed, with a level gravel surface laid on the railway ballast to make the path safer to use. Boundary fences and gates were also tidied up and some signposts provided. Project founder and nominator Howard White hopes that the improved Railway Footpath will be the first stage in converting parts of the former Mold – Denbigh railway line. His hope is to see a long distance walking, cycling and horse-riding route through the Wheeler Valley further north, within the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“Visitors and residents of Mold will really benefit from the improvement of the railway footpath,” says Howard. “Since the line closed in 1984 it had become overgrown and unwelcoming. But with its restoration completed it can be used regularly by dog walkers and members of the Flintshire “Walks for Health’ groups. The funding from the Bovril Great Outdoors Revival campaign ensured we could transform this much loved area and give it back to the community to enjoy.”

Brand Manager for Bovril, David Titman, added: “Following the launch of the Bovril Great Outdoors Revival campaign, we were inundated with nominations for the restoration grants and it has been really tough choosing between so many worthwhile projects. But when we came across Howard White’s Mold Railway Footpath during judging, the idea clearly brought so much value to the local community and health groups; with the prospect of reaching further we knew we had to help.”

Images © Ray Farley