GM Walking Event - 31st May 2026

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We are delighted to be hosting this GM Walking Festival event. This is a great opportunity for people from Greater Manchester to experience the fields and the physical and mental health benefits of being in nature. Ryebank Fields is rich in biodiversity and heritage, and one of the rare urban greenfield spaces left in Manchester. We are working to preserve Ryebank Fields as a community woodland and meadow for current and future generations to enjoy. 

We asked Jay Clarke one of our members and an advocate of mindful photography, about the benefits of walking.

“One of the reasons I live in this area is because this beautiful local green space, Ryebank Fields, is a couple of minutes away from home and very accessible for walking in. I practice mindful photography on my walks in the fields and have social interaction there, it’s a magnet for locals to walk themselves and their dogs.

People really appreciate the flora and fauna in Ryebank Fields, especially the rare and protected species and unmanicured nature of the fields. There is a community orchard, labyrinth, sitting areas, 1,400+ trees, an aspen tree grove and the most beautiful aspect of the ancient Nico ditch I have seen in all of Manchester. The local community are guardians of the fields and we keep them clean by litter picking. They feel it is a safe place to walk and relax in nature.

It’s great to see parents walking with their children on their way to and from the local schools, so they all get to experience fresh air and nature connection before and after school. It’s lovely to breathe the fresh air in Ryebank Fields; the air pollution surrounding the fields already exceeds UK and WHO pollution limits. Air monitors show this drastically reduces when in Ryebank Fields.

Sadly, Ryebank Fields are under threat from property developers. I believe it is vitally important to save them from destruction. The Wildlife Trusts are trying to restore a third of the UKs land and sea by 2030, knowing everyone needs access to nature to remain physically and psychologically healthy. Their research shows how green prescribing and access to local green space can take pressure off NHS services and save the NHS £635.6 million a year".

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/default/files/2023-07/23JUN_Health_Report_Summary_FINAL.pdf

If you require any further information about this event please contact Friends of Ryebank Fields at the email address shown below:   

ryebankfieldsfriends@gmail.com

Setsubun is a Japanese festival celebrated annually in February marking the traditional start of spring (Risshun). It is a purification ritual designed to drive away evil spirits (oni) and bring in good fortune for the year.  Join us to banish the bad and welcome Springtime, wildlife friendly beans will be provided!