The River Rea - another picturesque reminder of Birmingham's sprawling river and canal network. Picture © Roslyn Tappenden.
Plans for a seven-mile heritage trail along the River Rea in Birmingham have received a boost after the project was awarded £24,000 in lottery money.
The funding, secured last week, will match amounts pledged by the six Birmingham wards involved in the project. The Wards are: Longbridge; Northfield; Kings Norton;Brandwood; Bournville and Selly Oak.
The grant was awarded as part of the Local Heritage Initiative - a partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund, Nationwide Building Society and the Countryside Agency.
Photo © Roslyn Tappenden.
Councillor Nigel Dawkins (Labour), Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture, said: "This grant is great news for all the local supporters of these plans and when the trail is completed, people of all ages can enjoy a stroll along the river bank and learn a bit more about their surroundings at the same time."
The trail, which officially opens next Easter, will run from the river's source in Waseley Hills to Cannon Hill Park.
Special information panels will be erected along the route of the trail to mark places of historic interest such as Gannow Green Moat in Frankley, the site of an old moated house.
Other places of interest include Balaam's Wood, which is more than 400 years old, and Northfield water mill.
The grant was awarded to the Friends of Balaam's Wood, the main founder of the trail project.
Friends of Balaam's Wood secretary, Penny Moore, said: "There is some fascinating local history in Birmingham. The aim of the trail will be to encourage people to look a little more closely at their surrounding and history on their own doorsteps."
The group is working with Birmingham City Council and the Environment Agency. A website to accompany the trail is also planned.
