New heritage trail offers a revealing walk through Georgian Holt
Official opening of the Holt Owl Trail with Duncan Baker on right. Pictures: supplied by Duncan Baker - Credit: Archant
A new heritage trail revealing the history and hidden secrets of Holt has been formally unveiled.
Official unveiling of the Holt Owl Trail. Pictures: supplied by Duncan Baker - Credit: Archant
The Holt Owl Trail provides a circular walk following a series of 24 bronze plaques set into the pavement taking you on a walking tour of the historic Georgian town.
Each plaque denotes and captures a special piece of heritage in the town.
To accompany the trail is a mobile website www.holtowltrail.co.uk and printed guide booklet available at many businesses in Holt.
Walkers can click or tap on any of the plaque images to find out fascinating facts, interesting anecdotes and details of additional 'looped trails' revealing some of Holt's hidden locations.
Cley-based wildlife artist Robert Gillmor designed the logo for the bronze plaques, which feature the town's owl mascot. He formally unveiled the trail on Wednesday, April 11.
The trail was the brainchild of Michael Hill who followed Dijon's town trail in France on a family holiday and was inspired to bring the idea back to Holt.
For the last two years a working party including representatives from all tiers of local councils, the Chamber of Trade and the Holt Society has worked tirelessly to develop the trail.
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Duncan Baker, Chairman of the Owl Trail Committee, said: 'The trail has now become a permanent feature of the town and appeals to all age groups.
'Children, residents and tourists can now all learn about the town's rich history whilst exploring Holt.
'We would like to thank the Big Society, town council, Chamber of Trade and Holt Society, not to mention the business community who have also generously donated to the scheme. Together, we raised around £20,000.
'We also wish to thank the town clerk Elaine Oliver for all her help through the process and Steve White, from Norfolk county highways, for his careful guidance on where to place the plaques.'
Mr Baker also wished to thank Mr Hill, Philip High and Steve Benson for their enormous input into the project.
'Without their historical knowledge we would not have been able to bring the trail to life,' he added.
