The plaque in its place of honour under the Union Railway Bridge

On Friday afternoon 17th January, a number of people attended the official grand opening of a section of the Guild Wheel in Avenham Park, extending alongside the River Ribble from the Union Railway Bridge, adjacent to the Continental Hotel, to The Boulevard in Frenchwood.

This section of the Guild Wheel has been named ‘The Mike Atkins Way’ in honour of the man himself for all the great work he contributed towards creating the Guild Wheel; he died of cancer aged seventy years.
Over the years gone by Mike was a politician, an environmentalist, a civil engineer and an extremely keen cyclist to boot. Being appointed as the county cycling officer for Lancashire county council in the late 1980’s, he and fellow socialist Peter Ward, over many years, devised the Guild Wheel between them and it turned out to be a twenty-one mile circular cycling and walking route for all to enjoy.

The gathering of people listening to words of praise for Mike Atkins

Prior to the official unveiling of the commemoration plaque there were three people, Mike’s wife Kath Atkins, his work partner Peter Ward and one of his fellow councillors Robert Boswell. Each said a few words giving a brief account of what Mike meant to them and the Guild Wheel.

Councillor Robert Boswell unveils the plaque with Kath Atkins looking on

Some of Mike’s family who attended were his wife Kath, his father Ron who was for many years a renowned labour councillor, his daughter Heather and grandson Ben. It was quite apparent that all the family greatly admired Mike for his great achievement in his major role in the planning and creating the route and very proud of that part of the Guild Wheel being honoured with his namesake.

Part of the Atkins family who attended the ceremony
From the left, Mike’s grandson Ben, daughter Heather, father Ron and wife Kath

Following the opening of the commemoration plaque, the party of attendees left to make their way to the Continental Hotel for refreshments and a toast to Mike in his honour.

Were you one of the people who attended this ceremony? Let us know in the comments section