A ‘Woodland Walk’ in Leyland has officially opened to the public to honour the memory of Sue Taylor-Green, a chair and founder of a local equestrian charity.

The Leyland walk opened on Friday, 26 August, in memory of Sue, who worked with the Ulnes Walton Bridleways Association.

The new bridleway, running from Longmeanygate to Dunkirk Lane, was an idea originated by UWBA, with the project managed and partly funded by South Ribble Borough Council.

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Janet Berry, the chair of UWBA and a long-time friend of Sue, said: “Personally, and on behalf of the association, we are delighted that the ‘Sue’s Woodland Walk’ in memory of our dear friend has opened.

“Sue was always a pleasure to be around, hardworking, fair, funny, and open-minded. We miss her at ‘the head of the table’, but she left us a list of things to do.

“We hope the walk provides a safe, off-road route for horses and their riders but also for anybody who wants to use it”.

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The UWBA attracted funding from The Lancashire Environmental Fund, The British Horse Society, The Harold and Alice Bridges Charity, and C and W Berry Ltd. 

The opening occurred near Bobby the Horse in Leyland, with members of Sue Taylor-Green’s family, the Ulnes Walton Bridleways Association and South Ribble Borough Council in attendance.

The Woodland Walk is one of the many ideas Sue left the UWBA to fulfil as they continue to provide safer off-road routes, primarily for horses but also for other off-road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.

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Sue chaired the UWBA for 12 years and spent a lifetime with horses, competing and for pleasure. She was a keen endurance rider and competed at many national events.

Sue sadly passed away from cancer in 2018 but continued to chair the UWBA as she fought her battle.

The walk begins at Longmeanygate and finishes at Dunkirk Lane and can be used by horses, pedestrians and cyclists.

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The new bridleway path took South Ribble Borough Council six weeks to complete and aims to create a more accessible route for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders in the borough.

The pathway comprises a crushed stone that uses recycled road planings finished with timber edging.

Councillor Paul Foster, the leader of South Ribble Borough Council, said: “We understand the need for more non-road routes for horses, cyclists and walkers, which is why Sue’s story touched us so much.

“Working with the Ulnes Walton Bridleway Association has been a pleasure. We always try to fund projects to help our residents and remember those who dedicated their time to our community.

“I encourage everyone to use this beautiful Woodland Walk as we hope to fund more projects like this in the future”.

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