An Intergenerational Soundwalk Through Todmorden's Local Heritage

How do you preserve a town's treasured memories while inspiring people to get out, explore their surroundings and connect with one another? In Todmorden, the answer came through a unique project that brought together young people, local residents and community organisations to create an interactive journey through the town's rich heritage.

The 'Soundwalk Through Todmorden's Heritage' project has transformed a stroll around Centre Vale Park into an opportunity to hear personal stories, reflections and memories from people who know the town best.

Telling the story of Todmorden

Todmorden is steeped in history, with generations of residents holding fascinating memories of the people, places and events that have shaped the town over the years.

Working in partnership with Todmorden High School, Todmorden Town Council set out to capture these stories and bring them to life through an accessible audio trail. The result is an engaging soundwalk that combines local heritage, physical activity and intergenerational connection.

Located around a 1.2km accessible route in Centre Vale Park, the soundwalk allows visitors to hear stories and memories as they move through the space, creating a completely different way of experiencing the park and the town's history.

Young people at the heart of the project

The project was designed around the idea of creating a living timeline of Todmorden's heritage, with young people playing a leading role throughout.

Eight students from Todmorden High School worked alongside Todmorden Town Council's Community Support Officer through a series of design sessions, exploring topics they felt best represented Todmorden's story.

During these sessions, students:

• Learned about soundwalks and oral history techniques.

• Developed interview questions.

• Received training on audio recording equipment.

• Selected the heritage themes they wanted to explore.

  
  

The students then interviewed members of the public, recording personal memories and experiences. Keen to reflect a wide range of voices, they also invited people from within the school community to take part.

In total, 16 people aged between 12 and 82 years old contributed to the recordings, ensuring the soundwalk truly reflects multiple generations of Todmorden life.

Bringing memories to life

Following the interviews, students helped shape how the final soundwalk would sound. They listened to edited recordings, provided feedback and recorded voiceovers that guide listeners around the route.

The finished audio experience was then mapped through the Echoes XYZ app, enabling stories to automatically play as visitors enter different areas of Centre Vale Park.

To complement the project, a competition was launched for students to design promotional artwork for the soundwalk. The winning design received a local pizza voucher presented by the Mayor, while illustrations from the runner-up were incorporated into publicity materials.

Before launch, participants and interviewees were invited to attend a special "first listen" session at the school, followed by a guided walk through the park. Their feedback helped refine the final experience before it was made available to the public.

A community connection

The soundwalk officially launched during the Bandstand Exhibition on 29 August 2026, generating significant interest from residents and visitors alike.

Recognising that not everyone has access to a smartphone or feels confident using technology, organisers also delivered guided sessions where equipment was provided, ensuring the experience remained accessible to as many people as possible.

The students were eager to continue sharing the project and took it to the Tod Jam Youth Festival in September 2026, where they delivered guided walks and showcased the project through photographs, displays and conversations with visitors.

Between the Bandstand events and Tod Jam, hundreds of people have already been introduced to a new way of exploring local history while enjoying one of Todmorden's most popular green spaces.

Building pride, connection and belonging

One of the most powerful outcomes of the project has been the impact on the young people involved.

Students spoke about developing a stronger connection to their town and gaining a new appreciation for its history and community:

• "It has made me feel even more connected with Todmorden."

• "It made me appreciate where I live, and a sense of pride by knowing the history."

• "It has also made me see that we are an extremely welcoming town and community."

• "It has made me realise how much history we have."

The project also left a lasting impression on those who experienced the soundwalk:

• "It was emotional listening to recollections and stories of local people."

• "Thank you for making local history come to life!"

• "An excellent project in many ways. An opportunity to link young, old – and not too old."

• "Our heritage is so special and should be spoken about with pride."

Looking ahead

To help even more people discover the soundwalk, Active Calderdale has provided additional funding for the installation of five permanent information posts throughout Centre Vale Park.

These will include QR codes that allow visitors to instantly access the soundwalk while they're out exploring the park.

The installations are planned for this autumn, alongside further guided walks, helping ensure Todmorden's stories continue to be heard by future generations.

As much as this project celebrates the town's heritage, it also demonstrates the power of bringing people together.

By combining local history, outdoor exploration and intergenerational collaboration, the Soundwalk Through Todmorden's Heritage project has created something that is informative, inspiring and uniquely Todmorden.