Welcome to 2025: Exciting New Projects for the Trans Pennine Trail! 

Happy New Year to all of our wonderful supporters, volunteers, community groups, and partners! As we step into 2025, we are excited about the opportunities and projects ahead that will further enhance the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) and make it more accessible, engaging, and enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re a regular Trail user, a dedicated volunteer, or someone who simply loves hearing about what’s happening, there’s a way for you to get involved and help us continue to make the TPT a treasured resource. 

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the exciting projects the TPT National Office will be launching this year: 

Digital Trails: Explore the Trail from Home: In 2025, we’ll be launching Digital Trails, an initiative designed to give people an immersive experience of the TPT, even if they can’t physically get out on the Trail. Whether you’re curious about the sights and sounds of the Trail, or perhaps are no longer able to visit in person, these digital experiences will allow you to enjoy the Trail from the comfort of your own home. 

The idea is simple: we’re inviting volunteers and Trail supporters to create short videos about their local sections of the Trail. These videos will feature a walk through the area, with commentary on the sights, sounds, artwork, and points of interest. It could be as simple as talking about a particularly lovely stretch of Trail, a fascinating piece of local history, or an artwork along the way. This will offer a more detailed, sensory experience for those who can’t physically make the journey, while also enriching the knowledge of anyone exploring the Trail. 

 There’s also some great projects that you can help with too: 

Take a Seat Campaign: Mapping the Benches Along the Trail: We’re thrilled to announce the Take a Seat Campaign, which we’re launching in partnership with Ageing Better UK. The idea is to collect the location and photos of each bench along the Trail, then plot them on a mapping layer so that everyone can see where safe resting spots are located. This initiative is designed to encourage people of all ages to venture further along the Trail, knowing that there is a comfortable and accessible place to rest along the way.  When the project launches, if you know of a bench in your local area that would be a great addition to the map, we’d love to hear from you. By sharing your knowledge of these spots, you’ll help make the Trail more welcoming and accessible to everyone. 

Join Our Blog Programme: Do you have a story to tell about your adventures on the Trans Pennine Trail? Or maybe you’re involved with a local community group or initiative related to the Trail? We’d love to hear from you for our Blog Programme! It’s a simple way to share your experiences with the wider TPT community. 

Whether you’ve got a tale of a memorable walk, a local event, or just want to highlight a wonderful part of the Trail, we invite you to submit a short article (with a couple of photos) that we can share in our newsletter and on our website. We’ll do the rest – from editing to publishing – so it’s easy for you to get involved. 

Podcast: Share Your TPT Stories: We’ve seen tremendous success with our podcast programme, and in 2025, we’re looking forward to more fascinating conversations. If you have a Trail-related story you’d like to share, or if you’ve got expertise or experiences related to the Trail, consider joining us for a podcast interview. 

Robert, our podcast host, will interview you about whatever you’d like to discuss – from the history of your local section to how the Trail has helped you in your personal journey, or even the wildlife you’ve spotted along the way. No matter the topic, we’d love to have you on the show! You’ll receive the questions in advance, so you can feel prepared and comfortable. It’s a great opportunity to share your passion for the Trail with a wider audience. 

At the TPT National Office, we’re genuinely excited about the opportunities 2025 holds, and we can’t wait to work alongside you to bring these projects to life. Each of you plays a crucial part in making the Trans Pennine Trail a place of connection, inspiration, and community, and we are so grateful for all of your contributions. 

As always, if you’d like to get involved in any of these projects, or if you have an idea of your own, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help and support your ideas and efforts! 

Here’s to a wonderful year ahead, filled with new adventures, shared stories, and a stronger, more vibrant Trans Pennine Trail. 

Best wishes,
The Trans Pennine Trail National Office Team 

Date: 3rd January, 2025

              
Mandy Loach            Hannah Beaumont    Robert Drummond