Success stories

Celebrating some of the people who make Ramsbottom such a thriving and pleasant place to live and visit

- Mairead Mahon

Ramsbottom is used to attracting visitors, even during a pandemic. Nonetheless, Carol Rothwell had to smile when one family, who live just two miles away, decided to spend their summer holiday at The Paddock, the glamping and yurt site she runs with her daughter, Charlotte Hanley.

‘They packed their youngsters in the back of the car, drove around for an hour to confuse them before arriving here and telling them they were a long way from home. It worked: they all had a fabulous time,’ says Carol.

The Paddock is in an idyllic setting, close to Carol’s home. Luxury tents have fire pits, showers, barbeque packs and fairy lights and mean it is becoming ever more popular as people search for gorgeous places in which to have their staycation, even locals.

‘Yes, bookings are up but obviously some things have changed,’ she adds. ‘We are constantly cleaning – my hands tell the tale – and our usual luxurious furnishings have had to be removed, many of them are stacked up in my house where I fall over them every day.’

Glen Duckett of The Eagle and Child didn’t allow the lockdown to slow him down; he spent the period sending out meals to NHS workers and vulnerable groups.

‘Members of my team volunteered and we pulled together, at one point we even provided a homeless project with soup kettles and a freezer. The display of community spirit in this area has been a much needed positive,’ says Glen who has now re-opened his award-winning pub.