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Little Hulton and Walkden residents step back in time during Salford 100 celebrations

Group of people in a park parade holding a colorful banner, with a rainbow tent behind them.

Residents in Little Hulton and Walkden took a walk through history last Saturday as part of the ongoing Salford 100 celebrations.

The community event saw a colourful “walking train” procession travel along the old Loop Line from Little Hulton to Parr Fold Park, bringing together local performers, musicians and families for a day celebrating the area’s heritage and community spirit.

Inspired by the traditional Whit Walks, the procession featured a choir, stilt walkers, CM Stars dance group and members of Peel Amateur Drama Group. Crowds gathered along the route as the parade made its way towards Parr Fold Park between 11am and 1pm.

Parade of costumed performers walking along a shaded park path, playing drums and wearing bright red, purple, and gold outfits; a security guard in a purple hi-vis vest stands on the right.
Group of diverse people walking a sunny street parade, holding colorful banners and quilted cloths, with spectators and cars nearby.
People take part in a daytime street parade on a tree-lined road; a rider on a red scooter leads beside a banner carried by marchers, with spectators along the curb and parked cars nearby.
People participate in a colorful street parade with banners and children marching on a sunny day. A black SUV is parked on the side of the road.
Crowd walking along a tree-lined street during a parade; a brown dog leads the scene as adults and children push strollers and walkers ahead.
Parade down a street with girls in pink costumes holding pink pom-poms; spectators line the sidewalk behind a green fence.
Group of costumed performers marching along a forest path, playing drums and trumpets during a sunny parade.
Group of people in a park parade holding a colorful banner, with a rainbow tent behind them.
Colorful parade float with a white curved canopy and blue stairs at an outdoor festival, with tents and people nearby.
Blue-and-white circus wagon with a curved canopy and blue curtains, set up on a park lawn under a clear sky.
Blue curved banner in a grassy park advertising 'Walk the Plank' with a skull logo, plus sponsor logos along the bottom edge.
Outdoor festival booth underneath a gray canopy with large colorful flower cutouts; people gather around a table in the shade under bright decorations.
Brass band performing in an outdoor gazebo, conductor standing at center while musicians play trumpets and trombones.
Woman in a bright yellow blouse and sunglasses holds a framed ‘Salford Community Champion’ certificate at a park event, with a band on a stage in the background.
Two women in yellow shirts stand on a park path, holding a painted banner of a cityscape with the words 'New Homes Coming Soon'.
Smiling woman in a bright yellow top holds a framed certificate reading 'Salford Community Champion' outdoors, with a band and gazebo in the background.
Two women in yellow shirts walk on a paved path, holding a colorful banner with letters and designs across it.
Pink canopy tent reading 'Friends of Parr Fold Park' set up in a sunny park with people sitting and talking nearby, colorful cutouts on the right side.

Once at the park, celebrations continued with live music and entertainment throughout the afternoon. Performers included Farnworth and Walkden Brass Band, the Daytime Singers Choir and local entertainer Martin Boswell, while younger visitors enjoyed free face painting.

The event was organised by Community Little Hulton, Friends of Parr Fold Park and Peel Amateur Drama Group, with hosting duties carried out by John O’Neill.

As part of the wider Salford centenary celebrations, organisers also invited residents to share their memories and stories connected to the Bankings and the old Loop Line. Audio recordings were collected during the day for a special community soundwalk project being created to mark Salford’s 100th anniversary.

The event drew together generations of residents, celebrating both the history of the area and the strong community spirit that continues across Little Hulton and Walkden today.

Picture of Carl Davison

Carl Davison

Editor in Chief of Salford Media, won an award for something or other and has been banging on about it ever since. He also has type 1 diabetes but doesn't like to talk about it... much.