Voices of Change is a collaborative audio trail exploring how local people are making Congleton more sustainable through different initiatives. The trail brings together stories about nature, renewable energy, food growing, active travel and other community-led projects across the town.

Our Disappearing Nature is featured at Stop 4, telling the story of the museum’s project exploring how Congleton’s natural environment has changed over the past 100 years.

There are two self-directed routes.

• The walking route includes six stories through Congleton town centre, covering approximately 1 mile and taking around 1 hour 10 minutes.

• The cycling route runs from Astbury Mere to Congleton Hydro, includes the walking-route stories plus three additional stops, covers 3.7 miles and takes approximately 1.5 hours. You can use the downloadable map to plan and follow the cycling route.

All you need is a phone and a pair of headphones. You can follow the trail on your own, with friends or as a group, moving from stop to stop at your own pace. At each location, listen to fragments of real conversations with people involved in the projects. At some stops, you can also choose to take part in a simple activity connected with the story.

Follow the trail with GeoTourist

You can use GeoTourist to navigate between the stops and listen to the audio stories. You can access the tour directly in your web browser or download the GeoTourist app.

OR

Listen on this page

You can also listen to every story directly below. Each stop includes the audio and a Google Maps link to help you find the location.

1. Astbury Mere
Discover how a former sand quarry was transformed into a community-owned country park, with new woodland, meadows and wildlife habitats.

This story is told by Matthew Axford, who was Countryside Ranger at Astbury Mere from 1990 to 2025.

2. Bath House & Physic Garden
Explore the restored historic Bath House and a garden of medicinal plants created and developed by local volunteers.

This story is told by Vanessa Ansell, a long-standing volunteer and trustee involved with the Bath House and Physic Garden.

3. Congleton Apple Juice Project
Hear how unwanted local apples inspired a community project turning surplus fruit into Congleton apple juice and starting conversations about sustainability.

This story is told by Peter Aston, one of the people behind Congleton’s community apple juice project.

4. Our Disappearing Nature
Discover how a 100-year-old schoolchildren’s plant survey inspired a new study of Congleton’s wildlife — revealing that nature is not simply disappearing, but changing.

This story is told by Sergey Kamenskiy, Museum Development Officer at Congleton Museum and Project Manager for Our Disappearing Nature.

5. Food4Free
Find out how public green spaces can grow food for local people while also providing plants and habitats for pollinators.

This story is told by Val Skaresbrook, one of the people behind Congleton Food for Free.

6. Congleton Biodiversity Sites
Discover the story of Congleton’s 30 biodiversity sites and how small changes in the way green spaces are managed can create more room for wildlife.

This story is told by Ruth Benson, who was commissioned by Congleton Town Council to prepare plans for these biodiversity sites.

7. Just Bee Garden
Hear how a schoolgirl’s idea for a bee-friendly garden became a real community space for bees, butterflies, birds and people in Congleton Park.

This story is told by Patti Pinto, who led the Just Bee Garden project and is one of the people behind Congleton in Bloom.

8. Congleton Sustainable Travel
Find out how local volunteers are removing barriers and helping make walking, cycling and wheeling around Congleton easier and more accessible.

This story is told by Jackie Kay and Val Skaresbrook, members of Congleton’s Sustainable Travel Group.

9. Congleton Hydro
Discover how local volunteers created a community hydro scheme on the River Dane, generating renewable electricity and supporting other local sustainability projects.

This story is told by Paul Geimer and Bob Owen, two of the founders of Congleton Hydro.

This project was delivered with support from Mission Green, a Castle Green Homes initiative.

Project author and curator: Sergey Kamenskiy
Sound designer: Gordon Watt