Revealed – the local brothers who made a historic walk

A NEW book from Grappenhall Local History Group casts light on a little known fact – that the first-ever recorded journey from John O’ Grout’s to Land’s End was completed by two Grappenhall brothers.
John and Robert Naylor made the 1,372 mile journey on foot in the Autumn of 1871. It seems they must have made some detours as it should have only been 872.
But there is no doubt they made the journey as they kept detailed notes and, indeed, in old age John wrote a book in memory of his brother, who had died in 1908 and it is this book on which Grappenhall Local History Group member Ron Phillips has based ”The End to End Trail.”
John and Robert were born in Grappenhall, the sons of local farmer and coal and slate dealer John Naylor senior.
They lived in Grappenhall they moved to a newly-built house, Cuerden Hall, off Weaste Lane, Thelwall. They later moved to Beeston, driven out by “The Thelwall Nuisance” – a foul smell which invaded the village and was believed to be caused by poor drainage when the Mersey being diverted as part of the building of the Manchester Ship Canal.
The brothers planned to walk 25 miles a day for six days a week. They did not carry maps and it is not known how they recorded the miles walked, other than from local sign posts. They lingered to sight-see at historic towns and buildings and this could account for the length of their journey.
John Phillips’ book contains many photographs of the sights the brothers encountered, although they were not taken at the time, the photographic equipment of the day being too big to carry.
It is recorded that each brother used one pair of boots only for the journey. John’s were re-soled twice but Robert’s – specially made by an old cobbler in Warrington – required re-soling only once.
They both carried stout, hardwood sticks, not just as an aid to walking, but as a means of defence should they be set-upon on dark, isolated roads.
“The End to End Trail” makes a fascinating read and reveals much about local history as well as from the various places visited by the brothers on their epic walk.
It can be purchased, at £4.50, from Grappenhall Community Library or by calling 01925 261505.