I was pleased to read the letter by Pam Roud (12 March) regarding a statue to commemorate the women killed by men. Living in Cambridgeshire, she may be unaware that on Holcombe Moor, Ramsbottom, there is an ancient cairn that marks the spot where Ellen Strange was killed by her husband in 1761. Local people since then have placed stones on this cairn to remember Ellen. The site is believed to be the only one in the world to commemorate a domestic violence victim.
For the last decade, Bolton Trades Union Council in conjunction with the Endeavour project that supports domestic violence victims have made an annual pilgrimage to the cairn where, in addition to commemorating Ellen, the names of all domestic violence victims, including any men, are read out. It can be an emotional occasion, as among the attenders are those who have survived domestic violence and relatives of those who have not.
The historian Mark Metcalf helped make a film on the subject. The 2024 Ellen Strange Memorial Walk will take place on Saturday 6 July. Meet at Emmanuel Holcombe church at 10.30am. Bring boots with you. The walk takes about 45 minutes to reach the cairn and is not suitable for those with mobility problems.
Martin McMulkin
Bolton
