MEMBERS of Brook Street Chapel and the Gaskell Society led costumed walks around Knutsford in honour of Knutsford historian and author Joan Leach.

Joan was known as Mrs Knutsford and founded The Gaskell Society in 1985.

She wrote several books about the town, and is best known for being an expert on the life and works of Elizabeth Gaskell, who was married and buried in the town.

Joan founded The Gaskell Society, and used to hold regular walks around the town.

In her honour members of Brook Street Chapel and the Gaskell Society led three Joan Leach Walks around the town, starting and finishing at Brook Street Chapel, where Joan’s ashes are interred beside the grave of Elizabeth Gaskell.

The walks were part of the From Station to Station programme of events organised by Knutsford Promenades.

People were also able to visit St John’s Church, where Elizabeth Cleghorn Stevenson married William Gaskell in 1832.

Visitors were able to see a copy of their historic marriage certificate, displayed for the first time.

The church offers a superb view of Knutsford from the top of the church tower, which visitors were allowed to climb by ascending the 88 steps.

Brook Street Chapel is a Grade I heritage site, and Elizabeth Gaskell, husband William and two daughters are buried in the graveyard.

Talks, tours and costumed Gaskell readings took place, and on Sunday there was a special Elizabeth Gaskell-themed service in the Chapel.