Breightmet
| Breightmet | |
 Breightmet
Breightmet shown within Greater Manchester |
|
| OS grid reference | SD745095 |
|---|---|
| Metropolitan borough | Bolton |
| Metropolitan county | Greater Manchester |
| Region | North West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BOLTON |
| Postcode district | BL2 |
| Dialling code | 01204 |
| Police | Greater Manchester |
| Fire | Greater Manchester |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament | Bolton North East |
Breightmet is a neighbourhood of
Bolton,
in Greater Manchester, England.
Historically a township of the civil and ecclesiastical parish of Bolton le Moors in the Salford hundred of Lancashire, it lies 2 miles north east of Bolton and 4 miles north-west of Bury.
Its name was variously recorded as Brihtmede in 1257, Brightemete in 1277, Breghmete and Breghtmed in 1292, Brithmete in 1302, Brightmede in 1510 and Breightmet in 1574.
By marriage one part descended to the Southworths of Samlesbury who held it until the 16th century.
This portion was later owned by Gerards, Ainsworths, Banastres, Baguley and Parker families.
The other part was held by the Hollands until they forfeited it in 1461 when it was granted to Lord Stanley and his son, Lord Strange, the Earls of Derby.
There were handloom weavers producing quilts and counterpanes and two cotton mills and a bleachworks were built.
The township was incorporated in the borough of Bolton in 1898.
Following the Local Government Act 1972, the County Borough of Bolton was abolished and Breightmet became part of the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton in Greater Manchester in 1974.
It is represented by three councillors on Bolton Council and is part of the Bolton North-East Westminster constituency.
It was separated from Tonge with Haulgh by the River Irwell.
Breightmet Hill, the highest point, rises to about 525 feet (160 m).
There is a local nature reserve at Seven Acres Country Park.
The park separates the west side of Breightmet from neighbouring Tonge Moor.
Many other local businesses also exist in the area.
St James' parish church was consecrated in 1855. Canon James Slade, Vicar of Bolton from 1817 to 1856, and founder of the Bolton Church Institute is buried in the churchyard.
Leverhulme Park, the largest park area within Bolton has a community and children's centre with therapy suites, gymnasium, indoor athletics hall and outdoor athletics stadium, which hosts the town's school athletics competitions.
The park has football pitches, 5-a-side football pitches, bowling greens and an athletics stadium as well as nature walks and picnic areas.
It is a publicly funded independent school, incorporating the former Withins School, a secondary school and sixth form college, and Top o’th Brow Primary School.
Four other primary schools serve Breightmet.
These are:
Historically a township of the civil and ecclesiastical parish of Bolton le Moors in the Salford hundred of Lancashire, it lies 2 miles north east of Bolton and 4 miles north-west of Bury.
History
Toponymy
The name comes from the Old English breorht meaning bright and maed meaning meadow, so making "bright meadow".Its name was variously recorded as Brihtmede in 1257, Brightemete in 1277, Breghmete and Breghtmed in 1292, Brithmete in 1302, Brightmede in 1510 and Breightmet in 1574.
Manor
The manor originated as part of the Marsey fee and one ploughland was held by Augustin de Breightmet in the 12th century.By marriage one part descended to the Southworths of Samlesbury who held it until the 16th century.
This portion was later owned by Gerards, Ainsworths, Banastres, Baguley and Parker families.
The other part was held by the Hollands until they forfeited it in 1461 when it was granted to Lord Stanley and his son, Lord Strange, the Earls of Derby.
Industry
In the township there was a quarry and several collieries, including one accessing a seam of coal 3 yards (2.7 m) thick.There were handloom weavers producing quilts and counterpanes and two cotton mills and a bleachworks were built.
Governance
In 1837 Breightmet became part of the Bolton Poor Law Union which took responsibility for funding the Poor Law in that area.The township was incorporated in the borough of Bolton in 1898.
Following the Local Government Act 1972, the County Borough of Bolton was abolished and Breightmet became part of the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton in Greater Manchester in 1974.
It is represented by three councillors on Bolton Council and is part of the Bolton North-East Westminster constituency.
Geography
The Breightmet township which covered 825 acres (3.34 km2) acres of hilly land was two miles north east of Bolton on Bury road.It was separated from Tonge with Haulgh by the River Irwell.
Breightmet Hill, the highest point, rises to about 525 feet (160 m).
There is a local nature reserve at Seven Acres Country Park.
The park separates the west side of Breightmet from neighbouring Tonge Moor.
Economy
The main shopping area within Breightmet is along Bury Road (A58) and consists of a Morrisons store (formerly Netto, acquired from Asda in Jan 2011, Home Bargains and a Mecca Bingo Hall, as well as a newly built "Breightmet Health Centre" including GP surgeries, library and pharmacy.Many other local businesses also exist in the area.
Religion
There are several places of worship in Breightmet including two Anglican churches, St James and St John the Evangelist, St Osmund's Roman Catholic church, Trinity Methodist church, Red Lane United Reformed Church and the independent Kings Church on Millfield Road.St James' parish church was consecrated in 1855. Canon James Slade, Vicar of Bolton from 1817 to 1856, and founder of the Bolton Church Institute is buried in the churchyard.
Sport and Leisure
Bolton St Catherine's Academy has a community leisure and sports centre.Leverhulme Park, the largest park area within Bolton has a community and children's centre with therapy suites, gymnasium, indoor athletics hall and outdoor athletics stadium, which hosts the town's school athletics competitions.
The park has football pitches, 5-a-side football pitches, bowling greens and an athletics stadium as well as nature walks and picnic areas.
Education
St Catherine’s CE Academy, Bolton's second academy, caters for children from three to 19.It is a publicly funded independent school, incorporating the former Withins School, a secondary school and sixth form college, and Top o’th Brow Primary School.
Four other primary schools serve Breightmet.
These are:
- Red Lane County Primary School
- Leverhulme Community Primary School
- Blackshaw County Primary School
- St. Osmund and Andrew Roman Catholic County Primary School