Bollington
Cheshire, UK

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Happy Valley!

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White Nancy
White Nancy

One or more pages on this site were updated on 9 October, 2008 . See Recent Pages below left.  Wallpaper pictures! 
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Welcome to Bollington's own web pages, with their own most appropriate page address - happy-valley.org.uk - reflecting Bollington's nickname!

Click to use this picture as Windows wallpaper, then right click and Set as Wallpaper or Set as Background

If you would like to use this picture of Bollington and White Nancy as the wallpaper on your Windows system then have a look at the page of wallpaper pictures.

The year 2008 is another exciting year for Bollington and you are most welcome to join us for its pleasures! The town never stands still with a constant stream of artistic endeavour from the band, the choir, the light opera group, the Festival Players and so many other gifted groups. The Civic Society has never been so active and their Discovery Centre at Clarence Mill continues to be very popular with those wishing to discover more about the town and its history.

A significant project this year is the Bollington Carbon Revolution designed to raise awareness of the need to reduce our carbon footprint. Practical involvement will be key so look out for announcements along the way. For details of what's on check your copy of Bollington Live!, look at the Arts Centre pagesExternal link or call the information centre (01625−576311). A monthly What's On leaflet is available at the Town Hall.

The small town of Bollington is located about three miles north of MacclesfieldExternal link, 18 miles south east of Manchester, in north east Cheshire, in the north west of England - find us on the mapExternal link. It nestles in the western most foothills of the Pennine range of hills above the Cheshire plain, adjacent to the Peak District National Park, the boundary just enters the parish.

Clarence Mill, Clarence Road, BollingtonIt is a town borne of its rural origins with the industrialisation of the area beginning in the mid 18th century and rapidly developing in the 19th when several large cotton mills were built, coal mines were opened and stone quarried. The opening of the Macclesfield CanalExternal link in 1831 provided important industrial development incentive as did the railway that followed in the 1860's. In modern times the mills have been replaced by, usually, smaller businesses although there remain two large paper coating mills. Tourism is increasingly important, the town providing an easy base for those interested in walking the hills, walking or boating the canal or walking or riding (bikes and horses) on the converted railway track, now known as the Middlewood Way.

Bollington rooftops - Peter EtheringtonKnown to its residents as the Happy Valley, this town is a village is a town! What do I mean? Well, it's a town of 7,300 population strung out over a distance of about two miles, never very wide, giving the feeling of one long village. Present day Bollington is really based around three villages that became merged together - Bollington, West Bollington and Bollington Cross, and on the edges you will find Kerridge and Lowerhouse.

The Old Market Place, High StreetThere has been a significant increase in the population during the 1970's, 80's and 90's turning the town into a dormitory for Macclesfield and Manchester. Bollington is regarded as a very desirable place to live and work. This has to do with the advantages of its beautiful location amongst the hills and the fact that the main street is, for all practical purposes, a no through road; the road does go through but leads mainly to places that can be reached more directly by other routes.

This page provides a range of links to other pages giving an in-depth view of the town and the interests of its population. Have fun! Note that Wednesday is traditionally half day (or early) closing day for shops in Bollington and many still follow this tradition by closing at lunch time - usually 1.00pm.

Some major projects are under way -

  • in 2003 we developed a Parish Plan. This is crucial for the future of the town - it identifies what you want the town to become in the years ahead. Check it out now! The plan is presently being updated - as a Town Plan - so if you want to take part now is the time to make contact.

  • to enhance and protect Kerridge Ridge and Ingersley Vale, two of the most beautiful parts of our local landscape. Groundwork are managing the Kerridge Ridge & Ingersley Vale Countryside & Heritage ProjectExternal link. The project has attracted c.£700,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund - look at the page!

  • the Civic Society have a Discovery Centre at Clarence Mill. This was opened by cousins John & Terry Waite, at the start of the 2005 Festival. It provides an insight into Bollington's heritage. Do come and join us there! Check out the Civic Society pages now!

  • the Civic Society have set up a project known as Bollington Carbon Revolution to look at CO2 Footprint reduction. This is already making a significant impact on the town, but there is much more yet to come! Look at the page - join in!

  • the Civic Society have established a project committee to look after the interests of St John's church. This redundant church is up for sale and we wish to influence what it is used for.

If you know of any additional links please let me know. Many thanks.

Now for the details -- select a link from the list below or in the extensive navigation down the left hand column (pass your mouse over the links):

 
Oak Bank mill pond 
Oak Bank mill pond, Shrigley Road

'Beguiling Bollington' is the title of an excellent article on the town in the November 2003 issue of Cheshire Life. The Festival is also featured in the May 2005 edition.

Bollington walks are featured in the February 2004 issue of Cheshire Life.

Many walks guides are available from the Bridgend Centre and from the Discovery Centre.


Stay out of trouble online!


Bollington on YouTubeExternal link

and FlickrExternal link

 The Happy Valley has featured on a BBC news item; see what others think about the place we love!External link

 

The Discovery Centre

Bollington Carbon Revolution

Town Plan > progress update

The late Dr John Coope MBE

Wallpaper pictures for you!

The view from Kerridge Hill (White Nancy)

Leisure Centre 

Bollington pubs & restaurants - Old Pubs!

Links to other towns in the area and other links of relevance

Bollington is twinned with Thurles in IrelandExternal link.

Beautiful pictures of BollingtonExternal link

WhereCanWeGo.com provides a free listing service for your events - go have a look!