Bollington
Cheshire, UK

Welcome to the
Happy Valley!

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White Nancy
White Nancy

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Half term activities in East Cheshire - Stuff2DoExternal link

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 Kerridge Hill as the wallpaper on your Windows system then have a look at the page of wallpaper pictures.

The year 2010 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 and volunteer endeavour from the Bollington Brass Band, the Festival Choir, the Festival Opera, Bollington Light Opera Group (BLOG), the Festival Players and so many other gifted groups (see the Arts section). The Civic Society has never been more 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 and view their amazing collection of historic pictures. Canalside Community Radio on 102.8fmExternal link has firmly established its popularity throughout the east Cheshire area. A wide range of sporting activity and achievement compliments all this fun.

A significant project is the Bollington Carbon RevolutionExternal link designed to raise awareness of the need to reduce our carbon footprint. Practical involvement is 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 and also available online here.

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, before the bridge!It 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 our first Parish Plan. In 2008 this has been replaced by a Town Plan. This is crucial for the future of the town - it identifies what the residents want the town to become in the years ahead. Check it out now!

  • 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 project will be completed by July 2010.

  • 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 initiated a project known as Bollington Carbon RevolutionExternal link to look at CO2 Footprint reduction. This is making a significant impact on the town, but there is much more yet to do! Look at the pages - come and join in!

  • the Civic Society has 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 from the extensive navigation down the left hand column (pass your mouse over the links to see the sub 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 2005 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 RevolutionExternal link

Town Plan 2008 now published

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 singing sensation ClarissaExternal link

Bollington is twinned with Thurles in IrelandExternal link.

Beautiful pictures of BollingtonExternal link

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