Barrow Bridge, Bolton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barrow Bridge |
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 Cottages overlooking the Dean Brook |
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| OS grid reference | SD685115 |
| • London | 224.4 mi (361.1 km) NW |
| Metropolitan borough |
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| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BOLTON |
| Postcode district | BL1 |
| Dialling code | 01204 |
| Police | Greater Manchester |
| Fire | Greater Manchester |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Barrow Bridge is a special kind of village, known as a model village. It's located just outside Bolton in Greater Manchester, England. This village was first built during the exciting time of the Industrial Revolution. Back then, it was a busy place with mills. Today, the mills are gone, and Barrow Bridge is a quiet place where people live.
Contents
Discovering Barrow Bridge's Past
Barrow Bridge has a fascinating history, especially how it grew during the Industrial Revolution. This was a time when new machines and factories changed how people worked and lived.
How Barrow Bridge Began
The story of Barrow Bridge started with two brothers, John and Robert Lord. They opened a cotton mill here. Their mill used the power of water from the Dean Brook to run machines called spinning mules. These machines were invented by Samuel Crompton and helped make cotton thread much faster.
The Lord brothers also built 13 cottages near their mill. These homes were for the people who worked for them.
The Village Grows Bigger
In 1830, two new businessmen, Thomas Bazley and Richard Gardner, bought the mill. They tore down the old one and built something much bigger: Dean Mills. These were huge, six-storey mills. Instead of water, they used powerful steam engines to run their machines.
Bazley and Gardner wanted to create a special place for their workers. They built a "model village" on a hilltop. This village had rows of cottages, a shop, and even an educational institute. Managers' houses were built a little further away, with nice views of the brook.
Changes Over Time
Later, in 1861, William Callender bought Dean Mill. After he passed away, the company closed down. The mill was eventually taken apart in 1913.
A Famous Visitor
Barrow Bridge even had a famous visitor! In 1840, Benjamin Disraeli came to see the village. He was a very important person who later became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. His visit inspired him to write a novel called Coningsby, published in 1844. The fictional village of Millbank in his book is based on Barrow Bridge.
How Barrow Bridge is Governed
Barrow Bridge is part of a larger area that has changed its name and boundaries over many years.
Local Government Today
Since 1974, Barrow Bridge has been part of the Smithills ward. A ward is like a local area that elects people to represent it on the local council. Smithills is one of 20 electoral wards that make up Bolton Council. This council helps manage local services for the people living in Bolton.
