Bollington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bollington |
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 A view over Bollington from White Nancy, looking north |
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 Bollington
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| Population | 8,310 (2017, estimate)[1] |
| OS grid reference | SJ9377 |
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| Unitary authority |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MACCLESFIELD |
| Postcode district | SK10 |
| Dialling code | 01625 |
| Police | Cheshire |
| Fire | Cheshire |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Bollington is a town in Cheshire, England. It is located east of Prestbury. Long ago, in the Middle Ages, it was part of a larger area called Macclesfield. In 2011, about 8,310 people lived here.
Bollington sits by the River Dean and the Macclesfield Canal. It is on the edge of the beautiful Peak District. A famous monument called White Nancy stands on Kerridge Hill above the town. It was built to remember the Battle of Waterloo.
Contents
History of Bollington
From the late 1700s to the mid-1900s, Bollington was a big center for cotton spinning. One mill, called Waterhouse Mill (now gone), used to spin the finest cotton in the world. This special cotton was wanted by lace makers in Nottingham and even in Brussels, Belgium.
Clarence Mill is still standing today. Its lower floors are used for businesses, while the top floors have been turned into apartments. Another very old mill in Bollington is Defiance Mill. It was built around 1800 and has also been made into homes.
There is also a large paper coating mill where Lower Mills used to be. The first mill there was built in 1792. Lowerhouse Mill also still works as an industrial mill, making coated papers. Another mill, Adelphi Mill, built in 1856, is now used entirely for businesses.
The number of people living in Bollington grew over time. In 1801, there were 1,231 people. By 1851, it had grown to 4,655. In 2011, the population reached 8,310.
How Bollington is Run
Bollington is part of the Macclesfield area for the UK Parliament. This area is currently represented by a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Labour Party.
The town also has two councillors who represent it on the Cheshire East Borough Council. Bollington has its own local government called the Bollington Town Council. It has 12 councillors. This council helps manage local services and buildings like the Civic Hall and Town Hall.
Town Services and Facilities
Bollington has a fire station run by the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. There is a doctor's office and a dentist's office in town. Bollington does not have its own police station, but the Cheshire Constabulary provides policing for the area.
The town has many local shops, including two bakers, two butchers, a deli, a newsagent, and a florist. There are also two convenience stores, a Co-op and a Tesco. Bollington has several places to eat, including takeaways, restaurants, wine bars, and coffee shops. There are also about ten traditional pubs.
Schools in Bollington
Bollington has four primary schools for younger students. St Gregory's is a Roman Catholic school, and Dean Valley Community Primary School is a non-religious school. The Church of England has two schools: St John the Baptist and St Oswald's Primary School.
Older students travel to secondary schools in nearby Macclesfield, such as Tytherington School and The Kings School. Some also go to Poynton High School.
Sports and Activities
The Recreation Ground in Bollington has a football pitch, bowling green, tennis court, and cricket pitch. These are used regularly by local sports clubs like Bollington Town F.C. and Bollington Cricket Club. Another cricket pitch is home to Kerridge Cricket Club. Bollington also has a hockey club.
Other activities take place at the Bollington Health and Leisure Centre. The Capelli Sports Ground is home to Bollington United Football Club. All football clubs in Bollington feature White Nancy on their team badges.
Because of its location near the Peak District, Bollington is home to several professional cyclists, including Adam Blythe and Ethan Vernon.
Famous Landmarks
Bollington is known for White Nancy, a stone monument on top of Kerridge Hill. It is about 6 meters (20 feet) tall and painted white. This monument was built in 1817 to celebrate the victory at the Battle of Waterloo. You can see it from far away, even from parts of Shropshire. It used to have an entrance to a room inside, but it was closed because of damage.
The large mills, like Clarence, Adelphi, and Lowerhouse, are good examples of 19th-century factory buildings in this part of England.
Culture and Community
The town has several churches. St Oswald's Church is the main Anglican church. St Gregory's Church is the Roman Catholic church. The Methodist church on Wellington Road is no longer used for worship.
Canalside Community Radio started broadcasting in 2008. It provides local news and entertainment for northeast Cheshire on 102.8 FM.
Many people enjoy hiking, cycling, and horse riding in the hills around Bollington. The Macclesfield Canal towpath and the Middlewood Way (an old railway line) are popular for these activities. You can even rent boats and bikes for trips. The Peak District Boundary Walk and the Gritstone Trail both pass through the town.
Bollington has many traditional pubs, and most of them have kept their old-fashioned charm.
Events in Bollington
Every five or six years, Bollington hosts the Bollington Festival. This event lasts for two and a half weeks and includes many community activities. There are concerts, plays, art shows, history events, and competitions. The last festival was in 2019, and the next one is planned for 2026.
Each September, a ten-day Walking Festival takes place. It encourages people to get exercise and enjoy the beautiful countryside around Bollington.
On Christmas Eve, people gather for "Carols around the Christmas Tree." Also, every Christmas Day at noon, a brass band plays music at White Nancy.
Clubs and Groups
Bollington has a branch of the Women's Institute, which meets regularly. There are also groups for retired gentlemen (Probus) and ladies (Ladies Probus).
The Guide and Scout movements are active in Bollington. Bollington United Junior Football Club has teams for children from under-10s to under-17s.
Bollington is home to 236 Squadron of the Royal Air Force's Air Training Corps. The Sea Cadets also have a unit for young people aged 10 to 18.
There are many artistic, musical, and theater groups in Bollington. They often hold shows and exhibitions at the Bollington Arts Centre.
Getting Around Bollington
Road Travel
Bollington is about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the A523 road. This road connects to towns like Macclesfield and Leek. The closest major highways are the M6 and the M60.
Bus Services
Regular bus services connect Bollington to Macclesfield, Hazel Grove, and Stockport. These services are run by D&G Bus.
Train Travel
Bollington no longer has its own train station. The closest stations are in Macclesfield for longer trips to London and Manchester, and Prestbury for local trains.
Bollington used to have a railway line called the Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple Railway. This line was built in 1869 to connect Manchester with the south. A local mill owner, Thomas Oliver, hoped it would help the cotton mills and stone quarries in the area. The railway closed in 1970. Today, the old railway path is used for walking, cycling, and horse riding, and it is known as the Middlewood Way.
Waterways
The Macclesfield Canal goes right through the middle of Bollington. It is a very scenic part of the Cheshire Ring canal system. The canal is now used for fun activities like boating.
Local Media
Bollington Live! is a magazine published three times a year. It is written and delivered by volunteers and funded by local businesses. The magazine covers local news and history. It is delivered free to every home and business in Bollington. The magazine started in 1994 because people felt the town needed its own publication. All past copies are available online.
Local news and TV shows for Bollington come from BBC North West and ITV Granada. Radio stations like BBC Radio Manchester and Canalside Radio also serve the area.
Famous People from Bollington
- Samuel Greg (Jnr) (1804–1876): An industrialist who managed Lowerhouse Mill in Bollington and tried out new social ideas there.
- John Ryle (1817–1887): Born and died in Bollington. He moved to the United States and became known as the "father of the United States silk industry." He was also the Mayor of Paterson, New Jersey.
- William Collard Smith (1830–1894): Born in Bollington, he moved to Australia and became a politician there.
- Emma Brooke (1844–1926): A British writer and supporter of women's rights, she grew up in Bollington.
- Jack Plant (born 1870): An English international footballer who played for Bury F.C.
- Sir James Chadwick (1891–1974): A Nobel Prize-winning physicist who discovered neutrons. He went to school in Bollington.
- Terry Waite (born 1939): Known for his humanitarian work and for being held hostage in Lebanon. He lived in Bollington for a short time.
- David Dickinson (born 1941): An antiques expert and TV presenter who lives in Bollington.
- Angie Lewin (born 1963): A designer of prints and screens, she grew up in Bollington.
- James Bailey (born 1988): A professional footballer who grew up in Bollington.
- Libby Clegg (born 1990): A blind athlete who was born and lived in Bollington until she was 11.
- Ben Amos (born 1990): An English professional football goalkeeper who lived in Bollington for some years.
See also
In Spanish: Bollington para niños
