Bolton
352418
224875751
2008-07-10T20:16:14Z
Excirial
5499713
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/79.66.46.42|79.66.46.42]] to last version by 83.83.184.62 (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
{{other}}
{{for|the larger local government district|Metropolitan Borough of Bolton}}
{{infobox UK place|
|country = England
|latitude = 53.5815
|longitude = -2.4297
|metropolitan_county= [[Greater Manchester]]
|population= 139,403 ([[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 Census]])
|official_name= Bolton
|metropolitan_borough= [[Metropolitan Borough of Bolton|Bolton]]
|region = North West England
|constituency_westminster= [[Bolton North East (UK Parliament constituency)|Bolton North East]]
|constituency_westminster1= [[Bolton South East (UK Parliament constituency)|Bolton South East]]
|constituency_westminster2= [[Bolton West (UK Parliament constituency)|Bolton West]]
|post_town= BOLTON
|postcode_district = BL1-BL7
|postcode_area= BL
|dial_code= 01204
|os_grid_reference= SD715095
|london_distance=
|static_image=[[Image:Bolton Town Hall.jpg|240px]]
|static_image_caption=<small>Bolton Town Hall</small>
}}
'''Bolton''' ({{Audio|en-uk-Bolton.ogg|pronunciation}}) is a large town in [[Greater Manchester]], in the [[North West England|North West]] region of [[England]].<ref name="GM Gazetteer">{{cite web |url=http://www.gmcro.co.uk/guides/gazette/gazframe.htm |title=A select gazetteer of local government areas, Greater Manchester County|author=Anon|publisher=[[Greater Manchester County Records Office]]|accessdate=2007-06-20|date= 2003-07-31}}</ref>
Situated close to the [[West Pennine Moors]], {{convert|10|mi|km|lk=on}} north west of the city of [[Manchester]], it is the largest and most populous settlement within the [[Metropolitan Borough of Bolton]], and has a total resident population of 139,403.<ref name=TownsTablePop>{{cite web | url= http://www.lovemytown.co.uk/Populations/TownsTable1.htm | title= UK Towns with Populations over 100,000 | work=LoveMyTown | accessdate= 2007-06-17}}</ref><ref name=CouncilsTablePop>[http://www.lovemytown.co.uk/Populations/CouncilsTable2.htm UK Town Populations Compared With Council Populations]. URL accessed [[17 June]] [[2007]].</ref><ref name=NatStatsD8271201>{{cite web | url= http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=8271&Pos=2&ColRank=1&Rank=224 | title= KS01 Usual resident population: Census 2001, Key Statistics for urban areas | publisher= [[Office for National Statistics]] | accessdate= 2007-06-17}}</ref>
[[Historic counties of England|Historically]] a part of [[Lancashire]], Bolton originated as a small settlement in the moorland known as [[Bolton le Moors]]. During the [[English Civil War]] the town was a [[Roundhead|Parliamentarian]] outpost in a staunchly [[Cavalier|Royalist]] region. In 1644 Bolton was stormed by 3,000 Royalist troops lead by [[Prince Rupert of the Rhine]]. This attack, which later came to be known as the [[Bolton Massacre]], resulted in 1,600 residents being killed and 700 taken prisoner.
Noted as a former [[mill town]], textiles have been produced in Bolton since [[Flemish people|Flemish]] weavers settled in the area during the 15th century, developing a wool and cotton weaving tradition. The urbanisation and development of Bolton largely coincided with the introduction of [[textile manufacture during the Industrial Revolution]]. It was a [[boomtown]] of the 19th century and, at its zenith in 1929, 216 [[cotton mill]]s and 26 bleaching and dying works, made it one of the largest and most productive centres of [[Spinning (textiles)|cotton spinning]] in the world. After [[World War I]] the British cotton industry declined sharply and by the 1980s cotton manufacture had virtually ceased in Bolton.
Bolton today noted for its premier league football team [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.]] who play from the [[Reebok Stadium]], with [[Reebok]], the sportswear company, being based in the town.
==History==
===Toponymy===
The town's name, (in full, ''Bolton-le-Moors'') has been recorded over the years with many derivations of spelling including Bothelton, Boulton and Bolton-super-Moras. However, the exact origins are not totally clear from historical records.<ref name=BENManyNames>{{cite web|url=http://archive.boltoneveningnews.co.uk/2001/7/24/666518.html|title=A Town of Many Names|publisher= Bolton Evening News|date=2001-07-24|accessdate=2008-03-08}}</ref><ref name=BENboltonstory>{{cite web | url= http://archive.thisislancashire.co.uk/2003/6/28/545345.html | title= The story of Bolton | publisher= Bolton Evening News | date= [[28 June]] [[2003]] | accessdate= 2008-03-08}}</ref> There have been three main hypotheses – one is that because of its location in the valleys of confluencing moorland rivers, it is derived from "Bowl Town",{{Fact|date=June 2007}} another suggesting it is a derivation from the Saxon words "bolt" and "tun", meaning "arrow" and "stockade" respectively.<ref name=BolRevHist>[http://www.boltonrevisited.org.uk/77.html History of Bolton]. URL accessed [[18 June]] [[2007]].</ref> A final suggestion is from the words "boul" and "town", where boul means a monument or central feature, though the boul itself is unidentified. A further possibility is that "bol" derives from the Norse for farm and "ton" from the Norse for town.
===Early history===
Evidence of a [[Saxons|Saxon]] settlement exists in the form of religious objects found when the present Victorian parish church was built.<ref name=BolParHist>[http://www.boltonparishchurch.co.uk/index_files/history.htm History of Bolton Parish Church]. URL accessed [[18 June]] [[2007]].</ref>
The town was given a charter to hold a market in Churchgate in 1251 by King [[Henry III of England]].<ref name=BolSocHist>[http://www.bolton.org.uk/history.html Bolton's Social history]. URL accessed [[18 June]] [[2007]].</ref> It was then made into a market town and borough by a charter from the Earl of Derby, William de Ferrers, on [[January 14]], [[1253]].<ref name=BolSocHist>[http://www.bolton.org.uk/history.html Bolton's Social history]. URL accessed [[18 June]] [[2007]].</ref>
===English Civil War===
During the English Civil War, Bolton supported Parliament and the Puritan cause, unlike most of the rest of Lancashire. The town was twice attacked unsuccessfully until the third assault on [[May 28]], [[1644]]. Prince Rupert's army along with troops under the Earl of Derby, attacked the town. There were 1,500 dead, and 700 taken prisoner. It became known as the [[Bolton Massacre]].<ref name=BolSocHist>[http://www.bolton.org.uk/history.html Bolton's Social history]. URL accessed [[18 June]] [[2007]].</ref>
===Textile manufacture===
The town's position on the west of the Pennines provides a damp climate. It is this feature which probably led to Flemish weavers, fleeing the [[Huguenot]] persecutions in the 17th century, to eventually settle here, as moisture-laden air allows for the spinning of cotton with little breakage. The cotton industry was to provide the catalyst for the town's expansion between the 14th and 19th centuries. Large, steam-powered textile mills eventually dominated the town's skyline, providing the major employment and defining the rhythm of the working week, so much so that an annual shut-down for maintenance in late June became the Bolton holidays. There were also some large iron foundries in the town as well as other engineering works, many connected with the cotton industry.
Bolton was [[Worktown]] in the [[Mass-Observation]] project which has left us with many photographs taken around the town by [[Humphrey Spender]] as part of that project.<ref name=spenderphoto>[http://spender.boltonmuseums.org.uk/images.html Humphrey Spender's Worktown]. URL accessed [[18 June]] [[2007]].</ref>
==Governance==
===Civic history===
Until the early 19th century, [[Great Bolton]] and [[Little Bolton]] were two of the eighteen [[Township (England)|township]]s of the [[Parish|ecclesiastical parish]] of [[Bolton le Moors]]. These two townships were separated by the [[River Croal]], with Little Bolton on the north side of the river and Great Bolton on the south side.<ref name=BHOGB>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=53037 Great Bolton township]. ''A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 5 (1911), pp. 243-51''. URL accessed [[8 June]] [[2007]].</ref><ref name=BHOLB>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=53038 Little Bolton township]. ''A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 5 (1911), pp. 251-55''. URL accessed [[8 June]] [[2007]].</ref><ref name=BHOBleM>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=53036 The parish of Bolton-le-Moors]. ''A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 5 (1911), pp. 235-43''. URL accessed [[8 June]] [[2007]].</ref>
In 1838, Great Bolton, most of Little Bolton and the Haulgh area from [[Tonge with Haulgh]] township were incorporated under the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]] as a [[municipal borough]], making it the second to be created in England, after [[Devonport, Devon|Devonport]]. Further additions were made to the borough, with part of [[Rumworth]] in 1872, and part of [[Halliwell, Greater Manchester|Halliwell]] in 1877.<ref name=GMROBolton>[http://www.gmcro.co.uk/guides/gazette/gazzb.htm#bolton Greater Manchester Record Office - Bolton]. URL accessed [[6 July]] [[2007]].</ref><ref name=bolmusBolCB>[http://www.boltonmuseums.org.uk/bolton-archives/archives-indexes/local-authority-records/index_html#bolton-county-borough Bolton County Borough]. URL accessed [[6 July]] [[2007]].</ref>
In 1889, Bolton was granted [[County Borough]] status and became entirely self-governing and independent from [[Lancashire County Council]] jurisdiction. In 1898, it was extended further by adding the [[civil parish]]es of [[Breightmet]], [[Darcy Lever]], [[Great Lever]], the rest of [[Halliwell, Greater Manchester|Halliwell]], [[Heaton, Greater Manchester|Heaton]], [[Lostock, Bolton|Lostock]], [[Middle Hulton]], the rest of [[Rumworth]] (which had been renamed [[Deane, Greater Manchester|Deane]] in 1894), [[Smithills]], and [[Tonge with Haulgh|Tonge]], plus [[Astley Bridge]] Urban District, and part of [[Over Hulton]] civil parish.<ref name=GMROBolton>[http://www.gmcro.co.uk/guides/gazette/gazzb.htm#bolton Greater Manchester Record Office - Bolton]. URL accessed [[6 July]] [[2007]].</ref><ref name=bolmusBolCB>[http://www.boltonmuseums.org.uk/bolton-archives/archives-indexes/local-authority-records/index_html#bolton-county-borough Bolton County Borough]. URL accessed [[6 July]] [[2007]].</ref>
The [[County Borough of Bolton]] was abolished in 1974 and became a constituent part of the [[Metropolitan Borough of Bolton]] in [[Greater Manchester]].<ref name=GMROBolton>[http://www.gmcro.co.uk/guides/gazette/gazzb.htm#bolton Greater Manchester Record Office - Bolton]. URL accessed [[5 July]] [[2007]].</ref><ref name=bolmusBolMetro>[http://www.boltonmuseums.org.uk/bolton-archives/archives-indexes/local-authority-records/index_html#bolton-metropolitan-borough Bolton Metropolitan Borough]. URL accessed [[6 July]] [[2007]].</ref>
===Parliamentary representation===
Under the [[Reform Act 1832|Reform Act of 1832]], a [[Parliamentary Borough]] was established for the town. The [[Bolton (UK Parliament constituency)|Bolton constituency]] had two [[Member of Parliament|Members of Parliament]] who both represented the whole borough.<ref name=raymentsbcommons4>[http://www.angeltowns.com/town/peerage/bcommons4.htm Leigh Rayment's - House of Commons: Bodmin to Bradford East], (including Bolton)]. URL accessed [[6 June]] [[2007]].</ref>
The [[Parliamentary Borough]] continued until 1950 when it was abolished and replaced with two parliamentary constituencies, [[Bolton East (UK Parliament constituency)|Bolton East]] and [[Bolton West (UK Parliament constituency)|Bolton West]], each with one [[Member of Parliament|M.P]].<ref name=raymentsbcommons4>[http://www.angeltowns.com/town/peerage/bcommons4.htm Leigh Rayment's - House of Commons: Bodmin to Bradford East], (including Bolton)]. URL accessed [[6 June]] [[2007]].</ref>
In 1983, Bolton East was abolished and two new constituencies were created, [[Bolton North East (UK Parliament constituency)|Bolton North East]] (which covers a large part of the former Bolton East), and [[Bolton South East (UK Parliament constituency)|Bolton South East]] (which covers most of the former [[Farnworth (UK Parliament constituency)|Farnworth constituency]]). Also in 1983, there were major boundary changes to Bolton West, which took over most of the former [[Westhoughton (UK Parliament constituency)|Westhoughton constituency]].<ref name=raymentsbcommons4>[http://www.angeltowns.com/town/peerage/bcommons4.htm Leigh Rayment's - House of Commons: Bodmin to Bradford East], (including Bolton)]. URL accessed [[6 June]] [[2007]].</ref><ref name=boltonwestprofile>[http://www.dodonline.co.uk/engine.asp?lev1=6&lev2=401&lev3=0&showpage=constit&tab=1&id=0001&BodyID=19245&GroupID=69&page=Bolton%20West%20:%20Constituency Bolton West constituency profile]. URL accessed [[6 June]] [[2007]].</ref>
==Geography==
{{Expand-section|date=June 2008}}
{{NSEW|[[Blackburn]]|[[Salford]]|[[Bury]]|[[Wigan]]|||||}}
{{Areas of Bolton}}
==Landmarks==
[[Image:Bolton Parish Church 2007.JPG|thumb|left|Bolton Parish Church]]
===Bolton Parish Church===
{{main|Church of St Peter, Churchgate}}
The [[Parish Church]], dedicated to [[St Peter]], is a fine example of the [[Gothic Revival architecture|gothic revival style]]. Built between 1866 and 1871 of [[Longridge]] stone to designs by [[Edward Graham Paley|Paley]], the [[Church (building)|church]] is {{convert|67|ft|m|1|lk=on|abbr=on}} in width, {{convert|156|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} in length, and {{convert|82|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} in height. The [[Bell tower|tower]] is {{convert|180|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} high with 13 [[Church bell|bells]].<ref name=boltonparchhist>[http://www.boltonparishchurch.co.uk/index_files/history.htm History of Bolton Parish Church]. ''Official website''. URL accessed [[6 February]] [[2008]].</ref>
The first known church on the same site was built in [[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] times. It was rebuilt in [[Normans|Norman]] times and again in the early 1400s. Little is known of the first two churches, but the third building was a solid, squat building with a sturdy square tower at the west end. It was modified over the years until it fell into disrepair and demolished in 1866. Fragments of stone and other artefacts from these first three buildings are displayed in the museum corner of the present church.<ref name=boltonparchhist>[http://www.boltonparishchurch.co.uk/index_files/history.htm History of Bolton Parish Church]. ''Official website''. URL accessed [[6 February]] [[2008]].</ref>
Today, the present parish of [[Bolton-le-Moors]] only covers a small area in the town centre,<ref name=acnyBleM>[http://www.acny.org.uk/parish.php?p=24/184 Bolton-le-Moors: St Peter (Parish Map)]. URL accessed [[6 February]] [[2008]].</ref> but until the 19th century it covered a much larger area and was divided into eighteen chapelries and townships.<ref>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=53036 The parish of Bolton-le-Moors]. ''British History Online''. URL accessed [[6 February]] [[2008]].</ref><ref name=parishes>[http://www.boydhouse.com/alice/Haslam/bolton.html Map of Bolton ancient parishes]. URL accessed [[9 February]] [[2008]].</ref>
The neighbouring ancient parish of [[Deane, Greater Manchester|Deane]] once covered a large area to the west and south of Bolton,<ref>[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Deane/StMary.shtml GENUKI St Mary the Virgin, Deane]. URL accessed [[9 February]] [[2008]].</ref> and the township of [[Great Lever]] had been part of the ancient parish of [[Middleton, Greater Manchester|Middleton]].<ref name=parishes>[http://www.boydhouse.com/alice/Haslam/bolton.html Map of Bolton ancient parishes]. URL accessed [[9 February]] [[2008]].</ref>
[[Image:Bolton Town Hall 2007.JPG|thumb|right|Bolton Town Hall]]
===Bolton Town Hall===
Situated in the town centre, the [[City and town halls|Town Hall]] is an imposing [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] building. It was designed by William Hill who later designed the [[Portsmouth Guildhall]]. Opened on [[5 June]] [[1873]] by [[Edward VII of the United Kingdom|Albert Edward, Prince of Wales]] (later as Edward VII), it was built on the site of an old Pot Market which had previously been known as Market Square. In the 1930s, the building was extended, by [[Bradshaw Gass & Hope]], with additional office space which almost doubled in size.<ref name=THroyalopening>[http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/140yearshistory/anniversary1867to1887/display.var.1287347.0.right_royal_opening.php Right royal opening]. URL accessed URL accessed [[6 February]] [[2008]].</ref><ref name=BoltonorgTH>[http://www.bolton.org.uk/bth.html Bolton Town Hall]. URL accessed [[6 February]] [[2008]].</ref><ref>[http://www.bolton.gov.uk/pls/portal92/docs/PAGE/LGNL/DOCUMENTS/ENVIRONMENT_AND_PLANNING/CONSERVATION/TOWN%20HALL%20CAAJULY%2007.PDF Bolton Town Hall Conservation Area]. ''Official website''. URL accessed [[6 February]] [[2008]].</ref>
Incorporated within the Town Hall are the Albert Halls. The original Albert Hall was destroyed by a massive fire on [[14 November]] [[1981]]. It took three and half years for the complete internal reconstruction work to be finished. Reopened in 1985, the new Albert Halls now comprises two separate halls and several function rooms.<ref name=alberthalls>[http://www.alberthalls-bolton.co.uk/ The Albert Halls]. URL accessed [[6 February]] [[2008]].</ref>
==Demography==
===Township populations===
These [[Census in the United Kingdom|census]] population figures are for the former townships of Great Bolton and Little Bolton.
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!<!---Year---> 1801
!<!---Year---> 1811
!<!---Year---> 1821
!<!---Year---> 1831
!<!---Year---> 1841
!<!---Year---> 1851
!<!---Year---> 1861
!<!---Year---> 1871
!<!---Year---> 1881
!<!---Year---> 1891
|-
!Great Bolton
|<center><!---1801 Pop.---> 12,549
|<center><!---1811 Pop.---> 17,070
|<center><!---1821 Pop.---> 22,037
|<center><!---1831 Pop.---> 28,299
|<center><!---1841 Pop.---> 33,449
|<center><!---1851 Pop.---> 39,923
|<center><!---1861 Pop.---> 43,435
|<center><!---1871 Pop.---> 45,313
|<center><!---1881 Pop.---> 45,694
|<center><!---1891 Pop.---> 47,067
|-
!Little Bolton
|<center><!---1801 Pop.---> 4,867
|<center><!---1811 Pop.---> 7,099
|<center><!---1821 Pop.---> 9,258
|<center><!---1831 Pop.---> 12,896
|<center><!---1841 Pop.---> 15,707
|<center><!---1851 Pop.---> 19,888
|<center><!---1861 Pop.---> 24,942
|<center><!---1871 Pop.---> 35,013
|<center><!---1881 Pop.---> 41,937
|<center><!---1891 Pop.---> 44,307
|-
|colspan="11" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|<small>'''Sources:''' Local population statistics.<ref name=ptattonboltonstats>Tatton, Pauline. ''Local population statistics 1801-1986'', Bolton Central Library Archives, Le Mans Crescent, Bolton, BL1 1SE.</ref> Great Bolton Tn/CP: Total Population.<ref name=visiongreatboltonpop>[http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10342508&c_id=10001043&add=N Great Bolton Tn/CP: Total Population]. ''Vision of Britain''. URL accessed [[4 June]] [[2007]].</ref> Little Bolton Tn/CP: Total Population.<ref name=visionlittleboltonpop>[http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10342545&c_id=10001043&add=N Little Bolton Ch/CP: Total Population]. ''Vision of Britain''. URL accessed [[4 June]] [[2007]].</ref>
|}
===County Borough population===
These [[Census in the United Kingdom|census]] population figures are for the former [[County Borough of Bolton]].
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!<!---Year---> 1901
!<!---Year---> 1911
!<!---Year---> 1921
!<!---Year---> 1931
!<!---Year---> 1939 †
!<!---Year---> 1951
!<!---Year---> 1961
!<!---Year---> 1971
|-
!Population
|<center><!---1901 Pop.---> 168,215
|<center><!---1911 Pop.---> 180,851
|<center><!---1921 Pop.---> 178,683
|<center><!---1931 Pop.---> 177,250
|<center><!---1939 Pop.---> 163,823
|<center><!---1951 Pop.---> 167,167
|<center><!---1961 Pop.---> 160,789
|<center><!---1971 Pop.---> 154,223
|-
|colspan="11" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|<small>'''Sources:''' Bolton CB/MB: Total Population.<ref name=visionbcbpop>[http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10003179&c_id=10001043&add=N Bolton CB/MB: Total Population]. ''Vision of Britain''. URL accessed [[4 June]] [[2007]].</ref> † The 1939 population is estimated from the National Registration figures.<ref name=natreg1939>[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~framland/acts/1939%20Registration.htm National Registration Act, 1939]. Rootsweb.com. URL accessed [[5 June]] [[2007]].</ref> The 1941 census did not take place because of the [[World War II|Second World War]].</small>
|}
==Economy==
{{Unreferencedsection|date=March 2008}}
In recent times, the town has swapped much of its heavy industry for service-based activities including a large number of data processing and call centres and also hi-tech electronics and IT companies. It attracts shoppers from all over the north of England and further afield, not only to the Victorian splendour of the town centre but to newly developed [[Middlebrook, Greater Manchester|Middlebrook]] retail park, home to [[Bolton Wanderers]], the [[Bolton Arena]], leisure facilities, shops, pubs, restaurants and sundry other businesses. The town retains a variety of more traditional industries, employing people in, amongst other things, aerospace, paper-manufacturing, packaging, textiles, transportation, steel foundries and building materials. The area of Horwich around Middlebrook has been designated by Bolton Council as the `Bolton Economic Development Zone', and is currently seeing much building work, predominantly office space for law firms and business headquarters.
Tourism plays an important part in the local economy, with visitor attractions such as Hall i' th' Wood (the home of inventor Samuel Crompton), Smithills Country Park and [[Smithills Hall]], [[Rivington]], Last Drop Village, Barrow Bridge mill village, [[Bolton Steam Museum]] and the civic museums in the town centre. Residents and visitors alike can make use of the facilities at Leverhulme, Moss Bank and Queen's parks.
Bolton is the birthplace of the [[Reebok]] brand. The company's European headquarters are located in the [[Reebok Stadium]]. Bolton is also the home of the family bakery, [[Warburtons]], who began their business in 1876 on Blackburn Road in Bolton.
Bolton has also has a strong presence in the [[Aerospace industry]] through the production of military missiles and systems. This centred round the [[British Aerospace]] (BAe) factory in [[Lostock]] which formerly had the largest machine shop in Europe. BAe also had factories in [[Farnworth]], [[Wingates]] and in the Spa Lane area of Bolton. The Lostock factory has been reduced drastically over the last couple of decades with the bulk of the buildings being sold off. A workforce of around 300 people continue to work there under the [[BAE Systems]] subsidiary [[MBDA]]. Current missile systems produced there include; [[ASRAAM]], [[Rapier missile|Rapier]] and [[Storm Shadow]] which are in service with the [[RAF]] and various forces around the globe.
Bolton Council has launched a large-scale series of redevelopments of the town centre.<ref name=BolPlum>[http://www.businessbolton.info/plum/ Plum opportunities for development in Bolton]. URL accessed [[18 June]] [[2007]].</ref>
==Transport==
Bolton is well served in terms of both the local road network and national routes.
The [[A6 road|A6]], a major north–south [[trunk road]], passes through Hunger Hill and Westhoughton.
The [[A666 road|A666]] (sometimes referred to as `The Devil's Highway' because of the numeric designation) is a 4-lane [[dual carriageway]] which acts as a spur from the large [[M61 motorway|M61]]/[[M60 motorway|M60]] [[motorway]] interchange, carrying traffic to and from the town centre. The A666 continues North, up through Astley Bridge, Egerton and on into Darwen and Blackburn, Lancashire. The [[M61 motorway|M61]] itself has three dedicated junctions serving the borough.
Bolton is served by the [[National Express]] coach network.
Bolton is located on the Manchester loop of the [[West Coast Mainline]] and as such is served by [[Virgin West Coast]] trains passing through [[Manchester Piccadilly]] station. There are regular commuter services between most of the local stations and Manchester. The Bolton metropolitan area is served by the following railway stations:
*[[Bolton railway station|Bolton Trinity Street]] - a town-centre transport interchange
*[[Bromley Cross railway station|Bromley Cross]]
*[[Hall i' th' Wood railway station|Hall i' th' Wood]]
*[[Blackrod railway station|Blackrod]]
*[[Horwich Parkway railway station|Horwich Parkway]] (for the [[Reebok Stadium]] - [[Bolton Wanderers FC]])
*[[Lostock railway station|Lostock]]
*[[Westhoughton railway station|Westhoughton]]
*[[Moses Gate railway station|Moses Gate]]
*[[Farnworth railway station|Farnworth]]
*[[Kearsley railway station|Kearsley]]
==Education==
Bolton is home to a leading independent day school, [[Bolton School]], whose Boys' Division originated around 1516. It was endowed by Robert Lever in 1641 and again by [[William Hesketh Lever]] (later Lord Leverhulme) in 1898, allowing it to be rebuilt alongside a new Girls' Division on its current site in Chorley New Road. The town can also boast Lord's Independent School, established by Mr Lord, a local eccentric, in 1906.<ref>[http://www.lordsschool.co.uk/ Lord's Independent School]. URL accessed [[22 February]] [[2008]].</ref>
Bolton also has its own modern university, the [[University of Bolton]]. Formerly Bolton Institute of Higher Education, it gained university status in 2005 and has seen much building work and growth since.
The town's secondary schools include [[Canon Slade School]], [[Thornleigh Salesian College]], Turton High School Media Arts College<ref>[http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/cgi-bin/performancetables/dfevx1_05.pl?Phase=&School=3504034 Turton High School Media Arts College]. URL accessed [[22 February]] [[2008]].</ref> and Smithills School, which boasts a world champion brass band. Bolton also has a community college which provides further education to many in the borough and has many sites throughout,<ref>[http://www.bolton-community-college.ac.uk/ Bolton Community College]. URL accessed [[22 February]] [[2008]].</ref> as well as [[Bolton Sixth Form College]], which comprises North and South campuses.
The Bolton Teaching and Learning Centre serves schools as a central point for online materials.<ref name=BTLC>[http://www.boltontlc.org.uk Bolton Teaching and Learning Centre]. URL accessed [[18 June]] [[2007]].</ref>
The [[Bolton Steam Museum]] has several restored working steam engines.
==Sports==
Bolton is home to the [[FA Premier League|Premier League]] [[football (soccer)|football]] club, [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.]]. Formerly playing at [[Burnden Park]] they now play at the [[Reebok Stadium]].
Indoor facilities for sports training and major racket sports tournaments are provided courtesy of the newly built [[Bolton Arena]], which was used for some of the events in the [[2002 Commonwealth Games]].
Bolton is also home to one of North West England's largest Field Hockey Clubs, [[Bolton Hockey Club]].<ref>[http://www.boltonhc.webapplemedia.com/ Welcome to Bolton Hockey Club]. URL accessed [[8 November]] [[2007]].</ref>
The oldest football club in [[Lancashire]], [[Turton F.C.]], was formed in a village on the moors above Bolton in 1871 and is said to have introduce the Association game to the county.<ref name=TurtonOfficial>[http://www.turtonfc.net/news.htm Turton Football Club]. Official Site. URL accessed [[8 March]] [[2008]].</ref> There have been recent claims that their original ground, which is still in use, is the oldest surviving football ground in the world. It is claimed matches were played there since the 1830s.<ref name=oldestground>[http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/search/display.var.1381120.0.bolton_has_the_oldest_football_ground_in_the_country.php Bolton has the oldest football ground in the country]. ''The Bolton News'' [[8 May]] [[2007]].</ref>
[[Motorcycle speedway|Speedway racing]], then known as Dirt Track Racing, was staged at Raikes Park in the pioneer days – 1928 – when the venue was short lived.<ref>[http://www.tigerjack.co.uk Tiger Jack Wood - Bolton's Broadsider]. URL accessed [[8 November]] [[2007]].</ref>
Bolton also has a [[rugby union]] club, Bolton R.U.F.C.<ref>[http://clubs.rfu.com/Clubs/portals/bolton/ Bolton RUFC]. URL accessed [[8 November]] [[2007]].</ref>
[[Bolton Blaze]] is a [[baseball]] club that was started in 2003, playing their home games at The Ball Park at Stapleton Avenue. In addition to the adult team, there is a junior team, Bolton Bears. Bolton Baseball dates back to 1937 with a team called Bolton Scarlet’s.<ref>[http://www.boltonbaseball.co.uk/ Bolton Baseball Club]. URL accessed [[28 January]] [[2008]].</ref>
== Culture and society ==
According to a survey of the [[British Association for the Advancement of Science]] Boltonians are the friendliest people in Britain.<ref name=BENhotfavourite>[http://archive.thisislancashire.co.uk/2003/9/8/532800.html Town 'hot' favourite to be Britain's friendliest], ''Bolton Evening News'', [[8 September]] [[2003]]</ref><ref name=boltonfriendliest>[http://archive.theboltonnews.co.uk/2003/8/26/534987.html Bolton people 'are friendliest in Britain'], ''Bolton Evening News'', [[26 August]] [[2003]]</ref>
Bolton is one of the more deprived boroughs in England according to the Indices of Deprivation 2000.<ref name=IndDeprive>[http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1128449 Indices of Deprivation 2000]. URL accessed [[18 June]] [[2007]].</ref> It is the 28th most deprived in England in terms of numbers of people who are income deprived. A third of the borough's population lives in seven wards which are amongst the 10% most deprived in England. Despite this, Bolton is currently experiencing much attention and is experiencing an influx of people, leading to property prices increasing faster than most other parts of the UK.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} The borough already contains traditional and also increasingly affluent areas including Heaton, Horwich, Harwood and Smithills.
On [[13 February]] [[2003]], Bolton was granted [[Fairtrade Town]] status.<ref name=boltonfairtrade>[http://www.boltonfairtrade.org.uk/ Bolton Fairtrade Town]. URL accessed [[28 December]] [[2007]].</ref>
Bolton's oldest public house is [[The Man and Scythe|Ye Olde Man and Scythe]], dating from 1251 – one of the oldest remaining public houses in England.<ref>[http://partyboysuk.tripod.com/index.htm Man and Scythe]. URL accessed [[8 March]] [[2007]].</ref>
===Arts===
Bolton has a theatre called [[Octagon Theatre, Bolton|The Octagon]] along with many small, independent groups such as Bolton Little Theatre, Farnworth Little Theatre and the Phoenix Theatre Company. Inside the town hall there is also a large theatre and conference complex called The [[Bolton#Bolton Town Hall|Albert Halls]],<ref name=alberthalls>[http://www.alberthalls-bolton.co.uk/ The Albert Halls, Bolton]. URL accessed [[18 June]] [[2007]].</ref> named after the Prince Consort, Prince Albert whose early death in 1861 at the comparatively young age of only 42 would eventually lead to many buildings and monuments throughout Great Britain and her vast empire being named in his memory. The Halls opened on [[5 June]] [[1873]].
Visual arts are also represented in Bolton via [[Bolton Museum]] and Art Gallery which has a fine collection of both local and international art.<ref name=Bolmuseums>[http://www.boltonmuseums.org.uk/ Welcome to Bolton Museum and Archive Service]. URL accessed [[18 June]] [[2007]].</ref>
[[Image:Bolton Civic Centre1.jpg|thumb|right|Bolton Civic Centre in 1994, Le Mans Crescent.]]
Le Mans Crescent, (currently home to the central library, museum, art gallery, aquarium, police station, magistrates' court and town hall) is to be at the centre of a new Cultural Quarter. This area will no longer house the police station and magistrates' court; instead the library and museum are to be extended into these sections of the building, along with other new cultural projects. These works are to take place during a large-scale expansion and improvement project, which is set to more than double the size of the current town centre and improve its appearance, infrastructure and amenities.
===Library===
Bolton Central Library was one of the early public libraries established after the [[Public Libraries Act 1850]], opening on [[12 October]] [[1853]] in the Exchange Building on Market Square (present day Victoria Square). The library moved to its present site in Le Mans Crescent on [[4 July]] [[1938]].<ref>Bolton Public Libraries 1853-1978, Tom Dunne, Arts Department of Bolton Metropolitan Borough 1978, ISBN 0906585007</ref>
==Media==
The town's local daily newspaper is [[The Bolton News]], formerly known as the [[Bolton Evening News]]. There are weekly free papers, such as the Bolton Journal and Bolton Council's free monthly newspaper, Bolton Scene.
The town falls under the [[BBC North West]] and the [[Granada Television|ITV Granada]] television regions, which are served by the [[Winter Hill TV Mast|Winter Hill transmitter]] near [[Belmont, Lancashire|Belmont]], just to the north-west of the town.
Local radio is provided by [[Tower FM]], a station which broadcasts across Bolton and [[Bury]].
== Cultural references ==
{{Unreferencedsection|date=March 2008}}
The industrial village of [[Barrow Bridge]] became Millbank in [[Benjamin Disraeli]]'s novel ''[[Coningsby (novel)|Coningsby]]''.
Bolton is referenced in the famous [[Monty Python's Flying Circus]] ''[[Dead Parrot]]'' sketch, in which it is the location of the shopkeeper's brother's pet shop. The shopkeeper's brother (played by [[Michael Palin]]), incorrectly describes the town as [[Ipswich]]. On being challenged by [[Mr Praline]] (played by [[John Cleese]]), Palin's character defends himself, claiming (wrongly) that Ipswich is a [[palindrome]] of Bolton. Cleese's character retorts, ''"It's not a palindrome. The palindrome of Bolton would be Notlob. It don't work."'' As a consequence, Bolton is sometimes humorously nicknamed, "Notlob"{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. Bolton is also referred to in Monty Python's "Blackmail" sketch, in which the host of the gameshow "Blackmail" (played by [[Michael Palin]]) announces that if a Miss Betty Teal from Lancashire sends the show 15 pounds, he will refrain from revealing her lover in Bolton.
''[[Spring and Port Wine]]'' by Mayo playwright, [[Bill Naughton]] was filmed and set in Bolton.
''[[The Family Way]]'' based on Naughton's play ''All in Good Time'' was also filmed and set in Bolton.
More famously [[Peter Kay]] is from Bolton and much of his comedy TV series ''[[That Peter Kay Thing]]'' and ''[[Phoenix Nights]]'' are set in the town. The latter was filmed at St Gregorys Social Club in [[Farnworth]], and an episode of the former was set at [[Anderton, Lancashire|Bolton West services]] on the [[M61 motorway|M61]].
Many Bolton buildings have also stood in for other towns and cities. [[Bolton#Bolton Town Hall|Bolton Town Hall]] stood in for an East European bank in the 1980s film ''[[Sleepers]]'' and Le Mans Crescent has featured as an upmarket London street in the [[Jeremy Brett]] version of [[Sherlock Holmes]].
==Notable people==
<!--- DO NOT ADD PEOPLE TO THE "Notable people" SECTION OF THIS ARTICLE. TO ADD A PERSON, GO TO THE "List of people from Bolton" ARTICLE AND ADD THEM THERE --->
{{main|List of people from Bolton}}
Bolton has produced its fair share of [[actor]]s, [[comedian]]s, [[musician]]s, [[professional sports|sports personalities]], [[engineer]]s, [[inventor]]s, [[politician]]s, [[author]]s and other notable people. They have all made a mark in different periods of time, whether at local, national or international level.
==Twin towns==
*{{flagicon|France}} [[Le Mans]], [[France]], since 1967
*{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Paderborn]], [[Germany]], since 1975
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
==External links==
{{commonscat|Bolton}}
*[http://www.bolton.gov.uk www.bolton.gov.uk], Bolton Council.
*[http://www.boltonians.org.uk www.boltonians.org.uk], Listing well over 600 Boltonians - born, bred or adopted.
*[http://www.boltonswar.org.uk www.boltonswar.org.uk], An Oral History of Bolton during the Second World War.
*[http://www.bolton.org.uk www.bolton.org.uk], Bolton History, Photos, Links & Trivia.
*[http://www.boltonmuseums.org.uk www.boltonmuseums.org.uk], Bolton Museum & Archive Service - Collections include an original [[spinning mule]] made by inventor [[Samuel Crompton]], works by Bolton born artist [[Thomas Moran]] and one of Britains oldest public Aquaria.
*{{dmoz|/Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom/England/Manchester/Bolton/|Bolton}}
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