Breightmet

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Please help improve this article or section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (January 2007)

Breightmet
Breightmet shown within Greater Manchester
OS grid reference	SD745095
Metropolitan borough	Bolton
Metropolitan county	Greater Manchester
Region	North West
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BOLTON
Postcode district	BL2
Dialling code	01204
Police	Greater Manchester
Fire	Greater Manchester
Ambulance	North West
European Parliament	North West England
UK Parliament	Bolton North East
List of places: UK • England • Greater Manchester

Coordinates: 53°34′52″N 2°23′10″W / 53.581, -2.386

Breightmet (pron. "breat-met") is a settlement near Bolton, in Greater Manchester, England. It is 2½ miles east of Bolton town centre. The name comes from the Old English 'breorht' meaning bright and 'maed' or 'mead' meaning meadow, so making bright meadow. The early spellings vary from Brihtsmete or Brihmete in the 13th century, but by the next century it was Breghmete and later still Breghtmeyt.

Modern Breightmet covers a large area of land and includes Secondary Education school, Withins and to the south Leverhulme Park. Withins School also sites a community leisure and sports centre and is used as a social events centre most weekends, featuring activities for the youth of the area. Leverhulme Park is the largest park area within Bolton with football fields, 5-a-side football pitches, and a running and athletics ground as well as nature walks and picnic areas.

The main shopping area within Breightmet is along Bury Road (A58) and consists of Netto, Home Bargains and a Mecca Bingo Hall. Many local businesses also exist in the area - including the long established Breightmet Electrics.

Between Breightmet and neighbouring area Tonge Moor, is the 7-Acres Country Park.