Great Lever
| Great Lever | |
|---|---|
  Great Lever | |
| Great Lever shown within Greater Manchester | |
| Population | 14,457 (2011.Ward) |
| OS grid reference | SD717074 |
| Metropolitan borough | |
| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BOLTON |
| Postcode district | BL3 |
| Dialling code | 01204 |
| Police | Greater Manchester |
| Fire | Greater Manchester |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament | |
Great Lever is mainly a residential suburb of Bolton in Greater Manchester, England. Historically within Lancashire, it is about 2 1⁄2 miles (4.0 km) south of Bolton town centre and the same distance north of Farnworth. Great Lever has many shops and services serving the local community including a post office, butcher's, chemist and a GP surgery. The district has several nursing homes and is served by frequent bus routes running to Bolton town centre, Farnworth and the Royal Bolton Hospital. The ward population taken at the 2011 census was 14,467.[1]
Religion
The parish church is St. Michael (with St Bartholomew).[2] Currently under renovation it is now in its 162nd year and is a Grade 2 listed building. It is a member of the Seven Saints Team and is located at the bottom end of Green Lane at the leafy entrance to Great Lever.[3]
Landmarks
On Green Lane are two large public houses: Southfield's, a pub and restaurant with tennis courts and grassland, and the Brooklyn with a bowling green. Both were houses built for local mill owners. The 'Beehive Mill' on Crescent Road has been left to rot after Shop Direct left in 2011. Bolton Council approved planning permission to knock down the Grade II listed mill in 2016 and build new houses, but permission is still needed from the government to knock down the mill because of its listed status. Currently the mill is empty and deemed an eyesore by local residents. Great Lever has a park on Green Lane, on the opposite side of Green Lane from the park are the grounds of Bolton Cricket Club. The two conjoined Doe Hey Reservoirs are used for private fishing. Will Hill Brook, which drains into the Doe Hey Reservoirs, forms the southern boundary between Great Lever and Farnworth.
Education
Primary schools in Great Lever include Bishop Bridgeman CE Primary School, Essa Primary School, Lever Edge Primary Academy, St Michael's CE Primary School, SS Simon and Jude CE Primary School and St William of York RC Primary School. There are also numerous play-centres for pre-school children.
The main secondary school in the area is Essa Academy for pupils aged 11 to 16.
People
One of Great Lever's most famous sons is the footballer Albert Shepherd who had considerable success with Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle United. Former Manchester City striker Paul Moulden owned a chip shop in the area and ex-Bolton player Roy Greaves ran a pub called Monteraze in the area for many years. Ralph Gubbins, a forward with Bolton Wanderers, Tranmere Rovers and Hull City, lived in Great Lever during his time with Wanderers. Another resident was Wales and Bolton Wanderers striker Wyn Davies who also went on to represent both Manchester clubs.
The architect Charles Holden (1875–1960), best known for many buildings for London Underground, was born in Great Lever.
20th century band leader Jack Hylton was born Great Lever in 1892 as John Greenhalgh Hilton.
References
- ↑ "Bolton Ward population". Retrieved 3 January 2016.
- ↑
- ↑
External links
- http://www.stmarksbolton.esy.es/ St Mark's School and Church, Fletcher St]