Great Lever

infobox UK place
latitude= 53.562
longitude= -2.428
official_name= Great Lever
population=
os_grid_reference= SD717074
metropolitan_borough= Bolton
metropolitan_county= Greater Manchester
region= North West England
country= England
post_town= BOLTON
postcode_area= BL
postcode_district= BL3
dial_code= 01204
constituency_westminster= Bolton South East Great Lever is a mainly residential settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. It is located between Farnworth and Burnden, and about 2 miles from Bolton town centre. Great Lever has many shops and services serving the local community. These include a post office, a butchers, a chemists and a surgery. The district also has several nursing homes and is served by frequent bus routes running to Bolton town centre, Farnworth and the Royal Bolton Hospital as well as circling the main estates.

Places of Interest

The parish church for the area is St. Michael's church. Currently under renovation it is now in its 155th year.

On Green Lane, two large pubs can be found: Southfields, an excellent pub and restaurant with its own tennis courts and grass land, and The Brooklyn, a large public house with its own bowling green, which were formerly houses built for the mill owners. The Beehive Mill is still going today on Crescent Road, for mail orders. Great Lever has a park on Green Lane and is home to the Bolton Cricket club. Doe Hey reservoir is used for private fishing.

Education

Hayward secondary school is popular and has been performing well of late. Bishop Bridgeman CE Primary School, St. Michael's C of E primary school, Lever Edge, St William of York RC primary school and St. Simon and Judes provides education for under 11's. There are playcentres for very young children/toddlers.

People

Great Lever has people from many different backgrounds, including many from ethnic minorities. Residents find each other very friendly, and many are lucky enough to have good neighbours. There is great variety in the wealth of the local people, as reflected in the great variety of the house prices.

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.

Problems

Despite being a friendly neighbourhood, Great Lever has some problems, crime being one of the residents major concerns. Litter and traffic congestion are also concerns, as is so often the case in suburbs of a similar nature.

Crime, as mentioned above, is the main problem.Fact|date=February 2007 As there are many trees in the low-lying area, many homes aren't overlooked. Criminals can make quick exits to and from the numerous estates.

External links

* [http://www.greatlever.co.uk Great Lever Neighbourhood Management]
* [http://www.stmarks.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk St Marks School and Church Fletcher St] Web site for ex pupils of St Marks with the history of surrounding workplaces and streets where many of the ex pupils and church goers worked and lived.