Brandlesholme

infobox UK place
country = England
map_type= Greater Manchester
latitude = 53.6102
longitude = -2.3149
official_name= Brandlesholme
metropolitan_county= Greater Manchester
population =
metropolitan_borough= Bury
region = North West England
constituency_westminster= Bury North
post_town= BURY
postcode_district = BL8
postcode_area= BL
dial_code= 0161
os_grid_reference= Brandlesholme is a suburb north of Bury in Greater Manchester, England on the road to Ramsbottom. Further north is a stretch of open farmland from where Peel Tower dominates the view. The road ahead after the stretch of farmland then forks, bearing left to Greenmount with road links to Tottington and Bolton, and right to Holcombe Brook, Summerseat and Ramsbottom.

History

As long ago as the 13th century there a small number of people were living in Brandlesholme. The name belonged to a family who administered the local forests on behalf of Henry III but following marriage this was replaced by Greenhalgh, another local name [ http://website.lineone.net/~davghalgh/brandghalgh.html Greenhalgh Family] . This family lived in Brandlesholme Old Hall, one of the oldest buildings in Bury. This still remains on the northern outskirts of Brandlesholme, and comprises the remains of a medieval hall, a single storyed cruck-built structure, with two farms and a Victorian wing built up around it [ 'History in Stone', Jean Bannister, Bury Heritage Series No.5, published 1983] .

Historically mills tended to be located along rivers and streams. The Kirklees Brook runs to the east of Brandlesholme and in the 18th century mills stood on the site of the old Kirklees Bleachworks, now demolished and redeveloped with a new housing estate, Miller Brook. In 1884, a French chemist, Hilaire de Charbonnet, Comte de Chardonnay, moved to the area to work on a cellulose-based fabric that became known as "Chardonnay silk". A forerunner of Rayon it was an attractive cloth, but like celluloid it was very flammable. Eventually, following numerous accidents, it was taken off the market. More recently the mill was known locally as 'Courtaulds' after the textile company who took over the site in 1962. Their occupation, latterly as a dyehouse, was ended in 1980.

Housing

To the west of Brandlesholme Road lies the Garside estate, a sizeable council social-housing estate of terrace houses. To the east, two also sizeable middle-class estates, one encapsulating Trimingham Drive and Hunstanton Drive and the other Rudgwick Drive and Springside View. A second council social-housing estate exists south of Brandlesholme on Woodhill Road. More houses are currently under construction at the end of Garside Hey Road. The new development, known as Miller Brook is located between Brandlesholme and the neighbouring town of Tottington.

Landmarks

Burrs Country Park

About a mile from the centre of Bury, sat next to the River Irwell is the recently developed Burrs Country Park - a good example of what a Local Authority can do to reclaim derelict industrial land. The park covers an area once housing the mill complex of the Burr and Higher Woodhill cotton mills [ http://www.burrs.org.uk/heritage.htm Burrs History] . Situated astride the River Irwell, it is overlooked by Castlesteads, an Iron Age/Roman settlement and hill fort and one of only four Scheduled Ancient Monuments in Bury. The park is a popular spot for canoeing and the local pub, the Brown Cow is one of the oldest buildings in Bury. A number of sculptures that form part of the Irwell Sculpture Trail are located at the Burrs. The Country Park is base for the Burrs Activity Centre. The East Lancashire Railway runs through the park making it a favored site for photographers. A small railway halt is proposed at the Burrs as part of the railways development programme [ http://www.bury.gov.uk/Environment/Planning/PlanningProjects/ConservationAndHeritage/BurrsCH.htm Burrs Rail Halt] . The latest addition is an already popular Caravan Club caravan and camping site and the adjacent showground is used by the Bury Show and similar events.

Local Amenities

Local Schools

The primary schools covering the area's children from age 4-11 are Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School, [http://www.oldhallprimary.com/ Old Hall County Primary School] and Woodbank County Primary School. Brandlesholme County Primary School previously existed until the late 1990s, when it was demolished as a result of demographic change in the area.

Brandlesholme is served predominantly by Elton High School Specialist Arts College in terms of secondary, 11-16 education, but a sizeable minority of students from northern areas attend either Tottington High School or Woodhey High School in Ramsbottom. Many students also attend selective church-aided secondary schools, St Gabriels High School or Bury Church of England High School or the private Bury Grammar School in the town centre.

hops & Other Services

There are a small selection of shops located together in Brandlesholme Shopping Precinct, known locally as the 'Top Shops' due to their location towards the North of the area. The shops include a Tesco Express convenience store, sandwich takeaway and bakery, hairdressers, chemist, chip shop, a Chinese takeaway, a pizza parlour, a florist and a newly opened opticians.

Brandlesholme is home to a BP petrol station to the south and Brandlesholme Service Station to the North. Brandlesholme now has a brand new cattery situated at Brandlesholme hall farmhttp://www.brandlesholmehallfarmcattery.co.ukRecently, [http://www.bury.gov.uk Bury Council] have incorporated into the Brandlesholme [http://www.childcarelink.gov.uk/whitebox/childcaresearch.asp?cisid=5153&csid=515398 Playaway] building a new community library which has been a popular addition to the facilities available in the area.

port and Local Parks

The area is home to Woodbank Cricket Club, a well established team that plays in the Lees Brewery Lancashire County League [ http://www.lancashirecountyleague.com/site/ Lancashire County League] . The Club was established in 1935 and the ground 'Kenyons' is named a local family who were involved at the start and supported the Club for many years.

Brandlesholme Warriors are a local junior football club with teams for young people of all ages.

Brandlesholme has a wide range of grassed land and stunning views. The area is home to three children's parks: Hunstanton Park, located within walking distance of Burrs Country Park; Purbeck Park, on the Rudgwick estate; and Brandlesholme Park, a newly created facility on the land of the old primary school.

Transport Links

Brandlesholme is in easy reach of the town centre of Bury. Frequent bus services run from the area to the town at a frequency of every 10 minutes or better Monday to Saturday until 7pm.

Brandlesholme is served by Brandlesholme Road (B6214) which links to Crostons Road at its junction with Tottington Road. Jubilee Way and Crostons Road provide a quick link onto Brandlesholme Road from Bury town centre.

References