Greenmount, Greater Manchester
Encyclopedia
Greenmount is a village in the district of Tottington amongst the West Pennine Moors
, within the northern area of the Metropolitan Borough of Bury
, in Greater Manchester
, England
.
Historically
a part of Lancashire
, Greenmount is 13 miles (21 km) north of Manchester
, 1 miles (2 km) to the northeast of Tottington
, and 2 miles (3 km) to the south of Ramsbottom
.
The village of Greenmount now has its own community web page, http://www.greenmountvillage.org.uk.
.This has now changed to red and blue.The school's previous headmistress (Sister James) was one of the last of several nun
s who taught at the school until the early 1990s. Adjacent to Hollymount school there was once a convent
with a splendid array of gardens containing a grotto
of Mary (mother of Jesus)
, school children would form a procession of prayer here on May Day
each year. The convent was also previously used as an orphanage and as a hospital for servicemen injured in conflict during World War I
. The convent
closed in the late 1980s and much of the convent
has now been replaced with modern houses.
There was once a public house at the junction of Brandlesholme Road and Vernon Road called 'The Nailers Green', however this pub closed down in 2004. The pub was notorious in the 1980s for its alsatian
guard dog that was kept on the rooftop. The Nailers Green, and its large car park, were controversially replaced with a complex of 26 flats in 2004.
, Greenmount has formed part of the Metropolitan Borough of Bury
of Greater Manchester
.
and can be reached via the M66 motorway by taking the Junction 1 exit A56 via Summerseat. Greenmount lies 1 mile to the north east of Tottington
, 2 miles to the south of Ramsbottom
, 1 mile north of Brandlesholme
and 1 mile west of Summerseat. Holcombe Brook is adjacent to the East side of Greenmount. Greenmount has two main roads running through it: Holcombe Road and Brandlesholme Road.
At the top of Brandlesholme Road there is a T-junction with Holcombe Road (B6215) at the centre of the village, at the junction lies Greenmount's Protestant Church together with a small row of shops and The Bulls Head public house/restaurant. South West of Greenmount via Holcombe Road leads to the neighbouring town of Tottington
. North West of Greenmount via Bolton Road (A676) leads to village of Hawkshaw
and ultimately Bolton
(5 miles away). To the North East one can take Bolton Road West to reach Ramsbottom
and Edenfield
. Travelling South from Greenmount one can reach the town of Bury
. The shortest route is approximately 3 miles by taking Brandlesholme Road (via Brandlesholme
). An alternative 4 mile route to Bury is possible by taking Holcombe Road (which becomes Market Street, Bury Road and Tottington Rd) via Tottington
.
The physical landscape of the village is dominated by Affetside Moor and Holcombe Moor. The southern section of the village lies alongside Two Brooks Valley, a former industrial valley characterised today by small farm dwellings, open countryside and streams which drain water from the moors above.
The village of Greenmount has retained its nonconformist church, Greenmount United Reformed Church, a collection of shops, post office and a large public house with restaurant. The former primary school building provides facilities for a number of community activities. There is also a cricket club and golf club, both with significant membership numbers.
There are two remaining primary schools, Greenmount Primary and Hollymount Roman Catholic Primary school. Hollymount Primary school is located at the top of a hill accessed via Hollymount Lane, this lane is also used to access the local golf course.
From Greenmount there is a good view of Peel Tower
which stands on top of Harcles Hill, known locally as Holcombe Hill.
Kirklees Trail
and Phil Neville
both the Neville brothers and their father Neville Neville
played cricket at Greenmount Cricket club (in the Bolton Cricket League
) and both brothers were junior members of Greenmount golf club. Multi millionaire Ron Wood, former owner of Birthday's cards, also lives in the village.
TV presenter (and Emmerdale
actor) Lisa Riley
was born and raised in Tottington, Lisa was a former pupil of Hollymount Primary School and St. Gabriels R.C. High School in Bury.
Antony Cotton
, star of popular soap opera Coronation Street
, was also born and raised in the village and was a pupil of nearby Woodhey High School.
West Pennine Moors
The West Pennine Moors cover an area of approximately of moorland and reservoirs in Lancashire and Greater Manchester, England.The West Pennine Moors are separated from the main Pennine range by the Irwell Valley. The moorland includes Withnell, Anglezarke and Rivington Moors in the extreme west,...
, within the northern area of the Metropolitan Borough of Bury
Metropolitan Borough of Bury
The Metropolitan Borough of Bury is a metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, in North West England. Lying to the north of the City of Manchester, the borough is composed of six towns: Bury, Ramsbottom, Tottington, Radcliffe, Whitefield and Prestwich, and has a population of 181,900...
, in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Historically
Historic counties of England
The historic counties of England are subdivisions of England established for administration by the Normans and in most cases based on earlier Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and shires...
a part of Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, Greenmount is 13 miles (21 km) north of Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, 1 miles (2 km) to the northeast of Tottington
Tottington, Greater Manchester
Tottington is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, in Greater Manchester, England.Historically a part of Lancashire, Tottington's early history is marked by its status as an important Medieval fee, a type of Royal Manor which encompassed several townships...
, and 2 miles (3 km) to the south of Ramsbottom
Ramsbottom
Ramsbottom is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, Greater Manchester, England. It is situated on the course of the River Irwell, in the West Pennine Moors. Historically within Lancashire, it is located north-northwest of Bury, and north-northwest of Manchester...
.
The village of Greenmount now has its own community web page, http://www.greenmountvillage.org.uk.
Toponymy
The name Greenmount came into existence in 1848 when the Sunday School was built. It was originally spelt Green Mount. Some residents of the older generation, who were born in Greenmount, still write it as two separate words. Greenmount was, in 1848, part of the outskirts of the village of Tottington. At first, people who lived near to the Sunday School included the name of Greenmount in their address and gradually this was extended to the surrounding area and so Greenmount became a village. The only boundaries which can be traced are the ward boundaries, which came into existence after the Local Government Act of 1894. These were changed in 1979. [C B Taylor, A History of Greenmount].Development
Hollymount R.C. Primary school is a four floor building. For many years the school's football team played in the colours of Celtic F.C.Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
.This has now changed to red and blue.The school's previous headmistress (Sister James) was one of the last of several nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
s who taught at the school until the early 1990s. Adjacent to Hollymount school there was once a convent
Convent
A convent is either a community of priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, or nuns, or the building used by the community, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion...
with a splendid array of gardens containing a grotto
Grotto
A grotto is any type of natural or artificial cave that is associated with modern, historic or prehistoric use by humans. When it is not an artificial garden feature, a grotto is often a small cave near water and often flooded or liable to flood at high tide...
of Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
, school children would form a procession of prayer here on May Day
May Day
May Day on May 1 is an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival and usually a public holiday; it is also a traditional spring holiday in many cultures....
each year. The convent was also previously used as an orphanage and as a hospital for servicemen injured in conflict during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The convent
Convent
A convent is either a community of priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, or nuns, or the building used by the community, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion...
closed in the late 1980s and much of the convent
Convent
A convent is either a community of priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, or nuns, or the building used by the community, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion...
has now been replaced with modern houses.
There was once a public house at the junction of Brandlesholme Road and Vernon Road called 'The Nailers Green', however this pub closed down in 2004. The pub was notorious in the 1980s for its alsatian
German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog , also known as an Alsatian or just the German Shepherd, is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany. The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed of dog, with its origin dating to 1899. As part of the Herding Group, the German Shepherd is a working dog...
guard dog that was kept on the rooftop. The Nailers Green, and its large car park, were controversially replaced with a complex of 26 flats in 2004.
Governance
Since 1974, as part of the Local Government Act 1972Local Government Act 1972
The Local Government Act 1972 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom that reformed local government in England and Wales on 1 April 1974....
, Greenmount has formed part of the Metropolitan Borough of Bury
Metropolitan Borough of Bury
The Metropolitan Borough of Bury is a metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, in North West England. Lying to the north of the City of Manchester, the borough is composed of six towns: Bury, Ramsbottom, Tottington, Radcliffe, Whitefield and Prestwich, and has a population of 181,900...
of Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
.
Geography
The village of Greenmount is 13 miles (20.9 km) north of ManchesterManchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
and can be reached via the M66 motorway by taking the Junction 1 exit A56 via Summerseat. Greenmount lies 1 mile to the north east of Tottington
Tottington, Greater Manchester
Tottington is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, in Greater Manchester, England.Historically a part of Lancashire, Tottington's early history is marked by its status as an important Medieval fee, a type of Royal Manor which encompassed several townships...
, 2 miles to the south of Ramsbottom
Ramsbottom
Ramsbottom is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, Greater Manchester, England. It is situated on the course of the River Irwell, in the West Pennine Moors. Historically within Lancashire, it is located north-northwest of Bury, and north-northwest of Manchester...
, 1 mile north of Brandlesholme
Brandlesholme
Brandlesholme is a suburb north of Bury in Greater Manchester, England, half-way between Bury town centre and Ramsbottom.Brandlesholme Road is the main road through the area. At its furthermost south junction it meets with Tottington Road and Crostons Road, providing access to Bury Town Centre...
and 1 mile west of Summerseat. Holcombe Brook is adjacent to the East side of Greenmount. Greenmount has two main roads running through it: Holcombe Road and Brandlesholme Road.
At the top of Brandlesholme Road there is a T-junction with Holcombe Road (B6215) at the centre of the village, at the junction lies Greenmount's Protestant Church together with a small row of shops and The Bulls Head public house/restaurant. South West of Greenmount via Holcombe Road leads to the neighbouring town of Tottington
Tottington, Greater Manchester
Tottington is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, in Greater Manchester, England.Historically a part of Lancashire, Tottington's early history is marked by its status as an important Medieval fee, a type of Royal Manor which encompassed several townships...
. North West of Greenmount via Bolton Road (A676) leads to village of Hawkshaw
Hawkshaw, Greater Manchester
Hawkshaw is a village in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, in Greater Manchester, England. Historically part of Lancashire, it has a population of around 1,000 people. The village has a small shop and 2 pubs called The Red Lion and The Waggon and Horses....
and ultimately Bolton
Bolton
Bolton is a town in Greater Manchester, in the North West of England. Close to the West Pennine Moors, it is north west of the city of Manchester. Bolton is surrounded by several smaller towns and villages which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, of which Bolton is the...
(5 miles away). To the North East one can take Bolton Road West to reach Ramsbottom
Ramsbottom
Ramsbottom is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, Greater Manchester, England. It is situated on the course of the River Irwell, in the West Pennine Moors. Historically within Lancashire, it is located north-northwest of Bury, and north-northwest of Manchester...
and Edenfield
Edenfield
Edenfield is a village within the Rossendale borough of Lancashire, England. Lying on the River Irwell, it is around north of Ramsbottom, south of Rawtenstall, and west of Norden, and has a total population of 2,080....
. Travelling South from Greenmount one can reach the town of Bury
Bury
Bury is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the River Irwell, east of Bolton, west-southwest of Rochdale, and north-northwest of the city of Manchester...
. The shortest route is approximately 3 miles by taking Brandlesholme Road (via Brandlesholme
Brandlesholme
Brandlesholme is a suburb north of Bury in Greater Manchester, England, half-way between Bury town centre and Ramsbottom.Brandlesholme Road is the main road through the area. At its furthermost south junction it meets with Tottington Road and Crostons Road, providing access to Bury Town Centre...
). An alternative 4 mile route to Bury is possible by taking Holcombe Road (which becomes Market Street, Bury Road and Tottington Rd) via Tottington
Tottington, Greater Manchester
Tottington is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, in Greater Manchester, England.Historically a part of Lancashire, Tottington's early history is marked by its status as an important Medieval fee, a type of Royal Manor which encompassed several townships...
.
The physical landscape of the village is dominated by Affetside Moor and Holcombe Moor. The southern section of the village lies alongside Two Brooks Valley, a former industrial valley characterised today by small farm dwellings, open countryside and streams which drain water from the moors above.
Demography
The village of Greenmount attracted significant population growth between 1967 and 1982 when a large area of housing was built. Since that time the population has remained largely static. The residents of Greenmount are principally middle class suburban white folk.Landmarks
There are two remaining primary schools, Greenmount Primary and Hollymount Roman Catholic Primary school. Hollymount Primary school is located at the top of a hill accessed via Hollymount Lane, this lane is also used to access the local golf course.
From Greenmount there is a good view of Peel Tower
Peel Monument
The memorial tower to Sir Robert Peel high above Ramsbottom was planned and erected at the same time as Bury was preparing its statue to the then recently deceased statesman who was born in Bury....
which stands on top of Harcles Hill, known locally as Holcombe Hill.
Kirklees Trail / Former Railway Line
At one time Greenmount village was a stopping point from Bury to Holcombe Brook via a rail line operated by the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway, this line was closed to passengers in 1968. The old rail line is now the central footpath through a park and nature trail through Kirklees Valley called Kirklees Trail, this trail provides an alternative flat route for pedestrians to access the neighbouring town of Tottington (the alternative route by road involves negotiating two steep hills via the A676 or 'Stormer Hill'). There is also a lake popular with fishermen, an impressive bridge over the river, a bird sanctuary (Greenmount Wild Bird Sanctuary)and a cricket club all situated along the trail.Kirklees Trail
Notable people
The Manchester United team-mates and brothers GaryGary Neville
Gary Alexander Neville is a former English footballer. He is England's most capped right-back and was Manchester United's club captain for five years....
and Phil Neville
Philip Neville
Philip John "Phil" Neville is an English footballer who captains Premier League club Everton. Neville also played for England from 1996 until 2007...
both the Neville brothers and their father Neville Neville
Neville Neville
Neville Neville is a former league cricketer, football agent and director. He is the father of professional association football players Gary Neville and Phil Neville and netball player Tracey Neville....
played cricket at Greenmount Cricket club (in the Bolton Cricket League
Bolton Cricket League
The Bolton Cricket League is a cricket league comprising fourteen teams in and around Bolton, Greater Manchester in North West England. The league runs competitions at First Team, Second Team, Under 18, Under 15, Under 13 and Under 11 levels.-Teams:...
) and both brothers were junior members of Greenmount golf club. Multi millionaire Ron Wood, former owner of Birthday's cards, also lives in the village.
TV presenter (and Emmerdale
Emmerdale
Emmerdale, is a long-running British soap opera set in Emmerdale , a fictional village in the Yorkshire Dales. Created by Kevin Laffan, Emmerdale was first broadcast on 16 October 1972...
actor) Lisa Riley
Lisa Riley
Lisa Riley is a British television presenter and actress probably best known for playing the role of Mandy Dingle in the television soap opera Emmerdale and succeeding Jeremy Beadle on You've Been Framed.-Career:...
was born and raised in Tottington, Lisa was a former pupil of Hollymount Primary School and St. Gabriels R.C. High School in Bury.
Antony Cotton
Antony Cotton
Antony Cotton is an English actor and singer best known for his roles in Coronation Street and the original UK version of Queer as Folk.-Early and personal life:...
, star of popular soap opera Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
, was also born and raised in the village and was a pupil of nearby Woodhey High School.