A Stroll Around Scholes Bank
Click on a picture to see an enlargement.
After a leisurely lunch at my local cafe I decided to brave the persistent drizzle and take the dogs for a walk and a ball game. However, by way of a change, I decided not to walk up to the meadows in Rivington but to stay a little closer to home. So we went to an area about a 1/4ml away that is known locally as Scholes Bank. It's a mixture of playing fields and uncultivated land intersected by many paths. This picture shows part of the playing field area and is laid out for at least half a dozen football pitches.
There's certainly plenty of room here for Brett and Sam to play at chasing a ball. 
This picture shows one of the many paths through the uncultivated area.
In the background can be seen Rivington Pike, the main landmark on Winter Hill.
Most of the paths in the uncultivated area lead you to the River Douglas. This picture shows the footbridge leading into Squirrel Lane.
Of course Brett and Sam enjoy a good paddle in the river.
At certain times of year this area is awash with many wild flowers.
The final picture shows the remains of a man-made weir that was originally built for a corn mill belonging to the Anderton family, and is shown on an Ordnance Survey map of 1849 with Anderton Hall close by.
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Great photos of a lovely area currently threatened by planning applications submitted to Bolton MBC and Chorley BC for a £1m development including large building, 55 space car park and including removal of existing hedgerows.
Thanks for your kind comments about the pictures. I heard that the planning applications were to do with provision of parking and changing facilities for youth football groups, is that still the case?
I live on Squirrel Lane and have been trying to find out more about the corn (later logwood) water mill and the old Anderton Hall - nobody seems to know much at all! Pity it seems to have been demolished before photography was invented - all that remains are the stone gate posts and the pretty stone bridge below the weir. On the old OS map there was also a farm just as you cross the bridge from Squirrel Lane - no trace of it on the ground now though. Great photos - have you seen the one of the weir in Horwich Heritage Centre's folders - must be from around 1915 as my house is on it - hardly a tree in sight though.
Hi Dave, I find it fascinating to look at the old maps and see how much places have changed. Horwich in general seems to have been a different place 100yr ago, with coal mines, bleach works, brick works, and eventually the Locomotive Works. I must pay a visit to the Heritage Centre to see what is there. Thanks for reminding me.