News Beat
What life is like in ‘idyllic’ Firwood Fold in Bolton
But it also has pockets of calm amidst the urban sprawl, and Firwood Fold is a prime example of that.
Located just around the corner from the major junction of Crompton Way and Tonge Moor Road, the “idyllic” area feels like you could be in the middle of the countryside.
It boasts what is reputed to be the oldest inhabited building in Bolton and the birthplace of Samuel Crompton, the inventor of the spinning mule.
The Bolton News headed down to the beauty spot to find out what life is like in its gorgeous cottages and converted stables.
‘It’s picture postcard’
Cliff Riley has lived in Firwood Fold for his whole life, and now only lives a few doors down from where he was born.
He said: “I really like it, I’ve lived here all my life, for over 60 years. My grandparents lived down here, my mum and dad lived down here, it has been a generational thing.
“I don’t plan on moving anywhere soon! It is quite idyllic, even in winter just as much as summer.
“It is picture postcard – I have actually had pictures converted into Christmas cards back in the day! It is a lovely place to live.
“I like the fact that you’re just off the beaten track, but close to civilisation.”
He added: “It is nice for people to walk through, people walking their dogs or just general walkers.
“Schools come down sometimes, it is a good place to visit, with Samuel Crompton having been born down here.”
Cliff added that the Riley family will continue to stay in Firwood Fold, with his house set to go to his children and grandchildren – though no time soon!
Another resident, Kelsie May, has not been there as long as long as Cliff, but still “absolutely loves it”.
She said: “I’ve been here for five years, it is a lovely neighbourhood. It is really very peaceful, it is a lovely place to live.
‘We pinch ourselves every day and can’t believe we are living here’
“The houses are so old school and have a bit of character. Unfortunately a lot of new build houses these days don’t have much character, so it is nice to find somewhere with a bit of it.
“It is a lot quieter than other places I’ve lived which is nice, there are lots of walks on your doorstep.”
‘It’s a Dream’
Another resident described living in Firwood Fold as being like “a dream”.
He said: “We pinch ourselves every day. It feels like we’re in an Airbnb and someone is going to kick us out soon.
“It is a lot different to a lot of the places here, with the two up two down situation. We get little birds like robins and lots of wildlife, we get squirrels all the time.
“You do hear foxes screaming in the night! You have the abandoned golf course with at least 50 walking tracks through it, there is the Kingfisher trail.
“It is really lovely. It is really quiet because no real traffic goes past the house.”
Another resident added that he had lived in Firwood Fold for 31 years, having previously lived around the Bolton area.
He said that he “loves” it.
