Breightmet becomes 'bright meadow' again as hundreds of colourful flowers bloom

For the second year running, funds from the neighbourhood’s area forum have been used to provide blooms like cornflowers and daisies to give roadsides in Kentmere Road, Somerton Road, Milnthorpe Road and Breightmet Fold Lane a makeover.

Breightmet’s Old English name is bright meadow, which comes from breorht meaning bright, and maed meaning meadow, and now it is living up to that name thanks to the newly-planted flowers and shrubs.

This year’s venture was made extra special by the poppies planted to honour former soldiers who lost their lives in World War One — a move which also ties in with the centenary of the war.

Labour councillor John Byrne, cabinet member in charge of neighbourhood and community services and ward councillor for Breightmet, consulted with residents about the idea earlier this year.

He said: “The idea has been very successful in the past, so we decided that we would expand this around other areas of Breightmet.

“The plants are sown in, they are not cultivated, and this year we have added the poppies in memory of those who lost their lives in the wars.

“Last year was a real success and the residents seem to really like them.

“As well as this, the flowers are encouraging bees and butterflies to the area, so it is helping a number of species, too.”

The news comes just weeks after a Bolton News reader wrote in to say they felt that the area was more full of litter than flowers.

Cllr Byrne added: “We do suffer from the problems of litter and fly tipping but it is the responsibility of our residents to dispose of their rubbish in an appropriate manner.

“I hope that the reader who said that there are no floral displays in Breightmet will come and have a look and approve of what we have done.

“We have this opportunity to use our area forum money to make Breightmet beautiful.

“Before we planted the flowers there were just plain grass verges on the side of the road, so it looks fantastic now.”