The name Atherton has three possible origins:
- It was named from the alder trees which grew in great numbers in the valley known as the Owler Forest; or
- it may be from alder, meaning elder, or chief; or
- it may derive from ‘adder’, pronounced ather, meaning a small stream.
Seven small streams run through or border on Atherton.
An old name for the centre of Atherton is Chowbent, where ‘Chow’ is a personal name, and ‘Bent’ means a grassy field.
The town, which has a busy station on the Wigan-Manchester railway line, is also home to a popular sports centre at Howe Bridge. In 1999 the Council won government regeneration funding for Atherton, and the resulting Atherton Building Communities project is set to revitalise the shopping centre, conservation area around St John’s Church, local mills and the nearby Hag Fold housing estate.
Howe Bridge
The village of Howe Bridge was purpose built by the Fletcher family who dominated the industrial and civic life in Atherton to house local factory and mine workers. The village has now been designated a “Conservation Area” the community group of Howe Bridge “Bridgers” hold and “Environment Week” in October each year to preserve their conservation status.
