PLANNING FOR BETTER COMMUNITIES.
Things
happen,
because we make the happen.
All the hard work and long term commitments by HBFI are now coming to fruition, especially with investment into sporting and recreational facilities:
HBFI-led, Horwich Town Council is in the final stages of purchasing the muchcherished RMI Cricket Ground, protecting it in perpetuity for generations to come. This vital sports and recreational space at the heart of Horwich will be safeguarded from future development, ensuring it remains a valued community asset for everyone to enjoy!
HBFI plans to create a Pump Park on Station Park have now reached the design development stage, with works hoped to begin this summer. The Pump Park will encourage cycling, scootering, skateboarding, and outdoor exercise for all ages & abilities.
HBFI-led, Blackrod Town Council have invested in a Community Lawn Mower helping volunteers keep our community projects on track and maintained.
After over 10 years of pressure from HBFI, developers have now submitted an application which will include on-site sporting and recreational facilities. This land allocation forms part of a wider phased development and will help address the long-standing shortfall in sporting facilities in Horwich and Blackrod.
Local sports groups are now benefiting from a new home at Pickups Field, thanks to a high-quality building donated by Northstone. Led by HBFI, £100,000 was secured for site improvements, including upgraded footpaths, improved drainage, and a long-term lease protecting the field from future development, delivering lasting community benefit.
PETER WRIGHT OUR CANDIDATE FOR HORWICH SOUTH & BLACKROD.
Having lived in Horwich for nearly 25 years I have had the pleasure of being the longest serving HFBI councillor at Bolton, helping to make sure Horwich and Blackrod are treated with fairness when it comes to investing in our communities.
I take great pride that some 8 years ago I set-up and run Horwich Foodshare supported by lots of dedicated volunteers, helping those in our communities who find themselves struggling.
I also founded and run the Over 50’s Club for both men and women creating a space for them to meet new friends.
I look forward to the opportunity if re-elected to continued working for the benefit of our towns.
Warmest regards.
Peter Wright
RMI Cricket Ground
Blackrod Christmas Lights
HBFI PLACE THE COMMUNITY AT THE
Building stronger communities is our long-term ambition to deliver real tangible change benefiting in the pipeline, elevating our town to be the most successful in the borough – We can only continue
HORWICH ROX 2025
HBFI-led Horwich Town Council, had the pleasure of supporting the very first Horwich ROX Music Festival last year with a £5,000 grant. This incredible event organised by the non-for-profit volunteer group Horwich & Blackrod Community Events
CIC delivered exceptional value with over 6,000 people attending the day-time and evening events, making it one of the most successful events in recent years.
Some great news...
HBFI’S HARD-FOUGHT CAMPAIGN BLOCKED!
HBFI-led Blackrod Town Council, are already planning to place their support behind Horwich & Blackrod Community Events
CIC in 2026 with additional grants for the Festival of Blackrod and Blackrod Christmas Market.
It has been a challenge, but after more than 10 years of pressure from HBFI, developers have submitted an application including a commitment to on-site sporting and recreational facilities on Rivington Chase.
This land allocation forms part of a wider phased development and will help address the longstanding shortfall in sporting facilities in Horwich. Historically, our community has lost football pitches, tennis courts, bowling greens, and rugby fields.
HBFI is reversing that decline by delivering new facilities and protecting those that already exist for the whole community.
The rapid rise in Houses of Multiple Occupation unregulated numbers increase from 170 to the Government’s and Serco’s asylum dispersal was only after pressure from HBFI and ‘Say forced to introduce an Article 4 Direction, ensuring subject to proper planning scrutiny. As a result, applications are being refused for harming
Blackrod Christmas Market 2025
Location of Sports & Recreation Land
HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO...
benefiting everyone. We are already delivering on our promises and have more ambitious plans continue to do these great things if you Vote for us in May’s Elections.
HORWICH CHRISTMAS TREASURE HUNT HARD-FOUGHT SEES HMOs
Occupation (HMOs) in Bolton saw over 720 within a few years, driven by dispersal scheme, “Operation Scatter”. It ‘Say No to HMOs’ that Bolton Council was ensuring all HMO applications are now result, increasing numbers of inappropriate established residential communities.
Bolton Labour attempted to block a full council debate and delay the introduction of Article 4 by 12 months, which would have allowed the Government and Serco to push more HMOs into Horwich and Blackrod without scrutiny, to the lasting detriment of local communities.
HBFI successfully challenged Bolton Labours delaying tactics, forcing a U-turn that is now delivering positive results through the refusal of unsuitable conversions in Horwich & Blackrod.
HBFI’s annual Horwich Town Centre Christmas Treasure Hunt was once again a fantastic success, attracting hundreds of entrants and bringing our community together for this free, family-friendly event.
This year, the Treasure Hunt ran alongside the very first Horwich Christmas Market, organised by Horwich & Blackrod Community Events CIC, creating a vibrant festive atmosphere. Thousands of visitors attended throughout the day, providing a muchneeded boost to local businesses.
NEW PUMP PARK FOR OUR TEENAGERS 2026
HBFI’s plans to create a Pump Park at Station Park have now reached the design development stage, with work hoped to begin this summer. This exciting new facility will bring lasting benefits for children, teens, families, and the wider community.
Promote healthy, active lifestyles by encouraging cycling, scootering, skateboarding, and outdoor play for all ages and abilities.
Be inclusive and accessible, free to use and suitable for everyone from beginners to experienced riders.
Bring people together, creating a welcoming community space for families and different age groups to enjoy.
Offer year-round use, that can be enjoyed in most weathers. Support young people, providing a positive, safe environment that helps reduce anti-social behaviour.
Provide a safe alternative to roads, giving children and young people a traffic-free place to ride and build confidence.
Harry aged 7 was the winner of the Christmas Treasure Hunts top prize, a Nintendo Switch 2, generously donated by AGR Building & Fencing Contractors.
NEW Pump Park coming to Station Park Santa with his little Elf, Lewis Gilbert
HBFI’s Bobs Brew Duck Race 2025
plans for the Loco Works development where announced, but through shear relentless determination, HBFI succeed.
HBFI will be pushing for these Funds to be release as soon as possible as part of the developers Section 106 commitment from the Loco Works development.
BLACKROD TWINKLES AT CHRISTMAS
For the very first time, Blackrod was adorned with brand-new Christmas lights on its lampposts, bringing muchneeded festive sparkle and warmth to the village. This welcome addition helped create a more cheerful atmosphere.
The project was delivered as part of HBFI-led Blackrod Town Council’s wider investment plans to enhance and improve the village. This was a joint funding effort, with an Area Forum grant secured by HBFI Councillors Peter Wright and David Grant, demonstrating their continued commitment to investing in Blackrod and supporting community pride.
£231,400 INVESTMENT IN PARK IMPROVEMENTS FOR HORWICH AND BLACKROD.
Thanks to a successful amendment by Horwich & Blackrod First Independents (HBFI) during Bolton Council’s 2024 budget, a £1 million environmental rebate was secured – delivering direct investment into local green inspaces this year.
As part of this, £231,400 has been allocated to improve parks across Horwich and Blackrod, ensuring new, inclusive equipment, essential repairs, and improved safety measures.
Local park upgrades include:
Scot Lane End, Blackrod –
£38,000: Refreshed play area, inclusive swing, goal post refurb, repainting
Vicarage Road, Blackrod
– £51,500: Refurbishment, trampoline replacement, and safety barriers
Whitehall Lane, Blackrod –
£21,000: Creation of a new community amenity space
Ainsworth Avenue, Horwich –
£40,000: New play equipment and inclusive swing
Green Lane, Horwich –
£15,000: Play equipment improvements
St. Leonard’s, Horwich –
£50,900: Equipment repairs, new fencing, and antimotorcycle measures
Old Station Park, Horwich –
£15,000: Resurfacing of main footpath
HBFI ARE COMMITTED TO SCHOOL SAFETY
HBFI commitment on School safety has resulted in not only getting the Zebra crossing at Blackrod Church school but an upgrade to a pelican crossing at Blackrod Primary.
HBFI released funding for the implementation of new yellow lines on Manchester Road with clearer road markings, along with new warning signs near to Blackrod Church Primary School.
This chart clearly shows that while Horwich and Blackrod were under mainstream party control – Labour, Conservative, and Liberal Democrats, with fair funding for our towns was not secured, with investment instead directed towards Labour strongholds elsewhere in Bolton.
HBFI’s long-standing campaign for funding fairness is now delivering results, with record levels of reinvested back into Horwich and Blackrod.
LABOUR: £29,117 2011-2018
* These figures exclude ongoing Capitol Projects. HBFI: £6.46 MILLION 2019-2025