Hidden away among numerous overgrown bushes and trees lies the remains of a former nursery school in Bolton that was once loved by many.
The Elms Private Nursery School – on Blackburn Road, in the Sharples area of the Greater Manchester borough of Bolton – first opened its doors to the public back in 1990, and went on to nurture hundreds of children before it closed for good in 2018 / 19.
The former nursery owners Dorothy and Brian Wrigley converted the downstairs of their home and the property next door into the business, while they moved into a flat above.
“At that time, there were only 11 other private early years settings in Bolton,” Mrs Wrigley told the Bolton News in 2011.
“I felt I was about to jump out of the frying pan into the fire.
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“I was the headteacher of a local primary school and was not sure what the future held, as the private sector was not always looked upon favourably at that time, with The Children’s Act only just being written and implemented, and social services being responsible for registering and monitoring settings.”
Mr and Mrs Wrigley ran the business for 17 “very happy” years before their daughter, Joanne Haworth, eventually bought it from them in 2007 to carry on the legacy, until it became “no longer financially viable”.
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And now, the Victorian building has sadly been left to decay.
Photos revealing the state of disrepair that the building currently lies in have gone viral on social media this week, after the nursery premises became the latest point of interest for Abandoned UK – “a small team of urban explorers that love to travel and explore”.
And it’s not hard to see why it’s got people talking either.
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There’s boarded up windows, rooms gutted inside, smashed glass throughout, rotting walls and ceilings, old playground swings and slides still intact outside, and much more that make it a shadow of its former self.
But regardless of whether you knew of the nursery in its prime, it’s still an eerie sight.
The post caught the attention of people right across the borough.
It amassed hundreds of shares and comments by members of the local community, with some shocked at the state the building had been left in, and others sharing fond memories of times when they or they’re children attended the nursery.
Former members of staff also chimed in to remember the good times, and many also expressed their sadness at the thought of the building falling further into disrepair with time.
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Others were completely unaware the nursery had even closed down at all.
The post also went on to generate conversation as to what may come of the building in the future, or rather, if there even is a plan for the building.
Several speculations were made as to whether the new owners may have intended to restore the building to its former glory – potentially through the opening of another commercial premises, with references made to another once-thriving commercial building that has also gone to ruin a couple doors down, or through conversion into residential property – but had ran into complications, or funding issues along the way.
But for now, they remain as speculations, and the future appears unknown.
Chester Zoo needs a new Zoo Ranger to patrol among rare giraffes, tigers, and more
Emily Sergeant
Looking for a career change? Well it surely doesn’t get better than this.
Chester Zoo is currently hiring for a new Zoo Ranger to join their team, and the new recruit will have the pleasure of working in a setting like no other – patrolling among rare giraffes and tigers, and within stunning gardens across a 128-acre estate.
The UK’s biggest charity zoo currently has a vacancy open for a Zoo Ranger, and according to the job description on its website, this is a ‘key role’ working as part of the Conservation Education and Engagement Team, and is one of the most central to visitors’ experiences at the zoo.
The team develop and deliver material to engage visitors with the zoo’s animal collection and worldwide conservation work through a range of diverse, fun, and exciting educational experiences.
For this permanent role, you will need to work 35 hours a week, operating on a two-week roster working every other weekend.
Chester Zoo needs a new Zoo Ranger to patrol among rare giraffes, tigers, and more / Credit: Chester Zoo
The successful applicant will be tasked with interacting with visitors of all ages – including children, families, and other audiences – in groups that could vary from just one individual up to a crowd of about 500, and they will be expected to deliver talks, table-top activities, play-based activities, and storytelling with mascots, puppets, and roleplay.
The ideal candidate will have a wide-ranging knowledge of the natural world, a creative mind, and have the ability to confidently deliver stories, shows, games, and other interactive engagement styles for visitors.
Good organisational and time management skills, the ability to work as part of a team, and excellent customer service skills are also needed.
In return, Chester Zoo offers an ‘excellent’ benefits package for this permanent role.
This includes access to a healthcare plan, 33 days paid holidays per year, a staff pass so that you can visit the zoo for free, and complimentary tickets for friends and family.
Due to the nature of the organisation and the role, this post is subject to a DBS check, and the closing date for applications is Sunday 9 November 2025.
A pop-up ‘sunshine booth’ is landing in Manchester to combat winter blues
Emily Sergeant
A sunshine booth shining special SAD lighting is coming to Manchester this week to combat those winter blues.
As the rain continues to pour down outside and the colder days really begin to set in as autumn draws to a close, Holland & Barrett, the UK’s leading health and wellness retailer, says it’s on a mission to help the nation stay well this winter.
With the days getting shorter and darker, the average Brit will see around nine hours less of sunlight than in peak summer.
The drop in daylight, coupled with both the drop in temperature and the onset of the usual common cold season, can often be found to take a toll on our mental and physical wellbeing, leaving us feeling a little more dull than we’d like to be – which is why Holland & Barrett’s ‘Sunshine Booth’ will be popping up across UK high streets to brighten Brits’ winter wellness routines.
The brightly coloured Sunshine Booth has been crafted with expert lighting, using the lighting featured in SAD lamps.
A pop-up sunshine booth is landing in Manchester to combat winter blues / Credit: Pixnio
It’s designed to mimic effects of natural light to help customers feel relaxed and refreshed.
Landing inside Holland & Barrett’s store over at the Trafford Centre later this week, the retailer is inviting customers to pop in and spend up to 20 minutes inside the calming booth to ‘pause and recharge’.
Those looking to brighten their day can pop into Holland & Barrett at the Trafford Centre this Friday (7 November) to visit the Sunshine Booth, with no prior appointment or ticket required.
Not only that, but the first 10 customers who visit will receive a Holland & Barrett goody bag worth £50, packed with products to support winter wellness, boost your immune system, and provide you with additional energy.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd February 2021 
