"I was a guest at a wedding at Mere Hall," writes Mr John Knowles, of Chetwyn Avenue, Bromley Cross. The groom and his family were all from the London area, and the groom's father asked me about the history of the historic building.

"I couldn't help him with any information, but I told him that I knew a man who could possible help." (That's me, folks!).

Well, actually I have gone to Barrie Parker, of the Halliwell Local History Society, who has written a short history of Mere Hall and Thomasson Park.

He says: "The story of Mere Hall starts in the early part of the 19th century when the land was owned by two sisters, Misses Elizabeth and Sarah Nuttall. The estate at that time covered quite a large area, with one large house and some cottages scattered about in the surrounding fields.

"It must be remembered that at the time the area was in the countryside on a hill overlooking Bolton. The nearest built-up area of Bolton to the estate was on Chorley Street near to White Lion Brow.

"In about 1836, Mr Benjamin Dobson, nephew of Isaac Dobson, founder of the textile machinery manufacturing firm which became Dobson and Barlows, bought the estate. He had Mere Hall built and the surrounding area turned into landscaped gardens. Previously the area had ben known as Mere Hill, but when the house was built it became known as Mere Hall, although the name Mere Hill was carried on in an area near the present entrance on Mere Hall Street, and also a public house named Merehill Tavern in Lyon Street which is no longer there.

"Gradually the industrial development of Bolton, and the need for housing for the workforces, encroached upon the estate, and streets such as Wentworth, Leicester, Nottingham, Merehall, Lyon, Kenyon, Mount and Halifax Streets were built, thus dramatically reducing the size of it.

"In 1874, Benjamin Dobson's son, also Benjamin, died at Clifton near Bristol, and after his death the estate was sold off. The purchaser was a local builder named Richard Howarth, known locally as 'Stocking Dick' because of his pastime of knitting stockings as presents for his relatives and friends. It was during his time at Mere Hall that many of the surrounding streets of houses were built by his firm, so he had, it seems, bought the estate for this purpose.

"Richard Howarth died in 1882, and the house stood empty for a while until the Rev. A Glen Bott, a well-loved and respected vicar, became the tenant. He was the vicar of St Thomas's, Halliwell, and his good works are commemorated to this day by the name of Glen Bott Street.

"In 1889, Mere Hall and the surround 24,000 square yards of land were bought by Mr J.P. Thomasson, JP, a well-known local businessman in the cotton trade, who then bequeathed it to the town with the stipulation that the house be used as a library, museum, or other purpose of educational or recreative character, and the land as gardens and playgrounds. It was also stipulated that the Corporation should be debarred from selling the estate or any part of it, and that it should be used for enjoyment and recreation by everyone.

"According the newspaper reports at that time, an average 18,000 people visited the museum and art gallery annually, and an exhibition of modern painting in 1897 (the Diamond Jubilee Year) was attended by 40,000 people.

"There was also a library on the ground floor with 7,500 books in stock. The grounds were opened up as a park along with the building in 1890, and, ironically, one of the Aldermen present was Benjamin Dobson, later to become Sir Benjamin, grandson of the original Benjamin Dobson who built the hall.

"Mr Thomasson's original bequest has ensured that over the years, local residents have had a place to go which was a pleasant alternative to the grimy buildings and streets which seemed to cover an endless area. In this district, though, was a close knit community spirit which seemed to thrive, and Thomasson Park became a little oasis which was free, and allowed the local community to take advantage of something which had at one time been only for the gentry."

In 1996, the Hall was given a £1 million refurbishment after years of neglect, and Bolton Register Office moved there from Paderborn House in the centre of town. Since then, hundreds of weddings have taken place at the Hall, which brings us back again to the beginning of this story . . .