 Malcolm Howe had purchased manorial rights through an intermediary acting on behalf of the descendants of the owner as an historic relic to preserve its existence and keep the rights within the borough, at a cost of £15,000 in 2006.In the same year he gifted the rights to Bolton Council whilst retaining rights to continue the use of the title of Lord of Sharples.Historically, Sharples formed part of the Hundred of Salford, a judicial division of southwest Lancashire, whilst administered from St Peter's Church, at Great Bolton.