On this day in History 31st January 1895

"Castleton-by-Rochdale" re-named "Castleton, Lancashire" in public meeting.

On this day in History 30th January 1873

Town's meeting in favour of abolishing Slavery in Africa.

On this day in History 29th January 1922

The colours of the 2/6th (Rochdale) Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers received and dedicated, Parish Church.

On this day in History 28th January 1956

936 more motor vehicles were licenced in Rochdale than in the previous year. The increase in vehicle registrations locally can be seen from the following fgures: - 1938, 4,221; 1950, 5,161; 1955, 7,886.

On this day in History 27th January 1912

Hollingworth Lake frozen over for a few days.

On this day in History 26th January 1931

Miss Gracie Fields commences Charity Week performances. Accorded civic reception. Her efforts during the week realised £1,673 for local charities. During the week she visited Nurses' Home, Crippled Children's Home, Church of England Boys' Home, the Infirmary, Birch Hill Institution, and the Rotary Club dance. Hot pot supper and dance at the Town Hall. Her performance at the Hippodrome on Friday night was broadcasted by the B.B.C.

On this day in History 25th January 1910

The "Daylight Comet" observed in Rochdale.

On this day in History 24th January 1874

Whitworth ratepayers by 1,069 votes against 554 votes, decided to form a Local Board for the district.

On this day in History 23rd January 1954

Birch Hill Hospital troubled by hordes of Pharoah ants. Poisoning proved too slow a method of exterminating them.

On this day in History 22nd Janury 1901

Rochdale mourns the death of Queen Victoria.

On this day in History 21st January 1901

Rochdale farmers pass resolution calling upon the Government to see that pure beer is provided.

On this day in History 20th January 1917

The centenary of Edwin Waugh celebrated by a Waugh Exhibition in the Art Gallery.

On this day in History 19th January 1903

Animated pictures shown at the Circus.

On this day in History 18th Janury 1876

Spelling Bees were a popular entertainment. On this date 300 competitors took part in a "Bee" in the Public Hall, Rochdale.

On this day in History 17th January 1956

Five youths attempted to escape from Buckley Hall Borstal Inst., when they hit a warder, Mr. George Williams (60), of Shore Street, Rochdale, over the head with a crowbar. Mr. Williams was bound and gagged but the keys which were taken from him would not fit any of the outside locks. The youths were discovered by fellow officers who called the police.

Victorian Stories

Opening today 16th January Victorian Stories. This exhibition highlighting Victorian paintings from the collection explores the narratives and aspects of social history captures in paint. The exhibition will include our well-known painting A Special Pleader by Charles Burton Barber.

On this day in History 16th January 1885

Heavy gale. Three steamers sank in Hollingworth Lake.

On this day in History 15th January 1890

Branch of the National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to children formed.

On this day in History 14th Janury 1954

£7,000 worth of shoes were destroyed by fire at a Rochdale shoe shop in Yorkshire St. Over 4,000 pairs of shoes were lost.

On this day in History 13th January 1901

First rail laid for the new tramways system.

On this day in History 12th January 1881

Mr. Charles Halle and his famous orchestra gave a concert in the Town Hall.

On this day in History 11th January 1881

Two bream weighing 3lb. 2oz and 2 3/4 lb., found embedded in the ice in Hollingworth Lake

On this day in History 10th January 1915

General and Mrs Bramwell Booth addressed a series of meetings in Rochdale

On this day in History 9th January 1951

Rochdale football team knocked out of the F.A. Cup by Chelsea at Spotland (score 3-2).

On this day in History 8th January 1906

Panic in the Circus owing to a very small outbreak of fire.

On this day in History 7th January 1864

Town Council voted £20,000 a sufficient estimate for the erection of a Town Hall to comport with the importance of the town and its increasing wants. Cost of the hall when opened in 1871, £150,000.

On this day is History 6th January 1919

Announced that Regimental-Sergeant-Major James Clarke, Lancashire Fusiliers, of Clyde Street, had been awarded the Victoria Cross. Invested by the King on February 11th.

On this day in History 5th January 1951

A little boy, by dropping a candle, accidentally set fire to St. Patrick's Catholic Church causing damage to the extent of £500.

On this day in History 4th January 1854

Heavy snow storm, the day following the memorable fire at Duncan Street mill. Streets impassable, mills and workshops idle.

On this day in History 3rd January 1854

Fire at R. & J. Kelsall's Duncan Street mill; £10,000 damage. Two women killed, forty injured. H. Radcliffe and A. Taylor displayed conspicuous bravery in saving lives and received a public testermonial.

On this day in History 2nd January 1904

Announced that Rochdale's identification mark for motor cars was "D.K". Reported that nine motors and eight motor cycles had been registered and 23 persons had applied for driving licences.

On this day in History 1st February 1928

Alderman Davidson elected hon. treasurer of the Rochdale Infirmary for the 21st time

On this day in History 1st January 1867

Torchlight demonstration on Cronkeyshaw to protest against the Reform Bill. 10,000 persons present; boy killed.