Sunday 30 January 2011

What's on at the Odeon 30th Jan 1965

Odeon - Rochdale
Showing 'The Third Secret' starring Stephen Boyd and
'Carmen Jones' starring Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge
A special footnote read;
'As a mark of respect to the late Sir Winston Churchill this theatre will not open today (Sat) until 2.15pm'

Saturday 29 January 2011

Angry bullock

Reported in the Rochdale Observer 29th Jan 1975

Pedestrians using Wardle Road ran for safety on Monday when a bullock stampeded through the streets of Wardle. It had escaped from a cattle truck whilst being unloaded at Wardle Fold. It was shot dead by an abbatoir employee.

Friday 28 January 2011

Houses for sale

Advert in Rochdale Observer 1st February 1975

3 bed, Georgian style, semi-detached dormers with garage from £7,495
Hurstead Farm, Wardle

Wednesday 26 January 2011

4 Star petrol only 69p

A half page advert appeared in the Rochdale Observer for Sat 25th Jan 1975

'Tank up at your local sky station (Look for the BP sign) Queensway Rochdale

BP 4 STAR PETROL ONLY 69p'

Tuesday 25 January 2011

Burns Night Extravaganza

The following advert appeared in the Rochdale Observer 25th Jan 1975

A Burns Night Extravaganza is to take place at the Town Hall Tonight 7.30-11.45pm
Special guest LES DAWSON, Cabaret, Dancing, Buffet.
Tickets £1.50

Monday 24 January 2011

Food Prices

Todays Food Prices 25th January 1975- Rochdale Observer

Lettuce 18p tomatoes 38p cress 5p-10p
Bananas 14p
Onions 9p new pots 12p-15p
Rump steak 90p lb
New Zealand Lamb legs 52p loin chops 60p

Sunday 23 January 2011

Yelloway advert

The following advert appeared in the Rochdale Observer dated 16th January 1965


Yelloway and Creams
Special Excursions
Mon next Jan 23rd

1.30pm   Manchester Utd v Stoke (Old Trafford) 3/3

6.00pm   Belle Vue (returning 11pm) 3/9

Saturday 22 January 2011

Black Monday

Rochdale just about coped with the one day strike of council and hospital workers, ambulance men and busmen on Black Monday. Over 4,000 town hall porters, school caretakers, hospital ancillary workers, dustmen and other council manual workers joined the strike. All were protesting about low pay of manual workers in the public sector.

Taken from Rochdale Observer 22nd Jan 1979

Thursday 20 January 2011

Sleighbells for white wedding reception

Wedding cake and sparkling wine were strapped to a child's sledge and pulled for half a mile through snow drifts up to fifteen feet deep on Saturday. The licensee of the Lydgate Inn, Blackstone Edge Old Road, Mr Graham Kershaw, his wife Mary and cellarman Barry, made the journey for Miss Anne Howard and her husband to be Mr Michael Day, after the weather forced the transfer of their wedding reception to the Cemetery Hotel, Bury Road. The bride's mother Mrs nancy Hoyle said 'We shall never forget that wedding.'

Rochdale Observer 24th Jan 1979

Wednesday 19 January 2011

Tuesday 18 January 2011

New Vicar for St.Mary's Balderstone

The Rev'd David Allen Tipper has been appointed Vicar of St Mary's Balderstone, he succeeds the Rev'd N J Coleman who recently resigned.

Rochdale Observer 16th Jan 1965

Sunday 16 January 2011

Red light offence

Nurse Bridget Crehan of the nurses home Sparrow Hill pleaded guilty by letter at the Rochdale borough magistrates court on Wednesday to crossing the 'panda' crossing on manchester Road while the light was showing red. Nurse Crehan was fined £2.

Rochdale Observer 16 Jan 1965

Saturday 15 January 2011

Maintenance Unit rumour is denied

Mr Joel Barnett MP for Heywood and Royton has been pressing the Minister of Defence for information regarding a rumour that No 35 R.A.F. maintenance unit at Heywood was to be closed. He has now received an assurance from the minister Lord Shackleton that no decision to close this unit has yet been made.......

Article from Rochdale Observer 16th Jan 1965

Friday 14 January 2011

Rochdale pick a player-manager

Doug Collins, Burnley midfield star and a protege of Tommy Docherty was appointed Rochdale player-manager. It was reported that 'his style and reputation, known particularly well to thousands of soccer followers in the Rochdale area, are so much needed.'

Taken from Rochdale Observer 13th January 1979

Thursday 13 January 2011

An Extra show for Andrew

Five year old Andrew Curzon saw the show twice at Belle Vue circus on Saturday. Andrew was one of the children on the Cronkeyshaw social club trip to Belle Vue. After seeing the first performance the children returned home, but when Dad went to meet Andrew off the coach, he was missing. His Grandad dashed to Belle Vue and found Andrew watching the second house with a bag of sweets, a balloon and grumbling he'd seen it all before.

Article taken from Rochdale Observer dated 13th Jan 1965

Wednesday 12 January 2011

Lancashire Dialect word of the day

Gawmless - adj- dull or slow of comprehension; vacant minded; foolish, silly, senseless; insensible; idiotic

Tuesday 11 January 2011

Day's Gallery of curiosities

Day's Gallery of curiosities is now exhibiting on the fairground. Amongst the curiosities of this establishment is the extraordinary youth Paul McAldon, the Hibernian Giant Boy, the heaviest man in the world; a troop of performing monkeys; a highly trained performing pony; and a beautiful case of mechanical humming birds - Admission - one penny.

Advert appeared in the Rochdale Observer dated Sat Jan 11th 1862

Appointment of Local studies Librarian

Mr John S Cole has been appointed as the Local Studies librarian at Area Central library, The Esplanade, Rochdale. Mr Cole a chartered librarian has been assistant readers' advisor with Gwent County Library service. 

Taken from an article in Rochdale Observer 3rd January 1979

Sunday 9 January 2011

Funeral of Mr James Dearden

Article taken from Rochdale Observer, dated 9th January 1862.

The funeral of the Lord of the Manor of Rochdale took place today. Mr James dearden Esq, died on 2nd January in Eaton Square, London, his remains were conveyed to his reidence The Orchard where a large number of people lined the streets to pay their respects. Mr Dearden's remains were interred in the churchyard of St Paul's, Norden.

Saturday 8 January 2011

Did you know.....

Did you know.....The Rochdale Good Samaritan Society was established in 1832. The number of cases during the year 1916 amounted to 77 and the visits providing relief amounted to 1289.

Friday 7 January 2011

Lancashire Dialect word of the day

Fettle- sb - condition

           v - to mend, improve, set right, dress

Thursday 6 January 2011

Good news for bad times

An article appeared in the Local News section of the Rochdale Times dated 5th January 1884 bearing the headline, 'Good news for Bad times'. It stated, 'A complete set of teeth on vulcanite, 40s, warranted for twelve months. Satisfaction and fit guaranteed. None but the best materials used.' These teeth could be purchased from Messrs Stansfield, Surgeon Dentists, 269, Oldham Rd, Rochdale.

Wednesday 5 January 2011

Unlawfully keeping a billiard table

An article appeared in The Rochdale Times dated 5th January 1884 stating that Eli Shepherd and Edward Walton had been summoned to appear at Rochdale Petty Sessions charged with unlawfully keeping a billiard table. The table, in a room above The Bridge Inn at Norden had been used without Shepherd and Walton obtaining a license, the judge ordered the pair to pay the court costs.

Tuesday 4 January 2011

Hill's Annual January Sale

A full page advert appeared in The Rochdale Observer for Hill's annual January sale. It stated that in the clothing department 'The first man customer may have any suit in the place for £1' 'Come and pick the best'.
'The first youth can have a suit for 15/- and the first boy up to 14 years a suit for 7/6. The first lady may have a 21/- raincoat for 10/- (All Best Quality)'

Advert appeared in the Rochdale Observer 4th January 1922

Monday 3 January 2011

Fireman's funeral

Fireman James Ernest Hoolahan's funeral took place at Newbold Baptist Church today. His coffin was carried on a Lancashire County fire brigade turntable ladder engine. It was draped with the Union Jack and his helmet and axe were positioned on top along with a floral cross. One hundred and twenty officers and men fron nine fire brigades formed a guard of honour and saluted their colleague who had collapsed and died whilst fighting a fire at Middleton.

Article taken from Rochdale Observer 4th January 1961

Sunday 2 January 2011

Lancashire Dialect word of the day

Gradeley- adverb- properly, completely, truly, handsomely.
                adjective- decent, becoming, proper, good, right

Saturday 1 January 2011

Girl rescued on Scafell

A Rochdale student Miss Diana Wood had a miraculous escape in a climbing tragedy on snow-capped Scafell Pike on New Years Day. Miss Wood and her companion, fellow student Mr Peter Bolton were found in Piers Gill a ravine 2,700ft above sea level and were unable to move. Mr John Carr found the couple and alerted rescuers who were able to rescue Miss Wood but unfortunately it was too late for Mr Bolton who died of exposure.

Article reported in The Rochdale Observer 4th January 1961