Layers of Landscape

Layers of Landscape is a new exhibition from our permanent fine art collection bringing together both historic and contemporary art to explore artists different interpretations of landscape.

The exhibition underlines the quality of the fine art collection with paintings by Royal Academicians Adrian Berg (b.1929), Peter Coker (1926-2004), CRW Nevinson (1889-1946) and Rochdale’s own Edward Stott (1855-1918). Contemporary takes on landscape highlighted in the show include 2010 Fourth Plinth nominee Mariele Neudecker and Luke Gottelier whose work features in the recent British Art Now show at the Saatchi Gallery, London. The exhibition also includes recent acquisitions by Alan Rankle, Kenneth Lawson and Rochdale-based Vincent James alongside one of the collection’s earliest paintings attributed to Jan Baptist Wolfaerts dating from the 17th century.

The exhibition includes fun hands-on activities to engage younger visitors with the artworks on display, including a new set of activities aimed specifically at under 5s and their carers linked to particular paintings and themed around different types of landscape.

The exhibition is free and runs until 10 March 2012.

Touchstones Rochdale is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm.

Entrance to Universities

Entrance to Universities Most people will agree with Archdeacon Sale that a good deal of money is wasted in the name of education and on means which do not provide the proper instruction or training at all. Archdeacon thinks entrance exams should be made stiffer in order that only those who have great intellect would be able to pass them and that fees should be made lower. The Rochdale Times, April 5th 1924

To the Beast of Applause

Rochdale Borough Police force members were greeted with spontaneous applause as they marched into the town hall square on Sunday morning for thier final parade before amalgamation with the Lancashire force. This positive reaction was proof enough of Rochdale's regard for its police officers. The Rochdale Observer, 2nd April 1969.

Fasters beat the Easter Cold and Hunger

28 young Rochdale people endured 36 hours of Easter on a starvation diet of glucose and coffee to draw attention to world hunger and poverty. Thier sacrifice was all part of Rochdale Young Oxfam group's second Easter fast- a day and a half. The Rochdale Observer, 1 April 1970.

Surprise Pakistani nominee in Council elections

Surprise Pakistani nominee in Council elections A Pakistani will attempt to win a seat on the Rochdale Town council next month. If he succeeds he will be the first ever member of his race to join the local authority. The Pakistani nominee is Mr Muhammad Yunas of 39 Russel Street. The Rochdale Observer, 29th April 1970

Cup Final Scenes

Biggest crowd ever at Rugby match, invasion of playing pitch." Remarkable scenes were witnessed in Rochdale on Saturday when the final for the Rugby league cup was played on the athletic grounds before a crowd number between 41,000 and 42,000. It was th largest crowd which has ever gathered at a footbal match under the auspices of the Northern Union, now Rugby league in this country. The Rochdale Times, April 16 1924

Would you Like to Live in Stedly?

Two dozen suggested names for the new 12 town Rochdale- Bury metropolitian area now known as District C - have so far been received by Rochdale town clerk, Mr K.B. Moore. Amongst the suggested names are Pilkington, Hackleton, Heywood or Broadfield, Town of Roch, Stedly, Roachbury, Dale, Two Rivers, Penine Vale, Greater Irwell, Irwell Valley, Vale of Irwell and Irwell. A report will be submitted to the districts joint commitee when all suggestions have been received. Rochdale Observer, 19th April 1972, p44.

More Cheers and Fans for Mini the Gentle Giant

Mini the elephant, who became a national favourite through TV appearances came to town on Saturday. Led by her trainer she truddled through the town centre and straight through the doors of the ABC cinemas. It was all planned, though. Rochdale Observer, 26th April 1972, p20.

Looking Back: Should infants of three or four years of age be excluded from school?

It is an old question which came up again at the meeting of the Education Commitee on Thursday. In olden days mothers used to see it as their duty to look after children until they reached school age. Alderman Davidson urged that to refuse to receive those mites in school would inflict hardship on poor homes where the mothers had to go out to work.

Boy of fifteen drove car for two hours

After spending a night in a car, a boy took note of the ignition number and then went to Blackpool to buy the key for the same number. He then returned to the car and stole it from Ellen Smith (Tours) Limited in Wardleworth, a cap belonging to a coach driver was also taken. The car was later found with a dint on the bumper and parafin in the petrol tank. The boy was sentenced to three years in an approved school. 23rd April 1958 Rochdale Observer, Page 5.

Motor Offence Fine

The fine for a man who jumped a red light, without realising, was £2 in 1958. 12th April 1958 Rochdale Observer, page 11

Maiden voyage for the 'Penine Queen'

Members of the Town Council and their families were aboard the £3,000 boat which was launched at Hollingworth Lake. It has been painted white and blue and has a mahogany interior. The boat was bought to serve alongside the popular Lady Alice. A thirty minute sail around the Lake in the newly launched boat will cost one shilling for adults and sixpence for children. 2nd April 1958 Rochdale Observer, Page 1

Working Mothers

Messers. Kelsall and Kemp and Their Women Operatives. By a generous scheme which has already been put into operation, Messers. Kelsall and Kemp are doing something to deal in a practical way with what has long been recognised as one of the greatest evils in our industrial system. They have decided to make a maternity allowence of 12 shillings a week to married women in their employment to be payable for a certain time before and after child birth for 22 weeks in all. The conditions are that the beneficary shall do no work other than housework during the period mentioned, and must have been in the employment of the firm for tweleve months before the child is born. 9th April 1910 Rochdale Times

Commercial

The employees of Martin's Mill (The Bagslate Spinning and Manufacturing Company) are today being entertained by the firm at a tea concert and dance in the Norden Liberal Club, in celebration of the fiftieth year of the Company's existence. 9th April 1910 Rochdale Times

Pepper Throwing

An inquest was held into the death of a six months old child , which occurred suddenly on Wednesday. The child's mother, Mrs Florence Clayton said her child was born healthy but her house was not very healthy and got little sun. On the evening of 17th March Mrs Clayton had words with her neighbour a Mrs Connolly and locked her door at about 10pm. Mrs Connolly kicked at the door which was then opened. Mrs Clayton had the child in her arms and as soon as the door was opened Mrs Connolly threw two handfuls of pepper at her, most of which went on the child's face and head. Shortly after, the child had a fit and her mother took the child to Dr Aveling's. Since that day the child suffered seventeen or eighteen fits. Dr Aveling said that when the child arrived it was suffering from badly inflamed eyesa and there had been no mention of the child having had a fit. In his opinion the cause of death had been due to bronchial pneumonia, and there was no connection between the death and the effects of the pepper. The coroner remarked it a very silly thing for Mrs Connolly to throw pepper about in this fashion. 9th April 1910 Rochdale Times

Shopkeeper's Complaint

From the minutes of the Cleaning Committee Mr Howarth complained of what he described as the slovenly way in which the streets were swept in the morning. Drivers would not use water and clouds of dust were raised which were a great annoyance to shopkeepers. He had mentioned the matter to the chairman of the committee, who told him he would take steps to remove the cause of complaint. 9th April 1910 Rochdale Times

Pop songs at coffee bar could mean death

Pop songs could well mean death for youngsters using the juke box at a Rochdale coffee bar. The machine is not earthed and if a short occurs, there could be a fatal shock for anyone touching the machine. Rochdale borough licensing magistates heard on Friday that the fault was discovered when Rochdale Fire Brigade's Assistant Divisional Officer visited the Shalimar Coffee Bar, 89, Oldham Road. The owner of the coffee bar was ordered to make the wiring safe and to sound proof the wall next to the juke box, then his licence would be renewed. Rochdale Observer 29th April 1970

Chicken in a basket

The following advert appeared in classified advertisements in the Rochdale Observer 4th April 1970 Egerton Arms Chapel House area winner of Daily Express pub of the North 1968 Tel Rochdale 42666 Famous For Chicken In The Basket Served every evening Free House - Large Car park

Jackie the Champ opens new Dunlop factory.

World Champion racing driver Jackie Stewart took on a new role in Rochdale this week. He pressed a button to start up a new £1 million plant at Dunlop textiles factory in Castleton. This marked the beginning of a new era in the development of the company's traditional business - tyre cord manufacture. The 30 year old champ received a great reception, Stewart has won eleven Grand Prix races on Dunlop tyres. The new plant is the most modern in Europe and puts the company in the forefront of it's competitors. After the opening ceremony Mr Stewart was taken on a conducted tour of the plant before flying back to his home in Switzerland. Rochdale Observer 11th April 1970

Vauxhall Ventura

Professional firm offers surplus Vauxhall Ventura, 1969 November, Monaco white/black, 6,500 miles, one owner, overdrive, new radiomobile. reversing lamps, Lucas fog and spot, Cost £1,300 Including 12 months' tax for £1,050 Tel 49815 During office hours Advert appeared in Rochdale Observer 1st April 1970

What's on at the cinema?

ODEON - All week - Dick Van Dyke, Lionel Jeffries and Sally Ann Howes in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (u) in Technicolor Weekdays 1.25, 4.35, 7.50 Advert in Rochdale Observer dated 1st April 1970

Tesco - Food prices

Advert appeared in Rochdale Observer dated 16th April 1986

250g Packet of butter - 46p
Penguin biscuits- six pack - 34p
Mars bars - 4 pack - 65p
Baguette - 29p