Before the flu jab !

At this time in 1908 there was a widespread epidemic in Rochdale of influenza.

The Queen is dead. Long live the King.

Today in 1901 following the death of Queen Victoria, Rochdale proclamed that Edward heir to the throne was now King.

Literary Visitor

On January 29th 1905 Mr. George Bernard Shaw spoke at the Public Hall.

On yer bike !

Today in 1893 the Cycle industry was introduced to the town by Mr. Samuel Tweedale of Oldham Road.

Up In Flames !

Today in 1894 The Theatre Royal, Manchester Road had a disastrous fire which caused £8,000 worth of damage.

Notable Fires

During January 1916 these mills all had fires :
Albert Mill, Crawford Street, causing several thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Ellenroad Mill, Newhey, £150,000 or possibly £200,000 worth of damage.

Messers A. Tattersall & Co., Oakenrod, cost of damage reaching several thousands of pounds.

On the 26th of January 1914 the C.W.S. Paint Works, Weir Street caught fire with damage upwards of £40,000.

But what about the horses ?

This headline was in the Manchester Courier on the 25th of January 1838 :

COACH ACCIDENT
During the severe gale on Wednesday morning the York mail was blown over at the bottom of Blackstone Edge.
There were no passengers and fortunately the coachman and guard escaped without injury.

Young Sweep

From the 'Rochdale Sentinel' January 24th 1855 :

CHIMNEY SWEEPING CASE

Mr. James Crabtree, the manager of Mr. Walker's Mill, Oldham Road was charged with allowing a boy to ascend a flue in that mill. The boy is fourteen years old.

Lad Wanted

An advert from the 'Rochdale Sentinel' today in 1855 :
Wanted a steady active LAD, of good character, not nore than 15,
as an Apprentice to the STONEMASON BUSINESS -
Apply to Mr. John Warburton,
Drake Street,
Rochdale.

Steady Growth

The population of Rochdale in 1801 was 29,101, in 1811 it was 37,229 and in 1821 it was 47,109.

Burst Pipe

Today in 1924 a water main burst and flooded houses in Drake Street.

No More Ringing Here !

A Publican was fined at Rochdale Sessions on Wednesday last.
James Butterworth of the Angel Inn Blackwater Street was convicted and fined 20s and costs for allowing hand bell ringers and disorderly company in his house on Sunday evening.

This appeared in the Manchester Courier on the 20th January 1844.

Dangerous Pastime

Skating Fatality.
Three young men drowned at Hollingworth on this day in 1846.

Should have known better !

The Chief Constable, Leonard Barry today in 1917 summoned himself for breach of the new Lighting Order.
He was fined 10/-

War in Rochdale

A German field gun captured at Loos arrived in Rochdale today in 1916.

Everbody Out !

On January 15th 1912 the sanitary workers went on strike.
New men were taken on and the strike collapsed within a week.

What shall I go as ?

Today in 1911 the Mayor and Mayoress ( Sir James and Lady Duckworth ) gave a fancy dress ball for children.

Find The Money !

Exciting scenes today in the town centre when a London magazine hid money as part of a treasure hunt.
1904

Beginning of the Eclipse

Today in 1899 the Mayor ( Councillor Miles Ashworth ) cut the first sod in connection with the erection of the Eclipse Mill.

Shall We Dance ?

A Subscription Ball took place at the Theatre on the 12th ( 1833 ) in honour of Mr. Fenton's election.
The meeting was most respectably attended and constituted an assemblage of beauty and fashion seldom if ever equalled in the town.
There were nearly 200 persons present. Dancing commenced at 7 and continued until 2 0'clock in the morning when the company separated highly gratified by the enjoyment of the night's entertainment.
The viands were excellent and did great credit to Mr. Fisher of the Beaver Inn by whom they were supplied.

Extract from a Manchester newspaper.

Something to Celebrate !

On January 11th 1873 Public Houses opened till midnight on account of the first market.

Local Celebrity !

Today in 1870 Edwin Waugh gave readings from his works in the Public Hall.

Sunday Worship

On the 9th of January 1868 Sunday Services began at Town Mill Brow School.
They were continued until the opening of Saint Edmunds Church, May 7th 1873.

A Glimpse of the Workhouse

Here are two diary entries by Alexander Cheetham, master of Spotland Workhouse for January 1837:

we are in want of 10 or 12lb of Black stockingyarn
we have a deal of black stockins
that wants footing and mending


we gave Old Diggle leave to go to Bury to see his friends on Monday morning
he went of he had not been gone long when John Holt mised a good new waistcoat
search was made Imediatley and it could not be found
we sent a man after Diggle and he found it concealed
in his breast we believe he as other things belonging the same man

Imprisioned For Their Beliefs

Today in 1840 a Chartist meeting was held in The Butts to adopt a petition for the release of
Jones, Williams and Frost, imprisioned Chartist Leaders.

Smooth Landing?

Mr. B.C. Hicks the famous aviator descended the foot of Brown Wardle today in 1914.

Stop Here

Today in 1901 the canal was blocked and stayed so for a couple of days at Lock Bridge due to the sinking of a barge.

Donation To The Town

Dr. H.C. March M.D. on this day in 1896 presented to the town a collection of flints and fossils.

They were placed in the Free Public Library.

Time For A Break

Today in 1876 the first market holiday was held.

The practice of extending the opening hours of public houses until midnight was discontinued on this day.

As long as it wasn't frozen over !

On January the 2nd 1883 Sunday boating and associated activities were introduced at Hollingworth Lake.

Hoping For A Better New Year

Today in 1867 a torchlight procession took place on Cronkeyshaw to protest against the reform bill,

10,000 persons were present and a boy was killed.