The Rochdale Olympic !

Remembering last Saturday when we had the honour of having the Olympic Torch pass through our streets.
Here is a little history on the Rochdale Olympic car which had a part to play in the Torch Procession.

The Rochdale Olympic breakthrough came in 1959 when Richard Parker designed this monocoque car, which was the only second glass fibre monocoque bodied car to enter production after the Lotus Elite.
The manufacturer was ' Rochdale Motor Panels and Enginneering ' and they continued production until 1973.

Blackpool Here We Come !

There is no mistaking the lads and lasses of Lancashire...........every train brings huge crowds of them, with huge carpet bags, boxes and bundle handkerchiefs, which they carry to their lodgings.These people mean business and intend to play at least a week...........

From an article in ' History Today '  Vol. 34      August 1984  called  ' Lancashire Wakes Week ' by
 Robert Poole.

Where Shall We Go Today !

Continuing our holiday theme please click on the link below for more information about holidaying during the war years.

http://www.link4life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=c.showPage&pageID=504

Wakes Week

In 1942, Rochdale's Mayor, Councillor James Hardman, proposed that Rochdale follow Huddersfield Corporation's experimental ' Holiday at Home ' scheme which had proved very popular in 1941.
The aim was to prevent a serious drop in public morale amongst thousands of families who were disappointed at losing their holiday by the sea.
Wartime restrictions had caused a lack of trains putting a temporary stop to people visiting the seaside.

Buckets And Spades At The Ready !

This week and next week in Rochdale were for many years holiday weeks.
Known as ' Wakes Weeks ' people had time off work, as all the factories closed down
during this period.
Blackpool, Morcambe and Southport were popular destinations with people arriving
by train in their hundreds.

Anyone for Pimms ?

Wimbledon starts today, lets hope for some better weather!

Many well to families had their own tennis courts in the grounds of their houses.
The Scott family of Littleborough who lived at Stubley New Hall played tennis
in the early 1900's.

You can see a photograph if you click on ' Photo Gallery ' on our website.

Football crazy !

In anticipation of the football match tonight, please click on the link below
to learn a little local football history.


http://www.link4life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=c.showPage&pageID=1332

Flaming June !

Considering our recent weather and danger of flooding, here is a little information on the river Roche :

The Roche has it's source at Chelburn Moor between Summit and Walsden and then flows through Littleborough and the Roche Valley.
At one time it had more than 50 mills along it's bank.
The river Beal flows into the Roche at Smallbridge and west of the town centre the river Spod joins it.
The source of the Spod is in the hills around Whitworth.
Further west around Simpson Clough the Cheesden brook joins the Roche before it flows into the
river Irwell.

In recent days the river Irwell has caused much flooding.

Walk This Way !

During June 1903 there was a Manchester to Halifax walking match, the competitors passed through Rochdale.

Hope they had better weather than today !

Come into the garden !

Hyde Park Gardens, Milnrow Road were and for many years continued to be a popular resort.
June 1861.
Taken from New Annals of Rochdale by T.T. Heywood

Time to move on !

Balderstone pageant and coronation ceremony was held for the last time today in 1928.

New Church For Rochdale

Today in 1869 Trinity Presbyterian Church opened.
For three years previously services had been held in the British School.

Well Deserved Honour

Mr. T. Howarth J.P. was today in 1921 elected President of the North Western Federation of Building Trade Employers.

Stop Skating !

In 1877 on this day the skating rink at Castlemere closed.

Proud Men On Parade !

In 1866 on the 16th of June the Waterloo Veterans paraded through the streets of Rochdale.

Please click on the link below for a photograph of these men.




http://discover.link4life.org/display.php?irn=40169

Memories of Napoleon

Today in 1865 eleven Waterloo Veterans in the neighbourhood were entertained by the local Waterloo Relief Institution.

The Railway Age

It was during June 1862 that the Shawforth Branch Railway Bill was approved.
It was opposed by the Fieldens, who declared that the scheme would be for years, it
might be forever, a constant drain on the income of the Lancashire and Yorkshire
 Railway Company.

On The Move !

It was in June 1870 that the Post Office was removed from South Parade to the corner of Nelson Street and Drake Street.
The present building on the Esplanade was first proposed in 1911 but not completed until July 1927 due to the Great War.

Prime Location !

Today in 1863 Spring Hill Estate, Buersil which consisted of 23 acres, 23 perches was sold for £4,400.

Sunday Night Is Music Night !

It was during June 1856 that a series of Sunday concerts began on Cronkeyshaw.
They had large attendances.

Welcome Home !

Today in 1901 Major Kemp and members of the Rochdale Yeomanry arrived home
from Soith Africa to a civic welcome.

Flags At The Ready !

Today in 1922 the Whit Friday weather was good and huge crowds watched the procession.

Canal Rescue

On this day in 1914 a woman and two children were rescued from the Rochdale Canal near Clegg Hall.
Mr. Barber of Ramsey Street was the brave man.

Tribute To Tim

On the 7th of June 1892 the Tim Bobbin Memorial in St. Chads graveyard was unveiled.

Got a light ?

An entry in ' New Annals of Rochdale ' states :
Lamplighter wages were 16s per week.
The men were required to undergo drill and also act as supernumary constables.
This was in June 1858.

Location Location Location !

Crimble Hall was sold today in 1880, it was the residence of Lieutenant Colonel Fenton.
The property realised £12,300.

Help with the washing !

In 1915 today the new Co-op Laundry opened at Sparth.

End Of Hostilities

Today Rochdale rejoiced over the end of the Boer War, peace news was received the day before.
The year was 1902.

The Baptist Church in Deeplish

Today in 1899 a stone laying ceremony took place at Zion Baptist Deeplish.

This church is still thriving today.

Party Time !

In anticipation of the holiday weekend :

Go to the ' Discover ' part of the website, then ' Fun and frolics in the streets ' and on to ' Street Parties '.
You will see a photograph from the Local Studies Collection showing a Coronation street party on Clover Hall Crescent.
This was on the 2nd of June 1953 to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.