Fluffy Fabric !

During 1886 Flannelette was introduced.
Greatly appreciated in days without elecric blankets or central heating.

Celebrated Work

' History of the Parish of Rochdale ' by Henry Fishwick was published today in 1889.
This can be consulted online as an eBook.
For those closer to home, you can consult this renowned book by calling in to Local Studies at Touchstones Rochdale.

Be Prepared

Eighteen sick and burial societies with 60,000 members and £135,000 in funds existed in Rochdale at this time.
29th December 1896.

Very Generous Gift

It was announced today that an anonymous donation of £5,000 was given to the Building Fund of St. Johns Catholic Church.
The gift was from Mr. James White.
1918.

Pea Souper !

Rev. F.W. Norburn, today in 1925, drove his motorcycle and sidecar into the canal at Littleborough during fog.

Bah ! Humbug !

Today in 1868 at St. Mary's Church, Wardleworth the Christmas decorations were torn down by some person unknown.
The candlesticks on the altar were carried away and several vestments destroyed.

Food Bank ?

The last week of December 1862 saw 18,000 persons relieved by the Soup Kitchen and in addition the Guardians relieved another 13,226.

Poor Denis !

Ronald Roberts in his book, 'Pea Soup on Friday', which are his personal notes on Birch Hill Hospital, mentions this when talking about Christmas 1929 :
On my second Christmas Day the main joints were from Denis, the farm bull, his replacement having arrived a short time earlier.

Generous Donation

Today in 1917 Mr.and Mrs. F. Lye gave £100 to each of ten charitable institutions as a memorial to their son, Second Lieutenant Gilbert Lye and their daughter Mary.

Party Time !

Yesterday, Rochdale Pioneers Society had a huge celebration.
This was to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its foundation.

21st of December 1925.

For more information please click on the link below :
http://artsandheritage.link4life.org/index.php/discover/local-history-online/co-operation

New Mill

The Union Ring Mill Company was formed today in 1900.

Lights Camera Action !

The Pavilion Picture Palace opened on the 18th of December 1912.
It was the first hall in Rochdale to be built expressly as a picture hall.

Time To Celebrate

Newhey St. Thomas' Parish Church celebrated it's jubilee today in 1926.

Goodbye to an important local company

Today in 1920 it was reported that the local firm of R.T. Heape and Son was giving up business.

Swan's Dilemma !

The Rochdale Observer reported that on December 15th 1920 two swans were frozen to a mill pond at Belfield.

Votes For Women !

Today in 1927 Mrs. Pankhurst addressed a Conservative meeting at the Territorial Drill Hall.

Let The Music Play !

Today in 1867 Rochdale Philharmonic Society was formed, it was reorganised in 1889.

Rochdale Roundabout

It was realised today in 1867 that Rochdale was the only town to have a circular boundary.

A Small Yellow Bear With Black Ears !

Today in 1956 Sooty visited Rochdale.
He was devised and operated by Harry Corbett who bought Sooty from a stall in Blackpool.
Sooty featured on British T.V. from 1952 and following Harry Corbett's retirement, Matthew, his son operated Sooty and they enjoyed a new wave of popularity.
Sooty fluctuated between kindness, cheekiness and downright naughtiness, with every episode ending with, 'Bye-bye, everybody. Bye-bye '.

Happy Memories !