Important New Building

The Free Trade Hall, Manchester, opened today in 1843.
John Bright was one of the speakers.

Get Well Soon !

Today in 1859 there was a demonstration in the Public Hall to commemorate John Bright's restoration to health.
There were 1,100 persons present.

New Name

Castleton-by-Rochdale re-named ' Castleton, Lancashire' at a public meeting today.
January 25th 1895.

5.9 5.9 6.0 5.9

Syke Artificial Lakes were first used for skating today in 1894.

Somewhat Chilly !

Today was the coldest day on record, locally.
January 23rd 1894.

110 Years Later !

Rochdale Observer 6th June 1903

THE RIVER TO BE COVERED
There is much talking about the proposal to cover the Roach between The Butts and South Parade.
There was general agreement that additional space is needed to facilitate the tramway traffic and when the vote was taken the whole scheme was sanctioned by a large majority.

Victim Of The Industrial Revolution

Still on the topic of our river, W. Robertson's, 'History Of Rochdale Past And Present' has a chapter about the River Roach :
.........the minnow, the loach and the eel were caught as late as the year 1835,and no doubt the eel much later; but the nauseous matter now poured into the river from the manufactories and sewers has made it a nuisance.

Things To Come ?

With the recent discussion about opening up the River Roach, here is an extract from W. Robertson's book, 'Rochdale And The History Of It's Progress' :

There was a lake on the site of the Lord of the Manor's kitchen garden (war memorial area).
Here water hens and other aquatic birds swam about with their families of helpless little ones.
Trout frisked about its limpid water and leaped into the air after some gaudy fly....................

Education for a lucky few

Today in 1740, Taylor's Charity, for teaching twenty poor children was founded.

All Change !

The annual exchange of pulpits among the nonconformists was first observed today in 1881.

Full House !

Sir Charles Halle and his famous orchestra gave a concert in the Town Hall today in 1881.

Museum Closed Today

A stormy town meeting was held today in 1857 to consider the propriety of opening museums etc. on Sundays.
The resolution lost by a small majority.

The smell of the greasepaint, the roar of the crowd !

An Amateur Dramatic Society began in 1856 to hold meetings in a room opposite St. James' Church.

January 11th 1856

The Great Storm Of '39 !

January 9th  1839 saw a great wind storm hit Rochdale with much damage to property in the neighbourhood.

Snow And More Snow !

The Great Snowstorm began today in 1827.
Most roads in Rochdale became impassable.

A New Newspaper

The Manchester Examiner and Times was first published today in 1846.
John Bright was one of the promoters for this new publication.

Concert for our troops

500 wounded soldiers were entertained today in 1917 at the Town Hall.

Click on this link below to learn more about Rochdale during WW1 and to see some interesting photographs.
http://artsandheritage.link4life.org/index.php/discover/local-history-online/wartime/world-war-1

Send Out The Search Party

Today in 1931 a rambler from Bolton was lost on Rooley Moor.

Snug and Cosy !

January 3rd 1837, an entry from the Spotland Workhouse Diary :

'.........with the assistance of some new Blankets we have got through the storme
without any complaints of the Inmates being Starved in Bedd.'

No Snow !

According to the Rochdale Observer for the beginning of January 1877, the season was very mild.
' As showing the mildness of the season, daisies and dandelions were gathered at Greave.'

Away From The Rain !

The Cabman's Shelter, South Parade, opened today in 1877.