Thursday 28 February 2013

Return of the tram to Rochdale

Today sees the return of the Tram to Rochdale, terminating currently at the Rochdale Train Station stop on Maclure Street. A day earlier and one hundred and twenty eight years later when the tramway opened to Royton on the first of March, 1885. 
This was not the first tram. Steam trams came into operation in the area in the 1880’s. Rochdale’s trams ran on a narrow gauge of 3ft 6ins, rather than the standard 4 ft 8ins.  Rochdale’s first steam tram ran from the Wellington Hotel (now the Nile Night Club) to Buersil, then returned and made its way to Littleborough, on 7th March 1883. The trams were run by a private company – the ponderously named ‘Manchester, Bury, Rochdale and Oldham Steam Tramway Company.’ By 1902 the Rochdale Corporation had begun to operate electric trams, their first route opening on 15th May, 1902. By 1905, after the Corporation had bought out the Tram Company, the whole system was electrified. The last section to be electrified was that to Littleborough – which had been the first section to have steam trams in 1883. 


Bring out your dead

The burial ground on Drake Street was closed today in 1855. The Rochdale Cemetery on Bury Road opened on 28 April 1855.

Wednesday 27 February 2013

First Motor Car

The Annals of Rochdale mention that a 'Motor car first passed through the town' on this day in 1897! Wonder how many cars will pass through Rochdale today..........

Friday 22 February 2013

Read All About It !

' Rochdale Past and Present ' was published today in 1875.
The author William Robertson wrote many books on Rochdale's history which can be read in the Local Studies Library.
If you do not live locally we have some e-books which may be of interest on our website.

Thursday 21 February 2013

A Fishy Story !

30,000 bream, perch and dace were placed in Hollingwotrh Lake today in 1863.

Wednesday 6 February 2013

Blizzard Conditions !

It was during February 1724 that Daniel Defoe went over Blackstone Edge in a snowstorm.
He was a novelist with his most famous work being, ' Robinson Crusoe '.

Tuesday 5 February 2013

Read All About It !

Lieut. Col Fishwick was today in 1897 elected Chairman of the School Board.
Henry Fishwick is famous in Rochdale for having written, ' The History of the Parish of Rochdale'.
This book can be read as an eBook on our website.

Monday 4 February 2013

Plague

The Great Plague casualties peaked in Rochdale during February 1665.
The local death rate increased dramatically.

Sunday 3 February 2013

Out With The Old

Blackwater Street Chapel was last used today in 1856.
This was the old chapel which opened in 1717 and was enlarged in 1752. At this time it was estimated that there were about 200 Non-Conformist families in Rochdale.

Please click on this link below for more information on ' Places of Worship ' in Rochdale:

http://artsandheritage.link4life.org/index.php/discover/local-history-online/rochdale/places-of-worship

Saturday 2 February 2013

Les Miserables

The final meeting was held today in 1866 of the Relief Committee.
One million pound sterling was estimated to have been lost in wages because of the depression.

Friday 1 February 2013

Cattle Market

Beginning in February 1608 a Cattle Fair began being held in Rochdale three times a year.