Royal Princess

Friday was the birthday of the Queens daughter, the Princess Christian who was born at Buckingham Palace on May 25th 1846.
The Princess is very charitable and one of the most practical of Royal people. She has earned a certificate for proficiency in nursing and can sew and knit, cook and do many other things in which such high placed persons are supposed not to take an interest.
When visiting the poor, always unattended, she only permits them to address her as ' Ma'am '.

From the 'Chit chat for Ladies' page, Rochdale Times, May 31st 1900.

Letting His Horse Sup And Having One Himself !

From the Rochdale Times, May 30th 1900 :
James Cowgill of Clay Lane, Head Farm, Milnrow was summoned for being too great a distance from his horse and cart.
P.C. Williams said the defendant was in a public house and he left his horse unattended. The defendant said he was letting his horse sup and he could not do that without having a drink himself.
He was fined 5 shillings and costs or seven days.

Rochdale Borough Boundary

Last week agreeably to appointment a gentleman from the Ordnance Survey came to Rochdale to determine the limits of the boundary, in order that stones or posts may be placed on all roads and footpaths leading from the town.
He commenced at Heybrook and proceeded in a westerly direction until he arrived at that place again.
This gentleman has also made a most beautiful map of the Borough, three quarters of an inch to the chain.
The fields on the outskirts are so accurately laid down from a scale of chords that their contents can be ascertained sufficiently near for valuation without re-measurement of the ground.

From the Manchester Guardian, May 29th 1845.

The Local Studies Library has a large collection of over 600 maps which include Ordnance Survey maps.

Please click on the link below to see our other resources :
http://artsandheritage.link4life.org/index.php/discover/local-studies-resources

Funeral of a Statesman

The funeral of William Ewart Gladstone took place today in Westminster Abbey in 1898.
Rochdale held a simultaneous sevice in the Parish Church.
Gladstone was the oldest Prime Minister in office and retired when he was 84, he had been Prime Minister on four occasions.

Holiday !!!

This Bank Holiday was first observed in Rochdale on the 29th of May 1871.

A Different Breed !

There is living in the township of Butterworth a man named Joseph Taylor, aged seventy five years, who at the age of five years began to work in a coal pit.
At the age of ten he began working as a regular miner and has continued to work in a low mine in the pit up to the present time, a period of seventy years.
He is in the employ of Messrs. Butterworth & Co., Haugh Hey Colliery, Butterworth and although he is so far advanced in years he can manage to get eight loads of coal at 6d per load, in one day.

26th of May 1846, extracted from the Manchester Guardian.

Please click on the link below to learn more on mining in Rochdale.
http://artsandheritage.link4life.org/index.php/discover/local-history-online/trade-industry-and-transport/coal-mining

Who Won ?

Today in 1927 a charitable cricket match was held between Rochdale Council and Rochdale Magistrates.

Peace

Huge celebrations were seen in the town today to celebrate the Treaty of Paris which heralded the end of the Crimean War.
The town was illuminated at night and many social functions were held.
May 24th 1856.

Compensation Please

A large meeting was held today in 1850 in the Public Hall for the purpose of considering the propriety of petitioning Parliament to the effect that the Government should make good to the depositers the loss caused by the defalcations of the late actuary of the Savings' Bank. The position was adopted. Mr. Edward Taylor presided.

From Wrigley and Sons Almanack

The implications of the Savings' Bank crash were huge, to learn more please click on this link below :

http://artsandheritage.link4life.org/index.php/discover/local-history-online/co-operation/the-rochdale-pioneers/rochdale-and-the-co-op-by-john-cole

In Steam !!!

The Ellenroad Spinning Company's engine started up today for the first time.
May 22nd 1892.

You can visit Ellenroad Engine House Steam Museum at Newhey.

Opening Times

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The Engine House is open and steaming on the first Sunday of each month.

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Steaming Days

First Sunday of the month (except January for boiler inspection)

• 11:00am - 4.00pm

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Non Steaming Days - Limited Access to exhibits

These are volunteer working days, for the restoration and maintenance of exhibits. 

You are welcome to visit on non-steaming days when the Engine House is manned.

For non steaming days admission is free but donations are welcome.

• 11:00am - 3:00pm Tuesdays and Sundays
• 12:00am - 3:00pm Saturdays (day before steaming)

For more information visit their website http://www.ellenroad.org.uk

The Beginning.......

The Grammar School Old Boys Association was formed today in 1887.

Heywood Boundary

In Heywood's Notes and Queries for 19th May Green publishes an answer regarding the boundary of Heywood:


In reply to your note re Thomas Wrigley or the Wrigleys . The township of Heywood
VOL . I .-Part 5.66 does not cross the river about Heap Bridge district, but did so at one time when Wrigley's works, house, and the land extending nearly as far as the inn called the "Seven Stars" were all in the township of Heap . In William Bell's time Bury annexed that portion by Act of Parliament.

To read more fascinating anecdotes about Heywood please visit are Local History Books Online and Heywood Notes and Queries.

Mill Fire

A fire started today at Eagle Mill, Balderstone, the damage was estimated to be around £1,000.
May 17th 1898.

Time For A Change

Today in 1874 Hollingworth Workhouse closed. The inmates were removed to Marland.

A Step Forward

During May 1825 an iron footbridge was completed which led to The Walk. It was paid for and erected by Messrs. Vavasour.

To learn a little more on the early history of the town centre please click on the link below :
http://artsandheritage.link4life.org/index.php/discover/local-history-online/trade-industry-and-transport/transport-a-travel/roads-and-streets-in-rochdale-wm-robertson-1913jpg

The Heywood Betting Case

In Heywood's Notes and Queries for 12th May 1905 we find reference to"THE, HEYWOOD BETTING CASE" Green comments that this was included in a series of touching stories, lectures, etc., published in a volume entitled "Life among the Masses," by the Rev . John Guttridge, 1884 . Gutteridge was resident in
Heywood from 1818 to 1851, and it was during his pastorate that the handsome chapel in Bethel-street was built . To read more please visit Local History Books Online on the Link4Life website. Here is a link to article itself - you will need to scroll done to the 12th May 1905.

Open To All

 By May 11th 1883 the Wellington Bridge was completed. Prior to this date it had only been a footbridge.

Starting To Improve

By early May 1868 the number of paved streets in Rochdale numbered 116.

Where To Buy A horse Now ?

On May 7th 1876 the Horse Fair was last held on Cheetham Street.

Keep In Touch !

On this day in 1953 a member of the Local Studies team at Touchstones was born.
She has just retired and will be greatly missed by her colleagues and the many people she has helped over the years.
We all wish her a very long and very happy retirement.

New Use For Old Boat

The Boat Inn, Belfield opened today in 1841.
The boat formerly carried passengers on the branch canal between Bluepits Railway Station and Heywood.

Harsh Sentence

Today in 1827, Ruth Brierley and Mary Schofield were transported fo seven years for stealing four geese at Bagslate.

Dancing Around The Maypole

Maypoles were once common all over England and were kept from one year to the next, usually made from tall trees or long branches.
The tallest ever maypole was erected in London on the Strand in 1661.
The ribbons would have been paraded through the streets to the maypole and then attached so the dancing could take place.

Please click on the link below for more information and to see a lovely photograph from the Local Studies Collection.
http://artsandheritage.link4life.org/index.php/discover/local-history-online/fun-and-games/traditional-celebrations/may-day-celebrations