Canal Escape

Today in 1894 the canal embankment at Castleton burst.

Every Home Should Have One !

An Observer article from the 10th January 1977 stated :

SLIPPER BATH CLOSURE, SIGN OF THE TIMES
Demand for such facilities has dropped considerably due to improved housing,
this facility will still be available but the times of opening will be greatly reduced.

Run away tram

On this day in 1922 a tram car ran away down John Street overturning and crashing into the Pioneers Store at the bottom.
Eighteen people were injured including Mr. F. H. Rudd who was the Borough Electrical Engineer.

Weather Warning

On February 8th 1900 there was a severe snowstorm described as the worst for 18 years.

Beyond The Call Of Duty

In February 1919 Miss E. J. Whitehead of Watkin Street was decorated by the King with the Red Cross for war services.

Short Lived

By February 6th 1827 the ' Rochdale Recorder ' had been going for one month.
It was a constitutional newspaper priced at 7d and published weekly.
Although starting well it only lasted a short time becoming defunct the following year.

Mill Building

The year 1900 saw an important activity in mill building.
At this period the Victoria had been running 15 months while the State and Sparth mills were in the course of construction.
The Eclipse started later in this year but all mills reported reduced profits during this time.

Skating on the Lake !

1912 saw freezing weather conditions just as now.
Hollingworth Lake was frozen enough to skate on and the Local Studies Library has photographic evidence of this.
Please call in if you are nearby and have a look.

Our Gracie !

Today marks the end of a Charity Week where Gracie Fields efforts raised £1,673 for local charities.
During the week she visited the Nurses' Home, Crippled Children's Home, the Infirmary, Birch Hill and the Rotary Club Dance.
She attended a hot pot supper at the Town Hall and her performance at the Hippodrome on Friday night was broadcast by the B.B.C.

The year was 1931.

Before the flu jab !

At this time in 1908 there was a widespread epidemic in Rochdale of influenza.

The Queen is dead. Long live the King.

Today in 1901 following the death of Queen Victoria, Rochdale proclamed that Edward heir to the throne was now King.

Literary Visitor

On January 29th 1905 Mr. George Bernard Shaw spoke at the Public Hall.

On yer bike !

Today in 1893 the Cycle industry was introduced to the town by Mr. Samuel Tweedale of Oldham Road.

Up In Flames !

Today in 1894 The Theatre Royal, Manchester Road had a disastrous fire which caused £8,000 worth of damage.

Notable Fires

During January 1916 these mills all had fires :
Albert Mill, Crawford Street, causing several thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Ellenroad Mill, Newhey, £150,000 or possibly £200,000 worth of damage.

Messers A. Tattersall & Co., Oakenrod, cost of damage reaching several thousands of pounds.

On the 26th of January 1914 the C.W.S. Paint Works, Weir Street caught fire with damage upwards of £40,000.

But what about the horses ?

This headline was in the Manchester Courier on the 25th of January 1838 :

COACH ACCIDENT
During the severe gale on Wednesday morning the York mail was blown over at the bottom of Blackstone Edge.
There were no passengers and fortunately the coachman and guard escaped without injury.

Young Sweep

From the 'Rochdale Sentinel' January 24th 1855 :

CHIMNEY SWEEPING CASE

Mr. James Crabtree, the manager of Mr. Walker's Mill, Oldham Road was charged with allowing a boy to ascend a flue in that mill. The boy is fourteen years old.

Lad Wanted

An advert from the 'Rochdale Sentinel' today in 1855 :
Wanted a steady active LAD, of good character, not nore than 15,
as an Apprentice to the STONEMASON BUSINESS -
Apply to Mr. John Warburton,
Drake Street,
Rochdale.

Steady Growth

The population of Rochdale in 1801 was 29,101, in 1811 it was 37,229 and in 1821 it was 47,109.

Burst Pipe

Today in 1924 a water main burst and flooded houses in Drake Street.