Send in the Clowns !

Today in 1876 Charles Adam's Circus, probably the best of it's kind to visit Rochdale, opened in Newgate.

Labour Party Starts

Mr. MacDonald M.P. addressed a large gathering in the Town Hall today to celebrate the first direct return of Labour representitives to Parliament.
The year was 1874.

Tree Lined Street

Canadian Elms were planted today in 1870 on the Esplanade.

Northern Lights Here

Today in 1892 Rochdale experienced a brilliant display of Aurora Borealis.

Self Improvement

Statistics for the Working Men's Educational Institute, Ragged School which was on Mill Street show:
220 members with the average attendance at evening classes being 70.
This was on April 23rd 1856.

Milnrow Pioneer

Milnrow Pioneers Society was formed today in 1850. The premises were in Kiln Lane but the society was wound up in 1896.

Sparrow Hill

Today in 1843 the foundation stone of Sparrow Hill School was laid.
The building was later used as a Gymnasium.

Generous Gift

James Holden died today in 1896.
He left £2,000 to Rochdale Infirmary.

Women's Group

A Women's Citizens' Association was formed today in 1918.

Mill For Sale

Today in 1904 Milnrow Woollen Mills was sold by auction. It was bought by Mr. Ben Schofield for £8,900.

Free Culture !

Mr. W.A. Scott at a meeting of the Town Commissioners advocated the formation of a free library and museum.
This was on the 17th of April 1856.

First Lady

Mrs Catherine Buckley was today in 1926 elected first lady chairman of the Rochdale Board Of Guardians.

TITANIC

Headlines from the Rochdale Observer, April 17th 1912 -

LOSS OF THE ' TITANIC '

APPALLING DISASTER AT SEA

OVER 1,200 LIVES LOST

WORLD'S GREATEST SHIP SINKS IN MID-OCEAN

A ROCHDALE MAN AMONG THE CREW

The article continues giving passenger numbers and the fact that at least thirty passengers were millionaires. Col. J.J. Astor and Mr. M. Rothschild amongst them.

LAST NIGHT'S TELEGRAM FROM ST. JOHN'S NEWFOUNDLAND

' All hope of any passengers or crew of the Titanic other than those aboard the Carpathia being alive has now been abandoned and this afternoon all steamers which had been cruising in the vicinity of the disaster continued their voyage,'

The Rochdale man was named as Mr. Porteus who for several years had worked as a butcher on the White Star Line. Before this he had his own business at 29, Oldham Road. His parents run Schofield's dining rooms on Butts Avenue. He has four sisters living in Rochdale.

The article ended with a statement from the Carpathia -

' All the Titanic's boats are accounted for and yet only some eight or nine hundred are saved, '

In the Local Studies Collection we have this poem written by Ellen Butterworth of Trafford Street, Rochdale in memory of all who lost their lives :

Beer For Sale !

Sale today of Spotland Bridge Brewery.
14th of April 1845.

Deliveries !

The Parcel Post mail cart began running today in 1890.

Solar Eclipse

Rochdale saw an eclipse of the sun today under ideal conditions.
10th of April 1921.

High Honour

It was announced today in 1910 that the Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel Sir George Kemp was to be appointed as the Lieutenant-Colonel of the 6th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.

New Church For Whitworth

Today in 1847 the corner stone of Whitworth Parish Church was laid.
The original church of St. Bartholomew was consecrated in 1532.
The new church was built during the 1850's.

Hard Times

Preparations began today in 1918 for a Tank Week.
Beginning on the 8th and ending on the 13th of April Rochdale people donated money for the war effort.

Pace Egg Play

Taking part in the annual Pace Egg Play was an Easter tradition in Lancashire in the 19th and 20th centuries.
These plays were performed in the streets by groups of children and their characters included :
St. George, Slasher, the Doctor, the Dragon and a Fool.
To learn more please go to the ' Discover ' part of our ' Arts and Heritage ' section.