Nostalgic memories of Castleton's local history

Share your own memories of Castleton and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Displaying all 10 Memories

The year i started school at st Gabriels. I remember being carried up the hill by my mother and being met at the school entrance by Miss Cleary! She was a rather fat lady dressed all in brown and wearing a brown cardigan. Very welcoming i recall. but i was terrified and did'nt want to be there! I waited for playtime and took the opportunity to run away! I think i got within shouting distance of home before ...see more
This was my first school. We came from kirkholt to Castleton every day to school. I remember Mrs O'Brien Miss Cleary and Miss O'Leary. Miss O Learys' class room had a large open fireplace in it. We used to go on nature walks on what is possibly the motorway now.
Having just discovered this site I find it very interesting to read some of the posts. I was born and bred in Castleton (1948) and have many happy memories. From leaving school I work at Garrets butchers for 7 years until going into the motor trade for 33 years at Carcraft. Spent many happy hours at Congregational youth club down Heywood road were I met many friends. Roger Fell, Norman Davey (Lou) Colin ...see more
I too have memories of Castleton. When I was 16 (in 1963) my family moved to Milnrow Road in Rochdale, and so I was only about 3 or 4 miles from where my cousins the Thompson family (Derek, Joyce and Geoff) lived in Castleton. Many a time I would cycle up to see Geoff (he is 3 days younger than me) and we would ride out to a park in between Castleton and Heywood (anyone remember the name?). I ...see more
My sister, brother and I were brought up in Castleton in the 1950's and although our family life wasn't very happy I do have positive memories of Castleton (formerly called Blue Pits village). It was a nice village although I do recall there was a lot of 'nosiness' - everyone seemed to know everyone else's business. My maiden name was Butterworth and after St Edwards (Mr Hodgkinson was the ...see more
We moved to Castleton from Heywood, my dad worked on the railway, known locally as "bags yard". We lived down Manchet Hall, they were railway houses, (long since demolished). Castleton was a lovely village in those days, not so now. Lots of shops, churches and pubs, would love to know if anyone has any photos of Manchet Hall, I have searched but in vain . Myself and my brothers all went to St ...see more
I moved to Melville Street, Castleton in 1956 at the age of 9. I went to Cassie council school, learnt to swim at Castleton baths taught by Ted Murphy, taken there from school by Pop Wright. Castleton was a nice place to live then, not like today with its drug and yob culture. Spent many happy hours playing on the rec and horse riding at Schofields stables. Fell in love with Angela Carter from no 33 when ...see more
I was born in 1947 at Birch Haill Hospital and lived in Castleton, first on Manchester Road and later Alder Road until I got married at St. Gabriel's Church. My maiden name was Jackson. I attended Castleton Council School before Rochdale Technical School, and attended St. Martin's Church where I was a member of the Church Girls Brigade and St. Martin's Amateur Dramatic Society. I appeared in ...see more
My late mother ( nee ) Constance Mary Mould hailed from Castleton and nearby Westerdale. Her parents were John ( k/as Jack ) Mould and Mary (k/as May) Mould who also lived in High Street,  Castleton, next door to the Flintoft family. Many other relatives in and around Castleton - I last briefly visited there in 2006 from Canada where I now live. A 'second cousin': Michael Mould also emigrated to an ...see more
Born in the highest house in High Crompton next to the butchers, I spent much of my childhood exploring the hills above the village. My memories of the Gypsy Blood stream, Coal Pit Lane, Gravel Hole meant little at the time other than wild places. Now I can relate them all to my own family in the area. Like another comment, I worked at Osram in my long school holidays and my mum worked at Joe Cleggs mill.