Nostalgic memories of Rochdale's local history
Share your own memories of Rochdale 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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Displaying Memories 21 - 30 of 37 in total
My father and mother bought the fireplace shop in Milnrow Road ( it was called Pollards - and they kept its name), they moved in with my older brother in about 1954. I was born in 1955 and we lived there until we moved to Milnrow in 1965. I also have happy memories of going into Harold the cloggers shop and being amazed at how quickly and expertly he made clogs.
I also remember there was a slaughter house on (think it was) Blackwater Street, or it could have been Toad Lane. There was a pub across from it called Dusty Miller that was next door to Marsh's cafe. I too remember the shop on Blackwater Street where you could get studs of every shape to put onto your leather belt, I also think the old lady made cloggs. There was also a shop that started out on Oldham were you could ...see more
I worked for Leo at Stewards from 1979 - 1983. Great memories, great days. I remember him hi-jacking folk he recognised as they walked past the shop. Remember Peggy too. He used to say Drake Street was dying then, but it looked vibrant to me then compared to the disaster it is today. Iveson's across the road was a beautiful store. The only thing that remains from memory is the San Remo, virtually unchanged ...see more
My family (well, me mum, older brother and I), moved to Rochdale in '53 and lived on Norrey's St, (off George St, which ran parallel with Ramsey St), and I have many memories of the time - particularly of taking all the local dogs on long walks down Healey Dell every Sunday - and without lead's, btw!.
As I matured, I remember we all used to descend on the Rainbow Coffee Bar on Drake St(we knew it as 'Molly's', but it ...see more
We left Rochdale when I was three, so only have memories of visits to aunties and uncles. We stayed at Deplish Cottage, my mother's family hom, the Frosts. Father was an Ashworth, is there a link to Ashworth Valley? We used to visit every year, but no more - it isn't the Rochdale we used to know. Any info about the names would be good.
I was born in Tatham Strret and then we lived on Milnrow Road where my parents owned a fireplace and china shop. I have many happy memories of my childhood there. I used to go next door to Harold the clog maker and play with the odd parts of the clogs, I think I plagued the life out of the poor man. We came back not so long ago as I wanted to show my husband where I had grown up and show him Smith Street where my ...see more
I used to work in the High Class Department Store opposite to The Walk. It was owned by the Haworth family, with the gentleman's outfitters next door owned by another member of the same family.
When the store was ready for closing at the end of the day and with no customers there, we used to look across to the people coming from the walk and 'claim' any handsome man and say to our friend '..but that one is yours' .. ...see more
I worked as a trainee projectionist at the ABC cinema in Rochdale. Happy days. I now live in south Germany as my wife is German. But I do miss my old job.
I lived just a few hundred yards from St John's Church and attended mass every Sunday as well as Stations of the Cross or Benediction on Sunday Nights. There is an amazing area of mozaic behind the altar. I also attended the school from about 1946 - 1950 when I moved to St Patricks followed by Bury Convent. I was Marcia Tassiker then. My dad used to take photgraphs of the Whitsuntide processions and put them in our hardware shop window for people to buy.
I have found people on the 1861 census living at Turkey Hall, Oldham Road, Rochdale or Castleton. It seems to be a multi-occupied building - please does anyone know what it was. Pamela Jones