You are here:

Smallbridge memories

Here are memories of Smallbridge and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Smallbridge or a Smallbridge photo.

Smallbridge And All That

The place name comes from a narrow bridge over a stream that forms the boundary between Rochdale and Wardle on Halifax Road, by The Red Lion pub as it was then. Folk who lived in Smallbridge were once called "Sandknockers" apparently from a family called Kitter who knocked the local stone to sand to spread on floors.

We lived on the main road opposite the Congregational church with Kitter Street at the end of our row. My Dad was a cobbler - intially a clogger till shoes became more affordable. In those days you could buy practically everything you needed within about 300 yards from Buckley Lane to Wardle Road, excepting things like clothes, furniture etc, things that you only bought once in a Blue Moon. Now there are no shops at all in Samallbridge.

As a pre-teen us kids could always eat more than we got, not that we were starved. There was no such thing among my friends of refusing food at any time. I... Read more

A memory of Smallbridge, shared by Peter Butterworth.

Add your own Memory Add a comment Add to your Album

Around Rochdale

I enjoyed reading Peter Butterworth's memories of Smallbridge. I went to the same school( Halifax Rd), 1937-44. My name then was Sylvia Higgin (now married to Stanley Rudman - since 1959). My younger brother, Trevor Higgin, also went to the same school, and we lived on Albert Royds St. My memories of those days are still strong and vivid. The area then was more rural than now. I remember the beautiful bluebell wood down Buckley Lane. I also remember many of the boys and girls who were in my class at school, including an Amy Butterworth. Later we moved to Syke and I was a pupil at Greenhill, the girls' grammar school in Rochdale. Since I retired I have found that my father's family were farmers in the Burnley area (Cliviger) from the 17th century. He always said, 'Don't confuse Higgin and Higgins!'

A memory of Smallbridge

Add your own Memory Add a comment Add to your Album

Memories of Lancashire

Ken & Margaret Davis.

I remember Smithybridge with great liking and fondness. I was fortunate to have my sister and her husband living there, Ken Davis being an ex police officer who decided to retire there. My visits to them from Tasmania were made in winter, and I remember the snow and seeing fires shining through windows as I went for walks around the lake and through Littleborough.
The great feeling of having lunch in a warm cafe with the smell of the good food still lingers in my memory. I must admit, in many ways my visit there and trips to Hebden Bridge for a bit of site seeing and a meal even though it was overcast and freezing was like stepping back in time into an era when simple things in your life really mattered. Unfortunatly, Ken and Margaret have passed on but I still hanker for a visit and stay in Smithybridge as it has so many happy memories and pleasure for me.
I hope it never changes and becomes... Read more

A memory of Smithybridge, shared by Walter Butler.

Add your own Memory Add a comment Add to your Album

Learning to Bell Ring

St Bartholomew's Church 1951 Ref: W413009

St Bartholomew's Church 1951
| More about this photo

I learned to bell ring with Brian Heginbottom in the 50s. After many years of the bells not ringing we were able to repair the the bell room and the bells and rang for the millennium, they are now rang every Sunday, they have a practice night every Tuesday, anyone interested should contact Myles Hargreaves at the church.

A memory of Whitworth

Add your own Memory Add a comment Add to your Album

Home

Facit 1951
| More about this photo

home

A memory of Whitworth

Add your own Memory Add a comment Add to your Album

My Favourite Place

St John's Church, Facit 1951 Ref: W413004

St John's Church, Facit 1951
| More about this photo

I was christenedin St John's Church. My parents were marries there, as were my two uncles. I was born at 8 Meadow Cottages and my life-long friend Mavis Ellis (nee Lock) was born next door but one to me. I lived with my grandma and grandad, Hannah and Walter Ufton. At some time in the 1920s my great-grandmother lived at Meadow Cottages also. Most of my uncles and aunties attended St John's School as I did for a short time. I was there when the two Miss Smiths were teaching there. I had a wonderful childhood. At aged nine due to family circumstances I had to leave. I have returned many times to Facit because it is a very special place and means so much to me. I was there last, in October 2009, visiting my very good friend Mavis and paying my usual cisit to Facit cemetery to my my grandparents, and my auntie and uncle, both of who lived in Whitworth and Facit. That last visit was very special to... Read more

A memory of Whitworth, shared by Margaret Brown.

Add your own Memory Add/View 2 Comments Add to your Album

Happy Days

I lived in Peel Terrace, Shawforth. I remember the maypole dancing in the street, the brass band playing, the steam trains, playing on the hills behind Rock View, going for walks past Gormless End. Also picking wild berries to make a berry pie, collecting bonfire wood, making treacle toffee and black peas and hot potatos and eating them round the bonfire. I have been back a few times but now I'm too old, I'm 70 now but am always thinking of my days at Shawforth. I am surprised there are not many photos of Shawforth on the internet.

A memory of Shawforth

Add your own Memory Add a comment Add to your Album

Memorybank total

We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.

You've shared 26,074 memories of 5,720 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!

Find Memories

Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.

Start by searching for your favourite places

Tips & Ideas

Not sure what to write?
It's easy - just think of an important place in your life and ask yourself:

How does it feature in your personal history?

What are your best memories of this place?

How has it changed over the years?

How does it feel, seeing these old photos of your favourite place?

Do you remember stories about the local community, its history and people?

Start now!

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

Places this week

Here are some of the places you've shared memories of this week:

Your memories

To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here

I Remember When...

This stunning compilation highlights some of the best stories selected from the thousands contributed here on the Frith website. The result is an absorbing chronicle of British life from the Second World War to the mid 1960s.

A colourful treasure trove of memories, "I Remember When" is an irresistible mix of personal stories and recollections that affectionately reveal the detail of everyday life in Britain.