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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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 Memories 1 - 10 of 37 in total
I was born in Catley Lanehead in 1955 and lived in the back of the shop at the top of Smallshaw Road with my mum and dad. My nan Agnes lived across the road from the Chapel further down and not long after we moved a few doors down from her next to The Black Dog pub. I remember open doors in the street and freely going in to play. One day when my mum was having a chat and a brew with the lady in Brown Hill farm I went ...see more
i was born in ings ave spotland in 46,all my side of the family were italian immigrants the came over late 1800s and lived on what was locally known as the mount ie rope st.my dad and grandad worked as a street organ player and ice cream vendor in the summer months and in winter sold hot spuds n chestnuts on lord st in the winter.unfortunatly all my family apart from dad had passed away through tb etc before i was born i would ...see more
Hi there born 16/02/1951 lived at 7 Barton street back to back no longer (there). Had gas lighting and electric lighting and a gas lamp outside my bedroom. Townhead cotton mill was at the bottom of our street and knocker upper use tap the windows to wake the mill workers for 6 Am shift. Did not have a TV until 1960 a Rediffusion 19" wired. Went to Saint Pats infant sch. Than moved to a Council estate at Newbold nicked ...see more
When I started at Cronkeyshaw School I went straight into the second class as I had missed out on the baby class. In those days some children attended from the age of 3 years and the little ones went to sleep on mats in the afternoon for a short period.
The classrooms were far removed from the ones in the present day. In my first class we had an open coal fire with a fireguard. I can ...see more
I have lived in Devon for the last twenty one years but in my thoughts and my dreams i still visit my Northern home of Rochdale. I grew up in primrose Street with the wonderful bakery called Rideoughs at the top of the street. Lenny barn and the fantastic Falinge park. Walks in Healey dell and Halls chip shop on Spotland road. I used to go there as a child for a sixpenny mix .That was chips with mushy ...see more
I lived in Dane Street from 57 to 66, across the road from the cricket ground, played with all the kids from McMillan Street which was just across the road, went to school in St. Johns, St. Patricks and lastly St. Winifreds which was a brand new school up the Whitworth Road past Cronkeyshaw common. Was into horse riding in Crabtrees and Nilands stables. name is Patrick Monaghan, nickname Guiness
I remember seeing Gracie open the COOP clothes shop on Lord st. In the 60s. She sang too.
I was working at John Brights Fieldhouse Mills from 1959 - 1964. To begin with I worked in Canvas No 5 0ffice. The office manager was Rupert Parrington, and some time in 1960/61 he employed a new clerk by the name of Marilyn ? About 6 weeks after starting work she failed to,turn up,for work on Monday morning.That same weekend there had been a murder in Rochdale, and we subsequently discovered that Marilyn ...see more
My parents ran the newsagents at 276 Spotland Road from1952 to1964. At that time there was a row of three shops, ours in the middle flanked on one side by Leslie Cheethams chemist shop (now demolished) and Alan Heyworths greengrocers on the other side. Meanwood Fold was to the rear.
I was born at 60 Moss Row, Norden Rochdale on the 10th February 1954. Moss Row was a terrace of 41 houses following on from Clapgate Road. They were privately owned by a Mrs Milne. Moss Row was demolished for a never to happen by-pass of Norden village, this was a great waste of houses and separated lots of people who had been friends for many years. Myself and two mates, Willy Bird and Rob Crabtree were ...see more