Nostalgic memories of Smallbridge's local history

Share your own memories of Smallbridge 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 all 3 Memories

There seems to be a thought that Smallbridge goes from Wardle Rd to Albert Royd St. It also goes in the opposite direction, namely Wardle Rd to Birch Rd, including Greengate and Hurstead. My dad was born at 1 Greenfield Lane opposite the Greengate pub in 1903. The family moved across the road to 561 which although rented, stayed in the family until my dad's sister, Ida Fitton Harrison, died in the ...see more
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 ...see more
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 ...see more