This web site aims to tell the history of the town of Rochdale and the neighbouring towns and villages that today comprise the Municipal Borough of Rochdale, within Greater Manchester. The story spans the period from the Doomsday Book to the 21st Century and gives you an insight into life in Rochdale, Heywood, Littleborough, Wardle, Dearnley, Smallbridge, Newhey, Milnrow, Castleton and Middleton. Along the way you will read about the building of the Rochdale Canal and the Leeds to Manchester Railway with its famous Summit Tunnel. There are tales of political unrest, strikes, protests and the industrial revolution. You will also be introduced to the famous people who lived in the area from Tim Bobbin, John Bright, and Thomas Livsey, to Gracie Fields, John Ellis, Lisa Stansfield and Julie Goodyear. So, choose a path from the list above and begin your visit to Rochdale, the Birthplace of Co-operation.

All the material on this web site is © David Boardman, unless otherwise stated, and may not be copied, downloaded or otherwise reproduced or retransmitted without the written permission of the webmaster.

Any contravention of the copyright of others is unintentional and will be corrected immediately when brought to the attention of the webmaster.

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