Historical Dairy

Historical Diary

1671

Theophilus Howarth M.D., of Great Howarth died in Manchester, where he had distinguished himself by his fidelity to the cause of Charles I.

1732

Mary, the sixth wife of Nathan Scott, of Hades was buried in the Parish Churchyard of Rochdale.

1736

The Rev. John Leech was born at Dobbin Farm, Wardle. He later became one of John Wesley's itinerant preachers, traveling extensively in G.B. and Ireland.

1744

Religious services were held in cottages and farms in Wardle, and the main assembly later congregating in a room over Spring gardens Inn, Wardle Fold

1749

It is said that John Wesley, on visiting Rochdale preached at the Inn, which was the house of William Howarth, grandfather of Elliause Waugh, the Lancashire dialect.

1798

James Leech of Wardle and a relative of the Rev. John Leech (He was a famous musician and composer. He composed the hymn "Psalmody" and the music of "Egypt" in G Minor was cut on his gravestone was killed by the overturning Leeds coach on its way to Manchester.

1809

Wardle Wesleyan Chapel was opened by the Rev. John Leech. He had achieved a life's ambition, but was not in good health, and died the following year aged 74 years.

1856

26th August:

Fire at Sleighty Mill damage £2,000

1858

January 21st:

St. James' the Apostle, consecrated.

1859

July:

Burial ground attached to Wardle Wesleyan Chapel closed.

1861

September

Embankment of Lea Mill Dam, Watergrove, gave way owing to heavy rains; damages £1,000.

1874

The Election of a local board for Wuerdle and Wardle district had been effected without the excitement and the expense of a contest. 23 persons where nominated and as only nine were to be elected it was arranged 14 should send the summoning officer their refusal to serve, and, consequently, the remaining nine were declared duly elected. The following is the list of those who had been elected: William Schofield, - flannel manufacturer of Wardle; John Stott, flannel manufacturer of Wardle; John Bamford flannel manufacturer of Wardle; Edmund Hartley, gentleman of Wardle; Thomas Marsden, farmer of Wardle; Edmund Healy, cotton spinner of Wuerdle; Edmund Leach, cotton spinner of Wuerdle; Robert Healy, cotton spinner of Wuerdle and Joshua Lord, gentleman of Wuerdle.

1970

A row of cottages in Wardle Fold was under the hammer of the demolition men. Built about 1830 the cottages with their massive gray stoned roofs had been an integral part of the Wardle village scene and have housed families whose roots were deeply entrenched in the early life of the village. But the impact of time and weather and lack of early repair inevitably brought deterioration and the end was in sight for some time.

1972

Council bought the Coop in the village for £1,500 and then had problems finding money for repair work.

The year saw the completion of the largest private housing development in the Crossfield and Newhouse estates a total of some 270 houses, and probably the last for some time.

Emergency work was carried out on 50 yards of road surface on Ramsden Road, after reports of vehicles going into skids on this particular patch for no apparent reason.

Another well known feature of Wardle disappears with the dismantlement of the chimney at Lodge Mill. Built in the mid 19th century it served the mill until its closure in 1958. The Schofield family, flannel manufacturers, owned the mill for more than 100 years and its product was reputed at one time to be the best quality to be found.

1974

Cornbrook Resin Co. at Clough House Mill closed after nearly 20 years and the premises have been taken over by a demolition contractor.

Wardle Cricket Club held its centenary.

The new St. James's school is being built to replace the old school built in 1842.

After nearly 90 years existence, Wardle Councils in its last full year and will cease to operate on 1 April.

2000

1st January

The New Millennium was started off with skies alight with firework displays through the area that lasted the best part of an hour, the like of which has never been seen before.

Meeting held in Conservative Club to discuss the future of St.James Church and Wardle Tannery. It was a good turn out for an emergency meeting. And was decided that any plans for demolition be put on hold.

26th October

The local sweet shop (Bobs) was burnt out.

5th December

Local Woman Ruth Crossley was killed in a car accident whilst visiting her brother, Ruth will be remembered for her work in the church as church warden, Guide leader, and various other projects in the village she was aged 43 and is survived by her husband Alan daughters Michelle and Rachel and grandson Alexis

19th December

Funeral took place of Ruth Crossley in the Methodist Church Wardle it was estimated that more than 300 people attended.

2001

19th January

Outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in England forces Wardle public footpaths to close

April

Local sweetshop (Bobs) re-opens after fire

December

Headteacher Chris Giblin of Wardle high has a heart attack at his desk, he died later in Hospital.

2002

Jan 2002

Birch Hill Hospital some of the hospital moves to its new site at Rochdale Infirmary.

Keith Tattersall retires from Tattersalls Shop, The new owner askes that he stays on to show how to make his famous pies. The shop will retain its name.

The newsagent moves from its address In Ramsden Road. to the new address formally known as Bobs sweetshop on the row of shops at the top of Birch Road.

Dec 2002

One of Wardle's oldest residents Albert Jackson dies in a house fire.






			Historical Diary

				1671 Theophilus Howarth M.D., of Great Howarth died in Manchester, where he had distinguished himself by his fidelity to the cause of Charles I. 1732 Mary, the sixth wife of Nathan Scott, of Hades was buried in the Parish Churchyard of Rochdale. 1736 The Rev. John Leech was born at Dobbin Farm, Wardle. He later became one of John Wesley's itinerant preachers, traveling extensively in G.B. and Ireland. 1744 Religious services were held in cottages and farms in Wardle, and the main assembly later congregating in a room over Spring gardens Inn, Wardle Fold 1749 It is said that John Wesley, on visiting Rochdale preached at the Inn, which was the house of William Howarth, grandfather of Elliause Waugh, the Lancashire dialect. 1798 James Leech of Wardle and a relative of the Rev. John Leech (He was a famous musician and composer. He composed the hymn "Psalmody" and the music of "Egypt" in G Minor was cut on his gravestone was killed by the overturning Leeds coach on its way to Manchester. 1809 Wardle Wesleyan Chapel was opened by the Rev. John Leech. He had achieved a life's ambition, but was not in good health, and died the following year aged 74 years. 1856 26th August: Fire at Sleighty Mill damage £2,000 1858 January 21st: St. James' the Apostle, consecrated. 1859 July: Burial ground attached to Wardle Wesleyan Chapel closed. 1861 September Embankment of Lea Mill Dam, Watergrove, gave way owing to heavy rains; damages £1,000. 1874 The Election of a local board for Wuerdle and Wardle district had been effected without the excitement and the expense of a contest. 23 persons where nominated and as only nine were to be elected it was arranged 14 should send the summoning officer their refusal to serve, and, consequently, the remaining nine were declared duly elected. The following is the list of those who had been elected: William Schofield, - flannel manufacturer of Wardle; John Stott, flannel manufacturer of Wardle; John Bamford flannel manufacturer of Wardle; Edmund Hartley, gentleman of Wardle; Thomas Marsden, farmer of Wardle; Edmund Healy, cotton spinner of Wuerdle; Edmund Leach, cotton spinner of Wuerdle; Robert Healy, cotton spinner of Wuerdle and Joshua Lord, gentleman of Wuerdle. 1970 A row of cottages in Wardle Fold was under the hammer of the demolition men. Built about 1830 the cottages with their massive gray stoned roofs had been an integral part of the Wardle village scene and have housed families whose roots were deeply entrenched in the early life of the village. But the impact of time and weather and lack of early repair inevitably brought deterioration and the end was in sight for some time. 1972 Council bought the Coop in the village for £1,500 and then had problems finding money for repair work. The year saw the completion of the largest private housing development in the Crossfield and Newhouse estates a total of some 270 houses, and probably the last for some time. Emergency work was carried out on 50 yards of road surface on Ramsden Road, after reports of vehicles going into skids on this particular patch for no apparent reason. Another well known feature of Wardle disappears with the dismantlement of the chimney at Lodge Mill. Built in the mid 19th century it served the mill until its closure in 1958. The Schofield family, flannel manufacturers, owned the mill for more than 100 years and its product was reputed at one time to be the best quality to be found. 1974 Cornbrook Resin Co. at Clough House Mill closed after nearly 20 years and the premises have been taken over by a demolition contractor. Wardle Cricket Club held its centenary. The new St. James's school is being built to replace the old school built in 1842. After nearly 90 years existence, Wardle Councils in its last full year and will cease to operate on 1 April. 2000 1st January The New Millennium was started off with skies alight with firework displays through the area that lasted the best part of an hour, the like of which has never been seen before. Meeting held in Conservative Club to discuss the future of St.James Church and Wardle Tannery. It was a good turn out for an emergency meeting. And was decided that any plans for demolition be put on hold. 26th October The local sweet shop (Bobs) was burnt out. 5th December Local Woman Ruth Crossley was killed in a car accident whilst visiting her brother, Ruth will be remembered for her work in the church as church warden, Guide leader, and various other projects in the village she was aged 43 and is survived by her husband Alan daughters Michelle and Rachel and grandson Alexis 19th December Funeral took place of Ruth Crossley in the Methodist Church Wardle it was estimated that more than 300 people attended. 2001 19th January Outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in England forces Wardle public footpaths to close April Local sweetshop (Bobs) re-opens after fire December Headteacher Chris Giblin of Wardle high has a heart attack at his desk, he died later in Hospital. 2002 Jan 2002 Birch Hill Hospital some of the hospital moves to its new site at Rochdale Infirmary. Keith Tattersall retires from Tattersalls Shop, The new owner askes that he stays on to show how to make his famous pies. The shop will retain its name. The newsagent moves from its address In Ramsden Road. to the new address formally known as Bobs sweetshop on the row of shops at the top of Birch Road. Dec 2002 One of Wardle's oldest residents Albert Jackson dies in a house fire.