FREE TO EXPLORE!
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
7-10 September 2017
Welcome to Heritage Open Days 2017 Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission.
Key to Symbols A
Not normally open to the public
B
Limited Capacity
Every year on four days in September, buildings of every age, style and function throw open their doors with a once-a-year chance to discover hidden architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities which bring to life local history and culture. Free of charge and literally on people’s doorstep, Heritage Open Days is an event for everyone, whatever their background, age and ability.
C
Baby Changing facilities
D
Full Disabled Access
PDA
Partial Disabled Access
DP
Disabled Parking
AD
Assistance Dogs welcome
HLF
Heritage Lottery Fund grant awarded
Co-ordinated nationally by Heritage Open Days National Partnership, the event thrives on the enthusiasm and expertise of local people. Thousands of volunteers from all walks of life share their knowledge and memories with visitors, making Heritage Open Days England’s largest voluntary cultural event.
KF
Child/family-friendly property/event
L
Hearing Loop
P
Parking available
T
On site toilet facilities
DT
On site disabled toilet facilities
Organised by Link4Life Arts and Heritage Service
This information is available in large print on request. www.link4life.org/whatson Link4Life is the trading name of Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust. Registered Charity No: 1118610
Christ Church, Healey
Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum
Christ Church, Gandy Lane, Rochdale, OL12 6EF
Old Fire Station, Maclure Road, Rochdale, OL11 1DN
Designed by the renowned George Shaw, Christ Church Healey is a Victorian Gothic Grade II listed church. The foundation stone was laid in 1849 by Jacob Tweedale of Healey Hall and the church consecrated in 1850. In 1853 the Royds private chapel was added and the spire erected in 1861. The landmark bell tower has been under restoration for three years. The belfry was said to contain the ‘finest’ peal of six bells in the district which were first rung on Easter morning 1870. The belfry is now restored and the bells ring once more.
Over 20 historic fire engines, equipment, artefacts and uniforms portraying the history of firefighting, particularly in Greater Manchester. The Museum is situated on the site of a 1933 former fire station (not open to the public) which is soon to be redeveloped as a brand new fire service museum for the region.
The bells will be re- commissioned by Bishop Mark on Saturday 9 September at 4pm. Come and listen to their amazing tone. The Life of Christ is illustrated in stained glass windows attributed to Messrs Percy Bacon & Co of London, and symbols of Masonic patronage can be seen in the intricately carved doors to the East End. The displays planned for this year will include baptism gowns worn through the ages. Restoration of the six church bells is now complete. Visit the bell tower and view the video footage of the restoration work. Guided tours by arrangement. Re dedication of the bells on Sunday 10th September at 9.30am. Historical documents, with original letters from founders Jacob Tweedale and Albert Royds. A wide range of photographs of people and events past and present. Music recitals are from 12noon-2pm daily. Morning Coffee and Afternoon teas will be available daily. A Heritage Fair Day will be held on Saturday 9th September 11am-2pm, children’s activities, home bake and craft stalls, fun for all ages! Refreshments will be available. Travelling from Rochdale on the A671 Whitworth Road. Gandy Lane is on your left 2.2 miles from Rochdale. After approx. 2 miles you will pass on the right ‘The Oxford’ Pub. Continue over a mini roundabout and Gandy Lane is the next left turning where you will see a Rossendale, Lancashire boundary sign at the start of Gandy Lane. There is a large church car park just half way up the lane. There are two access routes from the Car Park to the church. 1. In front of the Church Hall there are three steps from Car Park level to ground level then access is fine. 2. Behind the Church Hall the ground is a little uneven across a grassed area. 3. Drop off parking directly outside church provides level access. Once in church the only two restriction: 1. The east end restoration area where there are two steps into that area. 2. Access to the Bell Tower is only by arrangement. Guided tours at 11.30am and 3pm daily. Do join us on Sunday 10 September at 9.30am for our Sung Eucharist and a Service of Re dedication of the Church Bells. Thursday-Sunday: 10am-4pm Tours by arrangement
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Our friendly guides, all ex-firefighters, are on hand to assist visitors or show you round if required. In addition to the regular displays, there will be a special temporary exhibition in place (details to be confirmed). The Museum is located adjacent to Rochdale Railway Station and the Rochdale Railway Station Metrolink stop. Visitors arriving by car should enter via Richard Street at the rear of the site where they can access our free car park (OL11 1DU). Refreshments will be available. Museum is all on ground floor except for general male toilets. Wheelchair ramp (for doorstep) and friendly staff on hand. Extra wide doors available if required. Full access statement on website Friday & Saturday: 10am-4pm No booking necessary D DP DT AD C P T
Hare Hill House, Littleborough
Hopwood Hall Estate
Hare Hill House, Hare Hill Park, Hare Hill Road, Littleborough, OL15 9HE
Hopwood Hall Estate, Rochdale Road, Middleton M24 6XH
For the first time in over 30 years the significant Hopwood Hall will have a few areas open for public viewing. The building is currently derelict and a new effort is being launched to save and preserve the estate led by Hopwood DePree, a descendant of the Hopwoods. Hare Hill House will be open to the public on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th September, with guided tours available. This year our Hare Hill Heroes will be dressing the house as it would have been in the 1950s and 1960s when it served as the Town Hall for the former Littleborough Urban District Council. There will be a variety of related displays and our popular pop up cafe will be serving drinks and homemade cakes. There will be guided tours of the House, limited to 6 people per tour and a guided walk, the Newall Heritage Trail, each day. Hare Hill House is located in Hare Hill Park adjoining Littleborough Library. Only the ground floor is accessible to the disabled, the property has 3 floors. We will run a limited number of guided tours each day. There will be one guided Newall Heritage Trail walk each day lasting approximately 2 hours with a walking distance of approximately 2 miles over a relatively flat but sometimes uneven terrain, unsuitable for wheelchairs users and prams. Refreshments will be available. Saturday: 11am-5pm | Sunday: 12noon-5pm No booking necessary B PDA DP DT AD T
With original timbers dating back to 1426, The Hall sits on a site founded by the Hopwoods in the 12th century. The Grade II* Listed structure is currently on Historic England’s “At Risk” list featuring extensive Jacobean carvings as well as historic fireplaces and evidence of areas constructed by Edgar Wood. The surrounding ancient woods are said to have been an inspiration for Lord Byron’s famous poem “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage”. PRE-REGISTERED guests may enter off Rochdale Road and park at Hopwood Hall College, Middleton Campus. Signs and/ or volunteers will direct you toward the historic Hopwood Hall which may require about a 0.5 mile walk. Guests must be registered, limited spaces available PLEASE NOTE: This is a construction zone with LIMITED DISABLED ACCESS. Sturdy shoes will be required for entry. Guests entering premises give their consent to appear in video, recordings and/or photographs. Special Thanks to The Rochdale Borough Council & Hopwood Hall College for their support. Saturday: 11am & 1pm Email: Office@HopwoodHallEstate.co.uk Booking opens: 31 July 2017 12:00 Booking closes: 1 September 2017 05:00 AB
Bamford Chapel and Norden URC Norden Road, Bamford, Rochdale OL11 5PQ Bamford Chapel and Norden URC has recently benefited from a considerable grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This has enabled us to re-roof the chapel. This will enable the building to be used by the local community for many years to come. Considerable refurbishment work has taken place inside the chapel. This has been done sympathetically to ensure that our unique building has been preserved. Whilst the pews have been removed, several remain and the great majority of the wood has been reused in the panelling and balustrades. The Heritage Open Days present a perfect opportunity for you to come and see for yourself what has been achieved and to learn more about the unique story behind this non-conformist chapel. Many archives and other memorabilia will be on display. Ask if we can find your record for your wedding or christening or even look for the record belonging to one of your ancestors.
Some of our books date back over 200 years and two have recently been professionally rebound to preserve them for future generations. The congregation from the church at Norden now worship at Bamford Chapel and Norden URC. Archives from there will also be on view. Access: Please let us know if you need level access, we will be pleased to direct you. Directions: The Chapel has a large car park immediately opposite and a small car park to the rear which is reserved for disabled visitors. It is located on Norden Road in Bamford on the corner of Jowkin Lane. Refreshments will be available. Saturday & Sunday: 1pm-4pm No booking necessary AD C D DP DT KF L P T
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Horse Carrs
Littleborough History Centre
Horse Carrs, Shawclough Road, Rochdale, OL12 6LG
Littleborough History Centre, Platform 2, Littleborough Station, Littleborough OL15 0HA
Horse Carrs, built in 1865 last year celebrated its 150th year. Originally built as the family home of the Silk Mill Manufacturer, Thomas Watson, who was also a benefactor to the town of Rochdale. Visit the building and talk to our historian about the history of the Watson family and the building. View the pictorial history of the building to current date and enjoy a PowerPoint presentation of the Watson Family, in addition to various items of related archival material. Then visit the coffee house for refreshments (Thur & Fri). The Display also includes an overview of the History of the West Street Baptist Church (the 1st Baptist Church in Rochdale), which is now known as ‘Open Door’ and resides within Horse Carrs. There will also be an Art Exhibition by local artist Tom Holland. From Rochdale town centre - A58, then Spotland Road (A680) then on to B6377 at Sheriff Street to Shawclough Road; the building is just past Falinge High School on the left. Baptist Church Road sign placed opposite the building. Refreshments will be available.
The Littleborough History Centre will be open on the weekend of 9/10 September 2017. It is located within the 1880 station building on Platform 2 at Littleborough Station. The main room has been partly restored to represent the look of the Original Main Waiting room but now includes the larger exhibits of the Littleborough Historical and Archaeological Society. Of the other rooms, most have over time been changed significantly so are not open but the society’s collection of photographs and written documentation and books will be available for perusal. Saturday: 11.30am-3.30pm | Sunday: 12noon-3pm www.littleboroughshistory.org PDA DP KF P
St Leonard’s Parish Church, Middleton St Leonard’s Square, New Lane, Middleton, M24 6DE
Thursday & Friday: 10.30am-4pm Saturday: 1.30pm-4pm | Sunday: 2pm-4pm No booking necessary B D DP DT C T
This Grade I listed church dating from 1100, is famous for its incorporated Norman arches and notable history, Flodden Window and rare brasses. The oldest church building in the area. ‘Wooden steeple for a stubborn people’. The church itself is a landmark standing on a hill with an unusual wooden tower. Friday: 10am-4pm | Saturday: 10am-4pm | Sunday: 1pm-4pm
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No booking necessary B PDA T D P
Long Street Methodist Church Long Street, Middleton, M24 5UE
Rochdale Arts and Heritage Resource Centre
Long Street Methodist Church and Schools were built in 1899 by the foremost Art and Craft architect in the north of England, Edgar Wood, who was described by Pevsner as ‘that remarkable...Manchester architect’. It is an outstanding Grade II* listed building incorporating Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and modern stylistic elements into a magnificent whole. The adjacent school is pure Arts and Crafts with a lovely ‘outdoor room’ garden accessed through an Art Nouveau gateway topped by a cubic modern sculpture.
Ever wondered about what is not on display at Touchstones Rochdale? Come and see the wonderful objects in storage at the Arts and Heritage Resource Centre and take an hour long tour with Sarah Hodgkinson who looks after the museum collection. This tour looks at the amazing collections of the borough; you will have the opportunity to see items ranging from Egyptian artefacts, some over 5000 years old, to grandfather clocks and works of art.
Located in Middleton’s conservation area close to the main library and Olde Boars Head public house on 17 bus route from Manchester to Rochdale.
Saturday: 2pm-3pm
Disabled access is via the rear door on Lever St. Please ring the bell. There are four steps into the nave of the church. In the school there are five steps to two lower rooms. No access to the garden for wheelchairs. A guided walk to visit Edgar Wood buildings in the conservation area leaves from the church at 2pm on Sunday. Refreshments will be available. Friday & Saturday: 10.30am-4pm | Sunday: 1pm-4pm A PDA DP DT L AD T
Details of the venue will be given out when booking. Site is not open to the public so booking is essential Rochdale Visitor Information Centre, Touchstones, The Esplanade, Rochdale, OL16 1AQ Ring: 01706 924928 Email: vic@link4life.org or visit in person (Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm) A B D DP DT T P
Rochdale Parish Church, St Chad’s Sparrow Hill, Drake Street (just off), Rochdale, OL16 1QT
Parish Church of St Luke York Street, Heywood, OL10 4NN
A splendid Victorian Gothic church (listed Grade II*, 1862) with majestic proportions. Impressive stained glass, reredos, pulpit and war memorial. Deemed to be a showcase of Victorian art, featuring sculpted stone work, encaustic tiling and wrought iron. There will be people to guide visitors around the church. The tower will be taking part in Challenge 500. We are situated in Heywood Town Centre. Buses 471, 163. Disabled access ramp for entry into church, some steps in the church.
The Parish Church has stood on the hill overlooking the town for well over 1000 years. Built and rebuilt over the generations, it has stonework dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. Splendid stained-glass windows including Faith, Hope and Charity window by Edward Burne-Jones. There is the 13th century font in which thirties film star Gracie Fields was baptised in 1898. Furniture and carving have connections with the Byron family, Lords of the Manor, until the poet Byron sold out in the 1800s. The Queen paid a Royal visit in 1994 to see the church’s 21st century role. This is a family friendly venue, suitable for all ages. Bell ringing tower will be open on Saturday and Sunday.
Refreshments will be available.
On Sparrow Hill, off Drake Street, via either Vicar’s Drive or Church Stile or up 122 steps from Town Hall Square.
Saturday: 10am-2pm | Sunday: 2pm-3.30pm
Thursday-Sunday: 2pm-4pm
No booking necessary
No booking necessary
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St Mary in the Baum Church, Rochdale
St Thomas Church, Newhey
St Mary’s Gate, Rochdale OL16 1DZ
St. Thomas’s Church, Church Street, Newhey, Rochdale, OL16 3QS
The Church of St Mary-in-the-Baum, Rochdale, of 1909-11 is listed Grade I. Architect, Ninian Comper was a leading AngloCatholic designer and architect in the late C19th and early C20th who was renowned for the virtuosity and intellectual rigour of his designs for church furnishings and stained glass and highly accomplished as a church architect. It has an ingenious and highly individual plan due to the awkward, built-up urban site which places the nave and chancel on the south side to take advantage of the primary source of light. Comper became increasingly inspired by the continuity of Christian worship and St Mary-in-the-Baum is the first church which clearly shows his synthesis of classical and Gothic styles, combining Perpendicular Gothic with classical details measured directly from Greek architecture. The church is a tour-de-force of Comper’s design skills in church fixtures and fittings and stained glass, which are exquisitively executed and demonstrate a high degree of craftsmanship, notably in the intricate, timber screens, and enormous East window. Influenced by early Christian iconography, this is the first significant representation by Comper of a young, beardless Good Shepherd in Majestas (Christ Pantokrator) set in a mandorla on the chancel tie beam and incorporated into the East window and subsequently used at his St Mary the Virgin, Wellingborough (Grade I), and elsewhere. It is the only example of Comper’s work in the Northern Province. Opposite The Pioneers Museum, Toad Lane. Refreshments will be available. Saturday: 10am-4pm | Sunday: 11am-3pm No booking necessary D DT L AD T
We will hold both organised and self guided tours of our church which had to be completely restored after a devastating fire in 2007. Visitors will be able to see where the rebuilding work was carried out and admire the skill of the dedicated craftsmen who have restored the building beyond its former glory. The church has an outstanding carved pulpit and font. The large fully restored organ, was kindly donated by St. Peter’s Church Loughborough and we hope visiting organists from other churches might like to play this beautiful instrument. All the church is wheelchair accessible except the Chancel which has three small steps). The event is not suitable for children under 5yrs. Church St is to be located immediately after St Thomas’ Primary School. Church St is a small lane newly laid with speed bumps and passing places. Refreshments will be available. Friday: 2pm-4pm | Saturday: 10am-4pm | Sunday: 12noon4pm B D DP DT AD C T
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The Town Hall
Touchstones Rochdale
The Esplanade, Rochdale, OL16 1AB
Touchstones, The Esplanade, Rochdale, OL16 1AQ
Talk by Dr Margaret Serpico on the ancient Egyptian collection Thursday: 6pm-7.30pm Rochdale’s fabulous Grade I Victorian Gothic town hall is renowned worldwide for its’ unique and detailed architecture by William Crossland. Join us on an expertly guided tour and marvel at the wonderful craftsmanship, immerse yourself in the building’s history and take a look inside the Mayor’s Parlour. See the magnificent hand painted walls, carvings in wood and stonework, Minton floor tiles, fresco of the signing of the Magna Carta in the Great Hall and the wonderful stained glass windows.
Touchstones Rochdale has a collection of wonderful ancient Egyptian objects on display as part of our new exhibition, Ancient Egypt: Life along the River Nile. Join Egyptologist Dr Margaret Serpico for a free talk to find out more about the ancient Egyptians and the amazing objects that form part of our museum collection. The talk is for those aged 14+, and is free. Refreshments will be served between 6pm and 6.30pm in the Education Studio and visitors will have an opportunity to look around the exhibition.
Opened in 1871, the building has a great story to tell about the growth of Rochdale and its’ place in the world.
The talk will begin at 6.30pm.
Tours of the building will be available from 10am, on the hour every hour, last tour will be 3pm
Main site is free to explore but the talk must be pre-booked
Tour will go to 1st Floor via grand staircase, however a lift is available if required. Refreshments will be available. Sunday: 10am, 11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm Booking is Essential Town Hall reception 01706 924775 / dorothy.johnstone@rochdale.gov.uk Booking opens: 5 June 2017 Booking closes: 7 September 2017 B D DP DT L AD C T
Refreshments will be available. Rochdale Visitor Information Centre, Touchstones, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AQ Ring: 01706 924928 Email: vic@link4life.org or visit in person (Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm) D DP DT L AD C T
Ancient Egypt : Life along the River Nile
Wardle and Smallbridge Community Centre 110 Wardle Road, Rochdale, OL12 9ER
Come and view our photographs that we have in our archive. Any photographs you have to share will be welcome. Saturday & Sunday: 10am-3.30pm PDA DT T
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FIND OUT MORE Set beneath hills and wild moorland at the edge of the Pennines, the borough’s beautiful landscape is dissected by tranquil waterways and lakes where you can explore a fascinating heritage. The borough of Rochdale includes the towns of Heywood, Littleborough and Middleton, each with their own unique flavour and attractions. Here you’ll enjoy a lovely area with beautiful historic gems. With award winning restaurants and bars, and surrounded by stunning countryside, the borough of Rochdale is a great place to discover Based at Touchstones Rochdale, the Arts and Heritage centre, our Visitor Information Centre’s friendly staff can provide you with information on local walks and tours, as well as events, attractions and accommodation. Our wide range of free leaflets, including walking trails, will help you explore Rochdale’s unique history at your leisure. You will also find a comprehensive range of regional and national holiday information and gift shop.
Rochdale Visitor Information Centre Touchstones Rochdale, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AQ Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm 01706 924928 vic@link4life.org