Heritage Open Days 2016

Heritage Open Days 2016

F R E to explorE e !

Thursday 8 - Sunday 11 September Image: © Atheer D Mahir. A friend of St Edmund’s Church.

Welcome to Heritage Open Days 2016 Heritage Open Days celebrates the nation’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

Children under 10 not admitted

D

Full Disabled Access

PDA

Partial Disabled Access

DP

Disabled Parking

HLF

Heritage Lottery Fund grant awarded

Co-ordinated nationally by the Heritage Open Days National Partnership, the event thrives on the enthusiasm and expertise of local people. Thousands of volunteers from all walks of life shared their knowledge and memories with 3 million visitors last year, making Heritage Open Days England’s largest voluntary cultural event.

KF

Child/family-friendly property/event

P

Parking available

T

On site toilet facilities

DT

On site disabled toilet facilities

W

Entry charge waived for Heritage Open Days

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

Guided Walks and Tours

Hare Hill House, Littleborough Hare Hill Park, Hare Hill Road, Littleborough, OL15 9HE Hare Hill House will be open to the public and displays/ exhibitions of the House in its’ various incarnations will be available. The House, originally home to the Newell family from the 1770s until 1900 then served as the Town Hall for Littleborough Urban District Council. In 1974 it passed to Rochdale Council and in 2013 Moor End Trust took up occupation of the vacant and vandalised property to create a local Community Enterprise and Arts Centre.

With the support of the Hare Hill Heroes and the local community the House is being refurbished and many of its original features are once again being uncovered.

On Thursday 8 September we will launch the Newall Heritage Trail, a 2 mile walk (approximately) around Littleborough exploring the influence the Newall family had on the development of the town. Guided tours of the House will be available on Saturday and Sunday.

Refreshments will be available. Access information: At present disabled access is only available on the ground floor only.

Hare Hill House is situated in Hare Hill Park and adjacent to Littleborough Library. Parking is limited, but there is a Pay & Display car park at the local cricket club, OL15 9LD. Thursday: 12noon–5pm Friday: 11am-3pm Saturday: 11am-5pm Sunday: 12noon-4pm PRE BOOKING IS PREFERRED: The House is free to explore but the guided tours will be limited to 6 per tour. The Heritage Trail will be limited to 15 people.

Contact: Nick Andrews or call 07880335437 or email: nickjsandrews@gmail.com. Go to http://www.savehhh. com.

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Rochdale Arts & Heritage Resource Centre 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 a tour with Sarah Hodgkinson or Karen Heatley, who look 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. Minimum age: 10 years.

Saturday Tour: 11am-12noon & 2.30pm-3.30pm BOOKING ESSENTIAL: Ring: 01706 924828, email vic@ link4life.org or call in person at Touchstones Rochdale, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AQ (Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm) B D DT P T

Rochdale Pioneers Museum 31 Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL12 ONU Rochdale Pioneers Cemetery Tour Friday: 1pm-2pm & Saturday: 11am-12noon Explore 17 graves of local men, all of whom were involved in the early development of the co-operative movement in Rochdale and whose actions changed the world and are the reason Rochdale is known as the ‘global capital of co-operation’. Ray Jones, a volunteer from Rochdale Pioneers Museum will guide you round the cemetery and tell you about the lives of these great individuals. These include 14 of the original 28 pioneers as well as influential figures like J.T.W. Mitchell, Abraham Greenwood and John Hill.

This is a free tour, but donations are welcome. Meet at Rochdale Cemetery’s main entrance on Bury Road, Rochdale OL11 4DG. Weather permitting. Please note this tour may not be suitable for people who are unsteady on their feet. Please wear footwear for walking in muddy and uneven conditions.

The museum will be open for Heritage Open Days 2016: Thursday, Friday & Saturday: 10am-5pm B BOOKING ESSENTIAL activities, please phone 01706 524920 or email museum@co-op.ac.uk or call at Rochdale Pioneers Museum, 31 Toad Lane, Rochdale OL12 ONU.

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The Esplanade, Rochdale, OL16 1AQ

‘TOPS’, The Old Police Station, was Heywood’s Police Station back in 1935. In 2007, it was converted to managed work space, but the building still contains some original features in the courtroom and police cells. ‘TOPS’ remains an iconic building and is worth a visit! Refreshments will be available.

In support of Heritage Open Days 2016, join us on this free Blue Badge Guided Heritage Trail that will commence and finish at Touchstones Rochdale where you will learn about Rochdale’s architectural heritage; gain insight into how Rochdale became world famous as the birthplace of the worldwide co-operative movement and can reflect on what life was like in Rochdale during the 19th century. The walk includes some steep inclines and some steps. Touchstones Rochdale is an exciting Arts & Heritage Centre with a Museum, Art Gallery, Local History Centre, the Art Café and Visitor Information Centre, so why not combine your walk with a look around the building. The guide will meet visitors in the reception area of Touchstones Rochdale.

Friday Tours: 10am-11am, 1pm-2pm & 3pm-4pm

Saturday Trail: 2pm-3.30pm

BOOKING ESSENTIAL: Telephone 01706 924928 or book in person at Rochdale Visitor Information Centre, Touchstones Rochdale, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AQ (Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm) or email: vic@link4life.org

BOOKING ESSENTIAL: Ring 01706 924928 or book in person at Rochdale Visitor Information Centre, Touchstones Rochdale, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AQ (Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm) or email: vic@link4life.org

The Old Police Station (TOPS) 22 Hind Hill Street, Heywood, OL10 1AQ

Guided Walks and Tours

Touchstones Rochdale: Blue Badge Guided Heritage Trail

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Rochdale Town Hall The Esplanade, Rochdale, OL16 1AB Rochdale’s fabulous Grade I Victorian Gothic town hall is renowned worldwide for its’ unique and detailed architecture. 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. Opened in 1871, the building has a great story to tell about the growth of Rochdale and its’ place in the world. Tours will begin in the reception area and refreshments are available in the beautiful Clock Tower Dining Room.

Vintage Bus Circular Tours – Rochdale Town Centre Take a free, nostalgic trip aboard a vintage bus taking in the heritage attractions in Rochdale town centre.

Hop on and off as the bus passes Rochdale Town Hall, Touchstones Rochdale, Rochdale Pioneers Museum, St Edmund’s Church, St Chad’s, Rochdale Parish Church, St. John the Baptist RC Church and Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum. Tours will take approximately 1 hour. T he bus will depart from and return to the bus stop outside Rochdale Post Office, The Esplanade. The vintage bus has been organised by YellowaY Motor Coach Museum.

Saturday Circular Tours: 11am, 12noon, 1pm & 2pm

Friday Tours: 11am, 12noon, 1pm

BOOKING NOT NECESSARY

Sunday Tours: 10am, 11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm

Enquiries: Ring 01706 924928 or in person at Rochdale Visitor Information Centre, Touchstones Rochdale, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AQ (Tuesday-Saturday 10am5pm) or email: vic@link4life.org

BOOKING NOT NECESSARY A D DP DT P T

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Places to visit

erected in 1861. Further additions were the north aisle and vestry in 1877. The landmark bell tower has been recently restored and the belfry is said to contain the ‘finest’ peal of six bells in the district, first rung on Easter morning 1870. 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. During Heritage Open Days, there will be a grand re-opening of the bell tower and visitors will be able to access the ringing chamber and listen to the sweetest peal of the bells in the district. The central display this year will be fashion through the ages, ‘Our Sunday Best’. There will be an exhibition of historical documents, with original letters from founders Jacob Tweedale and Albert Royds. A wide range of photographs of people and events past and present will be on display. There will be musical recitals from 12noon to 2pm daily. Morning Coffee and Afternoon Teas will be available daily.

Christ Church, Healey & Heritage Fair Day Gandy Lane, Healey, Rochdale, OL12 6EF 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

All Saints’ Church, Hamer Foxholes Road, Rochdale, OL12 OEF Grade II listed Victorian church with steeple. Designed by the renowned architect J. Medland Taylor, this stone built church was constructed in 1866. Of particular interest are the elaborate stained glass windows, especially the east and west windows and the original church organ by Hill and Son. There is full access except for three steps to the high alter.

Thursday to Saturday: 10am-4pm Sunday: 1pm-4pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY A D DP DT KF P T

A Heritage Fair Day will also be held on Saturday 10 September with a variety of children’s activities, home bakes and crafts stalls – fun for all ages!! Refreshments will be available all day.

Do join us on Sunday 11 September for our Sung Eucharist at 9.30am followed by Morning Coffee in the Parish Hall or stay for a tour of the church.

Thursday to Sunday: 10am-4pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY DT P PDA T

Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum Maclure Road, Rochdale, OL11 1DN Fire appliances (1741-1972), equipment, uniforms, medals and models including a Victorian fire station and blitz tableaux will be on view. Refreshments will be available.

Visitor entrance is via the Maclure Road gate. Visitor parking is available in the museum yard (entrance via Richard Street at the rear of the old Fire Station).

A vintage bus will pick up and drop off visitors from this location – see page 3 Friday & Saturday: 10am-4pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY DP DT P PDA T

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Places to visit Horse Carrs (Open Door, a Baptist Church) Shawclough Road, Rochdale, OL12 6LG Horse Carrs, built in 1865, celebrates its 150th year in August. 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 Power Point presentation of the Watson Family, in addition to various items of related archival material. Then visit the Coffee House for refreshments on Thursday and Friday. This year we will also host an Art Exhibition by local artist Tom Holland.

Thursday & Friday: 10.30am-4pm Saturday: 1.30pm-4pm Sunday: 2pm-4pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY DP DT P PDA T

Golden Mosque Islamic Cultural Centre Lower Sheriff Street, Spotland, Rochdale OL12 6TG This family event will feature a tour of this newly built Mosque, including discussions, questions and answers about Islamic beliefs and the positive role Muslims play in British society, displays of Islamic books, arts and presentations.

The Mosque is built over 3 floors, which includes the ground floor which is the main prayer hall, the balcony and the lower ground floor which is also used as a community hall.

The prayer hall in each Mosque is oriented in the direction of Mecca, towards which Muslims face during prayers. In Britain, Muslim worshippers face south-east.

Prayer halls are open and uncluttered to accommodate lines of worshippers who stand and bow in unison.

Only through getting to know one another on a personal level can people of different faiths build bridges of understanding and tolerance.

Milnrow Branch Library Newhey Road, Milnrow, Rochdale, OL16 3PS Milnrow is a grade II Carnegie Library which opened in 1907. The building is an eclectic mix of Arts & Crafts with stained glass Art Nouveau windows. Visitors can browse the library, or view our local history collection and display.

Also on view is our newly opened upstairs meeting room.

Just drop in.

Thursday: 9.30am-1pm & 2pm-5.30pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY D

All people of all faiths are welcome to attend and to meet their Muslim neighbours. There will be activities for the whole family.

We would advise all visitors that you will be requested to remove any footwear you will be wearing at the entrance. This is not due to religious rituals; it is an attempt to maintain a clean prayer area for the Mosque’s congregation throughout the building.

Both men and women are requested to dress modestly when visiting the Mosque. We have two car-parking locations in the Mosque’s grounds; one at the main entrance area and the other on the lower ground floor, accessible via Holland Street.

Sunday : 2pm prompt start at the ground floor, finishing approximately 3pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY C D DT P T

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Places to visit Long Street Methodist Church & School, Middleton Long Street, Middleton, Manchester, M24 5UE (www.artsandcraftschurch.org) Long Street Methodist Church and Schools were built in 1899 by the foremost Arts and Crafts 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, medieval and modern stylistic elements into a magnificent whole. The adjacent school is pure Arts & Crafts with a lovely ‘outside room’ garden between the church and the school. Everything is accessed through an Art Nouveau gateway beneath a cubic sculpture. Access information: Disabled access is via the rear door on Grey Street. Ring the bell for assistance. In the church there are four steps between the chancel and the nave. In the church hall there are five steps between the hall and a further two rooms.

St Aidan’s Church, Sudden Manchester Road, Sudden, Rochdale, OL11 3EL (vehicular access OL11 3NH) This Grade II* listed building was designed by Temple Moore and consecrated in 1915. It has an interesting outside pulpit. The east window was designed by Harry Grylls and installed in 1946 as a memorial to those of the Parish who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. The church has an impressive Father Willis organ originally installed at the Park Hall, Cardiff. There will be refreshments available.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 2pm-4pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY D DP DT P T

Friday & Saturday: 10am-4pm Sunday: 1pm-4pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY DP DT PDA T

Rochdale Parish Church, St Chad’s Sparrow Hill, Off Drake Street, Rochdale OL16 1QT

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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. See the splendid stained glass windows including the ‘Faith, Hope and Charity’ window by Edward Burne-Jones. Thirties film star Gracie Fields was baptised in the 13th century font in 1898. Furniture and carvings 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.

Thursday & Friday: 2pm-4pm Saturday:12noon-4pm Sunday: 1pm-4pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY D DP P T

Places to visit St Edmund’s Church, Falinge Edmund Street, Falinge, Rochdale, OL12 6QF Commissioned by Albert Royds, this fascinating building’s unique architecture has strong Masonic symbolism.

Stewards will offer tours of this architectural gem.

The church is now under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. Refreshments will be available.

More details can be found on www.visitchurches.org.uk/ savestedmunds and www.twitter.com/@StEdmundsRoch.

A vintage bus will pick up and drop off nearby – see page 3 Thursday & Friday: 11am-4pm Saturday & Sunday: 11am-5pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY

St Leonard’s, Middleton Parish Church

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St Leonard’s Square, New Lane, Off Long Street, Middleton, M24 6DE This Grade I listed church dating from 1100 is famous for its incorporated Norman arches and notable history.

Come along to admire the Flodden Window and rare, memorial brasses.

This is the oldest church in the Diocese of Manchester.

The wooden steeple, added to the tower in 1666, gave rise to the sobriquet, “A wooden steeple for a stubborn people”! Refreshments will be available.

Parking is available in St Leonard’s Square. The church, with its unusual steeple, is quite a landmark in the local area.

Friday & Saturday: 10am-4pm Sunday: 1pm-4pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY D DP P PDA T

St John the Baptist Church, Bircle (Also known as Bircle Church) Castle Hill Road, Bury, BL9 6UH The chapel is in a spectacular setting with panoramic views over Bury, Rochdale and the Pennines. The building is Grade II listed, built in 1845 and the architect was George Shaw of Uppermill. Of special interest are the stained glass windows by Thomas Willement “Father of Victorian Stained Glass”. The theme this year is to be ‘Bircle Lads Remembered’. Discover more about the local soldiers who fought and fell during WW1 and those names are on the Memorial Plaque in church. There will be displays, photographs, wartime memorabilia and an evacuees experience for children. There will be light refreshments and drinks available in our Naffi style café.

Friday and Saturday: 10am-4.30pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY C DT P T

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Places to visit

St Luke’s, Parish Church of Heywood York Street, Heywood, OL10 4NN A splendid Victorian Gothic church, Grade II* listed (1862) of majestic proportions with impressive stained glass, reredos, pulpit and war memorial. St Luke’s is deemed

Saturday: 10am-2pm Sunday: 2pm-3.30pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY DT PDA T

St Martin’s Church, Castleton

St Mary’s Church, Birch

Vicarage Road North, Castleton, Rochdale, OL11 2TE

Langley Lane, Birch, Middleton, OL10 2QJ

Come to see this beautifully re-ordered church. Discover the history of St Martin’s and view our World War 1 memorials. Refreshments will be available on the Saturday only. Castleton Railway Station is a short walk away.

A modern church building with many of the original features from the old church; this includes the unusual and decorative altar. There are interesting gravestones in the churchyard. A display of old photographs showing the old church and Birch Village will be on show.

Refreshments will be available.

Friday: 2pm-4pm Saturday: 10am-4pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY

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to be a showcase of Victorian art featuring sculpted stonework, encaustic tiling and wrought iron. There will be guides around the church to assist visitors. Refreshments will be available.

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Saturday: 1pm-3pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY DPT

Places to visit St James Church, Ashworth

The Old Grammar School

Chapel Lane, Rochdale, OL11 5UP

Boarshaw Road, (opposite Bardsley Street), Middleton, M24 6BR

A 500 year old church, the building dates from 1789. The church has stained glass windows and sits on an attractive hilltop site from where you can see Jodrell Bank on a clear day. The church has a large graveyard with mature trees and slab graves. The access roads are steep and narrow, not suitable for coaches.

Friday & Saturday: 2pm-4pm Sunday: 3pm BCP Sung Evensong, all welcome BOOKING NOT NECESSARY D DP DT P T

Free school of Queen Elizabeth 1, founded in 1572, come along to see this beautifully restored Tudor building.

Guides will be available to assist visitors with tours.

Parking is available for 20 cars off-road.

Friday: 10am-4pm Saturday: 10am-4.30pm Sunday: 1pm-4pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY DP DT P PDA T

St Thomas’ Church, Newhey Church Street, Newhey, OL16 3QS We will hold both organised and self-guided tours of the 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 back to its former glory. The church has an outstanding carved pulpit and font.

The large, fully restored organ, which was kindly donated

by St Peter’s Church in Loughborough has now been installed and we hope that visiting organists from other churches might like to come along to play.

Members of our bell ringing team are planning to be on hand between 11am and 1pm on the Saturday to ring and also, if possible, to show visitors around the tower.

Refreshments will be available.

All the church is accessible, except the Chancel which is up three steps. The event is not suitable for children under 5.

Friday: 2pm-4pm Saturday: 10am-4pm Sunday: 11am-4pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY D DP DT P T

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Places to Visit

St John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Rochdale Dowling Street, Rochdale, OL11 1EX The sanctuary mosaic cost four thousand pounds and was designed by Eric Newton, the son of Lehman Oppenheimer and Edith Newton and was completed on 31st October 1933. The central figure being that of Christ the King, a feast day established by Pope Pius X1, his papal coat of arms and the coat of arms of Bishop Henshaw are on the side walls. We have extensive information leading back to when the church was first built with photographs of previous clergy, parishioners and much more. Inspired by our mosaic, come along and create your own mosaic.

We have a friendly team of parishioners who will guide you round the church. Everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be available. Parking: There is parking available on the Parish Presbytery car park next door to St John’s.

St Paul’s Church, Norden – Open Day

Friday: 12noon-4pm

Edenfield Road, Norden, Rochdale, OL12 7SJ

Saturday: 10am-12noon & 1pm-5pm Sunday: 11am4.30pm

Our Victorian, grade II listed church will be open for visitors. Refreshments will be available.

BOOKING NOT NECESSARY

Saturday: 10am-4pm

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Sunday: 12noon-4pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY P PDA T

Wardle and Smallbridge Community Building 110 Wardle Road, Rochdale, OL12 9ER This is the fourth year Wardle and Smallbridge Community Building has taken part in Heritage Open Days. Come along to view the interior of the former Wardle Urban District Council Offices opened in 1936, designed by architects Butterworth & Duncan of Rochdale and now in use as Wardle & Smallbridge Community Centre.

The ground floor contains The Rates Room, which is available, by arrangement, for hire as a meeting venue or for special occasion events etc. Upstairs will be open to the public with an exhibition by Wardle and Smallbridge History Group of its local history collection.

We now have a ‘Watergrove Room’ which includes exquisitely detailed model buildings representing the hamlet of Watergrove prior to inundation when Watergrove Reservoir was constructed in the 1930s.

Other detailed models of prominent buildings in the Wardle & Smallbridge district, many of which in real life have since disappeared, will also be on display to the public. Light refreshments will be available.

Saturday & Sunday: 10am-3.30pm

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BOOKING NOT NECESSARY PDA T

YellowaY Motor Coach Museum Outside Touchstones Rochdale, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AQ A real treat for Rochdale folk seeking nostalgia will be a visit to the town by the mobile YellowaY Motor Coach Museum.

The 1915 incorporation of Holt Bros (Rochdale) Ltd, which became Yelloways Motor Services Ltd in 1932 operated luxury coach services from their Rochdale base from 1932 to 1988, taking locals on their annual holidays and day trips in great style to destinations all over Britain.

The YellowaY HQ and depot were located on Weir Street, now the site of Number One Riverside. This mobile museum is housed in an original 1976 YellowaY coach, converted into what is probably Britain’s smallest motor museum. Visitors will be able to view the collection of YellowaY memorabilia covering this extended period of the company’s history on Saturday and dream of Wakes Weeks holidays gone by.

Saturday: 10am-4pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY DT T

Places to Visit Touchstones Rochdale The Esplanade, Rochdale, OL16 1AQ Visit this exciting Arts and Heritage Centre with Museum, Art Gallery, Local History Centre, the Art Café and Visitor Information Centre & gift shop. Call into the Local History Centre and enjoy looking at archive items to compliment the event. Photographs, pamphlets and newspaper articles are available to peruse. Find out more about the town’s heritage by signing up for the Blue Badge Guided Heritage Trail from Touchstones Rochdale on Saturday 10 September 2pm-3.30pm. Bookings apply – see

Guided Walks & Tours on page 3. Also, parked outside Touchstones Rochdale, for Heritage Open Days, we have invited the YellowaY Motor Coach Museum to take part from 10am – 4pm on Saturday 10 September, so come along for a great experience. Follow brown signs for Arts & Heritage Centre. Parking is available nearby.

Limited disabled parking outside the centre.

Thursday, Friday & Saturday: 10am-5pm BOOKING NOT NECESSARY D DT DP P T

Middleton Golden Cluster Month Every Tuesday & Friday Afternoon in September 2016 What’s the connection between a Scottish king, killed in battle 500 years ago, Manchester’s Peterloo Massacre of 1819, an internationally renowned Art Nouveau architect and the invention of bottled beer?

The answer is Middleton, a town which boasts an amazing collection of historical facts and they’re all to be told during Middleton Golden Cluster Month.

Three mediaeval buildings, St Leonard’s Parish Church, The Queen Elizabeth 1st Grammar School (*please note: Tuesday opening only) and the Olde Boar’s Head and England’s first Art Nouveau church, Long Street Methodist Church (The Arts and Crafts Church) will open their doors free of charge on Tuesday and Friday afternoons from 1pm and 4pm when these stories will be told and more.

For group bookings and further information, please contact Rochdale Visitor Information Centre on 01706 924928 (Tuesday – Saturday 10am 5pm) or email: vic@link4life.org or refer to www. artsandcraftschurch.org

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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