history
HEYWOOD'S RICH HERITAGE
With continuing lockdown restrictions, we can, at least, appreciate our localities and an enjoyable stroll through Heywood allows us to investigate some of the area’s fascinating history. The town underwent dramatic growth throughout the 1800’s. Traditional rural work was replaced by textile mills and collieries and with an increased population to provide the workforce, housing and amenities became essential. As a community became established, so did schools, churches, policing, markets and numerous small businesses. The name ‘Heywood’ comes from Anglo-Saxon, Heghwode meaning ‘a high wood’ which was cleared for farming. The near-by green areas of historic Ashworth and Cheesden are a reminder of Heywood’s past rural days.
In 1286, land was granted to Peter ‘of Heywood’, the family ‘seat’ also becoming the surname of the ruling family. Heywood Hall Manor House existed on Heywood Hall Road until, sadly, demolished in 1956. Descendants of the family include a Westminster magistrate, Peter Heywood, who helped to arrest Guy Fawkes in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and another Peter Heywood who, in 1789, was a midshipman on ‘The Bounty’ but left adrift in a rowing boat by the ship’s mutineers for his support for Captain Bligh. Down Crimble Lane we can view the disused, Grade 2 listed, Crimble Mill. Richard Kenyon built a fulling mill on his farmland in 1761, which was later replaced by the current mill in 1825 and passed through the Kenyon family. Workers cottages were built close-by, though little now remains. Looking across the field from the lane we have a wonderful view of Mutual Mill, built in 1884 though later extended. This area also borders the ancient farmland of the Fenton family who built a textile empire of local mills including one at, a heavily industrialised, Heap Bridge. The Fenton family formed a bank with a branch in Heywood and were influential in the growth of the local Bamford Chapel and St. Luke’s.
48 | Rochdale Style
