Lyceum Passage Rochdale

I treated myself to a special GPS gadget for Christmas, for blind people, so I don’t have to keep asking Matron where am I? (usual answer ‘I’ve wondered that for 40 years') on one of my infrequent visits to Rochdale centre to-day as we walked along Baillie Street the nice man in my gismo said ‘Lyceum Passage on the right’, just before Wetherspoons. Was the cinema called the Lyceum, before the Regal, or was there a dance hall nearby? Last Tuesday I even found out where Turf Hill Road was, now who would live in a street like this?

I think the answer is in the ANNALS OF ROCHDALE. I no longer have a copy, but the local reference Library might and Lyceum Passage, the area near to the Regal Moon, is quoted in the old Imperial Gazetteer.


' Chapel for the Destitute

On the 4th of October, 1858, Mr. John Ashworth, who at that time was a master painter in Rochdale, opened a Chapel for the Destitute in the Lyceum, and it was stated to have been the means of doing great good amongst the poor and itinerant class of the population. '


What's wrong with Turf Hill Road ! ?

Nowt wrong with THR and it was dark, as if that makes a difference, I thought a long standing member on here lives there and it was a bad attempt at wit.

Interesting that destitute folk found solace in Rochdale 200 years ago maybe the Town fathers cared more in't old days than they do nowadays?

Whilst we are on history, has anyone got or knows where a copy is of 2 books on Castleton's history by Mrs Shreeve? I've tried the British Library but no record, and her son hasn't got a copy. Never lend out books is my mantra.

Plato was a VERY wise man

Old Regulator wrote: interesting that destitute folk found solice in Rochdale 200 years ago maybe the Town fathers cared more int old days than they do nowerdays?

whilst we are on history has anyone got or knows where a copy is of 2 books on Castleton's history by Mrs Shreeve? i've tried the British Library but no record, and her son hasn't got a copy, never lend out books is my mantra.

Verily.

Is this your history book reference ? Castleton then and now [Paperback] Mary S Shreeve (1998)

There’s just one Used book advertised for sale, Amazon.co.uk at £6.00 + £2.80 delivery. Link on PM to you.

You are right Old Regulator and I got your drift! The person you were referring to does indeed live on the Turf Hill estate, not long now....he'll be back!

great stuff Mojo H i have snapped it up many thanks.

the other title is
'Castleton in Times Past.' i'll have a gander on river site, even if they don't pay their taxes.

Hinch wrote:I'll allow you, Castleton may have had a past but has it got a future?
Also, what happened to its castle?
BTW, I have a copy of 'The Annals of Rochdale'. (Or should that be 'The Anus of Rochdale'?)

Misanthropist ! ? : Grid reference SD89121286.

The earliest known reference to Castleton is in the Doomesday Book. The name suggests a fortification link … Castleton was the site of Rochdale Castle, which was located on the south bank of the River Roch which runs through Castleton. Early boundary maps show that Castle Town, as it was once known, stretched way beyond what is now recognised as its boundaries, including the localities of Sparth, Balderstone, Captain Fold, Hartly, Marland and Newburn.

Rochdale Castle was a motte-and-bailey set up built in the period shortly after the Norman conquest of England. The motte was 100 feet (30 m) at the base; the bailey rectangular…lying to the south measuring 120 feet (37 m) by 100 feet (30 m) The defences consisted of an earth rampart and ditch.

http://www.sparththenandnow.org.uk/medieval/castle/

The castle was abandoned in the early 13th century and documented in 1322
Buildings were erected over the castle bailey and in the 19th century a house was built on the motte. The motte and bailey stood on what is now known as Castle Hill area.

There are no remains. It’s completely built over now but is referenced in archives. It’s even on Wiki’s list of ‘Castles in Greater Manchester ‘


The Borough could always pitch to have the suggested (mooted ?) new NW megaPrison, which could bring so many jobs that a potential future would be there for all the Townships ........