Rochdale Local Studies Centre

It's International Cat Day!
To celebrate, here's a photo of one of our feline friends taking a stroll around the Town Centre in the 1980s!

Found while looking for something else! A Gourmandizer in 1845! Made us chuckle, especially the bit where his wife stepped in!

Where is it Wednesday?!

Have a guess at where or what the street or building is, and if your feeling extra brainy have a go at guessing the year the photo was taken!

To celebrate the beginning of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, we looked through some of Rochdale's most famous athletes, one of whom being the famous Jock McAvoy. Born Joseph Bamford, he grew up in Rochdale and gave himself the ring name Jock McAvoy out of fear his mother would stop him from boxing in the brutality of the 1920s and 30s. He was known as the Rochdale Thunderbolt, fighting any man of any weight division, earning himself 132 recorded wins, infamously defeating Len Harvey in 1933 on the second time of asking, crowning himself Empire Middleweight Champion and reigning for an impressive 6 years.

We came across this letter today in a bundle of documents which when listed will be known at the Edwin Mellor Archive. It's a letter to Mr James Dearden Esq (Lord of the Manor of Rochdale) from a parent asking for some clothes for their son who has nothing 'deasant' to wear. Written in 1832 it's a heartfelt plea from a desperate parent! Any suggestions on the parent's first name greatly received 😊

It's can you help? Thursday! (Doesn't have the same ring...!)

A customer remembers these shops on Yorkshire Street from childhood, but not what they were (numbers 353 - 359).

Can anyone remember what they sold in around the 1970s?

Our trade directories stop in the 1960s!

Thanks as always folks!