Blue Plaque Scheme

Plaq The first blue plaque programme started in Blue ue he London in 1866 on the initiative of reformer f t William Ewart (1798-1869), supported by the o in Society of Arts. ig r o Did you know that the first erected blue plaque

e commemorated one of Rochdale's most important figures?

T Lord George Gordon Byron, the poet, was an important figure for the town as he inherited the Manor of Rochdale in 1808 and was the last Byron to be Lord of the Manor of Rochdale until 1826. In 1867 a blue plaque was erected to commemorate Lord Byron at his birthplace, 24 Holles Street, Cavendish Square, London. Later in 1909, London City Council took the responsibility of the Blue Plaque Scheme. It played an important role in the preservation of the built heritage as it designed the round and blue plaques as we all know today. Over 800 plaques now celebrate the history of London. It is only in 1960 that Manchester erected its first commemorative plaque. Over 100 coloured plaques celebrate people, events of importance and buildings of special architectural and historic interest across the city.

Look out for signs along the route to help you find your way.

Fold here Our Vision Fold here Blue Plaque Map This Blue Plaque Map will take you on a journey Rochdale Town Centre through the town centre to discover its rich cultural history. This map shows the location of the 20 blue plaques erected up to the end of summer 2013, coupled with information on listed and historic buildings of great interest. We hope you enjoy your walk into Rochdale’s past and discover fantastic local stories!

This document was created by Rochdale Council in collaboration with Link4Life. This leaflet can be downloaded onwww.rochdale.gov.uk To find out more about the local history of Rochdale visit Local Studies at Touchstones Rochdale. For more information about the walk, contact the Visitors Information Centre at Touchstones Rochdale. 01706 924928 - [email protected]

Fold here Discovering The Blue Side Of Rochdale... How To Contribute To The Scheme? From the Old Duke of Wellington Hotel In producing this leaflet, Rochdale Council to the gothic marvel of the Town Hall, wants to continue this project initiated by you can now use the map to discover the Rochdale Civic Society and re-launch its rich history and influential people behind Blue Plaque Scheme in the town centre. the pride of Rochdale. More blue plaques will be created in the future The Blue Plaques commemorate famous people, to enliven the streets and inform visitors of our places and historic events. They are there to surprise and rich and vibrant cultural heritage. to inform, and to help tell a story that can be as revealing to life-long residents as to those visiting for the first time. If you have suggestions for further blue plaques and potential funding sources to cover the cost Few can resist glancing at them to see what they say. Was someone famous born here? Is there something of purchase and erection, then these can be unusual about this ordinary-looking building? Or did it considered, so please contact the Council's play an important part in the history of the place? Planning Service. ook L out fo r s ig Rochdale Town Centre Centre Town Rochdale

Blue Plaques Plaques Blue n s y

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Saint Mary's Gate

Broadfield Park Broadfield Pond

St Edmund's Church

20 Broadfield Park Broadfield

Touchstones

The Esplanade

Broadfield

Hotel Memorial Gardens Memorial

Drake Street

2 Sparrow Hill Sparrow

Partnership House

Rochdale Pioneers Museum

Newgate Packer Spout Packer

Town Hall

St Chad's Church

Church Stile 4 Packer Street Packer

15 Walk The

Church of St Mary in the Baum

16 The Butts The

St John's Church

Nelson Street Nelson South Parade

Fleece Street

Avenue

Gardens St Chad's Chad's St

14 Bull Brow Bull

Yorkshire Street

Church Lane Moore Street Moore

Baillie Street

Hunters Lane

School Lane School 7 Rochdale Train Station Road Maclure

Rochdale Fire Station Drake Street Drake

Bus Station

9 Wet Rake Gardens Rake Wet

Number One Riverside Smith Street

Water Street 20. 19. 18. 17. 16. 15. 14. 13. 12. 11. 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Street John

Church of St Edmund Church Steps Church The WalkThe Blue Bell Inn FashionCorner DukeThe of Wellington Hotel Town Hall St Chad’s Vicarage Wet Rake Gardens Hall Champness Court County Bull Brow TouchstonesRochdale Bright John Jewellers Butterworth Roch Bridge Kenion Street Music Building Union Inn Flag Rochdale Market Rochdale Remembrance Gardens Remembrance Rochdale

Molesworth Street Molesworth

Listed and historic buildings historic and Listed

Tourist information Tourist

Blue plaque Blue Metrolink stop Metrolink

The Map The 2013 Summer - Centre Town Rochdale