The Parish of Littleborough in the County of -- Lancashire --

MacDonalds Directory 1879
Transcribed from FHL 874424 by Beryl Fooks

Littleborough
(With which is included Dearnley, Featherstall, Hollingworth, Shore, Smithy Bridge, Summit, Stubley, Etc.)

A populous village in the Township of Blatchinworth and Calderbrook; about three miles E.N.E. from Rochdale. The village has had a considerable population for some centuries. The Roman road which led from Manchester into Yorkshire, passed through this parish, as proved from the fact of a portion of the highway being still visible, and in a good state of preservation near to the top of Blackstone Edge, in the immediate neighbourhood of this village. The scenery in this Parish and for miles around is very romantic. The hills rise to a considerable altitude, producing a pleasing contrast to the plains generally met with in the southern portions of the county. It may be here mentioned that Hollingworth Lake, the circumference of which is about three miles, and which is reached from Smithy Bridge station on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway is a popular place of resort. During the summer months it is visited by many thousands of holiday seekers, who may enjoy their visit to this lake in various ways. There are platforms for dancing, ornamental grounds, pleasure boats plying on the lake and numerous other attractions. Apart from the artificial inducements held out to visitors, the physical surroundings will be much appreciated. The spinning and manufacture of cotton is the staple industry of the District. Next comes the manufacture of flannels baizes etc. There are also fulling mills, fire brick and sanitary tube works, stone quarries, oil refineries etc. The Gas Works in Hare Hill road were purchased from a private company in 1866. At different periods additions and alterations have been made, and the total cost of the concern to the present time is about £27,000. The shares are of the value of £10 each, and the nunber of shareholders are 120. The Local Board was formed in 1870. The offices are at the Gas Works, Wm. H. Heap Esq. is the Chairman. Direct communication with the general railway system of the country is obtained by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. Water communication to Yorkshire and Rochdale is had by a canal which passes through the district.

A Church was built here over four centuries ago. It was licensed for divine service by the then Abbott of Whalley in 1471, and was dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The original structure having become through the ravages of time unsafe for the parishioners to assemble within its walls, the old edifice was taken down and was replaced by the present fabric, which was consecrated in 1820. The benefice is a Vicarage of the annual value of £578 together with an additional endowment of £100 per annum towards the stipend of a Curate. The living is at present held by the Rev. Alfred Salts, L.L.D. The present Curate is the Rev. Robert Fisher. In connection with the Parish Church there is a chapel of Ease, at Calderbrook, and is dedicated to St. James. It was consecrated in 1870 by the present Bishop of Manchester, being the first church consecrated by that Right Reverend Prelate. The whole cost of the building was defrayed by J. G. Dearden, Esq., Lord of the Manor of Rochdale. The Church at Shore is dedicated to St. Barnabas. It is also in connection with the Littleborough Parish Church. The dissenting places of worship are numerous. The Wesleyans have chapels in Victoria street, and at Dearnley, Holligworth and Summit. The United Methodists have chapels in Church street, and at Smithy Bridge. The Primitive Methodists have chapels at Shore, Summit, Stubley and Greenhill. The Independants have two, and the Methodist New Connection, Baptists and Congregationalists have one chapel each.

Post Office, Money Order Office, Savings Bank and Telegraph Office, Church street, William Rigg, Postmaster; letters arrive at 5.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. Despatched at 9.45 a.m., 12.40, and 7.50 p.m. Letters for Littleborough should be addressed via Manchester.

Public Buildings, Schools, Etc.

Co-operative Society of Industry Limited
Library and Newsroom, Church St. Caldermoor
Fire Engine Station, Hare Hill road, John E Consterdine, Superintendent
Gas Office and Works, Hare Hill road, John Cockcroft, Manager; Joseph Hanson, Collector
Hollingworth Lake Co., Hare Hill, Robert Butterworth, Secretary
Liberal Association News Room, Hare Hill road
Local Board Office. Hare Hill road, W.H.Heap Esq., Chairman, Eder Kershaw, Collector
Overseers Office, (for Blatchworth and Calderbrook) Brook Cottage, Eder Kershaw, Assistant Overseer
Police Station, Gale road, Wm. Strettel, sergeant in charge, Railway Station
Registrar of Births and Deaths, (Blatchinworth and Calderbrook) Brook Cottage, Eder Kershaw, Registrar
Congregational School, Victoria st.; average number of scholars 40; Mr. Abraham Scholes, Master
Dearnley Church School, Smithy Bridge; average number of scholars 330; Master Mr. John W. Stott; Mistress Miss E Brierley
Hollingworth Endowed School; endowed in 1727 by John Hill; average number of scholars 90; Master Mr. Robert Sutcliffe
Mount Gilead Baptist School, Smithy Nook; average number of scholars 110; Master Mr. Thomas L. Card
National School, Summit; average number of scholars 115; Mistress Miss Helen Mather
St. Barnabas National School, Shore; average number of scholars 147; Mistress Miss Sarah Yates
United Methodist Free School, Peel st., Master Mr. Robert Nuttall
United Methodist School, Smithy Bridge; average number of scholars 190; Master Mr. Richard Brook; Mistress Elizabeth Brook
Wesleyan School, Victoria street, average number of scholars 75; Master Mr. Henry Wells

Carriers.

Conveyance by Railway.
Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Co., Littleborough Station, John Knowles station master; Smithy Bridge station ( for Hollingworth Lake) John Greenwood, station master.
Conveyance by water to Rochdale, Heywood, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge, Halifax, Hull and Manchester, J & J Veevers, daily.
Omnibus, from Falcon Hotel to Rochdale, via Dearnley and Smallbridge, several times a day.
William Durham, general carrier to Rochdale, daily.