The A-Z of Rossendale

Tucked in a corner of the West Pennines the Borough of Rossendale is a large valley spanning the towns of Rawtenstall, Bacup, Haslingden and Whitworth. Historically, the Valley of Rossendale was a large medieval forest used for hunting. and was first recorded as Roscendal in 1242. The name is said to take the Celtic ‘ros’ meaning heath, and the Old Norse ‘dalr’ meaning valley, suggesting Rossendale means Moor Valley. The expanse of moors viewed from valley’s towns suggests the name is quite fitting.

A – Ancient

There is evidence of ancient Lancastrians residing in the hills around Rossendale with Bronze Age burial sites around the borough. The most famous burial site is the White Low Cairn which was excavated in the 1960s by Norman Tyson and the Bury Archaeological group with finds including at least 13 cremations. The excavated artefacts are housed in Bury Museum.

B – Black Pudding

The World Black Pudding Throwing Championships are proudly hosted in Ramsbottom at the Royal Oak pub on Bridge Street each year on the second Sunday of September. Legend has it, the tradition dates back to the war of the Roses, when Lancastrians ran out of ammunition and resorted to throwing their second most deadly weapon – black puddings!

C – Cheese

Another one for the foodies, The Mouse Trap restaurant in Rawtenstall Market boosts impressive cheese, wine and a proper good time! Visit Rawtenstall Market for delicious cheeses and other quality, traditional market offerings. Market days are Thursday and Saturday 9am – 4pm all year round.

D – Dead

The East Lancashire Railway in nearby Bury is said to be one of the most haunted places in Britain. Take a ride through Rossendale to Rawtenstall and see if you spot anything supernatural on the way. The first steam trains pulled into the station in 1840 and over the centuries, ghosts have been spotted on the station’s platform and inside its waiting room. The most often sighted figure is a man in overalls, nicknamed Billy the Guard by passengers and staff.

E – Eggs

An unusual tradition occurs each Good Friday on Holcombe Hill in Rossendale. Youngsters gather at the peak with brightly painted hard boiled eggs, spectated by crowds of onlookers, as they roll the eggs down the hill. Known as pace-egging this tradition was once widespread across Lancashire.

F – Furniture

Looking to make your home feel unique? Pop over to TCHL Interiors in Rawtenstall. As well as an interior decorating service, TCHL Interiors provide upcycling products to give your furniture a new lease of life. You can also take upcycling workshops – pop down to save the planet one piece of furniture at a time.

G – Gravy

The World Gravy Wrestling championships are held in Stacksteads at the Rose ‘N’ Bowl Restaurant. Contestants must wrestle in Lancashire gravy for two minutes. After the fight, contestants are hosed down by the local fire brigade.

H – Home

Make a house a home with Rossendale Interiors. With roots tracing back to 1876, it is a family-run business with six experienced designers and a reputation to be proud of. For generations, it has provided quality products and services to customers across Rossendale.

I – Industry

Thanks in part to the River Irwell, the textile industry exploded across Rossendale during the 18th and 19th centuries, growing the towns of the borough. Rawtenstall grew as new mills were built to process the cotton – the rainy weather and as well as the town’s proximity to Manchester caused the cotton industry to boom.

J – Jobs

Three brothers were at the heart of Rawtenstall’s expansion at the beginning of the nineteenth century – Thomas, David and Peter Whitehead. The brothers built one of the first cotton mills in the valley providing hundreds of jobs to the town. Not only did the brothers work together, they lived together too! Using the proceeds from their mills, they built themselves a house – a large manor with three separate wings. The brothers drew lots to decide where they each should live. Still close, the brothers are all buried in the same grave at Longholme Methodist Church.

K – Kicking

Did you know Rawtenstall had a football club? You’d be forgiven if you didn’t. The town’s club lasted less than twenty years and was founded in 1879 and dissolved in 1898. The football club’s closure seems in part to do with a disagreement over whether players should be paid. Despite arguments with the Football Association, the club carried on for a number of years, however, after a 4-0 defeat to Chesterfield, it seems they threw in the towel.

L – League of Gentleman

Did you know the hit BBC comedy is based on Rossendale’s small towns? One of its creators, Steve Pemberton, has revealed previously that the show is based on his experiences growing up in Lancashire.

 

M – Mining

Mines in Rossendale were once wide-spread during the industrial revolution, with coal mines, lead mines and stone mines. Rossendale is famous for a type of stone found only within the borough – Haslingden Flag, a sandstone which was used to pave Trafalgar Square in London.

N – Nine to Five

Natalie Casey was born in Rawtenstall, she starred in many musicals including the UK tour of Broadway musical 9-5. Her most famous role however was not as a singer but as an actress – she played Donna Henshaw in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps from 2001 to 2011.

O – Odd

The moors around Rossendale are known for the odd lights seen in the night sky. Over the past 20 years there have been numerous sightings of strange saucers appearing above the area, including a large fireball which hovered in the sky.

P – Peel

Peering out across Rossendale is the Peel Monument, a 1,100ft monument to Sir Robert Peel, former Prime Minister and founder of the Metropolitan Police Service. Peel was also one of the founders of the Conservative Party. The tower sits on Holcombe Hill and was opened in 1852.

Q – Quirky

Rossendale has its fair share of quirks. In Ramsbottom, Edward Allington’s Tilted Vase pays homage to the legacy of the industrial revolution and a giant illuminated sculpture known as The Halo shines down on Haslingden.

R – River

The River Irwell flows through Rossendale, carving through steep-sided valleys south to Manchester. The river was once heavily polluted by the region’s industry but in recent years steps to improve the water quality have been implemented and wildlife have returned to its waters.

S –  Sing

Formed in Rossendale in 1750, the Larks of Dean were a society of working class musicians. They were known in the local dialect as “Th’ Deighn Layrocks”. Working long hours in cotton mills the group was formed as an outlet for workers. Goodshaw Chapel was used as a performance space and the Larks of Dean performed each Sunday for the congregation.

T – Tufties

In need of a new do? Pop down to Tufties Hair & Beauty. The multi-award-winning salon is situated at the centre of Rawtenstall, in a stunning Grade II listed premises. It is renowned for its warm and friendly environment. You’ll leave both looking and feeling fabulous, as well as being completely relaxed.

U – Urban

Before the industrial revolution it is said there was only a few simple dwellings at the site where Rawtenstall now sits. As mills sprang up along with homes for the workers, Rawtenstall expanded to a town of approximately 30,000. The town today still retains many original buildings though many of the mills have now been converted to housing.

V – Vibrations

The United Kingdom rarely experiences earthquakes strong enough to make the headlines, but in February 1889, Rossendale shook with a six-magnitude quake which was said to originate from the Irwell Valley fault that runs from Bolton to Manchester. The quake was felt 2,500 square miles away.

W – Whitaker

Visit the Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery in Rawtenstall until Sunday 16th October this year and discover Aideen Barry: for she is always creeping. Taking over both gallery spaces at The Whitaker. For she is always creeping is an adaptation of Aideen Barry’s by Slight Ligaments and has been specially re-imagined for The Whitaker. Discover their hidden gem, The Bar & Kitchen at the Whitaker, perfect for coffee, cake and a catch-up, a weekend brunch with friends, cocktails on the terrace or a relaxed Sunday Roast.

X – X-treme

There’s so much to do in Ramsbottom and the countryside surrounding it! Head to the slopes at The Hill in Rawtenstall and get your skis on – it’s a slice of the Alps in Rossendale. Learn to climb at Grip & Go based at the Adrenaline Centre. Soar high on the Giant’s Staircase and, if you’re feeling really courageous, complete the infamous, Ultimate Challenge and attempt the Leap of Faith.

 

Y – Ye Olde English

The Borough of Rossendale was first recorded as Roscendal in 1242. Rather than old English, the name is said to take the Celtic ‘ros’ meaning heath, and the Old Norse ‘dalr’ meaning valley, suggesting Rossendale means Moor Valley. The expanse of moors viewed from valley towns suggests the name is quite fitting.

Z – Zest

Do you have a zest for life? The steep sided valleys of Rossendale are perfect for mountain biking. The trails at Lee Quarry above Bacup are perfect for honing your skills and developing new ones. The trials are free and make use of the bridleways that criss-cross Rossendale.

NorthernLife Sept/Oct 22