Rochdale
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[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 222754991 by [[Special:Contributions/86.130.140.210|86.130.140.210]] ([[User talk:86.130.140.210|talk]]) restoring [[WP:CITE|cited material]]
{{otheruses}}
{{for|the larger local government district|Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale}}
{{infobox UK place|
|country = England
|map_type= Greater Manchester
|latitude= 53.6136
|longitude= -2.1610
|official_name= Rochdale
|population = 95,796 ([[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 Census]])
|metropolitan_borough= [[Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale|Rochdale]]
|region= North West England
|metropolitan_county= [[Greater Manchester]]
|constituency_westminster= [[Rochdale (UK Parliament constituency)|Rochdale]]
|post_town= ROCHDALE
|postcode_district = OL11, OL12, OL16
|postcode_area= OL
|dial_code= 01706
|os_grid_reference= SD893130
|london_distance={{convert|169|mi|km|abbr=on}} [[Boxing the compass|SSE]]
|static_image=[[Image:Rochdale Town Hall & 7 Sisters.jpg|240px]]
|static_image_caption=<small>[[Rochdale Town Hall]] with the "Seven Sisters" towerblocks behind</small>
}}
'''Rochdale''' is a large town in [[Greater Manchester]], [[England]].<ref name="GM Gazetteer">{{cite web|author=Anon|url=http://www.gmcro.co.uk/guides/gazette/gazframe.htm|date=2003-07-31|title=A select gazetteer of local government areas, Greater Manchester County|publisher=[[Greater Manchester County Records Office]]|accessdate=2007-07-09}}</ref> It lies amongst the foothills of the [[Pennines]] on the [[River Roch]], {{convert|9.8|mi|km|1|lk=on}} north-northeast of the city of [[Manchester]], and {{convert|5.3|mi|km|1}} north-northwest of [[Oldham]]. Rochdale is surrounded by several smaller settlements which together form the [[Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale]], of which Rochdale is the largest settlement and administrative centre. Rochdale has a total population of 95,796.
[[Historic counties of England|Historically]] a part of [[Lancashire]], Rochdale's [[recorded history]] begins with an entry in the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086 under ''Recedham Manor''. The [[Rochdale (ancient parish)|ancient parish of Rochdale]] was a division of the [[Salford (hundred)|hundred of Salford]] and one of the largest ecclesiastical parishes in England comprising several [[Township (England)|townships]]. By 1251, Rochdale had become important enough to have been granted a [[Market town|market charter]]. Subsequently, Rochdale flourished into a centre of [[northern England]]'s [[woollen]] trade, and by the early 18th century was described as being "remarkable for many wealthy merchants".<ref name="Pocket Rochdale">{{cite book|title=Images of England: Rochdale|last=Godman|first=Pam|date=1996|isbn=1-84588-173-7}}</ref>
Rochdale rose to prominence during the 19th century as a major [[mill town]] and centre for [[textile manufacture during the Industrial Revolution]]. It was a [[boomtown]] of the [[Industrial Revolution]], and amongst the first ever [[Industrialisation|industrialised]] towns.<ref name="GM Arch"/> The [[Rochdale Canal]]—one of the major navigable broad [[canals of Great Britain]]—was a highway of commerce during this time used for the haulage of cotton, wool, coal to and from the area. The [[socioeconomic]] change brought by the success of Rochdale's textile industry in the 19th century led to its rise to [[Borough status in the United Kingdom|borough status]] and it remained a dominant settlement in its region.<ref name="GM Arch"/> However, during the 20th century Rochdale's spinning capacity declined towards an eventual halt.<ref name="GM Arch"/>
Rochdale today is a predominantly residential town. [[Rochdale Town Hall]]—a [[Grade I listed buildings in Greater Manchester|Grade I listed building]]—dates from 1871 and is one of the [[United Kingdom]]'s finest examples of [[Victorian era|Victorian]] [[Gothic revival]] architecture.<ref name=NP>{{cite book | last = Cunningham| first = C | authorlink = | title = Victorian & Edwardian Town Halls | year = 1981 | publisher = Routeledge | location = London | id = }}</ref> Rochdale is the birthplace of the Co-operative Movement.<ref>[http://manchesterhistory.net/rochdale.html Rochdale - The Birthplace of Co-operation]. URL accessed January 1, 2006.</ref> The [[Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society]], founded in 1844, was the first modern cooperative; the [[Rochdale Principles]] are a set of ideals for [[cooperatives]].
==History==
{{Expand-section|date=June 2008}}
===Toponymy===
Rochdale is named for its position on the [[River Roch]] at the edge of the [[Pennines]]. The [[Domesday Book]] records the name as ''Recedham'', formed from [[Old English]] ''reced'' "hall", and ''ham'' "homestead". The name of the river is a [[back-formation]] from this Old English name. With time, the town's name changed to ''Rachedale'' and eventually ''Rochdale''.<ref>Mills, A.D.: ''A Dictionary of English Place Names'', 2nd Edition, page 289, s.n. Rochdale. Oxford University Press, 1998</ref> The name of the river Roch is {{pronEng|roʊtʃ}}, with a long ''o''. The name of the town is pronounced {{IPA|/ˈrɒtʃdeɪl/}}.
===Early history===
A [[Roman road]], leading from [[Mamucium]] ([[Manchester]]) to ([[Eboracum]]) [[York]], traversed the outlying moors of Rochdale.<ref name="Top of England">{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Samuel|title=A Topographical Dictionary of England; 'Rixton - Rochford'|publisher=Institute of Historical Research|date=1848|pages=679–686|isbn=978-0806315089}}</ref>
During the [[Danelaw]], Rochdale was frequented by incursions upon the Saxons by the Danes. Initially penetrating the area, the Saxons overthrew the Danes. A castle, from which [[Castleton, Greater Manchester|Castleton]] has its name, but of which there are no traces, was one of the twelve Saxon forts probably destroyed in the frequent conflicts that occurred between the Saxons and Danes in the 10th and 11th centuries.<ref name="Top of England"/>
Rochdale appears in the [[Domesday Book]] under the name of ''Recedham Manor'', and was part of the [[Salford (hundred)|hundred of Salfordshire]]. Ownership of the manor belonged to [[The Crown]] in 1399, and continued so until it was purchased by [[John Byron, 1st Baron Byron]] in 1638. It was eventually sold by the poet [[Lord Byron]] in 1823, when it passed to the Dearden family, who still hold the title. In earlier medieval times, Rochdale had been an important [[market town]], with weekly markets held from the 13th century, and an annual fair. The market was held outside the parish church, and had a long-standing "Orator's Corner". The local reformer and Rochdale [[Member of Parliament]], [[John Bright]] spoke in the town about [[Corn Laws|Anti-Corn Law reform]].
===Industrial Revolution and cotton===
[[Image:Arrow_Mill.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Arrow Mill is a former [[cotton mill]] and [[Listed building|Grade II listed building]] in [[Castleton, Greater Manchester|Castleton]].]]
Rochdale was among the world's most productive [[Spinning (textiles)|cotton spinning]] towns.<ref name="GM Arch">{{cite book|author=McNeil, R. & Nevell, M|title=A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Greater Manchester|publisher=Association for Industrial Archaeology|date=2000|isbn=0-9528930-3-7}}</ref>
==Governance==
===Civic history===
[[Image:Rochdale Coat of Arms.jpg|thumb|right|The [[coat of arms]] of the former [[Municipal borough|Municipal]], and later [[County Borough of Rochdale]] council, granted [[20 February]] [[1857]]. The arms incorporate references to Rochdale's early industries and lords.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/great_man.html |title=Civic Heraldry of England and Wales - Greater Manchester|publisher=civicheraldry.co.uk |date=1998-2007 |author=R.D.W. Young |accessdate=2007-09-14}}</ref>]]
Lying within the [[Historic counties of England|historic county boundaries]] of [[Lancashire]] [[History of Lancashire|since the early 12th century]], Rochdale was recorded in 1066 as held by Gamel, one of the twenty-one [[thegn]]s of the [[Salford (hundred)|Hundred of Salfordshire]].<ref name="County of Lanc">{{cite book |last=Brownbill|first=J|coauthors=William Farrer|title=A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 5|publisher=Victoria County History|date=1911|pages=187-201|isbn=978-0712910552}}</ref>
The ancient eccelsiastical [[Rochdale (ancient parish)|parish of Rochdale]] was originally divided in to four townships: [[Butterworth (ancient township)|Butterworth]], [[Castleton, Greater Manchester|Castleton]], [[Hundersfield]] and [[Spotland]].<ref name="County of Lanc"/> Hundersfield was later divided into four townships: [[Blatchinworth]], [[Calderbrook]], [[Wardleworth]] and [[Wuerdle and Wardle]].<ref name="County of Lanc"/> Excluding the large [[chapelry]] of [[Saddleworth]], which lay entirely in [[Yorkshire]], the parish of Rochdale had an area of {{convert|65.4|sqmi|km2|1}}.<ref name="County of Lanc"/>
There is no certain evidence that the town of Rochdale became a [[borough]] during the [[Middle Ages]].<ref name="GM Gazetteer"/>
In 1825 commissioners for the social and economic improvement of the town of Rochdale were established.<ref name="GM Gazetteer"/> The town was made part of a [[parliamentary borough]], in 1832, though it was in 1856 when Rochdale was incorporated as a [[municipal borough]], giving it [[borough status in the United Kingdom]],<ref name="GM Gazetteer"/> and in 1858 the borough council obtained the powers of the improvement commissioners.<ref name="GM Gazetteer"/> In 1872 the remaining area of Wardleworth township and parts of Castleton, Wuerdle and Wardle, Spotland and Butterworth townships were added to the Borough of Rochdale.<ref name="GM Gazetteer"/>
When the [[Administrative counties of England|administrative county]] of Lancashire was created by the [[Local Government Act 1888]], Rochdale was elevated to become the [[County Borough of Rochdale]] and was effectively a [[unitary authority area]] exempt from the administration of [[Lancashire County Council]].<ref name="GM Gazetteer"/> In 1900 most of [[Castleton Urban District]] was added to the borough; this [[urban district]] had included parts of Castleton, Hopwood and [[Thornham, Greater Manchester|Thornham]] townships. In 1933 parts of Norden Urban District and Birtle with Bamford civil parish were added to the borough.<ref name="GM Gazetteer"/> Since 1953 Rochdale has been [[Twin Town|twinned]] with [[Bielefeld]] in [[Germany]] and since 1956 with [[Tourcoing]] in [[France]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/libraries/town_twinning.aspx |title=Town twinning |publisher=rochdale.gov.uk |accessdate=2008-03-01}}</ref> Under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], the town's autonomous [[county borough]] status was abolished. The Municipal Boroughs of [[Middleton]] and [[Heywood]], along with the [[Littleborough, Greater Manchester|Littleborough]], [[Milnrow]] and [[Wardle, Greater Manchester|Wardle]] Urban Districts; are now part of the [[Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale]], one of the ten metropolitan boroughs belonging to the Metropolitan County of [[Greater Manchester]].<ref name="GM Gazetteer"/>
===Parliamentary representation===
[[Rochdale (UK Parliament constituency)|Rochdale]] was one of the constituencies created by the [[Reform Act 1832|Reform Act of 1832]].
It was held for two decades of the 20th century by [[Cyril Smith]], first of the [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal Party]] and then of the [[Liberal Democrats]].
Currently the town is represented in Parliament by [[Paul Rowen]] MP, a member of the Liberal Democrats.
==Geography==
{{further|[[Geography of Greater Manchester]]}}
[[Image:Roch Valley.jpg|thumb|right|270px|Rochdale lies in the wide valley of the [[River Roch]].]]
At {{coor dms|53|36|50|N|2|9|40|W|city}} (53.6136, -2.161), and {{convert|169|mi|km|0}} north-northwest of [[London]], Rochdale stands about {{convert|150|ft|m|0}} above [[sea level]], {{convert|9.8|mi|km|1}} north-northeast of [[Manchester City Centre]], in the [[valley]] of the [[River Roch]]. [[Blackstone Edge]], [[Saddleworth Moor]] and the [[South Pennines]] are close to the east, whilst on all other sides, Rochdale is bound by smaller towns, including [[Whitworth, Lancashire|Whitworth]], [[Littleborough, Greater Manchester|Littleborough]], [[Milnrow]], [[Royton]], [[Heywood, Greater Manchester|Heywood]] and [[Shaw and Crompton]], with little or no [[green space]] between them. Rochdale experiences a [[temperate]] [[Oceanic climate|maritime climate]], like much of the [[British Isles]], with relatively cool summers and mild winters. There is regular but generally light precipitation throughout the year.{{Fact|date=December 2007}}
Rochdale's [[built environment]] consists of a mixture of infrastructure, housing types and commercial buildings from a number of periods. Rochdale's housing stock is mixed, but has a significant amount of stone or red-brick [[terraced house]]s from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. [[Rochdale Town Hall|Rochdale's Town Hall]], seven large [[tower block]]s and a number of former [[cotton mill]]s mark the town's skyline. The [[urban structure]] of Rochdale is regular when compared to most [[List of towns in England|towns in England]], its form restricted in places by its hilly upland terrain. Much of Rochdale's built environment is centred around a [[central business district]] in the [[town centre]], which is the local centre of commerce.
{| align="right"
|+'''Neighbouring towns, villages and places.'''
|
{{compass-table|place=Rochdale
|N = [[Whitworth, Lancashire|Whitworth]]
|NE= [[Littleborough, Greater Manchester|Littleborough]]
|E = [[Milnrow]]
|SE= [[Shaw and Crompton]]
|S = [[Royton]]
|SW= [[Middleton, Greater Manchester|Middleton]]
|W = [[Heywood, Greater Manchester|Heywood]]
|NW= [[Norden, Greater Manchester|Norden]]
}}
|}
There is a mixture of high-density [[urban areas]], [[suburb]]s, semi-rural and [[rural]] locations in Rochdale, but overwhelmingly the [[land use]] in the town is urban. For purposes of the [[Office for National Statistics]], forms the fifth largest settlement of the [[Greater Manchester Urban Area]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/census2001/ks_urban_north_part_5.pdf|format=PDF| title=Census 2001:Key Statistics for urban areas in the North; Map 3|author=[[Office for National Statistics]]|publisher=statistics.gov.uk|accessdate=2007-09-13|date=2001}}</ref> the [[List of conurbations in the United Kingdom|United Kingdom's third largest conurbation]]. The [[M62 motorway]] passes to the south and southwest of Rochdale. Two [[heavy rail]] lines enter Rochdale from the east, joining at [[Rochdale railway station]] before continuing southwards to the city of Manchester.
===Divisions and suburbs===
{{Areas of Rochdale}}
==Demography==
{{Expand-section|date=June 2008}}
Rochdale has large white and Asian communities.
==Landmarks==
[[Image:Town Hall and War Memorial.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Rochdale Town Hall and War memorial.]]
===Rochdale Town Hall===
[[Rochdale Town Hall]], designed by [[William Henry Crossland]], was completed in 1871. The original clock tower, which rose to {{convert|240|ft|m}}, was destroyed by fire in 1883. The present shorter (and less flamboyant) tower was designed by [[Alfred Waterhouse]] in 1887.<ref> Victorian & Edwardian Town Halls; C Cunningham; Routeledge; London; 1981 </ref> One Americam academic has suggested that [[Adolf Hitler]] was so impressed with the town hall that he had plans to transport the building stone by stone to a new site in Germany if Britain lost the Second World War.<ref>{{cite news |last=Anon |title=Amazing windows always a glass act |work=Rochdale Observer |date=2006-10-7 |publisher=M.E.N. Media |url=http://www.rochdaleobserver.co.uk/nostalgia/s/218/218474_amazing_windows_always_a_glass_act.html |accessdate=2008-04-25}}</ref>
The front of the building has [[gargoyle]]s and gilded statues of lions which bear the traditional emblems of Rochdale, Lancashire and [[Yorkshire]]. These are said to be a commemoration of the peace, to which Rochdale contributed, between the two [[Historic counties of England|historic counties]].{{Fact|date=May 2007}} Rochdale's own [[Gracie Fields]] received the Freedom of the Borough on the town hall's balcony, in front of a crowd of thousands who turned out to greet her in the pouring rain.
The [[River Roch]] flows in front of the town hall, under the widest bridge in Europe, at {{convert|1460|ft|m}}.<ref>Nicholls (2004), p. 147.</ref>
===Parish church===
[[Image:St Chads.jpg|thumb|upright|right|St Chads Parish Church.]]
{{Expand-section|date=June 2008}}
From a hill, the Parish Church of [[Chad of Mercia|St Chad]] directly overlooks the Town Hall. Some parts of the church date from [[Normans|Norman]] times. The town stocks (no longer in use) are in the churchyard.
===War memorial===
{{Expand-section|date=June 2008}}
This monument, bearing four flags, is opposite the town hall (to the north). It commemorates those who died in conflicts since the First World War (1914–1918). The monument and surrounding gardens were designed by [[Sir Edwin Lutyens]].<ref>Rochdale Official Guide (3rd edition); Pyramid Press; London; 1952</ref><ref>Hartwell, C., (2004), ''Buildings of South Lancashire'', p. 595.</ref>
==Transport==
===Rail and Metrolink===
Demand for cross-Pennine trade (e.g. to support the local [[cotton]], [[wool]] and [[silk]] industries) led to the building of [[George Stephenson]]'s Summit Railway Tunnel and the [[Rochdale Canal]] (from Manchester to [[Yorkshire]] - re-opened in 2003 after years of neglect, including its division by a motorway).
The [[Manchester and Leeds Railway]] opened a [[Rochdale railway station|station]], but the line passed about a mile south of the town centre. The station remains open, but much reduced from its heyday. Trains run south (to [[Manchester Victoria]]), east (to [[Halifax, West Yorkshire|Halifax]], [[Bradford]] and [[Leeds]]) and to Manchester Victoria via the [[Manchester to Rochdale via Oldham Line]], (also known as the Oldham Loop).
Rochdale is to be served by an extension of the [[Manchester Metrolink]] tram system, which would see the Oldham Loop converted from heavy rail to light rail. This extension was deferred in 2004 on grounds of cost. In July 2006, however, ministers approved plans for extension from Manchester Victoria as far as the planned Rochdale Rail Station stop just outside the station. Approval for extension into Rochdale town centre, extended down Drake Street and terminating opposite Rochdale bus station, as well as into Oldham town centre, is expected in 2008.
===Bus===
[[Rochdale Bus Station]] is located next to the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre under a multi-storey car park. There are plans to demolish the bus station and move it across the road, where it would eventually link up with the Metrolink to provide a transport interchange.
There are frequent journeys running from Rochdale to Manchester on [[First Manchester]]'s 17 service, via Middleton, or on the 24, via Royton and Chadderton, to Oldham and Ashton-under-Lyne on the 409, and to Bury and Bolton on the 471. There are also cross-county services into Lancashire and West Yorkshire. [[Rossendale Transport]]'s 464 service runs buses to Rawtenstall and Accrington. [[First Calderdale & Huddersfield]] run three services from Rochdale. The 528 runs to Halifax via Ripponden, the 589 runs to Burnley via Todmorden and the 590 runs to Halifax via Todmorden.
===Road===
The [[M62 motorway]] passes to the south of the town. The motorway is accessed via the A627(M), which starts at Sandbrook Park in Rochdale and runs to Elk Mill in Royton, Oldham. The A627(M) provides drivers a quick access to the M62 and to Oldham.
==Sports==
Rochdale's professional football team [[Rochdale A.F.C.]] play home games at [[Spotland Stadium]], which they share with [[Rochdale Hornets]] Rugby League team. The town's main rugby union team is Rochdale R.U.F.C., who play in [[Bamford, Greater Manchester|Bamford]]. There are two adult amateur football leagues: the Rochdale Online Alliance League and the Rochdale and District Sunday Football League.
There are a number of golf courses in the town, including Rochdale Golf Club, Marland Golf Club and Springfield Park Golf Club.<ref>{{cite web |author=Anon |url=http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/community/A/846/golf/846|title=Rochdale Online Golf Directory |accessdate=2007-12-24}}</ref> The town also has a substantial number of cricket clubs, most of which play in the [[Central Lancashire League]].
[[Speedway]] racing was staged at the [[Athletic Grounds]] in the pioneer days of 1928 - 1930 and returned for a short spell at the start of the 1970s. The 1970s venture provided a home for the British League Division Two [[Belle Vue Aces]] juniors and the team was known as [[Rochdale Hornets (speedway)|Rochdale Hornets]]. [[Peter Collins]], who went on to win the 1976 World Championship and other honours, was the most famous Hornets rider.
==Public services==
[[Image:Scout Moor towards Rochdale.jpg|thumb|right|[[Wind farm]] on Scout Moor, overlooking Rochdale below.]]
[[Home Office]] policing in Rochdale is provided by the [[Greater Manchester Police]]. The force's "(P) Division" have their headquarters for policing the [[Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale]] at central Rochdale. [[Public transport]] is co-ordinated by the [[Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive]]. [[Fire service in the United Kingdom|Statutory emergency fire and rescue service]] is provided by the [[Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service]], which has one station in Rochdale on Maclure Road.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/my-area/rochdale.aspx|publisher=manchesterfire.gov.uk|author=[[Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service]]|accessdate=2008-03-07|title=My area: Rochdale}}</ref>
The [[Rochdale Infirmary]] in north-central Rochdale and [[Birch Hill Hospital]] at the far northeast of Rochdale near the villages of [[Wardle, Greater Manchester|Wardle]] and [[Littleborough, Greater Manchester|Littleborough]], are [[NHS]] hospitals administrated by [[Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust]]. Birch Hill occupies the former Rochdale Union [[Workhouse]] at Dearnley.<ref name="Workhouse">{{cite web|url=http://www.workhouses.org.uk/index.html?Rochdale/Rochdale.shtml|publisher=workhouses.org.uk|author=Higginbotham, Peter|title=Rochdale|date=2007-05-07|accessdate=2008-03-07}}</ref> The [[North West Ambulance Service]] provides emergency patient transport. Other forms of [[health care]] are provided for locally by several small clinics and surgeries.
[[Waste management]] is co-ordinated by the [[local authority]] via the [[Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmwda.gov.uk/|title=Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA)|publisher=gmwda.gov.uk|author=[[Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority]]|date=2008|accessdate=2008-02-08}}</ref> Rochdale's [[Distribution Network Operator]] for electricity is [[United Utilities]];<ref name="UU">{{cite web|url=http://www.unitedutilities.com/?OBH=413&SCH=rochdale&ID=1416|title=Rochdale|publisher=unitedutilities.com|author=[[United Utilities]]|date=2007-04-06|accessdate=2008-02-08}}</ref> there are no [[power station]]s in the town, but a [[Wind farm]] exists on Scout Moor which consists of 26 turbines on the high moors between [[Rawtenstall]] and Rochdale. The wind farm generates 65[[Megawatt|MW]] of electricity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scoutmoorwindfarm.co.uk/indexorig.html|publisher=scoutmoorwindfarm.co.uk|title=Scout Moor Wind Farm|date=|accessdate=2008-03-02}}</ref> United Utilities also manages Rochdale's [[drinking water|drinking]] and [[waste water]];<ref name="UU"/> water supplies are sourced from several local reservoirs, including [[Watergrove Reservoir|Watergrove]], [[Blackstone Edge Reservoir|Blackstone Edge]] and [[Piethorne Reservoir|Piethorne]] in Rochdale's outlying moorland.<ref name="UU"/>
==Notable people==
The 19th-century Lancashire [[dialect]] poet [[Edwin Waugh]] (1817–1890) was born and raised in the town. Amongst Rochdale's most notable historical residents are a number of musicians, including female singers [[Gracie Fields]], [[Lisa Stansfield]] (born in [[Heywood]]) and [[Barb Jungr]], and bands [[Autechre]], [[Tractor (band)|Tractor]], [[The Chameleons]] and [[The Mock Turtles]]. [[Good Charlotte]] drummer [[Dean Butterworth]] also hails from Rochdale. Broadcasters [[John Peel]], [[Mark Chapman]], [[Liz Kershaw|Liz]] and [[Andy Kershaw]] also have links with the town, Peel having lived there for a period of time and the latter three having been born there. Rochdale can also boast a number of actors and actresses; [[Colin Baker]], [[Anna Friel]], [[Bill Oddie]] and the aforementioned Gracie Fields all were either born or bred in Rochdale. [[Don Estelle]], who was born and raised in [[Crumpsall]], [[Manchester]], lived for much of his life in Rochdale and was buried there in August 2003.<ref>[http://www.rochdaleobserver.co.uk/news/s/333/333428_farewell_to_screen_star_lofty_don.html Farewell to screen star 'Lofty' Don - News - Rochdale Observer<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The bestselling poet John Siddique was brought up in Rochdale and has referenced the town in several poems.
Rochdale also has a proud liberal political heritage, as shown by such people as [[John Bright]], [[Samuel Bamford]], [[Rev. Joseph Cooke]] and perhaps the town's most colourful export [[Sir Cyril Smith|Cyril Smith]].
Other notable residents of Rochdale include [[Nicholas Blincoe]], a novelist, [[Baron Byron|George Gordon Byron]], Lord Byron of Rochdale, [[Monica Coghlan]], a prostitute caught up in the [[Lord Archer]] scandal, [[Stefan Kiszko]], a local man infamously convicted wrongly of sexual assault.
==References==
===Notes===
{{reflist|2}}
===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |first=Robert |last=Nicholls |title=Curiosities of Greater Manchester |publisher=Sutton Publishing |year=2004 |isbn=0750936614}}
{{refend}}
==External links==
{{commonscat|Rochdale}}
*[http://www.rochdale.gov.uk www.rochdale.gov.uk] Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council website.
*[http://www.link4life.org www.link4life.org], Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust.
{{Greater Manchester}}
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[[Category:Towns in Greater Manchester]]
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