Vision for Kirkholt. Our proud history. From ancient knights to Victorian landmarks

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1 Vision for Kirkholt Our proud history From ancient knights......to Victorian landmarks Take the family heritage trail to discover historical gems on your doorstep See map inside FREE STICKERS!

2 The Vision for Kirkholt is a long term proposal to provide hundreds of modern new homes along with better community facilities and safer, cleaner neighbourhoods and parks. The Partnership which involves Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, Rochdale Council and the Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder along with a resident steering group, felt it was very important to investigate the heritage of Kirkholt ahead of any redevelopment. A detailed heritage study was carried out in 2007 and lots of local people came along to events to share their memories and views about the area. The study unearthed a wealth of interesting facts about the history of Kirkholt and how it had grown and developed over the years. All of that information is now helping to shape the future development of Kirkholt because whilst the area needs to modernise, we don t want to lose our proud heritage. German Prisoners of War helped to build Kirkholt estate in the summer of During the heritage study a resident brought along this fascinating photograph of a Prisoner of War with the Council s Clerk of Works. The prisoners were involved in the early stages of landscaping, digging drains and laying out roads. 1 Local people came and shared their views at heritage events 2

3 How Kirkholt has grown Kirkholt was originally a farming area, dominated by a rural landscape. The area is named after Kirkholt Farm, which in the th century was located where Friars Close is today. The name means Old (olt) Church (kirk). The former Queensway and Kingsway estates grew around the farming land originally featuring large homes with spacious streets and open spaces. However, the Second World War brought an urgent need for smaller, affordable housing and the Council planned many of the streets that exist today. The higher parts of Kirkholt still boast picturesque views to the surrounding hills and the spire of St Mary s Church. What is heritage? A heritage study considers more than just old buildings. It also looks at the identity of an area and how its past and present can and should shape its future. It also considers landmarks or buildings that have some sort of importance. This is sometimes because it is a particularly rare or unusual example of its kind or because of the architect who was involved in its design. It is also possible for buildings or places to have negative value. This means they have a poor effect on the area and so their removal would be encouraged. The mill owner Joshua Radcliffe, one of the most important industrialists in the town, built housing known as Little London in Kirkholt for workers at Balderstone Mill. In 51 Mr Radcliffe bought the old Balderstone Hall, which he rebuilt with a lodge, gardens and tree-lined driveway. The hall was demolished in Mr Radcliffe also paid for St Mary s church and a nearby school and vicarage. 3 4

4 What the study found: A number of features were found to have high heritage value including: St Mary s Church, Vicarage and School, Balderstone The war memorial, Oldham Road Sand Holes Farmhouse and barn St Mary s Church Former St Mary s School The former Bridge Inn The bridge over the Sudden Brook where Well i th Lane becomes Platting Lane The lodge at the Oldham Road entrance to Balderstone Park Little London a courtyard of housing from Oldham Road The Bridge Inn on Well i th Lane St Thomas Church Holy Family RC Church Kirkholt currently has three listed buildings. This means that English Heritage has assessed them as having special architectural or historic interest. Listing ensures that the building is carefully considered before any alterations, either outside or inside, are agreed. St Mary s Church in Balderstone built between The former St Mary s National School, Balderstone dated 66 The former Bridge Inn on Oldham Road, although the study noted that unfortunately the top floor has been removed despite its listed status. War memorial The bridge over the Sudden Brook Features identified as having negative heritage value were the 1960s-1970s library and pavilion in Balderstone Park, the petrol station on Oldham Road, Queensway Neighbourhood Centre and two garages on the south side of Queensway. We know the library and pavilion are particularly valued by residents, so the Council will be considering how to provide these services in buildings which enhance the area and compliment its heritage. 5 6

5 Archaeology dig Balderstone Park A series of Balderstone Halls, going as far back as medieval times, have been based on the site of Balderstone Park. The halls were surrounded by their own grounds, which now form the playing fields of the school and the lower part of the park near Oldham Road. Vision for Kirkholt is planning an archaeology project to be launched during This will include community archaeology digs on the site of Balderstone Hall, which could reveal structures dating back to the Middle Ages. The project also hopes to excavate the site of Balderstone Hall Home Farm, which was on the playing fields next to the park. There are also visible fragments of history above the earth such as the 19th century lodge and walls surrounding the site of the Victorian Hall. This area, which makes up the original Balderstone Hall grounds, was found in the study to be a space of positive heritage interest. There have been views across this area of parkland since the 13th century and the heritage study considered it important to preserve this space. That is why, for example, the proposed new housing for the Balderstone Road side of the park is set-back so as to maintain the spaciousness of the old hall grounds and preserve the historic Oldham Road frontage. Development could and should help preserve this important space for future generations to enjoy. It is believed that the Knights of the Hospital of St John were based in Kirkholt at one time when the area was the ancient hamlet of Buersil. This order of knights were monks who travelled widely following the First Crusade in 00AD. 7 8

6 Next steps The heritage study concluded that the Vision for Kirkholt presents opportunities to have a positive effect on the Kirkholt area. Recommendations for the future include: Care to be taken when redeveloping Kirkholt so that some of the character that has evolved over the last 60 years is kept, particularly some street patterns, many of which have mature trees. Maintaining a central focal point in the area currently occupied by The Strand. Respecting the trio of historical features St Mary s Church, vicarage and school. The sites of heritage interest in Balderstone Park and the adjoining school grounds should be respected in any future development. Maintaining the openness of Balderstone Park. Replacing the park s library and pavilion with better designed buildings would be an improvement. Kirkholt was once home to a number of cotton and woollen mills. Dicken Green Mill was built in 45 between modern day Queensway and the canal, but later demolished when cotton production stopped. Schofield s Well i th Lane Mill was also used for woollens near the Sudden Brook. Green Mill was bought and refurbished by the Radcliffe family in 51. It was dwarfed in the later 19th century by the huge Eagle Mill, which is now the site of the Eagle Technology Park. Balderstone Mill, also owned by the Radcliffe family, produced cotton. 9

7 Follow the heritage trail The Vision for Kirkholt is a long term proposal to provide hundreds of modern new homes along with better community facilities and safer, cleaner neighbourhoods and parks. The Partnership which involves Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, Rochdale Council and the Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder along with a resident steering group, felt it was very important to investigate the heritage of Kirkholt ahead of any redevelopment. A detailed heritage study was carried out in 2007 and lots of local people came along to events to share their memories and views about the area. The study unearthed a wealth of interesting facts about the history of Kirkholt and how it had grown and developed over the years. All of that information is now helping to shape the future development of Kirkholt because whilst the area needs to modernise, we don t want to lose our proud heritage. Key for heritage trail Place your e stickers on th isit map as you v the locations on the trail. 1 Little London. Complex of Victorian weaver s cottages which housed Balderstone Mill workers. The 1 1 to be opposite.* 2 Mill1used 2 2 Original 1 1 cottages. These used to have weaving lofts upstairs.* 2 2 weaver s 3 1 The building on the corner of St Mary s terrace and Frazer Street was built in Terrace StbyMary s Rochdale Co-operative Society. It used to contain a butchers, grocers and a newsroom.* 3 the Bridge The Inn has some attractive Art Deco and Art Nouveau features. 5 1 over Platting Lane dates from the th century. It could be the oldest road The4 4bridge 5 5bridge4223in Rochdale Mill s original chimney stack is a rare design from 67. At the time it cost Green to build St64554Mary s Church. Built between by J.M. & H. Taylor St6655 Mary s School. This was built in 66 and was originally called St Mary s National School. 10 St Mary s Vicarage, now used as a nursery. Built in 65. A Latin Former inscription over the door reads Let peace be to those who enter, safety to those who go out Victorian Wall Fountain Memorial of polished granite shows the names of local men who died in WW1 10 and WW Park Lodge. The original Victorian lodge to Balderstone Hall.* Park gates and wall. The Platting Lane entrance once formed the grand entrance to Balderstone Hall Balderstone Hall driveway. Many historic trees line the driveway Site of the old Balderstone Hall. Built by local mill owner Joshua Radcliffe in and demolished in Kitchen Lane. An ancient road that ran across Kirkholt before any housing was 16 built. * Please note, these are private homes. 1 shared their view Local people came and s at heritage events If you have the time it is also worth taking a stroll to Kirkholt s two other churches that are in the heritage study. Holy Family RC Church was built in with an Italian influenced design. St Thomas s C of E Church was built in 1964 with saw tooth designed windows.