A brief history of
Littleborough Civic Trust
Below is a brief account of the Trust's work and achievements
since its formation.
1971
Littleborough Civic Society is formed.
Footpath Group plans walks around Littleborough.
Concern expressed about Todmorden plans for industrial development at Bellholme, Warland.
Alerted to lakeside Fun-Fair proposals for Hollingworth Lake.
1972
Littleborough Civic Society, now Civic Trust, carries out its first major project which results, in the October, in the publication of a Report on
'A Country Park and a Regional Park'. This report is based on 12 weeks research, study and surveys by Civic Trust members.
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Toll House
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1973
Report adopted by the newly formed Greater Manchester Council. The main proposals are adapted to form the basis for its own proposals prior to taking up responsibility for leisure development in 1974. Follow up discussions, initiated by Littleborough Civic Trust, lead to the setting up of the Standing Conference of South Pennine Authorities (SCOSPA).
Civic Trust adopts derelict site at station to make a garden.
August 9th, Littleborough Civic Trust Joins Todmorden Antiquarians Society and Todmorden Conservation Group
to set up Steanor Bottom Toll House Steering Group. Purpose, to restore and
find use for the Toll House.
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1974
Rochdale Canal Society set up with considerable impetus from a nucleus of Civic Trust members. Purpose, to reopen
the Rochdale Canal, to promote the canal for recreation and pleasure purposes and to integrate it into the proposed Pennine Park recreational area.
In September theappeal to restore Steanor Bottom Toll House launched. Aim to raise £5000. Leaflet produced with help of Civic Trust for the North West.
1975
Civic Trust 'Logo' adopted from winning entry in Logo competition among local schools.
1978
Steanor Bottom Society set up with full Civic Trust status. £5000 loan offered from newly formed Architectural Heritage
Fund towards restoration costs. Around this time Littleborough Civic Trust publishes 'Proceedings of
the Beautiful Littleborough Society' (two papers given by Fred Jackson to that
Society in 1919/1920) and footpath leaflets for walkers.
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Tree planting ceremony in 2002 to celebrate the years of effort to reopen
the canal with (from left to right) John Street (Chairman of Littleborough Civic Trust), Chris Davies M.E.P., Keith Parry
(Littleborough Action Group), Lorna Fitzsimons M.P., and Councillor Irene Davidson the Mayor of Rochdale. This was at
Pikehouse Lock where enthusiasts first began the epic work by removing rubbish from the lock.
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Coach House
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1979
November 15th. Public meeting approves scheme to make semi-derelict Coach House, Lodge Street into a multipurpose community
building. Greater Manchester Council's Draft Structure Plan leads to designation
of Conservation Areas including Littleborough Town Centre.
Canal restoration begins with Youth Training and Community Projects schemes on both sides of the border!
1980
Restoration and extension of Steanor Bottom
Toll completed and advertised for private sale.
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1981
LCT sponsors area meeting to promote
walking, deal with blockages and safeguard walkers' and landowners' /users'
interests. NFU, Ramblers, North West Water Manor of Rochdale and interested
individuals attend.
1982
Littleborough Coach House Trust Ltd receives
£15,000 loan from Architectural Heritage Fund - repayable in 2 years.
1983
In October the Coach House Heritage Centre is opened
by Rt. Hon. Lord Barnett.
1985
Greater Manchester County Structure Plan
approved Hollingworth Lake Country Park Visitor Centre, tree planting and
improved car parking.
1986
LCT arranges visit to Plysu's factory in
Milton Keynes, a public meeting and an exhibition following their Littleborough
planning application. Pennine Heritage sets up working party to restore Clegg
Hall. Civic Trust Environment Week Quiz.
1987
LCT creates garden on derelict land at the
bottom of Barnes Meadows with help from Shell UK and Oldham and Rochdale
Groundwork Trust.
1988
LCT arranges well attended public meeting re
proposed town centre supermarket.
1989
After 10 years work the Coach House refurbishment is completed and officially opened by local MP Geoffrey
Dickens on the 6th May.
Dinner dance held by LCT at Coach House,
sponsored by Akzo and many local traders.
1990
Local Authority carries out work in
Littleborough Town Centre Conservation Area. Trust expresses concern at lack of
public consultation.
1991
Local Authority publishes Unitary
Development Plan proposals. LCT establishes Tree Nursery near Coronation Walk.
"Walks Around Littleborough" Booklet published. Rochdale Canal
Society and LCT through Mersey Basin Trust invite freelance consultant to draft
outline plans for modest 'marina' development at Durn.
1992
LCT is offered services of 'Business in the
Community' to carry out commercial survey to supplement Local Authority
Feasibility Study for the areas around the High School, Harehill House and the
recreation grounds. Joint meetings with other local groups over destruction of
paved road at Higher Calderbrook by North West Water. Meeting with National
Grid Officials, Environmental Consultant and Local Authority Officers
concerning reinstatement of access tracks over moorland. Environment Week Joint
litter pick up with Stansfield School and the support of Local Authority and
Groundwork. Screening of waste area at Walsden Printing. LCT awards Rif Raf for
quality of work and choice of material on new extension and choice of logo.
1994
Worked with the Groundwork Trust on the
improvement of Shop Wood. Commented on the draft Rochdale UDP. Started work on
text for new tourist information board at Littleborough station. (It was
installed in 1996) Held clean-up at Barker's Wood. Campaigned to protect trees
at Ferrand Lodge housing development. Held a public meeting on renewable
energy.
1995
Campaign to re-instate the tipped-on public
footpath at Lydgate. Carried out shrub planting on station approach. Promoted
the development of an Outdoor Pursuits Centre at the former High School.
Campaigned to get a better redevelopment scheme for the old primary school
site. Held a musical evening at the Coach House. Held a clean-up and bulb-plant
at Coronation Walk. Conceived the idea of a book on the history of
Littleborough.
1996
Laid the hedge along Coronation Walk.
Campaigned for better enforcement of Council's tree protection measures. Held
clean up on the river by the station. Campaigned to get Shore War memorial tidied
up. Held a Beer and Brass evening. Celebrated our 25th Anniversary with a
social evening and tree planting at the Coach house. Campaigned for more
Council resources to be given to public footpaths.
1997
Took part in a clean-up at Shore Hurst.
Organised a meeting on walking, riding and cycling at the Coach House. Arranged
for the Aiggin Stone to be re-erected with the help of Construction Projects
Ltd and Littleborough Lions. Campaigned against the development of housing on
industrial land at Stubley Mill. Participated in a Regeneration Forum at the
old High School.
1998
Persuaded the Council to construct a
footpath to Hare Hill play area. Held a clean up on land next to the cricket
club. Took part in another clean up at Shore Hurst. Campaigned to have the
community's views on regeneration priorities re-instated in the Regeneration
Strategy. Carried out a survey of flagstone walls. Objected to the proposed
diversion of footpath 123.
1999
Involved in campaign to have Birch Hill hospital clock tower 'listed'. Commented on several Government discussion papers. Invited Council's Conservation officer to speak at a Trust Committee meeting. Launched 'The Story of Littleborough' book at the Coach House in the
presence of the Trust's president, Lord Barnett.
2000
Commented on Issues for the review of the Rochdale Unitary Development Plan. Took part in discussions about the future development of Hollingworth Lake Country Park.
Sought the 'listing' of buildings at Littleborough canal wharf.
Created and launched this website.
Organised a public meeting on the imminent restoration of the Rochdale Canal.
2001
At the instigation of the then Chairman, John Street, funding was sought from a variety of sources to create a 'Town Design
Statement for Littleborough'. Based upon a number of previously published 'Village Design Statements', this was the first attempt in
the country to create a statement for a town the size of Littleborough.
2002
Funding successfully gained from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Administered by the Countryside Agency, Phase 1 was begun, first by informing the town via a door by door mailshot of the project and inviting everyone to join in. (Don't know what we'd have done if they had!). There followed much legwork and discussion with various groups studying different aspects of the town and community. (Over a period of three years approximately 200 people from the town took part).
2003
Work continues on Town Design Statement.
2004
The Littleborough Town Design Statement, started by Littleborough Civic Trust but created by the people
of Littleborough, was completed satisfactorily in the Autumn and received
approval and acceptance by the Cabinet of Rochdale Metropolitan Borough
Council. Part of this became a Supplementary Planning Guide
to the Rochdale Unitary Development Plan. Work begun in the Spring, in anticipation of a successful conclusion to the project, was continued to gain a further grant for Phase 2 which would cover the publishing and printing costs.
2005
After much further work, checking, proof-reading etc. the document is published along with its sister publication 'The
Heritage of Littleborough' (prepared in its entirety by the Littleborough Historical & Archæogical Society) and a CD
disc containing both. The documents in their entirety can be read on this website if you go back to the menu page and click on Littleborough
Town Design Statement or the Heritage Statement