Mayor and Mayoress open Watergrove Room at Wardle and Smallbridge History Group

Mayor and Mayoress open Watergrove Room at Wardle and Smallbridge History Group

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The Mayor and Mayoress officially opened a dedicated ‘Watergrove Room’ at Wardle and Smallbridge History Group on Wednesday (22 March).

They were introduced by member Maeve Fagan, who also gave some background to the history of Watergrove.

The ‘Watergrove Room’ contains artefacts, photographs, paintings and documents about the village of Watergrove. The ruins of the village lie underneath the reservoir, which was built in 1938.

The room also includes a large model of the village, made by one of the group’s members, as it was prior to the construction of the reservoir.

Ann Butterworth said: “We were delighted to welcome the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale to Wardle and Smallbridge History Group to officially open our dedicated Watergrove Room.

“Many people enjoy the beautiful scenery around Watergrove Reservoir without knowing the story of the village beneath its waters.

“Anyone who has an interest in the history of the area is welcome to pay us a visit.”

Rochdale Corporation chose Watergrove as the site for a large reservoir following a prolonged drought in the 1930s.