Town Hall bells to fall silent next week

Rochdale Town Hall’s magnificent clock tower

The bells at Rochdale Town Hall will be silent between Monday and Wednesday next week as their frame is repainted.

Some maintenance work was carried out in the clock tower back in April but the painting had to be put on hold because of young peregrine falcons nesting there.

Now that the falcons are old enough to take to the sky if they are disturbed by the work, the bell frame will be getting the loving attention it deserves.

The shut down will only last three days but will leave town centre shoppers and residents with an unfamiliar sound of silence.

Councillor Martin Burke, Cabinet Member for Operational Services at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “People around the borough are rightly very proud of our wonderful clock tower.

“It is in fine condition and this work is part of our commitment to making sure it stays that way. “

The bells are due to be ringing again on Thursday morning while clock itself will be unaffected by the work.