History centre set for opening

Platform view: Entrance is through gate just prior to building

Littleborough’s History Centre will officially open this coming Easter weekend.

The centre, which has been set up by the Littleborough Historical and Archaeological Society, is located at Littleborough train station in a formerly under-used station building.

It will open between 11.00am and 4.00pm on Good Friday, Saturday and Easter Monday.

It will then be open at weekends for those hours.

Bernard Platt from the Littleborough Historical and Archaeological Society, said: “We will have on display some of our artefacts and memorabilia as well as computer access to our extensive photographic collection.

“Further access to our documents will become increasingly available electronically but researchers may also be able to access records via request to members present.”

He added: “We have also got a lot of information on all WW1 soldiers from Littleborough who fought and fell. You may well have a family relative which we can help with. Our large exhibits may prove more interesting than you may have thought.”
The Littleborough Historical and Archaeological Society has been around for over 30 years and has an extensive archive including a collection of many thousands of documents, pictures and artefacts – and until now has had no where to display them.

For a short period the society operated a small but popular museum in Littleborough but this was closed when funding ceased.

Fortunately, the rail industry, Northern Rail and Network Rail offered the Society the under-used station building at Littleborough for use as a Research and Interpretation facility – now to be known as Littleborough’s History Centre.

The converted buildings will enable the society to make local history accessible to residents and visitors alike.

The project is being supported by Rochdale MBC, the Railway Heritage Trust Network Rail and Northern Rail.