History
In 1924, Frederick Lye purchased Lenny Barn Farm from Lady Royds, comprising twenty-six acres and presented it to Rochdale for use as a playing field for children.
his was the first of his many wonderful gifts to the town.
Frederick Lye (1860 - 1948) was a Rochdale lad born and bred. He was educated at Mr. Wrigley's school and began his working life aged twelve years as a grocer's boy in the Pioneer's Society. He later became junior clerk in the office of John Bright and Brothers, and whom he would be associated with for over half a century. His first contact with John Bright being to witness his Last Will and Testament in 1878 and five years later for his second will. He rose to Vice Chairman of Directors and being a shrewd and knowledgeable businessman acquired a substantial fortune.
During this time Frederick married and had four children, one son dying during the Great War (1914-1918), and his daughters during the same period. His wife died in 1940. On his death, Frederic was survived by his son Leonard Lye.
In 1929, The Rochdale Rotary Club decided to make an effort to establish a branch of the National Playing Fields Association in the district, and on learning of this project, Mr. Lye bought thirty-six acres of land at Dobcross, Firgrove for this purpose.
Two years later he presented a further fifteen acres of adjoining land, and his munificence has enabled Rochdale to have playing fields which, are the envy of many towns.
Meanwhile, between these gifts had come another notable benefaction, that of some forty-two acres of land adjoining the Springfield Estate at Marland. Always a keen golfer (he was Captain of the Rochdale Golf Club as far back as 1906 and again in 1928-29), the purpose of this gift was to make possible a muncipal golf course.
The Golf Course was officially opened on April 2nd 1927.