Littleborough history comes alive at Hare Hill House

Photo: Zoe Burtonwood

The Hare Hill Heroes in costume for the Heritage Open Days 2016

Well over 100 visitors called in to Hare Hill House over the weekend as the Littleborough mansion took part in the National Heritage Open Days.

The Hare Hill Heroes dressed up in costume to bring Littleborough history to life, visitors met Lawrence Newall’s ghost and were shown around the Georgian house by his great grandson, Henry, as well as chatted with a WW2 air raid warden and took part in a debate in the Council chamber.

There was exhibition of historical photos and artefacts, including a 200-year-old fresco.

The event saw the launch of the Newall Heritage Trail, an approximate two mile walk exploring the influence the Newall family had on the development of Littleborough.

The house was originally home to the Newall family from the 1770s until 1900 and then served as the Town Hall for Littleborough Urban District Council.

In 1974 it passed to Rochdale Council and in 2013 Moor End Trust took up occupation of the vacant and vandalised property to create a local Community Enterprise and Arts Centre.

With the support of the Hare Hill Heroes and the local community the house is being refurbished and many of its original features are once again being uncovered.

A spokesperson for Hare Hill House said: "We've had some brilliant donations and wonderful feedback so a big thank you goes to the people who came to find out about this historic house."