Graduates on ‘Hidden Rochdale’ mission

Graduate volunteers Daniel Jessop (21, left) and Robert Birtwell (21, right) surveying at Lower Dunishbooth in Rochdale

A group of graduate volunteers from Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale are on a mission to discover the secret past of Rochdale and learn new facts about the lives of its residents.

The ‘Hidden Rochdale’ project is aiming to unearth clues about Rochdale at sites such as Dunishbooth, Naden Head and Copped Hill. Until now these sites haven’t been surveyed, and very little is known about their history.

Robert Birtwell, a graduate volunteer working on the project, said: “Hidden Rochdale is a fantastic opportunity to add to the already rich history of the town. By looking at these sites, we can share new details about it’s past and provide a new perspective about the previous residents of Rochdale.”

Graduate volunteer, Dan Jessop, from Falinge in Rochdale, added: “There’s a lot to learn from hidden Rochdale, and it brings new skills to those of us working on the project.”

The project, run in conjunction with the Salford Hundred Heritage Society, will provide content for an information pack for local schools to educate pupils on the hidden history of their town. A display will also be placed in the Touchstones museum to educate the people of Rochdale on this previously undiscovered band of countryside.

The graduate volunteers working on this project are taking part in Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale’s ‘v challenge’ voluntary placement programme.

The 13-week programme is funded by v, the national youth volunteering charity and aims to break the cycle faced by many graduates of no experience = no job = no experience.

If anybody has further information on the history of Copped Hill, Dunishbooth or Naden Head contact Robert Birtwell at Groundwork on 0161 624 1444 or email v.teamd@groundwork.org.uk.