Wardle and Smallbridge History Group share Jim Tweedale articles: The flying machine that closed the mills

The Wardle and Smallbridge History Group (WASHG) have shared three excerpts about Wardle and Smallbridge from their collection of reporter Jim Tweedale’s articles: “The flying machine that closed the mills”, “A matter of honour 'Roses' Match played in ancient style” and “A Memory of Old Smallbridge.”

Jim was born in 1901 on Halifax Road, Smallbridge, and lived there throughout his childhood. He married Winifred Tattersall in 1928 and went to live in Elm Grove, Wardle where he stayed until his death in 1986 at the age of 84. He always worked in the cotton industry and finished his working life at Walsden Bleaching and Dying Company.

His father was Percival Tweedale and his mother was called Mary. Percival, a licenced beerhouse keeper living at 356 Halifax Rd. The houses on either side in the original are numbers 360 and 352 but the address on the original document was Hare and Hounds, Smallbridge.

Jim was also the Wardle and Smallbridge columnist for the Rochdale Observer for many years. After retirement, he wrote many articles on local life and history for the newspaper and also gave talks to local groups.

The flying machine that closed the mills

“The story begins on Sunday 4 January 1914, at Belle Vue, Manchester, at 10 am when Mr B.C. Hucks, a famous aviator, and his friend, Mr R.A. Coulson, planned to fly to Leeds, a distance of 30 miles.

“Their machine was a monoplane, a Bleriot 80hp two-seater, and a very fragile-looking machine it was. They pointed Tornado's nose in the right direction over the Pennines, but within minutes the frail machine was quickly blown off course by the resurgent gale force wind. Tossed and buffeted, and miles away from their flight path, there was only one thing to do in the gathering darkness – make a forced landing.

“Help was sought and after working for some three hours in the wind and rain with light from storm lamps the willing helpers directed by the fliers had dismantled the plane by removing the wings and rudder. It was then wheeled to the barn at Nick Road Farm, where Mr T. Wild lived. By the following morning, Monday, news of the forced landing had spread for miles around and by early afternoon many eager sightseers made their way to Nick Road Farm.

“Among them were work-people from Wardle taking an extended dinner break which caused the mills to close for the day. Two mechanics arrived, and after roping the wings and rudder to the body of the machine, they carried it to the main road at Whitworth, helped by a few Wardle people and Mr. Wild. Then hitched it to the rear of Mr Wild's milk float and Tornado made an inglorious exit from the Whitworth scene. It was towed all the way to a garage at Knott Mill, Deansgate, Manchester.”