The Mayors and Mayoress’ of Rochdale

The photograph was taken in 1990 in the Broadfield Hotel when John Gorman was Mayor and M/s Vera Lomax was Mayoress. Top row: Harold Stanley, Gwen Albiston, John Pierce, Les Worsley, Norman Angus, Thelma Angus, Norman Smith, Shirley Smith, Marjorie Whitehead, Allan Whitehead, Middle Row: Joyce Stanley, Veronica Pierce, Elsie Worsley Bottom Row: Les Albiston, Derrick Walker, Elsie Walker, John Gorman, Vera Lomax, Jean Sanderson

Since 1856 Rochdale has had a Mayor with the first being Jacob Bright. Born in Green Bank, Rochdale, Bright was the first mayor elected on the town’s incorporation as a municipal borough. Following his footsteps was Robert T  Heape who was mayor for Rochdale during 1857-1858. Robert was then mayor of the town again in 1876. 

Surprisingly in 1891 the position of Mayor was held for one day by Edward Taylor. Mr Taylor then resigned his position on the same day because he believed the position ought to be paid a salary. His successor, Sir James Duckworth, went on to hold the position for two years.

During World War II, despite the industries, Rochdale suffered little bombing with the only major attack being in 1941. During the time, James S Hardman was Mayor of Rochdale.

It is believed that Hitler admired the architecture of Rochdale Town Hall so much that he wished to ship the building brick by brick to Nazi Germany had Germany occupied England. It is further believed that this is why Rochdale was broadly avoided by German bombers.

The years 1966-1967 saw Cyril Smith appointed as Mayor of the town with his mother, Eva as Mayoress. During his time, his mayoral duties where recorded for a BBC Man Alive documentary. In November 2012 Greater Manchester Police announced that it would investigate allegations that Smith sexually abused boys in a Rochdale hostel after 1974. Smith died in his home town of Rochdale on 3 September 2010.

Rochdale became a metropolitan borough in April 1974 and Councillor Alfred Kaufman was the new borough's Mayor. The new six town borough consisted of Rochdale, Littleborough, Wardle, Milnrow, Heywood and Middleton.

From 1976-1977 Rochdale saw its oldest Mayor and Mayoress when Councillor Alderman Les Albiston was sworn in. His Mayoress was his wife Mrs Gwen Albiston. Conservative Councillor Albiston became Mayor after 10 years service as Alkrington ward councilor.

John D Gorman was appointed Mayor in 1990 along with his Mayoress Ms Vera Lomax.

1996 then saw Rochdale's first female Mayor with Susan Emmott being sworn in during 1996-1997.

Another female Mayor followed in the year after Susan Emmott as Jane Gartside held the position during 1998-1999. Born in Blackpool, Jane moved to Rochdale after marrying her husband, former Mayor, James Gartside.

Departing Mayor James Gartside held the position during 2012 and 2013. After a tremendous year for the UK and Rochdale, Mr Gartside has been succeeded by Peter Rush who is Mayor of the Rochdale borough for 2013 and 2014. Peter was born within half a mile of Rochdale town centre and has lived in Heywood for the past 50 years. His wife, Monica Rush is his Mayoress.

There is a photograph of each Mayor since 1956 displayed at the Town Hall in the corridor leading to the Council Chamber.