Rossendale Civic Trust

12/06/2026

Hello everyone!

We’re open again this weekend (Saturday & Sunday) from 1pm to 4.30pm

16/05/2026

There’s lots happening around the valley today., but the Cottage is open until 4 for visitors of all ages

We’re also open tomorrow! 1-4pm. The living history of Rossendale, along with a cup of tea!

15/05/2026

Hello everyone!

Great news, we’re opening the Weavers’ Cottage this weekend! Saturday and Sunday, 1pm - 4pm!

We’re hoping to have everything ready. New exhibitions as well as our usual displays.

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available!

Looking forward to seeing you there.

18/04/2026

We’re down at Tesco Rawtenstall today and tomorrow with our display on Longholme Mill that was on this site.
As well as a long history in Rawtenstall the Mill was one of the sites of the 1826 Weavers Uprising.
Come and ask us about it!

16/04/2026

Did you know ……..that 200 years ago, events in Rossendale changed history? In April 1826, ten cotton mills in Rossendale were attacked by loom - wreckers, and there were six fatalities. The story has not been fully researched until now, when we can look back on how actions which followed led us into the modern industrial world.

This weekend, we launch our commemoration at Rawtenstall’s ‘Tesco’, which is built on the site of Longholme Mill, one of those attacked: and you can find out more at linked presentations at the Whitaker and Bacup Museums, as well as the Weaver’s Cottage, Rawtenstall and Higher Mill, Helmshore. Come and see our stand on Saturday and Sunday to find out more.

16/11/2025

St John’s:- is it demolition after all?

On Thursday November 13th a meeting was held at which the Church Commissioners and representatives from Manchester Diocese announced that they were about to launch a formal Consultation into their proposed demolition of St. John’s.

On November 15th Rossendale Civic Trust Committee, determined to continue our long-standing battle to save what is left of Rossendale’s most important architectural gems, object to all aspects of this decision. This once glorious building has been long neglected by Manchester Diocese, who now say that proposals to buy and restore it are ‘not viable’. Yet we still know of at least one resourceful buyer waiting in the wings with two alternative schemes which have never come forward to be considered at planning level.

We know full well that the damaged and stolen artefacts from inside can never be replaced and it is highly unlikely that it will never be a church again, but its setting in the village scene is vastly important, and people from near and far for many years have shown concern about its potential loss.

Well now is the time to let those feelings be known publicly. This is notice to everybody who has ever expressed any concern to keep a watch on public notices and in touch with us to get the updated facts on what is now being actively threatened.

Please see photos below and a link to the Urban Explorers video - don’t miss reading the comments.

https://youtu.be/UMFnQv1isjY

19/10/2025

There’s a lot more to Haslingden than most people think

Step back in time with us on Sunday, October 19th for a guided Walking Tour of Haslingden, led by a passionate local historian! 🗺️✨

From hidden landmarks to surprising tales, this is your chance to see Haslingden in a whole new light and connect with the past that shaped it.

📍 Meeting point: St James' Church, Haslingden
🗓️ Date: Sunday, 19th October
Bring your curiosity—and maybe a friend!

To book on please contact [email protected] OR call 01706252401

03/09/2025

(Belated) August building of the month

Probably uniquely named, ‘Cave Adullam’ in Haslingden has an application in for conversion to a small Children’s Home. After threats of demolition, this application helps explain the name of Chapel Street, which it once shared with the now demolished Wesleyan Methodists.
Cave Adullam was built in 1859 by the Particular Baptists, one of many groups that split off from main non-conformist bodies in mid Victorian times, and was named after the retreat found in Biblical times by David when hiding from Solomon. Particular Baptists avoided show and ceremony, so this very unassuming building lends itself well to change to a practical use - and hopefully an improvement in the surroundings whist retaining a bit of Haslingden’s history.

02/08/2025

July building of the month (belated)

Hugh Rake Farm Crawshawbooth
Subject of a recent planning application for a very modern extension on the back, but hopefully only tidying up the front, shown here. Dating back to 1732, and Listed Grade II, this was a working farm until the late 1990s. Both these pictures were taken by Kathy Fishwick and are in Rossendale Civic Trust archives, the first showing Margaret Atkinson in the garden in 1964, and the second from 1977 after a first ‘restoration’. It was one of a number of local farms built in the Crawshawbooth area by the Howarth family (see ‘Stories in Stone’ by John B. Taylor) who were cashing in on the growing textile industry and roads used by traders going to market.
One of Rossendale’s hidden gems that needs careful treatment.