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Winter 2023New location for Local Studies Centre

The Local Studies Centre has moved into a new temporary home at Sparth Community Centre due to extensive building refurbishments at its former Touchstones home.

This relocation follows the securement of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisation funding for Touchstones earlier this year, totalling £325,000 to help build on Rochdale’s cultural scene.

The Local Studies and Archives collection, cherished by borough residents, encompasses an extensive array of materials documenting the Rochdale area, spanning Castleton, Littleborough, Milnrow, Wardle and Norden.

Primary services include access to cemetery records and wills, electoral registers, and historical burgess rolls. The collection extends to encompass news archives, photographs, maps, plans, as well as an assortment of books and articles. Spanning centuries, the collection boasts historical artefacts, with one of its earliest items being a land grant in Todmorden dating back to 1318.

The centre also has computer availability, with internet and printing services - including access to FindMyPast and Ancestry.

Mark Doyle, director of arts, culture and wellbeing at Touchstones, said: “While the space of Touchstones Rochdale has temporarily closed its doors to the public, it’s important for us to keep in touch with our visitors and offer them alternative ways to interact with Rochdale’s art and cultural heritage.

“Here at Touchstones, we appreciate the value of art and culture and the positive impact it has on people’s wellbeing.”

Alongside the announcement of the new location, Touchstones has recently launched a new podcast series, The Touchstones Tapes, in partnership with Audio Always - aimed at celebrating the rich artistic and cultural sphere in the area.

For more details on the Local Studies Centre, visit: www.yourtrustrochdale.co.uk/venues/ local-studies-centre/

Local Studies Centre
Norman Road, Rochdale, OL11 4HS
01706 924915

Opening Times
Wednesday - Saturday: 10am - 12.30pm & 1pm - 4.30pm