Page 26 - Real Rochdale Issue 20 Winter 2023
P. 26
A short history of Hare Hill Who uses Hare Hill House?
House: 1901 to now Currently, an array of community groups
meet at the house on a weekly basis, with a
quarterly artisan market each season.
Alcoholics Anonymous meet on Monday
evenings from 7pm until 8.30pm
A members’ only lunch club for those who
are isolated or need in need of social
interaction meet from 11am until 1.30pm
on Tuesdays.
Ladies Chill and Chat from 9.30am to
11.30am on Wednesdays. It’s all about
making new friends over a brew and
connecting with others. For all ages.
is today occupied by small businesses,
including an accountant, surveyor, councillors, BLOKES, a support group for men suffer-
an IT company, artists and crafters. ing from loneliness, meet on a Wednesday
afternoon from 1.30pm until 3.30pm.
The restoration of being led by project Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, cakes and
champion Nick Andrews, who is leading an biscuits over a game of dominoes, cards or
enthusiastic and growing group of willing darts. For all ages - ages range from men in
volunteers to give it a new role as a creative their 20s to men in their 70s and 80s, with
community hub for all of Littleborough’s attendees coming from all over.
residents.
Sisters in Stitch meet on a Wednesday
With the support of the Hare Hill Heroes and night from 7pm to 9pm.
the local community, the house is being
Hare Hill House in Littleborough was originally Littleborough Library in 1903, thanks to a gift refurbished and many of its original features
the home of four generations of the Newall of £2,600 from Andrew Carnegie. – such as a centuries-old fresco and original Volunteers meet from 10.30am on
family from 1775 until the 1900s, a family hearth tiles – are once again being uncovered. Thursdays onwards to carry out
which played a significant role in the The house and park subsequently transferred refurbishment work.
development of Littleborough as a thriving to Rochdale Council on the dissolution of the
and important Pennine town for 14 UDC, and was used by the local authority until An ‘art 4 all’ workshop by Your Trust takes
generations, from 1453 to 1901. 2010. place from 1.30pm to 4pm on Thursdays.
A variety of other groups including U3A
It also served as the town hall for the Hare Hill House also played a huge part
now-defunct Littleborough Urban District during World War Two, as its cellar became an crafters and creative writing groups,
Council, offices for Rochdale Metropolitan air raid shelter for officers. An original air filter Rochdale DS Allstars and Friends of Hare
Borough Council until 2010, and is now used by still present in the cellar dates back to 1939. Hill Park, also meet monthly at the House.
the local community for a variety of causes.
Volunteers tracked down the company which MoorEnd Development Trust
The house’s grounds would later become Hare made it and discovered the only other surviving
Hill Park, now a Green Flag park with several air filter is currently housed in the Imperial War Anyone who is interested in volunteering
Grade II listed features. Museum. in the restoration of Hare Hill House can
get in touch with Nick Andrews via:
In 1901, Hare Hill House became the home of After the house had lain vacant for three years, nickjsandrews@gmail.com or mobile
the-then Littleborough Urban District the MoorEnd Development Trust, a local 07880 335437.
Council (1894-1974), which added charity, took charge in 2013. Part of the house Photo: Peter Hook
REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2023 26 27 REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2023
