CASTLETON, GREATER MANCHESTER


'Castleton' is a settlement and electoral ward within the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale, in Greater Manchester, England. It is 8 miles (12.9 km) north-northwest of the city of Manchester and 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) south-southwest of Rochdale.
Historically a part of Lancashire, Castleton experienced rapid growth during the 19th century as a mill town, facilitated for the most part by the construction of the Rochdale Canal which is routed throught the area. Castleton's growth was significant; so much so, that for a time it was almost the same size of nearby Rochdale.
Located between junctions 19 and 20 of the M62 motorway, Castleton today is a predominantly residential area, with a total population of 9,715.[1]

Contents
History
Transport history
Governance
Economy
Landmarks
Transport
Sports
Education
Religious sites
References

History


Castleton was first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086, and, as the name suggests, the area was the site of a castle. The castle is believed to have been located on the south bank of the River Roch, which runs through Castleton, in a locality that today forms part of Rochdale.[2]
During the 1200s, Castleton was known as ''Castletown'', or ''Castle Town''.
The tourist sign adjacent to the Rochdale canal in Castleton, providing local historical information and the history of the canal.

Back around the time the canal was built, Castleton was known as Blue Pits Village, because of the blue clay that was found and mined around the area that the railway is now. This information is on a tourist sign on the entrance to the canal off the Manchester bound side of Manchester Road.
Transport history

The Rochdale Canal was routed through Castleton around the year 1800, and made Castleton one of the larger industrial areas in the northwest of England. The canal granted jobs for hundreds of local residents, as it enabled the construction of several cotton mills.
The Manchester and Leeds Railway Company (later the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway) arrived in Castleton in 1839, and it was here that the line formerly diverged to Bury, Ramsbottom, Rawtenstall, Bacup and finally rejoined the main line at Rochdale. Castleton's railway area was one of the last mainstays of steam, being a huge resource of freight.

Governance


Lying within the historic county boundaries of Lancashire from a very early time, Castleton constituted a township within the ancient parish of Rochdale, in Salford hundred.[3] During this time, Castleton stretched beyond what is now recognised as its boundaries, including with it the localities of Balderstone, Captain Fold, Hartly, Marland and Newburn.
In 1865, part of Castleton was transferred to the newley created ''Municipal Borough of Rochdale'', and following local government reorganisation in 1894, Castleton, though lying wholly within the administrative county of Lancashire, remained divided on this basis, forming two local government districts; "County Borough of Rochdale" and "Castleton-by-Rochdale". Castleton-by-Rochdale was renamed to "Castleton Urban District" in 1896, and four years later in 1900, was abolished (as part of a mutual agreement between local councilmen[4]) split and transferred to the neighbouring Rochdale and Heywood local government districts.
As part of the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972, the former county boroughs and Urban Districts were abolished, and Castleton was given to the newly formed Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale within the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester.

Economy


Castleton is home to a large Woolworths warehouse and office block, based on Royle Barn Road. This mill is rather clothes to Arrow Mill, which is almost adjacent on Queensway. Royle Barn Road links Castleton with Sudden, emerging near the Tescos supermarket.
Castleton is without any banks as they were all closed in the late 80s/early 90s. Carcraft is based there, on the former site of ASDA—which moved to Rochdale Town Centre.

Landmarks


Castleton is home to Saint Martin's Church of England. This example of religious Victorian architecture still stands tall to this very day. It was completed in 1863 and closed in 1991. It was refurbished in 2002/2003.
Castleton's main apparent architecture is that of the old Victorian style terraces, however there are some renovated areas.

Transport


Castleton railway station serves the local community at Castleton, and lies on both the Manchester to Rochdale via Oldham Line, and the Caldervale Line (which connects Castleton to the city of Leeds.
Castleton is home to the Corus Steel Works, which is based on what used to be Castleton's East Junction which lead up to Heywood-Rawtenstall and on to Bacup. The Heywood to Rawtenstall part of the railway line is open to the public as the East Lancashire Railway, a beautifuly preserved steam railway. The East Junction was also an enormous marshalling yard.
The Rochdale Canal runs through Castleton, adjacent to the railway on one side, and Queensway on the other. The Road passes over the canal via an old brick bridge, which was refurbished along with the canal. Castleton is also home to two of the canal's locks, as it goes on a down gradient through Slattocks and on its way into Manchester City Centre.

Sports


Castleton has its own Rugby and Football clubs. Rochdale Mayfield (formally Mayfield) play Rugby League at their Mayfield ground, although as with so many green areas, this has just been sold off to housing developers. Castleton Gabriels play at nearby Butterworth Park (Named after their owner, Tom Butterworth). Castleton Gabriels play in the North West Counties league Div 2. They now share their ground with Rochdale Mayfield A.L.R.F.C. now that their ground sale is complete (Both grounds are visible from the other, and are about a 5-minute walk between the two).

Education


Castleton has three primary (elementary) schools: Castleton County Primary School, St. Edwards Primary School, and St. Gabriel's RC Primary School. Castleton Primary School is by far the most memorable by Castleton's older residents, as it was built in 1902 and opened to the public as 'Castleton Board School' in 1903. The School's external secondary assembly hall/sporting equipment shed/annex was demolished in 2003 to make way for a better building.

Religious sites


Castleton is home to a Victorian church, which was renovated in 2002/2003. In its years of deprivation (1991-2002), the churchgoers used the church hall (now demolished) for all events and sermons.

References


1. Castleton (Ward) United Kingdom Census 2001
2. A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 5, , J, Brownbill, Victoria County History, ,
3. A select gazetteer of local government areas, Greater Manchester County Anon
4. The 1890s Rochdale Observer


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