MILNROW

'Milnrow' is a small town within the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale, in Greater Manchester, England.^[1] It is to the north-northeast of the city of Manchester, east of Rochdale, and north-northwest of Shaw and Crompton.
Historically a part of Lancashire, Milnrow is situated along the course of the River Beal at the foot of the Pennines, adjacent to Junction 21 of the M62 motorway. Newhey is a village contiguous with Milnrow, located on the southern border of the town.

Contents

History

Toponymy

Early history

Recent history

Governance

Landmarks

Notable people

References

External links

History

Toponymy

While a map from 1292 shows "Milnehouses" at Milnrow's current location, the village name is believed to be a corruption of the old pronunciation of "Millner Howe", a water driven corn mill mentioned in deeds of 1568 at a place called Mill Hill on the River Beal.^[2][3] However, some believe the name "Milnrow" is derived from the "Milne family", who owned a row of houses in the locality.

Early history

The Norman Conquest of England saw the birth of what is now known as Milnrow; the Norman families of "de Butterworths", "de Turnaghs", "de Schofields", "de Birchinleghs", "de Wylds" and "Cleggs" controlled the lands which formed the township of Butterworth from which Milnrow evolved. For centuries, Milnrow's economy was primarily agrarian, with the growing and milling of corn being the main labour of the people, though small-scale hand loom weaving of woollen goods was also common.
With the onset of the Industrial Revolution, the River Beal was harnessed to power large weaving mills. Around 1860, Milnrow's main industry changed from wool to cotton, which became the staple industry of the village until its general demise in the 1960s.

Recent history

Modern industry includes engineering, packaging materials, dyeing and finishing, and ink manufacture. Milnrow's main street (Dale Street) has since 1971 been bypassed by Elizabethan Way, the access road to the M62.
Milnrow's last cotton mill was Butterworth Hall Mill, demolished in the late 1990s.

Governance

Milnrow once formed a chapelry within the the ancient township of Butterworth, in the Parish of Rochdale. Though some parts of Milnrow used to fall within the ancient parish of Hundersfield.
From 1894 to 1974, Milnrow formed its own local government district; "Milnrow Urban District", and lay within the administrative county of Lancashire.^[4]
With the coming of local government reforms in 1974, the town's independent Urban District status was abolished, and Milnrow has since formed part of the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale, of Greater Manchester.
Although part of the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale, since 1997, Milnrow is represented in the House of Commons as part of the parliamentary constituency of Oldham East and Saddleworth, by Phil Woolas MP (having previously formed part of the Littleborough and Saddleworth constituency).

Landmarks

Milnrow has numerous shops, churches and pubs, and is the home of Ellenroad Engine House where 'Victoria' and 'Alexandra', the world's largest steam cotton mill engines are maintained in working order and can still be seen in steam on the first Sunday of each month. Hollingworth Lake Country Park can also be found close by.

Notable people

John Collier (also known as Tim Bobbin), was an acclaimed caricaturist and satirical poet who was born, raised and died in Milnrow in the 18th century. His work savagely lampooned the behaviour of upper and lower classes alike, and was written in a strong Lancashire dialect and accent.

References

External links

★ Ellenroad Engine House website

★ Milnrow.com