Visitors to Rochdale will be able to step back in time and compare past and present views of the town centre on a guided heritage photo walk taking place in September.
Exploring Broadfield Park Slopes and town landmarks
The walk, led by documentary photographer Ellie Waters, will lead participants through the town hall square and the surrounding historic sites, including St Chad’s Church, the Church Steps and Broadfield Park. It encourages people to observe the built environment and record it through photography while reflecting on local memory and change.
The activity builds on a sold-out July walk that also covered Broadfield Park Slopes and nearby historical landmarks. Archive photographs supplied by the Rochdale Local Studies Centre, together with images from the personal collection of Ellie’s grandfather, M. J. Burgess, were used as prompts during the earlier event.
“The Heritage Photo Walk invited participants to explore the history of Rochdale through photography, encouraging them to connect with the town’s heritage by observing and documenting the present,”
Ellie says the walks are designed not just to show places but to provoke conversation about how the town has changed and how people relate to local spaces.
Project context and practical details
The event is part of the Broadfield Park Slopes Project, which has received funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Work on the slopes has included restoration of historical water features such as the pond and the Packer Spout Fountain.
- Leader: Ellie Waters, documentary photographer
- Archive material: Rochdale Local Studies Centre and M. J. Burgess archive
- Funded by: National Lottery Heritage Fund
- Next walk: Saturday, 12 September, 11am–1pm
| What | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage Photo Walk | 12 September, 11:00–13:00 | Rochdale town hall square, Broadfield Park Slopes |
Participants on the walks are encouraged to slow down, take notice of architectural and landscape details and share memories prompted by the historical images on display. The approach blends visual storytelling with local history to help residents reconnect with familiar places.
Further information about booking or future walks was not provided in the material received. Residents interested in joining should check local noticeboards or the organisers’ announcements for booking details and any accessibility information.
