Society pledged to help keep the town sober
ON June 24, 1866, the Temperance Hall in Smith Street was opened.
In 1832 the Rev Cruckshank delivered a lecture in the theatre on Toad Lane in which he advocated the moderate use of wine and beer, but total abstinence from spirituous liquors.
On this basis the Temperance Society was formed in 1833.
Many prominent people took a leading part in its formation, including John Bright, Oliver and John Ormerod and Benjamin Heape.
It became apparent after 18 months that the clause that allowed beer and wine to be taken in strict moderation was very frequently violated.
This led to a conviction that nothing short of entire abstinence would suffice.
The Rochdale Total Abstinence Society was instituted in 1834, with the members taking the following pledge: “I voluntarily promise to abstain altogether from ale, porter, cider, wine, argent spirits and all kinds of intoxicating drinks (except when used in medicine or religious ordinance), that I will neither give nor offer them to others and that I will discontinuance all the cause and practises of impertinence.”
The movement grew around the town. The Rochdale Juvenile and Sunday School Total Abstinence Society was instituted in 1845 and in the year 1853 there were three societies in the town - the Rochdale Juvenile, the Washingtonian and the Parent Temperance Society.
In 1853 these all formed a union known as the Rochdale Temperance Society.
At a meeting of the committee held on October 24, 1865, it was resolved to build a new Temperance Hall on Smith Street, and the hall opened on June 24, 1866.
Several temperance hotels opened around the town, including Duckworth’s on Drake Street.