Spotlight on Rawtenstall

IN this week’s Memory Lane, we take a look back at scenes from Rawtenstall in years gone by.

The earliest settlement on the land where Rawtenstall now sits was formed in early medieval times. The town grew significantly during the Industrial Revolution, as new mills were built to process cotton.

Many terraced houses were built for mill workers, as well as larger houses for mill owners and their families.

Coal mining and quarrying also took place in the town at that time.

The population of Rawtenstall declined in the 20th century, as traditional industries also shrank. The industry to survive the longest was shoemaking.

This week our regular Memory Lane contributor, Peter Fisher, has sent us some pictures of events and places in Rawtenstall.

The first three pictures show, clockwise, from top left, a procession of adults and children through the streets of the Rawtenstall to mark St Paul’s Walking Day in the 1920s.

Beneath these is a shot of St Mary’s Way in Rawtenstall, taken in the 1970s.

Bottom right is a picture of celebrations for the silver jubilee of King George and Queen Mary in 1936.

Finally, below, is our last shot of the week, which shows a general view of Rawtenstall, taken on February 25, 1934.

If these pictures bring back memories, please get in touch. Many thanks to all our regular nostalgia contributors.