Christmas carols and special gifts

IN our weekly Time-Trip feature, we take a look back at events happening in Rochdale in years gone by.

Each week we will showcase a selection of pictures taken by Rochdale Observer photographers.

This month we remember Rochdale’s festive celebrations over the years.

Our first picture of the week (above) is a shot of the United Co-op Band entertaining the crowds with Christmas songs at Milnrow Memorial Park in 2004.

Next (right) we have Stephen Davies, 12, of the Unicorns of Skylight Circus amazed by the Lanterns at the Rochdale Town Centre Christmas light switch on in 2005.

Our bottom right picture, from 2011, is of the carol singers from churches across the north of Rochdale who came together at Cutgate Shopping Centre to celebrate Christmas.

They were led by Pastor Brian Drury, minister at Cutgate Baptist Church, who invited the group back to the church for a warm beverage after the service.

The carol singers raised £75 for Springhill Hospice.

Our final picture (below) shows some of the Christmas hampers donated to Spring Hill Hospice courtesy of the local Freemasons and Marks and Spencer staff back in 2011.

Pictured are (back row from left) Carol O’Brien and Lynne McOwen, nursing staff; Peter Hewitt, chairman of Rochdale Freemasons and Ken Davis (front row from left) Debra Johnson; Megan Hargreaves and Sue Hallam, Marks & Spencer’s staff members; Sister Pat Harding and Bernard Percy, Rochdale Masonic Social Club secretary.

If you have pictures that you would like us to feature, send them to communities@men media.co.uk or submit them via the Rochdale Observer Facebook page.