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Drummer Lee Rigby RIP

Middletonia would like to offer sincere condolences to the Middleton family of Lee Rigby after the horrific events of yesterday at Woolwich. An event that has deeply shocked our community further on discovering that Lee was one of our own. I'm sure I speak for all when I say that Middleton folk are behind you 100% and that you are in our thoughts at this truly painful time. Your boy will always be proudly remembered by us all. May you, for now, grieve in peace.

The Water Doctor's Daughters by Pauline Conolly

This book which I featured an extract from here detailing Julia Schwabe's involvement in the case is now available to buy and here is a review from the Historical Novel Society;

"This is true crime and also a Victorian melodrama which outdoes any fictional Victorian melodrama I have ever read. It centres on the trial of a French governess accused of the murder of one of her English charges and the systematic mistreatment of her four sisters. But was their father, an eminent doctor and an alternative medicine fanatic, complicit in this tragedy? And this is only the start of a web of illicit liaisons, unnatural deaths and other scandals which spreads across the extended family and down the generations. Everything is copiously documented and illustrated with photographs of all the main locales. This is Conolly’s first full length book, and I hope she gives us some more."

Also now available - Marcia by John Wheatley

A fantastic new novel - Set in the industrial town of Middleton, to the north of Manchester, MARCIA tells the story of a first-love that continues to haunt two people long after their lives have gone in different directions. Recording the rituals and intimacies of courtship and marriage, the novel evokes the changing faces of Middleton through four decades as it moves towards its post-industrial present.

This Month in Middleton History

Middleton market thrives once more in its new, more sensible location, and in its 222nd year! Lord Suffield (previously known as Harbord Harbord) obtained the town's market charter from King George III on 23rd June 1791.

Click here for more about Harbord Harbord in People & Places

Article of the Month

Bikers gathered to remember fallen friend

A Middleton man who served in the Army Cadets with murdered Drummer Lee Rigby led hundreds of bikers in a moving tribute to his childhood friend on Wednesday evening of the 29th May. More than 200 bikers rode from Rochdale Town Hall to Middleton Arena where they signed a book of condolence dedicated to 25-year-old Lee, who was attacked and murdered by two terror suspects in Woolwich on the 22nd of May.......................For more and to see footage of the event, go to News.

Event of the Month in Middleton

Sunday 9th June

The Friendship Inn. 1pm-7pm

Live acoustic music event for Cancer Research

An event being held in memory of local folk/blues Steve Crooks from 'Freeway' and all our loved ones lost to cancer. Fun events on the day such as a male leg wax, raffles with prizes at £1.00 per ticket available at The friendship Inn and drawn on the day at 5pm. Artists will include local young talent as well as more established musicians/singers and performers including X-offender (Blondie tribute act), Fanny's Pantry, Freeway 5, Chris Nolan, Sara Lavina Darby, Andy Darbyshire, Lee Dargue Jnr and many more yet to be confirmed. Hot food will be available.

You can donate by going to the organisers JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/juliekenna3105.

For more events, go to the events page.

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