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Moorlands Moorlands House The adjoining Moorlands Park, which originally contained the mansion house known as Moorlands, was given to the Borough of Bacup by the trustees of the late Mr Edward Hoyle in 1914. The two parks are home to the Maden Memorial, Tennis Courts, Playing Fields, Bowling Greens, The Dell and the Mitchell Fountain.
Moorlands House
Swans on the bird pond
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Maden Baths opened to the public in 1893.
Four young girls from Mount school at swimming lesson, the baths was also used as a gym and first aid centre during the second world war.
Maden Baths was gifted to Bacup in 1893 by the late Sir John Henry Maden, fulfilling a wish made by his father the late Henry Maden. One of the first swimming clubs to be formed was named the Madena and was formed in 1894. The Hon Secretary at the time being Alderman Sam Smith with Bert Brearley being one of its foundation members. This club was closely followed by other clubs namely Christ Church , Zion and the Borough Clubs.
The first Borough Championship race was won by Mr Rothwell of Britannia in the time of 104 seconds. The water unlike swimming baths of today, was of the colour of peat and was changed about every three months. By the turn of the century the number of clubs had dwindled and those that were left formed the Bacup Amateur Swimming Club. Producing it's first World Champion in the form of David Billington.
David Billington held the Championship from 1900 to 1905, living just across the road from the baths at 35 Rochdale Road, he had plenty of opportunity to practice living so close and with his father Edward being manager of the swimming baths. David Billington won nine national championships by the time he was nineteen. Another great Bacupian swimmer was Billy Foster who not only represented his country in the Olympic Polo Team from 1908 to 1912 but also held the record for the 100 yards and half a mile, during this same period. Not to be outdone his sisters Ivy, Mary and Annie were all schoolgirl and Borough Champions in their turns. Maggie Smith also carved herself a name in the Hall of fame for Bacup Swimmers, becoming the All Lancashire Champion in the early years of the 20th century. Maden baths was said to be the best fitted baths in the north of England replete with every modern comfort and appliance. Complete with Turkish Baths said to help preserve the publics health by opening pours removing hindrances to the circulation. Mixed Bathing was introduced in 1927.
Equipped with the very best in Laundry facilities, slipper and vapour baths.
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Stubylee Home of James Maden Holt from 1856 until his death in 1911.Mr Holt financed the building of St Saviours Church, Vicarage and School and during the cotton famine, created work for many unemployed men, having them build a road across Rooley Moor, sadly the roadwork's had to be abandoned due to the boggy and marshy ground. In 1914 Stubylee was purchased by the then Corporation out of money provided in a trust fund by Mr Miles Ashworth of Acre Mill, a former councillor of the Borough.
Stubylee Hall
The Bowling Green at Stubylee with St Saviours church in background.
Paddling Pool at Stubylee presented to the Borough in 1929 by Councillor Thomas Coates and Mrs Coates. Looking at the pictures the paddling pool must have seemed like a real treat for the children using Stubylee Park when it was first built my memories of it like many others no doubt is slicing my foot open on a broken bottle that someone had thrown in.
Maden Recreation Ground.
Was presented to the Borough in 1893 by the late Sir John Henry Maden, again to fullfill the wishes of his father Henry Maden.
Swing Boats on Maden Recreation Ground.
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