Belfield, Greater Manchester

Belfield is an area within Rochdale, in Greater Manchester, England.[1] It lies at the confluence of the River Beal and River Roch, 1.3 miles (2.1 km) east-northeast of Rochdale's town centre. Belfield is bound to the east by the Rochdale Canal, which forms Rochdale's common boundary with Firgrove in Milnrow.[2]

Belfield
St Ann's church, Belfield
Belfield is located in Greater Manchester
Belfield
Belfield
Location within Greater Manchester
OS grid referenceSD915135
• London169 mi (272 km) SSE
Metropolitan borough
Metropolitan county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townROCHDALE
Postcode districtOL16
Dialling code01706
PoliceGreater Manchester
FireGreater Manchester
AmbulanceNorth West

Historically a part of Lancashire, Belfield was formerly a hamlet within the ancient township of Butterworth,[1] and for a time held in part by the Knights Hospitaller.[3] Belfield derives its name from the River Beal,[4] which flows into the area from neighbouring Milnrow.

A family with the surname Belfield were living in the locality during the reign of Edward III, when lands in Butterworth were conveyed to Adam de Belfield (1278–1279). In 1293–1294 Richard de Belfield conveyed to his brother Henry, "all his lands lying between the Bele (River Beal) and Stonneybeck (Stanney Brook)".[5]

For centuries a major landmark in the area was Belfield Hall, a historic house held by local dignitaries, including Alexander Butterworth and Richard Townley, who each served as the High Sheriff of Lancashire.[3][6]

There is a possible moated site in Belfield (grid reference SD91391362). The building on the site probably dates to c.1619 with parts rebuilt in 1752; part of the building is used as two cottages whilst the rest has been left to decay.[7]

Belfield's Anglican parish church is St Ann's. It was consecrated by the Bishop of Manchester in 1913.[8]

Belfield Bridge lies over the Rochdale Canal and is a Grade II listed structure.[9]

Belfield Community School, a primary school, lies within the locality.[10]

References
  1. "Greater Manchester Gazetteer". Greater Manchester County Record Office. Places names - B. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2007.
  2. Rochdale (Map) (1908 ed.). Cartography by Ordnance Survey. Alan Godfrey Maps. 2002. § Lancashire Sheet 89.01. ISBN 1-84151-384-9.
  3. Brownbill, J; William Farrer (1911). A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 5. Victoria County History. pp. 213–222. ISBN 978-0-7129-1055-2.
  4. Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust. "Milnrow & Newhey". link4life.org. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2008.
  5. Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust. "Belfield Hall". link4life.org. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2008.
  6. Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust. "Events in Milnrow 1400–1929!". link4link.org. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  7. Historic England. "Belfield (46058)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 2 July 2008.
  8. "The 1910s". Rochdale Observer. M.E.N. Media. 11 June 2003. Archived from the original on 5 July 2008. Retrieved 28 June 2008.
  9. Historic England (2001). "Belfield Bridge (1240259)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 28 June 2008.
  10. Belfield Community School. "Welcome to Belfield Community School". belfield.rochdale.sch.uk. Archived from the original on 24 October 2008. Retrieved 28 June 2008.
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