Balladen

Settlement in Lancashire Rossendale

England

Balladen

East Lancashire Railway Class 47 Diesel Credit: David Dixon

Balladen is a small village located in the Rossendale district of Lancashire, England. Situated in the picturesque countryside, it is surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery. The village is part of the wider Waterfoot area and is approximately 3 miles north of the town of Rawtenstall.

Despite its small size, Balladen has a rich history dating back several centuries. It was primarily an agricultural community, with farming being the main occupation of the villagers. The remains of medieval farmhouses can still be seen in the area, showcasing its rural heritage. Over the years, Balladen has evolved into a residential area, with a mix of traditional stone houses and modern properties.

The village benefits from its proximity to the nearby town of Rawtenstall, providing residents with easy access to amenities such as shops, schools, and healthcare facilities. The natural beauty of the surrounding countryside also offers opportunities for outdoor activities, including hiking and cycling.

Balladen is well-connected to other parts of Lancashire by road, with the A681 passing through the village. The nearby M66 motorway provides further links to major cities such as Manchester and Preston. Additionally, regular bus services operate in the area, offering convenient transportation options.

Overall, Balladen offers a peaceful and scenic setting for those seeking a rural lifestyle within reach of urban amenities. Its historical charm, combined with its natural beauty, makes it an attractive place to live for both locals and newcomers.

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Balladen Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.687975/-2.290552 or Grid Reference SD8021. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

East Lancashire Railway Class 47 Diesel

East Lancashire Railway's class 47 preserved diesel locomotive 'D1501' hauls an East Lancashire Railway passenger train past the Chest from Rawtenstall towards the level crossing at Irwell Vale. D1501 was one of an initial batch of 20 new ‘Brush Type 4’s’, out-shopped in striking BR Two-Tone Green, as part of a Pilot Scheme order placed by British Railways in February 1961. It carried BR Blue livery as '1501' for many years, becoming 47402 still in BR Blue when the fleet was renumbered in the early 1970s to conform to the computerised TOPS systems. The locomotive was withdrawn from service in July 1992 and secured for preservation by Pete Waterman in December 1993 and has since been a longstanding member of the diesel fleet at the East Lancashire Railway. When first entering service with ELR, D1501 was re-named “GATESHEAD”. In 2010, it was repainted back into as-built BR Two-tone Green livery with the removal of headlights, nameplates, and complete with functional headcode panels. Link

ELR Fleet Profiles Link

British Rail Class 47 (Wikipedia)

David Dixon

River Irwell

Looking upstream from the bridge in Irwell Vale

Chris Heaton

East Lancashire Railway crossing the River Irwell

Heritage railway that runs between Heywood and Rawtenstall crossing the river to north of Irwell Vale Halt

Chris Heaton

East Lancashire Railway crossing the River Irwell again

The railway crossing the river once again to the north of Irwell Vale Halt

Chris Heaton

Riverside Path heading for Rawtenstall

A long distance path called the Irwell Sculpture Trail, according to the map - seen here below the A56

Chris Heaton

A56 crossing the River Irwell

Flyover spanning the River Irwell near Rawtenstall

Chris Heaton

The A56 Haslingden by-pass road

View of the road crossing the East Lancashire Railway at Ewood Bridge

Kevin Waterhouse

Former National School

Dated 1859 on Manchester Road at Ewood Bridge

Kevin Waterhouse

A bit of a bumpy pitch

The weeds will not help play either. The disused Stand Athletic FC ground viewed from the stand.

Kevin Waterhouse

Storage tanks for underlay manufacturer

On Knowsley Street

Kevin Waterhouse

Church of St Mary, St Mary's Way, Rawtenstall

Grade II Listed church dated on the tower 1837 and 1881 when the tower was built and the west end refaced. The foundation stone was laid on 7th March 1836 by Mrs. Hoyle. By January 1838 the Church was complete enough to be used for public services and then formally opened 15th March. The Bishop of Chester consecrated it on 20th September 1838. A previous clock was added in 1853 at a cost of £120. The tower, then at the west end, was determined to be taken down in 1880 and re-erected on the south side of the Church allowing the Church to be extended westward. A cut away in the north gallery allowed for installation of a new organ that completed installation in April 1883. The organ was built by Hill and Son and possibly a copy of a Cavaillé-Coll. In 2006 it was described as 'deteriorated badly'. The clock tower was completed in September 1888. The first vicar was Rev. William Whitworth 1838-1847. The church has eight bells by Mears & Stainbank, seven 1888 and one 1887.

Jo and Steve Turner

Rawtenstall cenotaph, St Mary's Way, Rawtenstall

Grade II* Listed 5.25m tall memorial unveiled on the 29th June 1929 by a Miss Carrie Whitehead to a design by Louis Frederick Roslyn (1878--1934). Vandals removed a plaque in 1982 and it was replaced by a stonemason. In July 2009 the bronze Second World War plaque was stolen, the current replacement being fitted in November of that year.

Jo and Steve Turner

Former Queens Arms, St Mary's Way, Rawtenstall

Grade II Listed 1830 hotel on the corner of two turnpike roads Burnley-Bury and Blackburn-Todmorden. In the early 19th century it served as courthouse and town hall. In 1882 Masonic Lodge No.1948 was consecrated, meeting mainly at the Queens Arms until about 1928. Along with its Qube nightclub the Queens Arms closed in April 2018. In May 2020 it was reported that a local property developer intended to convert it to a ground floor restaurant/café with four apartments on the first and second storeys.

Jo and Steve Turner

Longholme Wesleyan Methodist chapel, Bacup Road, Rawtenstall

Grade II Listed chapel, 1841-2 by James Simpson of Leeds. This third Longholme Chapel was decided upon in 1839 the same year as the first resident Minister, the Reverend James Wilson was appointed. The 1300 seat £7,000 chapel was opened on 18th March 1842. The previous chapel was demolished to make way for a new Sunday School used until 1956. The school was demolished in 1962 and this chapel was then re-constructed inside with the organ and pulpit being removed and the gallery space filled in, allowing the church to be moved onto the upper level and the lower level being turned into a general use area. The chapel re-opened in this form in April 1962. In 2009 the chapel received a £10,000 grant from the National Churches Trust for repair work.

Jo and Steve Turner

The Picture House, Bacup Road, Rawtenstall

The Picture House was opened on 29th December 1920. Taken over by Star Cinemas in December 1960 they closed it in 1975. Soon after it was split into 4 screens by Unit Four Cinemas and renamed accordingly. Unit Four Cinema closed on 10th May 1984. It was reopened by an independent operator, but operating just one 121 seat screen and a snooker club. Two further changes of operator followed and it finally closed in early 1996. It was converted into an indoor market and a snooker club. The OS map currently describes it as 'Heritage Arcade' a description in current use. Plans for a fast food outlet, nightclub or leisure centre in the early 21st century came to nothing and it is currently planned to convert it and adjacent buildings to 42 apartments. Designed by the Baldwin Design Consultancy many of its Art Deco features including the prominent façade would be retained.

Jo and Steve Turner

Kay Street Baptist Church, Kay Street, Rawtenstall

Rev. John Jefferson formed a new church in 1872 and a new building here was in use from December 1876. A building fund for a larger church was started in 1892 but it wasn't until 20th April 1900 the corner stones for the present church were laid by Mrs. Richard Whittaker, Alderman H. W. Trickett Mayor of Rawtenstall, Alderman D. Greenwood of Bacup and Mr R. H. Crabtree of Southport. The church held its first service on the 10th September 1902 having had a build cost of about £4,000.

Jo and Steve Turner

New Hall Hey Mill, Rawtenstall

Built by Hardman Brothers in 1866. Twenty three by four bays with a dentillated flat roof. There is a relatively small beam engine house parallel to the mill and between it and the squar(ish) boiler house. This is an unusual layout as it was more usual to have internal beam engine houses. The square stone chimney has a pronounced batter, blind windows and a pronounced oversailor with decorative spikes. Oversailors are meant to prevent smoke creeping down the side of the chimney. Although the mill is perhaps a little "too clean" its character has been quite well kept. This shows the boiler house with the engine house to its left and part of the chimney base to the right.

Chris Allen