SOMEWHERE IN TIME

OUR HISTORIC LOCATION

Tilted Vase Sculpture	Unveiled in July of 1998 the Tilted Vase was the first major public work of it's sculptor Edward Allington.  Installed in the town's former market place, around which the monthly farmer's market is still held, the sculpture is visible to all who pass through the town.  Strong opposition was raised against the choice of this piece from the five works submitted, as no connection could be established between a Greek Urn and a former cotton town in Lancashire.  As part of the multi million pound Irwell Sculpture trail the two tonne bronze vase has placed Ramsbottom firmly on the cultural map.
East Lancs Railway - Ramsbottom Station	When the last coal waggons rumbled up the line in 1980 bringing an end to it's commercial life, a determined attempt to save the line was made by a local preservation society.  A partnership was formed to keep alive the line between Bury and Rawtenstall and was enthusiastically backed by local authorities.  The property is now jointly owned by Bury MBC and Rossendale BC and run by volunteers.  In 1987 the first four miles were reopened for regular passenger service between Bury and Ramsbottom.  In the first summer season 35,000 passengers used the service, the figures increasing to an average 120,000 today.
Monthly Farmer's Market	The Farmer's Market takes place on the second Sunday of each month, and operates between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm.  The open air venue is the former Market Place around the Tilted Vase, and also under cover in the Civic Hall.  Approximately 25 stallholders attend and provide a good assortment off fresh local produce, including meat, veg, dairy produce, home made cakes and pies.  Watch out for the occasional French themed markets, and the seasonal Dickensian market.
	The Irwell Sculpture Trail is the largest public art scheme in the United Kingdom, and includes the work of more than 50 artists.  The trail follows an existing 30 mile footpath up the Irwell Valley Way stretching from Salford Quays, through Bury and Ramsbottom, into Rossendale and up over the Pennine Moors. Two of Ramsbottom's more prominent contributions are The Tilted Vase in the town centre, and In The Picture located by the Irwell in Chatterton village.  Constructed by Richard Caink the twelve feet high timber picture frame turns the scene beyond the river into a gallery exhibit.  The Rossendale portion of the walk is approx 6 miles long and follows the railway line from Ramsbottom to Rawtenstall, making it possible to travel up by steam train or diesel and return on foot.
Peel Tower from Holcome Village National Trust - Stubbins Estate	The National Trust established an interest in the area in1943 when it aquired the Stubbins Estate from Colonel Porritt, a local mill owner, who denoted the land in memory of his son Richard who was killed in the second world war.  The land which includes a water fall and the beautiful Buckden wood, lies on the western slopes above the Irwell.  On the hillside is a cloth drying tower, looking like a local folly, where cloth was stretched or tentered on hooks passed through the selvages, giving rise to the saying "on tenterhooks".    The estate was extended in 1994 when the National Trust aquired the adjacent Holcome Moor from the Ministry of Defence.  This area was a former military range and TA training ground, made famous by the Granada TV series of The Krypton Factor.  The most prominent feature of the moor is Peel Tower which stands 112 feet high, and is visible over a vast expanse of North Manchester.  Opened in 1852 the tower celebrates the Repeal of the Corn Laws by the then prime minister Robert Peel, the son of a local textile manufacturer.  As prime minister, Robert Peel also founded the police force.  The Stubbins Estate and Holcome Moor are also a noted habitat for moorland birds.
Awaiting photos	The World Black Pudding Throwing Championship is held each year on the second Sunday in September.  The venue for this one day event is the Royal Oak pub on Bridge Street in Ramsbottom. It is claimed that the competition goes back 150 years and stems from the rivalry between Lancastrians and Yorkshiremen.   The Corner Pin pub in Stubbins with it's large car park was for many years the home of the competition until it's closure.  With the kind support of Bury MBC who arranged for the closure of Bridge Street, Ramsbottom's main shopping street, the competition was given a new home.  Such is the success of this bizarre event that international TV stations and newspapers follow their home grown talent to report on their progress.  Sky TV give the competition worldwide coverage.
The Grant Arms Hotel	Charles Dickens literary connection with the town of Ramsbottom is in the novel Nicholas Nickleby.  Dickens was a frequent visitor to Manchester and apart from his own bitter experience of life, drew much inspiration for his classic tales of poverty and hardship from the real life characters he encountered.  Two of Ramsbottom's most celebrated benefactors were the Grant brothers, William and Daniel who, apart from bringing work to the town in the mills they built, were also generous and kind hearted.  Though it is likely he never met them it is widely believed that from the stories he heard of them, they became the prototype for the Cheeryble Brothers. To the rear of the market place stands the Grant Arms Hotel, while the tower which they built in 1827 to commemorate their arrival and success in the town collapsed in 1944.
Awaiting photos	East Lancs Railway Wartime Weekend is a yearly tribute to the 1940's.  Over the weekend of May Bank Holiday, the towns of Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall and the stretch of railway line connecting them, is transformed by a revival of  the wartime spirit including an American GI base at Irwell Vale.  The weekend includes re-enactments of battles, processions of military vehicles, concerts, dances and the opportunity to fill the streets with military uniforms and 40's fashions.
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