Around Preston

I was in Rochdale anyway, and had a short time to look around. Not sure if I really did it justice. I am counting this as near Preston; it is only 40 minutes away and used to be in Lancashire. Rochdale is on the river Roch; curiously the river is pronounced "roach". Much of the river is culverted, but there is a 200' section that is open in the centre of town. This gives a nice starting point. I think this has been deculverted; old maps indicate this area was the centre for Rochdale trams at one time. The curved building at the back in HSBC bank. This seems to be a sole survivor in an area that had a lot of banks at one time. Across the river was the Union Bank of Manchester, now the Old Bank Karaoke Bar. To the right of HSBC, and set back a bit was the Royal Bank of Scotland, now a Hogarths pub. It is not just banks. The cinema has also become a pub. Built in 1938, the new name, Regal Moon, recalls the original name, Regal Cinema. Butts Mill stood on the site previously....