Belfield, Greater Manchester

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 53.61819
longitude= -2.127756
official_name= Belfield
population=
metropolitan_borough= Rochdale
metropolitan_county= Greater Manchester
region= North West England
constituency_westminster=
post_town= ROCHDALE
postcode_district = OL16
postcode_area= OL
dial_code= 01706
os_grid_reference= SD915135
static_

static_image_caption=St Ann's church, Belfield
london_distance=convert|169|mi|km|abbr=on SSE

Belfield is a locality within Rochdale, in Greater Manchester, England.cite web |url=http://www.gmcro.co.uk/guides/gazette/gazframe.htm |title=A select gazetteer of local government areas, Greater Manchester County|publisher=Greater Manchester County Record Office|accessdate=2007-06-20|date= 2003-07-31] It lies at the confluence of the River Beal and River Roch, convert|1.3|mi|km|1|lk=on east-northeast of Rochdale's town centre. Belfield is bound to the east by the Rochdale Canal, which forms Rochdale's common boundary with Milnrow.cite map|title=Rochdale|edition=1908|publisher=Alan Godfrey Maps|cartography=Ordnance Survey|isbn=1-84151-394-9|section=Lancashire Sheet 89.01|date=2002]

Historically a part of Lancashire, Belfield was formerly a hamlet within the ancient township of Butterworth, and for a time held in part by the Knights Hospitaller.cite book |last=Brownbill|first=J|coauthors=William Farrer|title=A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 5|publisher=Victoria County History|date=1911|pages=213–222|isbn=978-0712910552] Belfield derives its name from the River Beal, [cite web|url=http://www.link4life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=c.showPage&pageID=925|publisher=link4life.org|author=Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust|accessdate=2008-06-10|title=Milnrow & Newhey] 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)". [cite web|url=http://www.link4life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=c.showPage&pageID=929|publisher=link4life.org|author=Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust|accessdate=2008-07-02|title=Belfield Hall]

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.cite web|url=http://www.link4life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=c.showPage&pageID=1064|title=Events in Milnrow 1400 - 1929!|publisher=link4link.org|author= Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust|date=|accessdate=2008-04-22]

There is a possible moated site in Belfield (gbmapping|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. [cite web |title=Belfield |url=http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=46058 |publisher=Pastscape.org.uk |accessdate=2008-07-02]

Belfield's Anglican parish church is St Ann's. It was consecrated by the Bishop of Manchester in 1913. [cite web|url=http://www.rochdaleobserver.co.uk/news/s/333/333154_the_1910s.html|publisher=www.rochdaleobserver.co.uk|date=2003-06-11|title=The 1910s|accessdate=2008-06-28]

Belfield Bridge lies over the Rochdale Canal and is a Grade II listed structure. [cite web|url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=358920&mode=quick|publisher=imagesofengland.org.uk|date=2001|accessdate=2008-06-28|title=Belfield Bridge]

Belfield Community School, a primary school, lies within the locality. [cite web|url=http://www.belfield.rochdale.sch.uk/|publisher=belfield.rochdale.sch.uk|author=Belfield Community School|title=Welcome to Belfield Community School|accessdate=2008-06-28]

References