'Notes from College Bank' Launch at Ebor Studio

Residents, history-lovers and photography enthusiasts are invited to a special book launch and exhibition this month celebrating the stories of College Bank.

Notes from College Bank, an ongoing community project documenting the lives and memories of the residents of the now-gone College Bank estate in Rochdale, launches on Saturday 10th January 2026, at Ebor Studio on William Street, Littleborough. The event runs from 2 pm to 5 pm, and no booking is required - all are welcome to drop in. 

The project, led by photographer and storyteller Ellie Waters, has culminated in a beautifully produced publication that brings together personal narratives and photographic portraits of the people who once called College Bank home. Through evocative imagery and intimate stories, the book preserves a vital piece of local social history and gives voice to community experiences that might otherwise have been forgotten. 

Ellie Waters, who has roots in both Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Northern England, explores themes of home, belonging and memory through her photography. Her long-term engagement with the project and the town landscape reflects the resilience and character of the community. 

In addition to the launch, the event series includes a free archiving and storytelling workshop on Monday 12th January (4 pm–7 pm) at the same venue. This drop-in session, led by Ellie and fellow Ebor Studio artist Bob France, offers participants the opportunity to digitise their own photographs - from slides and negatives to prints - while learning how to handle and preserve these precious family and community archives. Booking is required for this workshop. 

The Littleborough community and visitors alike are encouraged to attend both events - to celebrate a remarkable local project, reconnect with collective history, and learn practical skills in archiving and storytelling.