Rawtenstall

This is the main town in the Rossendale Valley. It is around 2 miles from Waterfoot and BRGS. By car or bus the only link between the two is via Newchurch Rd and/or Bacup Rd. A more recent installation is the footpath and bridleway linking the two towns which has enabled safer walking/cycling to and from school as well as being more pleasant than either road. Rawtenstall like Waterfoot is situated on the confluence of two rivers; the River Irwell and the Limy Water. Both of these rivers have been extensively reworked to suit industry initially for the cotton mills and then more recently for the new ASDA.

Rawtenstall is the main shopping centre in the valley with various high street chains present along Bank St. Until recently the skyline was dominated by mills and their chimneys, however since the recent completion of the new ASDA this monstrosity has been by far and away the most noticeable landmark. Due to the recent reworking of the road system in Rawtenstall there are now more sets of traffic lights than people with jobs.

Most of the housing in the town comprises of 60's and 70's Semis and terraced housing built to house mill workers. One estate of particular note is Hall Carr, which is situated above the old ASDA site. This estate is home to most of the towns criminals as indicated on 5 July 2005 when a resident decided to shoot a policeman.

Rawtenstall marks the most Northerly point of the East Lancs Railway which once continued through to Bacup and carried BRGS pupils to school up until 1972. It now runs a rip-off service from Rawtenstall to Bury. The railway is now open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights all the way the to Heywood.

Rawtenstall due to its central location for BRGS students means it is often chosen for nights out especially Thursdays at the Rhythm Station. There are many pubs in and around Rawtenstall with The Shepherds being popular for its 6-7pm 'happy hour' on a Friday night. On other nights Queens, The Rams Head and Madisons are more popular choices.

Rawtenstall is also renowned for the awful bus station, which is essentially a large metal and perspex corridor that smells of urine. Repeated attempts to have a new one built have come to nothing.