Main News

Men jailed for total of 34 years for sexually assaulting boys in the 80s and 90s

Two men have been put behind bars for grooming and sexually abusing young boys in Rochdale and Manchester in the 1980s and 1990s.

Date Published 27/11/2024

Our guide to what's on in the Rochdale borough this weekend

Lots to do in and around the borough this weekend: PossAbilities Decade of Light, Gallery Exhibitions, Christmas markets, Christmas with the Curleys, Winter Wonderland Christmas...

Date Published 28/11/2024

Views sought on conservation area status for Syke

Residents are being asked for their views on proposals to give Syke conservation area status in order to celebrate and help protect its historic character.

Date Published 28/11/2024

Rochdale Council ‘nowhere near’ needing government bailout despite facing financial pressures

Rochdale Council has a budget gap of £3.4m – but a senior councillor insists the authority is ‘nowhere near’ in need of a government bailout.

Date Published 28/11/2024

Young vandals ‘bussing in from Blackley' to cause trouble in Middleton town centre

Young troublemakers from outside Middleton are bussing in to cause havoc, smashing windows and destroying planters, a politician has claimed. According to Councillor Dylan...

Date Published 27/11/2024

Springhill Hospice opens new shop in Milnrow

Milnrow shoppers were out in force recently as they headed to the newest Springhill Hospice shop. Opened on 16 November by the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Shakil Ahmed and Paul...

Date Published 27/11/2024

Police call for footage of dangerous driving to help make roads safer

Greater Manchester Police is calling on residents across the borough to help make local roads safer by submitting footage of dangerous driving via its relaunched dashcam...

Date Published 27/11/2024

Rochdale coach wins prestigious 'Coach of the Year' Award

A Rochdale coach specialising in helping those over 40 achieve their health and fitness goals has been named Coach of the Year at the Rochdale Active Awards.

Date Published 27/11/2024

Christmas panto set to bring the magic of Sleeping Beauty to life

A new production of Sleeping Beauty featuring Strictly Come Dancing favourite Karen Hauer is set to land at Middleton Arena this festive season.

Date Published 27/11/2024

Success for Rochdale pensioner as minister orders Pension Credit Form review

A Rochdale pensioner’s call for change, championed by local MP Paul Waugh, has prompted the Secretary of State to order a review of the daunting Pension Credit application

Date Published 26/11/2024

Fire festival a dazzling success despite earlier cancellation

There was no stopping Ignite Fire Festival from lighting up the town centre on Sunday, after the weather calmed down and organisers got the green light that the show must go...

Date Published 26/11/2024

American star cheered onto stage by ‘outraged’ community, after being dropped from Hopwood Hall plans

An army of volunteers say they are outraged after being ‘locked out’ of a landmark they’ve been trying to restore for almost a decade. The sudden decision from Rochdale Council to...

Date Published 26/11/2024

Former council office block set to be transformed into flats

A former council office block in Middleton is set to be transformed into new apartments. Platinum House on Sadler Street was formerly used by the local authority but now operates...

Date Published 25/11/2024

Roadworks, temporary road closures and restrictions

Information on current and forthcoming roadworks planned to take place across the borough.

Date Published 25/11/2024

The Ogden Trust funds new 'Rochdale Rockets' physics programme at Rochdale AFC

Rochdale AFC Community Trust has announced the launch of the Rochdale Rockets STEM Programme, thanks to funding from The Ogden Trust. This initiative aims to inspire young minds...

Date Published 25/11/2024

Former Newhouse Academy students honoured at awards evening

Newhouse Academy celebrated the achievements of its Class of 2024 with a special awards evening on Thursday 7 November. Held in the theatre of the academy's newly opened building,...

Date Published 25/11/2024

Burst water main causes travel disruption in Castleton

A burst water main has caused severe disruption and traffic obstruction in Castleton. There is currently no bus service running between Queensway and Bolton Road, after the leak...

Date Published 25/11/2024

Residents aim for £3,000 in dazzling Christmas lights fundraiser

Residents of Wrenbury Drive in Burnedge, Rochdale, are gearing up for another dazzling festive lights display this December, hoping to raise £3,000 for the local Springhill...

Date Published 25/11/2024

Police appeal to find missing Heywood man

Greater Manchester Police are appealing for assistance in locating Nathaniel, who was last seen in the Roch Valley area of Heywood on Sunday (24 November).
Nathaniel was last...

Date Published 25/11/2024

Call for action as trains striking objects "deliberately" left on track

Northern trains across the region struck a whopping 97 objects in the past twelve months, with some items ‘deliberately’ placed on the track.

Date Published 24/11/2024

Toad Lane Concerts: John Powell baritone and Elin Rees piano

Two more prominent north west musicians performed an elegant and stimulating concert in the superb acoustic of St Mary in the Baum, bringing eloquent warmth to the coldest day of...

Date Published 24/11/2024

Striking new mural unveiled at Voltalab Sound Studios in Rochdale

A stunning new mural honouring Ian Curtis, the iconic lead singer of Joy Division, has been unveiled outside Voltalab Sound Studios in Rochdale.

Date Published 24/11/2024

Plan for tackling gender-based violence against men and boys highlighted on International Men's Day

Greater Manchester has become the first place in the UK to have a dedicated plan for tackling gender-based violence against men and boys.

Date Published 23/11/2024

Rochdale-inspired novel wins international honour

A children’s novel inspired by the work of Rochdale-based company AromaPrime has received international recognition in the Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards.

Date Published 23/11/2024

Whitworth High boxer and footballer is runner-up in Rochdale Active Awards

A teenage boxer from Whitworth Community High School, who is in training for a national title fight next year, was runner-up in Rochdale Borough Active Awards.

Date Published 23/11/2024

Radio star Gemma Atkinson supports Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary’s Shoebox Appeal

Gemma Atkinson, a presenter on Hits Radio, has lent her support to Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary’s Shoebox Appeal, aiming to ensure that every animal at the Edenfield-based sanctuary...

Date Published 23/11/2024

Burnham responds to TfGM staff after strike vote

Andy Burnham has responded to Transport for Greater Manchester staff after they voted to strike yesterday (21 November), asking to ‘sit down and discuss’. TfGM employees rejected...

Date Published 22/11/2024

Middleton's Funeral Services launch Christmas Toy Appeal

Middleton's Funeral Services are urging the community to come together this festive season to support their annual Christmas Toy Appeal. The initiative aims to bring joy and magic...

Date Published 22/11/2024

Friday and Saturday’s fire festival cancelled due to severe weather

Tonight and tomorrow’s Ignite Fire Festival in Rochdale (Friday 22 and Saturday 23 November) have been cancelled due to the severe weather. Freezing temperatures, heavy rain and...

Date Published 22/11/2024

Greater Manchester could finally receive an answer about congestion zone left ‘in limbo’

Greater Manchester could finally get answers about the region’s clean air zone (CAZ), Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has said. Speaking to the public in the mayor’s hotseat...

Date Published 22/11/2024

Greater Manchester outlines plan to encourage active, sustainable school travel

People are being urged to have their say on how children and young people travel to school and college in Greater Manchester.
The new School Travel Strategy targets a shift...

Date Published 22/11/2024

New Pilsworth landfill facility would stop it stinking, say waste bosses

A huge new recycling centre at the site of a notorious landfill will not smell, its operator says. Valencia Waste Management Ltd, which runs Pilsworth landfill site just off the...

Date Published 22/11/2024

Our guide to what's on in the Rochdale borough this weekend

Lots to do in and around the borough this weekend: Rochd'ale' Winter Ale Trail, Victoria Ash Art - Christmas Glass painting, Barbara, Wizarding weekend, Ignite - Fire Festival,...

Date Published 21/11/2024

Local Multi Academy Trust welcomes new school

Heap Bridge Village Primary School in Heywood has joined Hollingworth Learning Trust after just over two years of collaboration as an affiliate member.

Date Published 21/11/2024

Rochdale Gramophone Society to close after 93 years

Rochdale Gramophone Society, the second-oldest recorded music society in the United Kingdom, is set to close its doors after 93 years of operation. Founded in 1931 by Frank...

Date Published 21/11/2024

Team from Whitworth High named STEM challenge winners

A clever time machine toy to entertain and educate won a team from Whitworth Community High School the North West STEM Challenge title. Six schools took part in the Science,...

Date Published 21/11/2024

Deputy mayor ‘concerned’ about GMP’s use of arrests

Greater Manchester’s deputy mayor Kate Green has said she is “concerned” with examples of how police officers in the region are justifying arrests.

Date Published 21/11/2024

MP spotlights ‘hidden horror’ of domestic abuse with dedicated surgery

Elsie Blundell, Member of Parliament for Heywood and Middleton North, is holding a dedicated surgery in November for anyone needing support and help as a result of domestic abuse.

Date Published 20/11/2024

"Week of action" begins as GMP get tough on anti-social behaviour

Greater Manchester Police has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) as it launches a week-long initiative aimed at raising awareness and addressing the...

Date Published 20/11/2024

Council announces plans for Hopwood Hall Estate, - as angry Hopwood DePree holds "urgent" public meeting

Rochdale Council has said that it has committed to a new feasibility study to develop options for the future of Hopwood Hall following the end of an exclusivity agreement with...

Date Published 20/11/2024

Camera trial reveals the shocking truth about drivers scrolling and texting with children on board

Thousands of Greater Manchester drivers have been caught using their phones while driving or not wearing seat belts - as part of a trial of state-of-the-art cameras in the region.

Date Published 20/11/2024

Toad Lane Concerts: The Kell Wind Trio

The Kell Wind Trio belongs to an uncommon genre which is tricky to arrange music for. The players have to be expert with their instruments to cover all the musical ground that...

Date Published 19/11/2024

Rochdale hosts first ever music summit to boost local talent

Rochdale will host its first-ever music summit at Rochdale Town Hall on Monday 25 November, in an effort to support the borough’s grassroots music scene.

Date Published 19/11/2024

Rochdale charity reopens its rebound therapy

For the first time since Covid, a charity in Rochdale has reopened its therapeutic trampoline to offer rebound therapy to service users and the wider public.
Rochdale Gateway...

Date Published 19/11/2024

Finding comfort together: new bereavement support group comes to Middleton

A new bereavement support group aimed at helping residents in Middleton cope with grief will hold its launch night on Wednesday 4 December, from 6pm to 8pm at Bowlee Pavilion in...

Date Published 19/11/2024

Thousands of illegal vapes seized by local authority in trading standards crackdown

Thousands of illegal vapes have been seized across the Rochdale borough in the last two years, data has revealed. Since the beginning of January 2023, a total of 44,874 illegal...

Date Published 19/11/2024

Parking war sparked after council install controversial double yellow lines

A war over parking has been sparked on a small street in Rochdale after double yellow lines were painted by the council. Residents in and around Major Street in Milnrow were left...

Date Published 19/11/2024

GMP ends welfare strip searches after report on treatment of women in custody

Greater Manchester Police has announced major changes following a harrowing report on the treatment of women and girls in custody. Strip searches for welfare purposes have ended,...

Date Published 18/11/2024

Council confirms gritters at the ready ahead of winter weather

The council’s fleet of gritters is ready to hit the road once again, as the highways team’s winter service moves into full gear. With Met Office weather warnings for snow and ice...

Date Published 18/11/2024

New 'Raising Rochdale' education awards celebrate the best in borough’s schools

Parents, students, teachers and support staff from schools and colleges across the borough came together to recognise the outstanding achievements and contribution that staff make...

Date Published 18/11/2024

Coffee morning fuels new wave of volunteer enthusiasm

Aspire 2 Inspire Communities hosted a lively coffee morning in Rochdale, marking the first event of its kind in the area. Attended by over 25 local organisations, the gathering...

Date Published 18/11/2024

Met Office issues yellow warning for snow and ice overnight

A yellow weather alert has been issued for snow and ice in the north west from 7pm tonight (18 November).
The Met Office says: “A period of rain, sleet and snow will occur during...

Date Published 18/11/2024

Conservative leader's column: Recent events show the "strength of our communities"

Steve Anstee is the leader of the local Conservative party in Rochdale and a councillor for Bamford. This month he dedicates his column to the importance of unity around...

Date Published 18/11/2024

Rochdale homelessness charity urges community to support ‘Season of Sharing’ appeal

Petrus Community has launched its new ‘Season of Sharing’ appeal to raise vital funds for its homelessness services this winter. Having supported people who are homeless, or at...

Date Published 18/11/2024

Lantern Academy hosts non-uniform day to support Alder Hey Children’s Hospital

Lantern Academy, based in Rochdale, organised a non-uniform fun day over the weekend of 19/20 October to raise funds for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
The event was dedicated to...

Date Published 18/11/2024

Amnesty bins reduce knife crime across the Rochdale borough

Three months after their introduction, knife amnesty bins outside Heywood, Middleton, and Rochdale police stations have already made an impact in the fight against knife crime in...

Date Published 18/11/2024

Campaign throws spotlight on how to ‘burn better’ at home this winter

Greater Manchester residents are being urged to follow advice that can reduce the impact on health and the environment from woodburning stoves and open fires this winter, after...

Date Published 17/11/2024

Rochdale celebrates youth achievement: BACP hosts inaugural DofE award ceremony

The Bangladesh Association & Community Project (BACP) celebrated its first Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) award ceremony on Thursday 7 November 2024, as the first Bangladeshi...

Date Published 16/11/2024

Lottie Lambert wins Judges’ Choice Award in photography competition

Rochdale’s Lottie Lambert has won the Judges’ Choice Award in the Down’s Syndrome Association’s ‘My Perspective’ photography competition. Her self-portrait, titled Proud and...

Date Published 16/11/2024

Number of Rochdale jobseekers is rising - sparking action to bridge employment gap

Rochdale is witnessing a significant rise in jobseekers, as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reports a 25% increase in claimant numbers over the past year. This includes...

Date Published 15/11/2024

Hopwood DePree to host "urgent" public meeting on Hopwood Hall Estate situation

A public meeting will be held on Wednesday 20 November, to discuss the future of the Hopwood Hall Estate in Middleton, which has reverted to the ownership of Rochdale Council.

Date Published 15/11/2024

More Main News

Riverside brings Christmas magic with markets, Santa’s Grotto and more

Rochdale town centre is preparing to welcome the festive season with a range of Christmas attractions, including the return of its beloved Christmas Markets, Santa’s Post Box, and...

Help shape the future of creative workspace in Rochdale

Rochdale Development Agency and Rochdale Creates have launched a new creative workspace survey to inform future phases of creative workspace in Rochdale Borough, and support the...

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