Main News

It is recommended that you take a test at a FAST site first before you use home testing packs

Covid-19 testing packs available across the borough

As part of the national roadmap out of restrictions, the government is asking the public to take-up twice weekly LFT tests, known in the borough as FAST testing.

Date Published 21/04/2021

Defibrillator stolen from Milnrow Memorial Park

A life-saving piece of equipment in Milnrow Memorial Park has been stolen, which could mean the difference between life or death for someone who suffers a heart attack.

Date Published 21/04/2021

Local 81-year-old has book describing Rochdale during World War Two published

A local resident, 81-year-old Margaret Nuttall, has had her first book published – an autobiography entitled ‘Margaret – Lancashire Lass’.

Date Published 21/04/2021

Rochdale Sixth Form College awarded silver accreditation

Rochdale Sixth Form College has been awarded a silver accreditation by the community interest company Investors in People.

Date Published 21/04/2021

New figures reveal almost 4,000 calls about litter-affected animals made to RSPCA last year

As new figures reveal that the RSPCA took nearly 4,000 (3,874) calls about animals affected by litter in 2020, the animal charity is urging people to do their bit and pick up...

Date Published 21/04/2021

Rochdale observes two minutes' silence for late Duke of Edinburgh

A two minutes’ silence was observed at the Rochdale Cenotaph for The Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral on Saturday (17 April).

Date Published 21/04/2021

Three taken to hospital after Spotland Road crash

Three people have been taken to hospital following a collision on Spotland Road on Monday evening (19 April).

Date Published 20/04/2021

England to face Fiji in World Cup warm-up at Crown Oil Arena

Rochdale Hornets will host a friendly between England and Fiji at the Crown Oil Arena in October as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations.

The club was officially formed...

Date Published 20/04/2021

Petrus closes community store on Hamer Lane

Rochdale homelessness charity Petrus will not be reopening its community store on Hamer Lane.
The community store opened in 2013, recycling a wide variety of furniture, household...

Date Published 20/04/2021

Harry Smith makes birthday splash as he reopens Castleton Leisure Centre

Castleton Leisure Centre has officially re-opened for use now further restrictions have ended – and who better to declare the pool open than its oldest swimmer, Harry Smith, on...

Date Published 20/04/2021

No ifs or butts - fines enforced for littering in Rochdale

Three more local residents have been fined in connection with littering and fly-tipping offences. One woman ended up being fined a total of £658 for discarding a cigarette butt.

Date Published 20/04/2021

Machetes recovered from car after occupants flee following collision

Two machetes were recovered from a car after a collision on Market Place, Middleton (Friday 16 April).
A Nissan Qashqai collided with a Ford Fiesta at around 7.40pm.

Date Published 20/04/2021

Hopwood Hall College awarded government funding to upgrade Rochdale campus

Hopwood Hall College and University Centre is set to make huge changes to its Rochdale campus after submitting an ambitious proposal to the Department for Education.

Date Published 19/04/2021

Tom Rhodes from Rochdale has been crowned MasterChef 2021 champion

31-year-old Tom Rhodes, originally from Rochdale, has been crowned BBC One’s MasterChef 2021 champion.

Date Published 19/04/2021

New apartment block could be built next to historic former pub

A new apartment block could be built next to an historic former pub in Rochdale.
Plans have been submitted for a three storey-building neighbouring the George and Dragon Hotel,...

Date Published 19/04/2021

Paedophile social worker dies in prison serving 17 year sentence for historic sexual abuse

A former Rochdale social worker who was serving a 17 year sentence for historic sexual abuse has died in prison.
Paedophile James Peter Gavin, 83, was less than two years into...

Date Published 19/04/2021

Rochdale Round Table donates £3,000 to Rochdale Foodbank

Rochdale Round Table has donated £3,000 to Rochdale Foodbank.
A cheque was presented to the local foodbank on Tuesday (13 April), after funds were raised at Christmas with the...

Date Published 19/04/2021

Group complete Trek72 - walking from Middleton to Blackpool - for local charities

A team of individuals of all ages and health levels have recently completed a massive 72km walk in aid of local charities Springhill Hospice and Neil’s Appeal.

Date Published 18/04/2021

Charity’s hardship grants helping local cancer patients during pandemic

Cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Support gave over £63,100 locally in hardship grants last year to help people with cancer struggling with the pandemic’s financial impact and the...

Date Published 18/04/2021

Dates confirmed for Flying Scotsman return to East Lancashire Railway this year

The East Lancashire Railway (ELR) will play host to the most iconic steam engine in history - when the Flying Scotsman returns to its tracks this summer.

Date Published 18/04/2021

Former Chief Prosecutor Nazir Afzal’s critically acclaimed autobiography optioned for TV

The rights to develop the autobiography of Nazir Afzal – the chief prosecutor in the Rochdale grooming gang case – for television have been secured.

Date Published 17/04/2021

50th anniversary edition of The Way We Live's first vinyl LP released

A 50th anniversary LP of Rochdale band The Way We Live’s first vinyl LP has been released.

Date Published 17/04/2021

Vistry Partnerships selected to build 171 houses on former Akzo Nobel site in Littleborough

Vistry Partnerships, part of the Vistry Group, has been selected by Homes England to develop the former site of Akzo Nobel in Littleborough.

Date Published 17/04/2021

Morrisons Community Champion Emma helps sow seeds of hope

As part of the new Morrisons campaign to spread hope with sunflowers, Rochdale’s community champion Emma Pedgrift will be working alongside Springhill Hospice, the Willows...

Date Published 16/04/2021

26,900 people in the borough have received second Covid-19 vaccination

More than 26,900 people in the Rochdale borough have now received their second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, as of Friday (16 April).

Date Published 16/04/2021

Approval granted for 55 houses on Langley's Bonscale Park

Approval for 55 houses to be built off Bonscale Crescent and Rothay Drive in Langley has been granted by Rochdale Borough Council (8 April), despite a 100-strong petition against...

Date Published 16/04/2021

Artist impressions released of how Littleborough Community Primary School and Whitworth Community High School could look under govt rebuild plans

Artist impressions of how two local schools which are to be rebuilt could look have been released ahead of planning applications being submitted.

Date Published 16/04/2021

Singer-songwriter from Kirkholt releases new single ahead of upcoming second album

A man who grew up on Kirkholt estate in Rochdale, singer-songwriter Kirk McElhinney has released a new single ‘Ticking Clock’.

Date Published 16/04/2021

Greater Manchester mayoral election candidates

As well as voting in the local council election on Thursday 6 May, nine candidates will be on the ballot paper for the Greater Manchester mayoral election.

Date Published 16/04/2021

Reel in a new angling hobby with canal charity’s free ‘let’s fish!’ taster events

The Canal & River Trust charity is inviting children and adults across the North West to unlock a new hobby this summer by joining a free ‘Let’s Fish!’ taster session.

Date Published 16/04/2021

Go-ahead given for social housing in Kirkholt

Plans for new social housing on Balderstone Road in Kirkholt have been granted planning permission by Rochdale Council.

Date Published 16/04/2021

Temporary classrooms to be built on Middleton's greenbelt "due to significant and immediate need" for school places

Planning permission for temporary school classrooms on greenbelt land in Middleton has been approved by Rochdale Council’s Planning and Licensing Committee (8 April).

Date Published 15/04/2021

Easter dinner day at Brentwood

Brentwood Middleton Day Centre provided over 30 roast dinners for those in need earlier this month. The homeless and those struggling to make ends meet were treated to a hot roast...

Date Published 15/04/2021

BMI Highfield Hospital Rochdale introduces robotic assisted joint replacement surgery

Private patients who need a knee or hip replacement can now have their operation with the assistance of a handheld robotic system and surgical navigation after the installation of...

Date Published 15/04/2021

Roadworks, temporary local road closures and restrictions

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

Date Published 15/04/2021

Business owner Emma Fitton raising money for Brain Tumour Research in dad Enzo's memory

Local business owner Emma Fitton is taking on a challenge to jog 26 miles in May to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research in memory of her beloved dad.

Date Published 15/04/2021

Further CCTV released in connection with Mainway Middleton sexual assault

Officers investigating a sexual assault in Middleton have released further CCTV footage of a man they would like to speak with in connection with the assault.

Date Published 14/04/2021

Rochdale Council local elections 2021: All the candidates standing in your ward

The borough of Rochdale was hit by a ‘political earthquake’ at the 2019 general election when Chris Clarkson became Heywood and Middleton’s first ever Conservative MP. But will...

Date Published 14/04/2021

9-year-old raises over £3k for Armed Forces charity in memory of family friend

A 9-year-old boy from Norden has raised over £3,000 for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Families Association (SSAFA) charity after challenging himself to 200 pogo-stick jumps a...

Date Published 14/04/2021

Jolly Josh awarded £1,000 grant from Cadent Foundation

The Jolly Josh charity, which hosts stay-and-play sessions for children with disabilities and special needs in Rochdale, has been awarded a £1,000 grant by the Cadent Foundation.

Date Published 14/04/2021

Cryers Butchers shortlisted for final of 2021 Town And County Business Champions

Darren Rushton and Stephen Bamford, of Cryers Butchers in Littleborough, have reached the final of the Town And County Business Champions for the Lancashire region.

Date Published 14/04/2021

Hopwood Hall Estate gains Charity Commission status and names trustees on newly formed board

After many years of work, Hopwood Hall Estate has been awarded charitable status by The Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Date Published 14/04/2021

Church which was once Heywood’s public baths is to be knocked down and replaced with apartments

A church which was previously the home of Heywood’s public baths is to be knocked down and replaced with apartments.
Kingdom Hall, in Heywood town centre, is set to be demolished...

Date Published 14/04/2021

Motorcyclist receives serious injuries after colliding with a wall

A motorcyclist has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after colliding with a wall on Smithy Bridge Road, Smithy Bridge, on Monday afternoon (12 April).

Date Published 13/04/2021

Two of Rochdale grooming gang members second appeal to remain in the UK

Two members of the Rochdale grooming gang, jailed for exploiting girls as young as 13, have launched another appeal to remain in the UK, according to reports.

Date Published 13/04/2021

Celebrating Ramadan in 2021

As the holy month of Ramadan starts this week, we would like to say Ramadan Mubarak to all our Muslim readers. May the blessings of the month Ramadan be on you all.

Date Published 13/04/2021

Rochdale borough reaches 100k vaccination milestone

The 100,000th Covid-19 vaccine dose has been administered in the borough of Rochdale. The milestone was reached when 86-year-old Middleton resident Peter Insley received his jab...

Date Published 13/04/2021

Three busy Northern railway stations to be transformed into autism friendly hubs

Three busy Northern railway stations are to be transformed into autism friendly hubs.
The three stations - Manchester Victoria, Leeds, and Manchester Oxford Road – are among the...

Date Published 13/04/2021

Planning submitted to redevelop Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre to Rochdale's new RSPCA Animal Centre

Planning permission has been submitted to transform the Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre into a new home for the Rochdale RSPCA Animal Centre.

Date Published 13/04/2021

Heywood Rotary 2020 enables empty medicine blister packets to be recycled

You can now recycle medicine blister packs, as Heywood Rotary 2020 has joined the Terracycle Medicine Packet Recycling Programme.

Date Published 13/04/2021

Police officer injured in collision when responding to 999 call

A police officer has received injuries in a collision when responding to a 999 call in Rochdale on Saturday (10 April).

Date Published 13/04/2021

Greater Manchester residents urged to keep doing their bit when travelling as coronavirus restrictions eased

People and businesses across Greater Manchester are being urged to keep doing their bit, as the government eases coronavirus restrictions.

Date Published 12/04/2021

Heywood Market refurbishment sees phase one of transformation complete

Two months into its refurbishment, Heywood Magic Market has nearly completed phase one of its transformation.

Date Published 12/04/2021

Homeless people vaccinated against Covid-19

The homeless and transient population in Rochdale are receiving vital protection against Coronavirus, thanks to the efforts of the Rochdale Health Alliance’s Homeless Alliance...

Date Published 12/04/2021

Here's what you can do from today with easing of lockdown restrictions

Non-essential shops, gyms, hairdressers and beauty salons can reopen from today (Monday 12 April), as the next stage of relaxing lockdown restrictions begins.
Pubs and...

Date Published 12/04/2021

Ashworth View Nursery send goodies to residents of Beechwood Lodge

Thoughtful children at Ashworth View Nursery sent a basket of cards and goodies to residents of Beechwood Lodge in Norden.
The 30 preschool children made the gifts for the...

Date Published 12/04/2021

Fundraisers encouraged to complete Captain Tom 100 for charity

Local fundraisers are being encouraged to celebrate the amazing achievements of Captain Tom and support Springhill Hospice with the Captain Tom 100 challenge, launched on the...

Date Published 11/04/2021

BBC Drag Race UK star from Rochdale releases debut single

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series two contestant Veronica Green, originally from Rochdale, has released her debut single ‘Stars’.

Date Published 10/04/2021

New Friends group launched for Syke and Cronkeyshaw Commons

A group of residents have formed a new Friends group to promote, protect and enhance green spaces in Syke and Cronkeyshaw.
The group was founded at a meeting in March when 10...

Date Published 10/04/2021

Safe fasting advice for people with diabetes during Ramadan

People in the Muslim community who live with diabetes are being offered help and advice from Diabetes UK to stay healthy during Ramadan – and to mark the occasion safely during...

Date Published 10/04/2021

86% of borough's priority groups have received at least one vaccine

A staggering 86% of people in the first nine priority groups across the Rochdale borough have now received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, as of Friday (9 April).

Date Published 09/04/2021

More Main News

OnePT blog - Stan the man

This blog by OnePT - personal training and gym in Rochdale - focusses on the achievements of member Stan Weekes, who joined the gym in 2019 with a goal of losing 50kg.
If the...

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