Main News

Detective from Rochdale convicted of sexually assaulting colleagues

A police officer living in Rochdale has been found guilty of sexually assaulting colleagues while serving in Greater Manchester Police (GMP). Detective Sergeant Richard Mills, aged 41, was convicted of two counts of sexual assault following a two-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Date Published 23/12/2024

Thanks a million! Funding secured to repair viaduct on East Lancashire Railway route

One of the most picturesque spots on the East Lancashire Railway has been preserved for future generations to enjoy.
The heritage railway has been awarded more than £1.3million...

Date Published 24/12/2024

Christmas message from MP for Heywood and Middleton North, Elsie Blundell

A Christmas message from Elsie Blundell, MP for Heywood and Middleton North.

Date Published 24/12/2024

Christmas message from MP for Rochdale, Paul Waugh

A Christmas message from the Member of Parliament for Rochdale, Paul Waugh.

Date Published 24/12/2024

Police issue "Santa's naughty list" with 265 drink and drug arrests in Christmas crackdown

During the first two weeks of a police operation targeting drink and drug drivers, officers have arrested 265 people. Officers around the whole of Greater Manchester have taken a...

Date Published 24/12/2024

Rail travel advice calendar released for week over Christmas

Northern has released a travel advice calendar to provide customers with a quick reference guide to service levels over Christmas. The calendar, which covers 23 – 29 December,...

Date Published 23/12/2024

Changes to council services over Christmas and New Year

Changes to opening times over the Christmas and New Year holidays mean most non-critical council services will not be available from 4pm on Tuesday 24 December until Thursday 2...

Date Published 23/12/2024

Andy Burnham "did not ask" for powers to overturn council decisions

Andy Burnham will have the power to overturn decisions by local councils over controversial developments under new proposals. The Greater Manchester mayor says he did not ask for...

Date Published 23/12/2024

“A space to talk” – Rochdale funeral home launches bereavement group

A Rochdale funeral home has launched a bereavement group and is encouraging those who may be grieving a loved one to attend.

Date Published 22/12/2024

Queen’s Park BMX track reopens

The BMX bike track at Queen’s Park in Heywood is now open following a £100,000 extensive restoration programme that has brought the much-loved facility back to life.

Date Published 22/12/2024

EncouragingYou partners with Kingsway Park High School to inspire compassion during Interfaith Week

EncouragingYou, a local community organisation based in Rochdale, recently partnered with Kingsway Park High School during Interfaith Week to deliver a series of workshops and...

Date Published 21/12/2024

Extra £1m to be spent fixing Rochdale town hall clock and steps

An extra £1m is set to be spent repairing the Rochdale Town Hall clock and the historic steps behind the building, it has been revealed.
Essential repairs and upgrades to the...

Date Published 21/12/2024

Locals thriving on "better life chances" on programme for the disadvantaged

Three-quarters of Rochdale residents who have joined a new scheme designed to support disadvantaged people have successfully moved into work or education, including one inspiring...

Date Published 21/12/2024

Two men charged after incident at Manchester Airport in July

Two men from Rochdale have been charged with assaulting police officers in connection with an incident at Manchester Airport in July.

Date Published 20/12/2024

Campaigners fighting to save Rochdale’s Seven Sisters backed by Rochdale Council and local MP

Campaigners fighting to save Rochdale’s iconic Seven Sisters tower blocks from the bulldozers have been backed by Rochdale Council and the local MP.
The Seven Sisters campaign...

Date Published 20/12/2024

Mum wins minister's backing for campaign to prevent ME deaths - following daughter's death

A Rochdale mother’s campaign to prevent deaths from ME has received a major boost after a Government minister announced a review of NHS services for people suffering from the...

Date Published 20/12/2024

Braving the cold: Fundraisers endure 60-hour sleepout to combat homelessness

A team of fundraisers braved freezing cold temperatures and 60 hours on the streets to raise funds and awareness for the homeless. Armed with just a sleeping bag each and the...

Date Published 20/12/2024

Andy Burnham’s housing plan to go to High Court

Andy Burnham’s 15-year housing blueprint for Greater Manchester is set go to the High Court after a crucial ruling. The Places for Everyone (PfE) plan was approved by nine Greater...

Date Published 20/12/2024

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

Lots to do in and around the borough this weekend: Marvellous Christmas Markets, Santas Grotto, Winter Wonderland Christmas Party, Live music across various venues, Meet The...

Date Published 19/12/2024

Rochdale’s Flower Studio celebrates 30 years amid heartfelt tribute to owner's beloved mum

A cherished and long-standing town centre business, Flower Studio, marked its 30th anniversary just three days after the passing of the owner's mum - a much-loved face at the...

Date Published 19/12/2024

Office to help people with housing issues a success in first few months

A new face to face housing service, set up by the council, has supported over 500 people since opening its doors earlier this year. The new office at number 2 Smith Street in...

Date Published 19/12/2024

Funding and boost to bed spaces as Greater Manchester faces winter homelessness challenges

Greater Manchester is setting out a new package of support for people sleeping rough this winter, as new figures show sustained pressure on local services.

Date Published 19/12/2024

Two men issued Community Protection Warnings for begging in dangerous 40mph zone

Police officers have issued Community Protection Warnings (CPWs) to two men found begging in the central reservation of St Mary’s Gate, a busy 40mph road in Rochdale. The...

Date Published 19/12/2024

Repeated shoplifter and car thief jailed and fined

A man wanted in connection with multiple offences in Rochdale has been arrested and sentenced following a string of incidents across the town. Kurtis Jones was apprehended by...

Date Published 18/12/2024

Man arrested for CBO violation in Rochdale town centre

A man has been arrested for breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) in Rochdale Town Centre, highlighting the ongoing efforts to maintain safety and security in the area. The...

Date Published 18/12/2024

‘Wonder dog’ Pippa sniffs out a national award for tackling illegal vapes

Britain’s first ever illegal vapes sniffer dog has been honoured along with Rochdale trading standards and police teams at a prestigious awards ceremony. Pippa, eight years old, a...

Date Published 18/12/2024

How did Andy Burnham end up with transport staff on strike weeks before ‘biggest change yet’?

In three weeks, Greater Manchester will undergo ‘the biggest change yet to our public transport’, according to mayor Andy Burnham. But this week, transport staff and the have been...

Date Published 18/12/2024

Weekend strikes are cancelled

Strikes at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) are OFF this weekend after staff agreed to ‘pause’ industrial action’. TfGM workers walked out over pay last Thursday and...

Date Published 17/12/2024

A month ago outsiders were banned from this estate… now tenants are feeling safer already

More than a month on from when a Rochdale estate was closed off to outsiders, residents say they’re feeling safer. On 4 November, police swooped into the Freehold estate and...

Date Published 17/12/2024

Mobile police station visits town centre to "ensure safety" of residents and businesses

Rochdale town centre saw a bolstered police presence on Friday (13 December), as officers set up a mobile police station outside the Regal Moon pub.

Date Published 17/12/2024

NHS in the North West issues cold weather falls advice

The NHS in the North West is advising people to take extra care to avoid a fall in the wake of a yellow cold weather alert issued for the region this week.
Last year, more than...

Date Published 17/12/2024

Council leader ‘stunned’ by £120k bill for two revolving doors

A £120,000 bill to replace two revolving doors has ‘stunned’ the leader of Rochdale Council, and he has asked officers to find a more cost-effective solution. Learning of the...

Date Published 16/12/2024

Teen suffers life changing injuries after serious knife attack

A teenager and a man are recovering in hospital after a violent knife attack in Smallbridge, Rochdale, on Sunday evening (15 December). Both sustained serious and life-changing...

Date Published 16/12/2024

Body found confirmed to be missing dad Nathaniel

A body found in a river over the weekend has been sadly confirmed as that of missing dad-of-two Nathaniel Favour Enemona - who had vanished from Heywood at the end of last month....

Date Published 16/12/2024

Multiple arrests as firearms and weapons removed from Greater Manchester streets

Greater Manchester Police has intensified its crackdown on firearms-related crime - with officers making 17 arrests across the region and and seizing a significant number of...

Date Published 16/12/2024

Toad Lane Concerts: More than Melody ladies choir

It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas at St Mary in the Baum on Wednesday 11 December for the penultimate Toad Lane Concert of 2024.

Date Published 15/12/2024

First high-speed rail service from Rochdale to London in 25 years secures political support

MPs, local council leaders, businesses and academics gathered in Manchester to show their support for a new high-speed rail service linking Rochdale with London for the first time...

Date Published 15/12/2024

High school students join exclusive masterclass

A literacy journey from Taylor Swift to Shakespeare and beyond was embarked on by AGT (able, gifted and talented) students from Whitworth Community High School. Along with seven...

Date Published 14/12/2024

Rochdale cyclist raises funds for children’s hospital - while delivering laptops to elderly

A fundraising effort for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital by a Rochdale Boroughwide Housing colleague has also seen laptops delivered to elderly people across the borough,...

Date Published 14/12/2024

Court case leaves future of huge 15-year housing plan in the balance

A court case means the future of Andy Burnham’s enormous, 15-year housing plan hangs in the balance. The Places for Everyone (PfE) plan is a blueprint for development across nine...

Date Published 13/12/2024

The clash between an American actor and a Rochdale Council that’s stoked anger in the community

A spat between an American actor and Rochdale Council is heating up over ownership of the Grade II listed building at Hopwood Hall. The council said it has decided to cut ties...

Date Published 13/12/2024

Police appeal after serious sexual assault

Police officers investigating a serious sexual assault in Alkrington Woods on Monday 11 November are appealing to the public for assistance. The incident occurred between 4.30 pm...

Date Published 13/12/2024

Andy Burnham offers to ‘discuss' a deal with bus and tram strikers

Andy Burnham has offered to ‘come to the negotiating table’ with union members over striking Transport for Greater Manchester employees – after taking aim at ‘unjustified’...

Date Published 13/12/2024

Council leader's column: "We should check in on loved ones at this time of year"

I want to start my latest column with the good news that the transformation of Heywood Civic Centre is set to get under way before Christmas. Our investment, in partnership with...

Date Published 13/12/2024

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

Lots to do in and around the borough this weekend: Riverside Christmas Market, Santa's Grotto, numerous pantos, Springhill Hospice Christmas Cracker, and live music across various...

Date Published 12/12/2024

The shocking number of children who will be homeless in Greater Manchester this Christmas

This Christmas, a ‘shocking’ 16,500 people will be homeless across in Greater Manchester, according to a charity – which says half of them will be children.
The statistics,...

Date Published 12/12/2024

Rochdale people asked to complete cybercrime survey

Residents in the borough of Rochdale are being urged to participate in the latest Cybercrime Survey, launched in partnership with Cyberhood Watch and cyber security experts Avast....

Date Published 12/12/2024

Council set to spend £120k on two revolving doors

The council is set to pay £120,000 on just two revolving doors at their main office building. The entrance to Number One Riverside in Rochdale town centre welcomes hundreds of...

Date Published 12/12/2024

PCSOs step up Bamford patrols following concerns over local crime

PCSOs from the Rochdale North team are increasing their presence in the Bamford area in response to reports of local stores being targeted by known offenders.
A key focus of the...

Date Published 12/12/2024

Man's body pulled out of Hollingworth Lake

A man’s body has been recovered from Hollingworth Lake today (Wednesday 11 December). Police and fire officers attended the scene mid-afternoon, including the coastguard, who...

Date Published 11/12/2024

Over £124,000 investment agreed for "local improvements"

Local community investment totalling over £124,000 is being delivered across the borough following the latest round of townships funding agreed by Rochdale Borough Council. Five...

Date Published 11/12/2024

Revamp of popular Heywood venue to get underway before Christmas

A revamp of Heywood Civic Centre is set to get under way before Christmas, with Lancashire firm Conlon Construction now formally appointed to deliver the project.
The scheme will...

Date Published 11/12/2024

MP urges people to shop local after celebrating ‘Small Businesses Saturday’ in Heywood

Elsie Blundell MP has praised the quality and variety of small businesses in her constituency, Heywood and Middleton North, after a visit to the growing Heywood Market for Small...

Date Published 11/12/2024

John Shaw becomes the 30th Springhill Hospice Man of Rochdale

Springhill Hospice has held the Man of Rochdale awards annually since 1994 with winner after deserving winner taking home the coveted title for their good deeds across the...

Date Published 11/12/2024

Two children suffer serious injuries in another Rochdale car smash

Two children suffered serious injuries following a crash close to Rochdale town centre last night (Monday 9 December). Emergency services were called out to Yorkshire Street...

Date Published 10/12/2024

Keep the festive cheer going by stocking up on repeat prescriptions

With Christmas and New Year just around the corner, NHS Greater Manchester is urging anyone who has repeat prescriptions to check they have enough for the festive period when...

Date Published 10/12/2024

Christmas appeal launched to support local families and homelessness centres

S. Wellens & Sons Funeral Directors in Middleton has launched its annual Christmas appeal to assist families in need and support local homeless centres this festive season. The...

Date Published 10/12/2024

‘It’s just getting worse’: Chaos as key roundabout left underwater twice in three weeks

A busy roundabout has been left underwater for the second time in three weeks after successive storms. The Mainway East roundabout in Alkrington, to the south of Middleton, was...

Date Published 10/12/2024

New church to be built on grounds of former town centre bank

The site of a former Barclays will become a church two years after the bank closed its doors. The Redeemed Christian Church of God will build their newest new place of worship in...

Date Published 10/12/2024

Buses and trams to run despite strike action

Passengers in Greater Manchester are being reassured that buses and trams will continue to run during planned industrial action which is expected to start on Thursday.

Date Published 09/12/2024

Petrol station and drive-through plans for Kingsway refused

A planning application for a Euro Garage petrol station and two drive-throughs on Sir Isaac Newton Way in Rochdale has been rejected.

Date Published 09/12/2024

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