The most read good news stories of 2020

As we wave goodbye to 2020 – or, if you’re more inclined, perhaps make an obscene gesture instead! – and tentatively welcome 2021, Rochdale Online has gathered together some of the best read good news stories we've published in 2020 to round off the year.

When trawling through our articles to make this list, it became increasingly apparent that the top headlines were predominantly bad news – flash flooding, police incidents, the closure of the Wheatsheaf shopping centre, the tragic death of businessman Peter Cordwell, and many, many more.

Hundreds shared fond memories of businessman Mr Cordwell – which we’ve included here as he was so well-known throughout the borough, and had been involved in many community projects and charity efforts before his untimely death.
 

Read more: Tributes paid to Heywood businessman Peter CordwellPublished: 30 October 2020

Naturally, a lot of our headlines this year have been dominated by Covid-19 – and the first case of Covid-19 reaching the borough of Rochdale was our most read Covid story in 2020 with over 60,000 views, and the fourth most read overall.
 

Read more: Coronavirus case confirmed in the borough of RochdalePublished: 11 March 2020

Because this year has already been bad enough, instead of giving you the most read stories for the year, we opted to revisit some of the feel good stories for a positive start to 2021.

We hope you enjoy revisiting these articles – and stay safe into 2021.

-        The Rochdale Online team

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• Flying Scotsman to return to East Lancs Railway in 2021 for celebration of steam’s golden age  - 85,104 views

The most iconic steam engine in history will return to the East Lancs Railway next Easter – and many readers appear to have booked tickets already.
 

Read more: Flying Scotsman to return to East Lancs Railway in 2021 for celebration of steam’s golden agePublished: 28 December 2020

 

• We’re watching you! CCTV installed in Ashworth Valley – 63,055 views

CCTV was installed in Ashworth Valley in October to prevent fly-tippers from using the spot, and it seems to be working.
 

Read more: We’re watching you! CCTV installed in Ashworth ValleyPublished: 27 October 2020

 

• Rochdale man wins £58m EuroMillions jackpot – 54,930 views

Whilst we’ve all dreamt of winning it big on the lottery, that dream came true in April for lucky Ryan Hoyle.
 

Read more: Rochdale man wins £58m EuroMillions jackpotPublished: 22 April 2020

 

• Here’s where you can Eat Out to Help Out: the venues offering the government’s 50% discount deal – 44,115 views

Although this seems a lifetime ago, we all wanted to know which local venues were offering the government’s 50% deal to help the economy recover after the first wave of Covid.

We’re looking forward to the days when we can meet friends and family in pubs and restaurants again!
 

Read more: Here’s where you can Eat Out to Help Out: the venues offering the government’s 50% discount dealPublished: 03 August 2020

 

• Historic house goes up for sale in Rochdale town centre – 36,520 views

Lots of readers shared fond memories of this building as we took a look through the keyhole at the 300-year-old former vicarage of St Chad’s Church.
 

Read more: Historic house goes up for sale in Rochdale town centrePublished: 10 December 2020

 

• M&S hands over entire food hall to Rochdale’s most vulnerable – including high-risk self-isolators – 32,053 views

After moving to the new Riverside complex, M&S donated around £40,000 worth of food to those most at risk of Covid-19, a generous gesture by any means.
 

Read more: M&S hands over entire food hall to Rochdale’s most vulnerable – including high-risk self-isolatorsPublished: 10 April 2020

 

• Pub once run by the ‘Middleton Hangman’ could be converted into shops under new plans – 26,661 views

Whilst planning articles rank high on the types of articles people like to read, this derelict pub with a fascinating history interested more than usual.
 

Read more: Pub once run by the ‘Middleton Hangman’ could be converted into shops under new plansPublished: 15 December 2020

 

• Enjoy 50% off social media’s famous ‘monster’ kebab – as BadBoy Kebabs comes to Sudden – 26,101 views

The arrival of a new kebab shop in Sudden had mouths watering with their amazing opening deal – making the new takeaway one of 2020’s top reads.
 

Read more: Enjoy 50% off social media’s famous ‘monster’ kebab – as BadBoy Kebabs comes to SuddenPublished: 23 November 2020

 

• Rochdale’s hidden past uncovered after water main bursts – 24,869 views

We got a rare glimpse of the century-old tram tracks under Whitworth Road when a water main burst.
 

Read more: Rochdale’s hidden past uncovered after water main burstsPublished: 03 March 2020

 

• Rochdale businesses are pulling together – 21,523 views

Our businesses shared how they were affected at the start of the pandemic – and how they would move forward.
 

Read more: Rochdale businesses are pulling togetherPublished: 19 March 2020

 

 

• The wait for Reel Cinema is finally over – 16,105 views

After being set to open in April, the town centre cinema opened at the start of July.
 

Read more: The wait for Reel Cinema is finally overPublished: 03 July 2020

 

• Four-year-old boy donates long hair to Little Princess Trust after very first haircut – 15,535 views

After Jimmy Taylor had his long hair cut from his knees to just a few inches in length, thousands of you read his story which helped raise funds for The Little Princess Trust.
 

Read more: Four-year-old boy donates long hair to Little Princess Trust after very first haircutPublished: 25 May 2020

 

• New Rochdale Riverside M&S store to open as planned as Monday 6 April – 15,007 views

After England was plunged into the first lockdown, we all wanted to know if the new M&S store would open as planned, and what would happen with the new shopping centre.
 

Read more: New Rochdale Riverside M&S store to open as planned as Monday 6 AprilPublished: 03 April 2020

 

• NHS Spitfire scheduled to fly over Rochdale this weekend – 14,107 views

An NHS Spitfire flew over Rochdale to help raise people’s spirits and money for NHS Charities Together.

 

Read more: NHS Spitfire scheduled to fly over Rochdale this weekendPublished: 28 August 2020

 

• TV’s Most Haunted search for the supernatural at Champness Hall – 12,913 views

Ghost hunters visited our very own Champness Hall at the start of the year, and we were eager to see what spooky goings on they found.
 

Read more: TV’s Most Haunted search for the supernatural at Champness HallPublished: 18 February 2020