Main News

Ashley Dissington (right) and Connor Jackson-Westwood (left) were jailed for a total of 35 years

Middleton man jailed for his part in ‘industrial scale' £61m drug conspiracy

Two men, one from Middleton and one from Royton have been jailed for a total of 35 years at Minshull Street Crown Court after pleading guilty to drugs and weapons offences.

Date Published 03/12/2021

Our guide to what you can do in and around the borough this weekend

Gaia Exhibition, Sail with Santa at Hollingworth Lake, Christmas Food and Artisans' Fayre, Wrenbury Drive Christmas Lights Switch-On, Christmas Pantomime: Treasure Island, An...

Date Published 02/12/2021

Middleton man jailed for four years following campaign of anti-semitic abuse

One of Britain's "most prolific far-right anti-Semitic video streamers" from Middleton has been jailed for four years after a "campaign of abuse" against Jewish people.

Date Published 03/12/2021

Book detailing 150 years of Rochdale Hornets published by former chairmen

Former Rochdale Hornets chairmen Jim Stringer and Mark Wynn have written a book detailing the entire 150-year history of the local rugby league club, ‘Triumph and Disaster – 150...

Date Published 03/12/2021

New monthly live music event for new artists in Rochdale

A new live music event for artists to play their own original material is launching in Rochdale.

Date Published 03/12/2021

Support in place for households in need this winter

Rochdale Borough Council has put in place a support programme to help thousands of vulnerable residents and families with essentials this winter.

Date Published 03/12/2021

Rochdale Infirmary to host event for the homeless

Homeless people from Rochdale will be given a free hot meal, a mince pie and a drink, some warm clothing and a free haircut at a special event taking place at Rochdale Infirmary...

Date Published 03/12/2021

Motorbike vlogger creates micro-documentary about the annual Ring of Red Ride of Remembrance

A motorbike vlogger has filmed a micro-documentary about the annual Ring of Red Ride of Remembrance.

Date Published 03/12/2021

Rochdale Music Society concert: Luka Okros

Members of the Rochdale Music Society had been eagerly looking forward to the return of Georgian pianist Luka Okros, who had dazzled them with his spectacular technique and...

Date Published 03/12/2021

Kentmere Academy one of 400 schools in UK to receive Online Safety Mark award

Rochdale school Kentmere Academy and Nursery is one of just 400 schools in the UK to be awarded the prestigious Online Safety Mark for excellence in online safety provision.

Date Published 03/12/2021

Christmas Toy Appeal needs your support

The deadline is fast approaching for donating gifts to Rochdale Borough Council’s Christmas Toy Appeal, which helps make sure local children who are less fortunate have presents...

Date Published 03/12/2021

Police to step up patrols in town centres over festive season

Police will be stepping up patrols in Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton over the festive season, due to an increase in demand with Christmas shopping and celebrations.

Date Published 02/12/2021

Rochdale man sentenced to 14 years in prison after running elderly man over with his own car

A Rochdale man has today (1 December) been sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment after stealing an elderly man's car and then running him over with it.

Date Published 01/12/2021

Schoolchildren help local author edit latest book

Schoolchildren have helped local author Yvonne Weatherhead MBE edit her latest children’s book, Lizzifly in Paradise.

Date Published 02/12/2021

Four new units being built at Kingsway Business Park

Building work is underway on four new units at Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale.
Wilson Bowden Developments has started groundworks on the 8.67 acre site between Sir Isaac...

Date Published 02/12/2021

Help Heywood Foodbank by sending a letter to Santa

A Christmas postbox sending special deliveries directly to Santa is set up and ready for business at Heywood’s Studio 82 salon.

Date Published 02/12/2021

Charges for funeral webcasts to be brought in next year – but plan could change if Covid restrictions return

Rochdale families who wish for a loved-ones funeral to be webcast will have to pay for the service from next year.
During the Covid pandemic the council has not charged a fee to...

Date Published 01/12/2021

Face coverings required on public transport to help prevent the spread of Omicron

Local residents have been advised that they will need to follow targeted and temporary measures – including wearing face coverings on all forms of public transport - to help...

Date Published 01/12/2021

Landlord of historic pub assures locals he’s ‘not turning it into a rave’ as venue gets outdoor music licence

The landlord of a 400-year-old country pub insisted he would not be ‘holding raves’, as licensing chiefs granted the venue permission to host live outdoor music.

Date Published 01/12/2021

GMP drive out those who take to the roads uninsured

During a week-long operation last month targeting uninsured drivers, officers seized 131 cars across Greater Manchester, with a further 212 reported for various traffic offences.

Date Published 01/12/2021

Little 'Pink' Borough and Milnrow 'Pink' Hey raise over £13k for Cancer Research UK

This year’s pink displays in Littleborough, Milnrow and Newhey have raised an incredible £13,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Date Published 01/12/2021

Homeless health team partners with leading local charity Petrus to re-launch healthcare service

An award winning team set up to serve the health needs of homeless people in the Rochdale borough is re-launching and relocating to partner with the borough’s leading charity for...

Date Published 01/12/2021

PossAbilities to feature in BBC One documentary with Paddy and Christine McGuinness

Local social care provider PossAbilities features in a new BBC One documentary, ‘Our Family and Autism’ with celebrity couple Paddy and Christine McGuinness.
The show features...

Date Published 01/12/2021

New rules require schools to keep uniform costs down

Families will save money on school uniforms from next year, following new legally-binding guidance published earlier this month requiring schools to make uniform affordable for...

Date Published 30/11/2021

Mayor’s Column: Councillor Aasim Rashid

This column is about the places the Mayor of Rochdale has been and the people he has met from the week commencing Monday 15 November to Sunday 21 November.

Date Published 30/11/2021

Families enjoy Rochdale Science Busking Extravaganza in conjunction with Gaia Rochdale

Hundreds of families enjoyed the latest Rochdale Science Initiative event at Number One Riverside in Rochdale on Sunday (28 November), despite the heavy snow.

Date Published 30/11/2021

Aged 13-18? Grab the opportunity to win a £20 shopping voucher every month by joining #Youthwatch100

Young people in the Rochdale borough are being given the opportunity to make a difference to health and social care services by signing up to become a member of #Youthwatch100.

Date Published 30/11/2021

Rochdale dementia activist and author features on BBC documentary

A Rochdale campaigner for dementia awareness featured on the second episode of BBC’s recent Ed Balls documentary, Inside the Care Crisis.

Date Published 30/11/2021

Rochdale’s Ukrainian community remembers 88th anniversary of tragic Holodomor genocide

Members of the local Ukrainian community recognised the 88th anniversary of the enforced Ukrainian famine – Holodomor – with a service at the Rochdale Memorial Gardens on Saturday...

Date Published 29/11/2021

Face coverings mandatory from 30 November to fight new ‘Omicron’ variant of Covid-19

Temporary and precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the new Covid-19 Omicron variant in the UK will come into force on Tuesday (30 November), the government has...

Date Published 29/11/2021

Flag raised in Littleborough for Lancashire Day

Littleborough celebrated Lancashire Day by raising the flag of Lancashire on Saturday (27 November).

Date Published 29/11/2021

Man, 43, in hospital after collision on Wildhouse Lane

A 43-year-old man is in hospital in a stable condition after being in collision with a car in Milnrow.

Date Published 29/11/2021

Littleborough Christmas lights switch-on

Storm Arwen forced Littleborough Events & Associations Forum (LEAF) to revise the plans for Saturday's Christmas Lights event in Littleborough.

Date Published 29/11/2021

Heavy snow traps 120 lorries on M62

Over 120 lorries were stuck on the M62 on Saturday morning (27 November) after Storm Arwen led to partial closure of the motorway.

Date Published 29/11/2021

Teenager arrested after armed robbery at Village Convenience Store in Heywood

A 19-year-old man has been arrested following an armed robbery at a shop in Heywood on Friday 26 November.

Date Published 29/11/2021

Toad Lane Concerts: Telemann Baroque Ensemble

Any thoughts that music from 300 years ago is fossilised or museum fodder, were soon dispelled when the Telemann Baroque Ensemble struck up. Flute, violin and viola and cello,...

Date Published 28/11/2021

Ask Citizens Advice: I’ve fallen behind on my bills and the debts are building up

Citizens Advice Rochdale is a local charity that provides free, independent, impartial, confidential advice to people in Rochdale.
Each month, we share advice around a key issue...

Date Published 27/11/2021

Young people learn harrowing consequences of unsafe driving at Safe Drive Stay Alive 2021

Local schools and colleges have recently attended free performances at Middleton Arena to find out more about the Safe Drive Stay Alive project.

Date Published 27/11/2021

Covid-19 booster jab bookings open to more people in the North West

More people across the North West are now eligible to book their top-up jab as the NHS Covid-19 Vaccination programme continues to boost people’s protection ahead of winter.

Date Published 27/11/2021

Gaia: replica of Earth exhibit now open in Rochdale

You can now see a stunning replica of planet Earth right here in Rochdale until Christmas. Created by artist Luke Jerram, Gaia is an internationally renowned huge work of art...

Date Published 27/11/2021

Man of Rochdale 2021: Lieutenant Commander Lawrence Scholes

Lieutenant Commander Lawrence Scholes RNR has been named the Man of Rochdale 2021 at the annual Springhill Hospice Man of Rochdale luncheon today (Friday 26 November).

Date Published 26/11/2021

Check your blood pressure at home and stay healthy

Residents in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale at risk of developing hypertension will be able to check their own blood pressure on a daily basis, thanks to hundreds of monitoring...

Date Published 26/11/2021

Local charities awarded funding to tackle gambling harms

Two local charities have been awarded funding to help those adversely affected by gambling.

Date Published 26/11/2021

Feeling the chill? Don’t forget to protect your pets this winter

With temperatures forecast to plummet in many parts of the country, vets are advising pet owners to take extra precautions to protect their dogs, cats and other small pets from...

Date Published 26/11/2021

Snow warning with arrival of Storm Arwen

A weather warning for snow has been issued across the Pennines for tonight (Friday 26 November) as Storm Arwen arrives.

Date Published 26/11/2021

Our guide to what you can do in and around the borough this weekend

Littleborough Christmas Lights Switch On, Gaia Exhibition, Rochdale Science Busking Extravaganza, Exhibitions at Touchstones Rochdale, Public Consultation for Littleborough...

Date Published 26/11/2021

Rochdale Training wins Springhill Hospice's Corporate Challenge

Independent training provider Rochdale Training has been named the winner of Springhill Hospice’s Corporate Challenge this year.

Date Published 25/11/2021

Windy and cold spell to come

Wind warnings have been issued for Greater Manchester and across the north west for Saturday (27 November) as strong winds and heavy rain, and even sleet and snow in some places,...

Date Published 25/11/2021

Bleakholt Christmas shoebox appeal

Crackers, tennis balls and salmon – these are some of the Christmas treats wanted to bring festive cheer to the inhabitants of Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary.

Date Published 25/11/2021

CCTV images released after three armed robberies at Albert Royds Street Morrisons

CCTV images have been released by police following three armed robberies in the space of 10 days at the Morrisons Daily store on Albert Royds Street, Rochdale.

Date Published 25/11/2021

Audience with Toni Baker - the man behind the music of Phoenix Nights

Rochdale born musician Toni Baker is appearing at 'An audience with' event at the Ratcliffe Bars at Rochdale AFC's Crown Oil Arena on Sunday 5 December.

Date Published 25/11/2021

Sexual abuse survivor bravely waives right to anonymity to write book about experiences

A survivor of sexual abuse has bravely waived her right to anonymity to write a book about her experiences.

Date Published 25/11/2021

Appeal for selection boxes and advent calendars for local underprivileged children

Local organisation Their4U Fundraising are appealing for selection boxes and advent calendars to be distributed to underprivileged children in Rochdale ahead of Christmas.

Date Published 25/11/2021

Vow to ‘crack down’ on fly-tippers as council adopts new strategy to combat scourge of illegal dumping

The leader of Rochdale Council has vowed to ‘crack down’ on fly-tippers as the authority adopts a new strategy for tackling the scourge.

Date Published 24/11/2021

White Ribbon Day: ending male violence against women and girls

Thursday 25 November is the UN International White Ribbon Day, which aims to eliminate violence against women.

Date Published 24/11/2021

Veteran, 96, who had medals stolen at Rochdale Cenotaph when paying his respects, receives replacements in surprise presentation

A 96-year-old war veteran who had his medals stolen when paying his respects at the Rochdale Cenotaph has had them replaced.

Date Published 24/11/2021

Mayor’s Column: Councillor Aasim Rashid

This column is about the places Mayor Rashid has been and the people he has met from the week commencing Monday 25 October to Sunday 14 November.

Date Published 24/11/2021

Work on new M62 link road well underway

Work to create a new link road at junction 19 of the M62 is well underway, with the first section of the route almost complete.

Date Published 24/11/2021

Roadworks, temporary local road closures and restrictions

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

Date Published 24/11/2021

Residents' Christmas lights aim to raise £2,500 for Springhill Hospice

Residents of Wrenbury Drive in Burnedge, Rochdale, are aiming to raise £2,500 for Springhill Hospice with their spectacular lights switch-on in December.

Date Published 24/11/2021

Kirkholt's Rhodes Ravine awarded high-level accolade for community greenspace

Rhodes Ravine, a valued greenspace in Kirkholt, has been awarded RHS Level 4 status of ‘Thriving’ in the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ assessment, the second highest level a community...

Date Published 23/11/2021

More Main News

Reduced ticket prices on offer for Dale's FA Cup game this Sunday

Rochdale will take on Plymouth Argyle in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup at 12.15pm on Sunday 5 December.
To recognise the contribution of fans, the club has...

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