Main News

The Tier 3 restrictions that came into effect today for Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester, including Heywood, Rochdale and Middleton, is now under Tier 3 (very high alert level) Covid restrictions.
What does this mean for residents in these areas?

Date Published 23/10/2020

Indie director's debut film to open in 32 UK cinemas - including Rochdale

An independent director’s debut film will be released in 32 UK cinemas later this month – including the Reel cinema in Rochdale town centre.

Date Published 25/10/2020

Council to support families with half-term meals support

Rochdale Borough Council will be funding meal vouchers for children eligible for free school meals during this October half-term.

Date Published 25/10/2020

Talking group for men launches at Mayfield Sports Centre

A powerful talking group for males has opened in Rochdale, providing men with a safe space to openly discuss their worries and mental health concerns.

Date Published 24/10/2020

Volunteers needed at Reuse Littleborough

Community group Reuse Littleborough urgently requires volunteers to help with donations.

Date Published 24/10/2020

MPs divided on votes for extending free school meals over holidays

Local MPs were divided over voting on extending free school meals for children over the schools holidays until Easter 2021.

Date Published 24/10/2020

Toys needed for Brass Knuckle Riders Christmas appeal

Rochdale-based motorcycle group Brass Knuckle Riders need your help once again, by donating children’s toys for Christmas.

Date Published 24/10/2020

Extra support for councils to expand services for domestic abuse victims and their children

Extra support for councils to help them to prepare for the introduction of landmark legislation that will ensure domestic abuse victims and their families get the vital help they...

Date Published 24/10/2020

310,000 #stepsforSands

Littleborough resident Liesl Beckles has embraced a challenge to walk 310,000 steps throughout October to raise money and awareness for the stillbirth and neonatal death charity...

Date Published 23/10/2020

Half term help for school lunches

Local community group Army of Kindness has set up several lunchtime collection points for over the half term week, after the government voted against extending free school meal...

Date Published 23/10/2020

Donate unwanted shoes to Rotary North West District’s Shoe Aid campaign

If you have any good condition shoes – new or used – that you no longer want or need, consider donating them to Rotary North-West District’s Shoe Aid campaign, via The Co-op Store...

Date Published 23/10/2020

East Lancashire Railway receives funding boost to support recovery of Covid impact

The East Lancashire Railway, which runs between Heywood and Rawtenstall, has received a fresh boost to support its ongoing recovery from the impact of Covid - with a new grant...

Date Published 23/10/2020

Dale to support Birch Hill Hospital’s art project

Rochdale Football Club is backing an initiative by the local mental health NHS trust, Pennine Care at Birch Hill Hospital, which is aiming to improve the environment on the ward...

Date Published 23/10/2020

Council stumps up £8,000 for new cricket pitch

A worn-out cricket pitch at Lenny Barn playing fields in Falinge is to be replaced by Rochdale Borough Council after local youngsters complained about its dangerous state.

Date Published 23/10/2020

LA rockers join forces with Rochdale bikers to help local children

Rochdale-based motorcycle club, MT Heads MCC has presented a cheque from a joint fundraising effort with a Los Angeles rock band to the Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home.

Date Published 23/10/2020

Clocks go back this weekend

It is the official end of British Summer Time (BST) this weekend.
BST ends at 2.00am on Sunday 25 October, so clocks need to go back an hour to 1.00am to revert to Greenwich Mean...

Date Published 23/10/2020

Mission accomplished as World War Two veteran’s garden is transformed by volunteers

A 102-year-old World War Two veteran from Rochdale has had his garden made over by selfless volunteers – so he can remain independent.

Date Published 22/10/2020

Labour leaders are ‘sticking together’ as Bolton bargains for its share of £60m

Labour leaders in Greater Manchester say they are ‘sticking together’ as Bolton bargains for its own share of a £60m pot offered by government.

Date Published 22/10/2020

Chancellor increases financial support for businesses and workers

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced he will increase support through the existing Job Support and self-employed schemes, and expand business grants to support companies in...

Date Published 22/10/2020

‘There’s still a smile behind the mask’: local NHS staff ask patients to follow new video guidance when coming to hospital

Patients attending local hospitals and community appointments in Rochdale, Oldham, Bury, and Salford are being asked to follow guidance and advice outlined in a new video,...

Date Published 22/10/2020

Roadworks, temporary local road closures and restrictions

Information on current and forthcoming roadworks and road closures across the borough.

Date Published 22/10/2020

Chris Clarkson called ‘scum’ by Deputy Labour leader when speaking in House of Commons

The deputy leader of the Labour party has been accused of calling Chris Clarkson, Conservative MP for Heywood and Middleton, “scum” in the House of Commons.

Date Published 22/10/2020

Viaduct restoration works to disrupt local rail services

Engineering works affecting local train passengers are due to start on Saturday.

Date Published 21/10/2020

GM Conservatives split as party moves to heap blame on Andy Burnham for failure of Tier 3 talks

Greater Manchester’s ‘red wall’ Conservatives appear to be split over whether Andy Burnham should carry the can for the collapse of Tier 3 negotiations.

Date Published 21/10/2020

New antenatal Rainbow Clinic launched at The Royal Oldham Hospital

A new service has been launched at The Royal Oldham Hospital to provide extra support for mums and dads-to-be who have previously experienced stillbirth, late miscarriage or early...

Date Published 21/10/2020

Next steps announced to boost road safety and close mobile phone loophole

It will become illegal for drivers to pick up and use their mobile, under new government plans to close a legislation loophole and improve road safety.

Date Published 21/10/2020

Crime falls by a fifth in Greater Manchester due to national lockdown

Crime has fallen by a fifth in Greater Manchester on the same time last year, according to a new report by Greater Manchester Police.

Date Published 21/10/2020

Whitworth staff and students complete miles between school and Uganda

Staff and students from Whitworth Community High School were set the task of walking the distance between their school and Uganda.
Head of English Peter Williams is a trustee of...

Date Published 20/10/2020

Greater Manchester to move into Tier 3 restrictions

Greater Manchester, including the Rochdale borough, will move into Tier 3 restrictions, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced today (Tuesday 20 October).

Date Published 20/10/2020

Heywood children’s charity Little Monkeys reopens its shop

Heywood children’s charity, Little Monkeys, which helps under privileged children, reopened the doors of its shop on 5 October after closing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Date Published 20/10/2020

Historic Hopwood Hall remains on Historic England's At Risk Register

The historic Hopwood Hall in Middleton has been named on Historic England's list of the historic sites most at risk of being lost forever.

Date Published 20/10/2020

'Flood busting' leaky dams installed on Crompton Moor in Oldham

Innovative flood risk management techniques have taken another step forward on Crompton Moor in Oldham with the installation of five 'leaky dams'.

Date Published 19/10/2020

Investigation launched after gunshots fired in Heywood

A police investigation has been launched after gunshots were fired in Heywood on Saturday afternoon (17 October).
Police were called to Bury Old Road in the Heap Bridge area at...

Date Published 19/10/2020

Council leader's concerns for vulnerable as Rochdale’s infection rate rises to highest in region

The leader of Rochdale council says admissions to hospital and intensive care units are his main concern after the borough’s infection rate became the highest in the region over...

Date Published 19/10/2020

Ten parks in the borough triumph once again in Green Flag Awards

The borough’s parks have swept the board once again at this year’s Green Flag Awards ranking them among the best in the UK and around the world.
All ten parks managed and...

Date Published 19/10/2020

Purple for polio: St Leonard's to be bathed in purple light

The Parish Church of St Leonard is being lit in purple for a week by The Rotary Club of Middleton.

Date Published 19/10/2020

Adult care staff get into top gear to raise vital funds

Council adult care staff have gone the extra mile to raise vital funds for local care homes.
Rochdale East neighbourhood team got on their bikes and took part in sponsored...

Date Published 19/10/2020

Mayor's letter to the Prime Minister and party leaders

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has written a letter to the Prime Minister and other party leaders at Westminster, demanding support for those affected by tier 3...

Date Published 19/10/2020

National Lottery gives green light for town hall revamp

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has approved an £8.3m grant to allow major restoration works to be completed on the Grade-I listed Rochdale Town Hall.

Date Published 19/10/2020

Stroke survivor shares story to inspire hope for other patients

Stroke survivor Tristan Maynard from Rochdale is sharing his story to give hope to other survivors, as recent research has revealed 85% of stroke survivors are being told that...

Date Published 18/10/2020

Whitworth student takes on country’s best in shooting comp

Hot shot Xander Ashdown is hoping he will be on target when he represents his school in the British Schools’ Pistol Championships 2020/21.

Date Published 18/10/2020

Home in time for (next) Christmas - one cat's adventures show how vital microchipping is

Many of us microchip our pets, in the hope that should they go missing, if found, they can be reunited with us. Betty’s story is a clear reminder of how important this practice

Date Published 18/10/2020

Beware of rogue “man and a van” rubbish removers on social media

Facebook users in the North West who use unregistered waste carriers could become accidental criminals, warns the Environment Agency.

Date Published 18/10/2020

Supermarket giants remove glitter from festive ranges

Asda and Morrisons have announced they will be removing tonnes of plastic from their festive offers this year with the launch of their sustainable Christmas ranges.

Date Published 17/10/2020

Say goodbye to pointless packaging as award-winning campaign Refill expands

Plastic pollution campaigning organisation, City to Sea is taking the award-winning Refill campaign to the next level with a free new app to help you reduce your plastic...

Date Published 17/10/2020

Kentmere Academy awarded first Eco-Schools Green Flag

Kentmere Academy and Nursery has been awarded its first Eco-Schools Green Flag, an internationally recognised award for excellence in environmental action and learning.

Date Published 17/10/2020

Residents can have their say on major plans for Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone and taxi standards

Major plans to clean up Greater Manchester’s air have been put forward – and people can now have their say on them.

Date Published 17/10/2020

Pop-up birthing centre will not open in ‘near future’ due to Covid concerrns

A pop-up birthing centre that would have seen maternity services return to Rochdale for the first time in nearly a decade will not open in the ‘near future’.

Date Published 16/10/2020

Support to help set up community micro-enterprise helping older people and adults with learning disabilities

Support for local people to set up a community micro-enterprise helping older people and adults with a learning disability to live a good life is available.

Date Published 16/10/2020

Residents on low incomes offered £500 Test and Trace Support Payment to self-isolate

A payment of £500 is available to residents on low incomes who are required to self-isolate.

Date Published 16/10/2020

Wardle Scarecrow Festival brings community together

Creative residents of Wardle have put on a fantastic show for this year’s Scarecrow Festival.

Date Published 16/10/2020

Work to begin on site for 240 new homes in Rochdale town centre

Plans to build over 240 new homes on a derelict brownfield site in central Rochdale have taken a major step forward, with enabling works set to start imminently.

Date Published 16/10/2020

Extinction Rebellion Rochdale host protest at Number One Riverside to demand climate action

Members of Extinction Rebellion Rochdale and Friends of the Earth met outside the council offices in Rochdale town centre on Saturday (10 October) in a safely-organised protest to...

Date Published 16/10/2020

Lancashire to move into tier 3 lockdown measures - as Greater Manchester remains under tier 2 restrictions

Lancashire – covering neighbouring Whitworth – is moving into tier 3 lockdown measures, whilst Greater Manchester, including the borough of Rochdale, will remain under tier 2...

Date Published 16/10/2020

Parking firm confirms it will overturn shopping precinct fines

ParkingEye is to refund or cancel every fine it issued to people who parked behind Milnrow Precinct since November.

Date Published 15/10/2020

Greater Manchester leaders unite to oppose Government's Tier 3 plans

Greater Manchester Metro Mayor Andy Burnham, Deputy Mayor Bev Hughes and all 10 leaders of the local authorities within Greater Manchester, including Rochdale's Allen Brett, have...

Date Published 15/10/2020

Giant artwork celebrating the best bits of Rochdale opens in the town centre

21 Baillie Street has been transformed by 91 images depicting what Rochdale means to the artists as part of the ‘Find Your Space’ art project. Some of the artwork has come from as...

Date Published 15/10/2020

Roadworks, temporary local road closures and restrictions

Information on current and forthcoming roadworks and road closures across the borough.

Date Published 15/10/2020

Police close investigation into Hare Hill Park sexual assault

Police have closed the investigation into the sexual assault reported in Hare Hill Park last week.

Date Published 15/10/2020

HMR Circle given £1,500 from Great Places Housing Group

HMR Circle has been given £1,500 in funding from Great Places Housing Group’s £100,000 Resilience Fund.

Date Published 15/10/2020

Sugar content reduced in food by just 3% in four years - well below target of 20%

Sugar content in food has reduced by just 3% in the last four years, according to a Public Health England (PHE) report – well below the government’s target of 20% by 2020.

Date Published 15/10/2020

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