Main News

The 2019 Greater Manchester Homelessness and Exploitation Survey canvassed 180 people who were rough sleeping, homeless, or accessing homeless services

‘Troubling’ report reveals exploitation risk to Greater Manchester’s homeless people

An ‘extremely troubling’ report has exposed the extent to which homeless people in Greater Manchester are at risk of exploitation by human traffickers.

Date Published 15/11/2019


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

Middleton Christmas Lights Switch On, Christmas Food and Craft Fayre, Boutique Baby Sale – Rochdale, RADARS Winter Radio Rally, Zumbathon in aid of Jolly Josh, In Harmony Singers...

Date Published 14/11/2019

Weekly Column: Mayor Billy Sheerin

This weekly column from the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Billy Sheerin, is about the places he has been and the people he has met during the week commencing Monday 4 November...

Date Published 15/11/2019


NCA opens ‘first of its kind’ Radiography Academy in Rochdale

Rochdale Infirmary is home to the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group’s (NCA) new Radiography Academy, a centre of excellence for research, learning and mentoring in the field of...

Date Published 15/11/2019

Real social value for Rochdale Alliance Manchester Business School project

For the second year running a team of students from Alliance Manchester Business School have joined forces with Rochdale Stronger Together to deliver a not-for-profit consultancy...

Date Published 15/11/2019


TUC calls for action on low pay

Over a fifth of North West employees are paid below the real living wage rate, new figures shared by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) reveal today (Friday 15 November).

Date Published 15/11/2019

Wondrous world of physics celebrated with Rochdale Physics Extravaganza

Hundreds of people celebrated the wondrous world of physics with the Rochdale Science Initiative CIC’s Physics Extravaganza at Heybrook Primary School on Sunday 10 November.

Date Published 15/11/2019


Whitworth dancers take on the country’s best

Dancers from Whitworth competed in the national Blue Dolphin Championships in Scarborough.

Date Published 15/11/2019

Man taken to hospital with leg injury after collision on Halifax Road

A man in his 40s has been taken to hospital with a leg injury following a collision on Halifax Road, Smallbridge, on Friday (15 November).

Date Published 15/11/2019


Local councillors visit JD Sports distribution centre

The leader of Rochdale Borough Council and two councillors recently visited and toured the JD Sports distribution centre at Kingsway Business Park.

Date Published 15/11/2019

Middleton blogger with autism wants all UK railway stations to adopt hidden disability sunflower lanyard scheme

A Middleton blogger with autism is campaigning for all railway stations in the UK to back the sunflower lanyard scheme for those with hidden disabilities.

Date Published 15/11/2019


Highfield Hospital celebrates ‘Good’ independent watchdog rating

The BMI Highfield Hospital in Rochdale has been rated ‘Good’ by the national healthcare watchdog, the Care Quality Commission, following an unannounced inspection this summer.

Date Published 15/11/2019

Limited prints left of Geoff Butterworth painting being auctioned for Springhill Hospice

A handful of limited-edition prints of a beautiful Geoff Butterworth watercolour original painting are being sold to raise funds for Springhill Hospice.

Date Published 15/11/2019


More disabled people are winning benefit appeals at tribunal

The number of people with illness or disabilities who won their cases when taking the government to court after losing out on benefits has almost doubled in the north west.

Date Published 15/11/2019

General Election 2019: candidates announced for Rochdale and Heywood & Middleton

In little under a month, residents of the Rochdale borough will have their chance to say who they want to represent them in Parliament.

Date Published 14/11/2019


Roadworks, temporary local road closures and restrictions

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

Date Published 14/11/2019

Emergency services come together to deliver Safe Drive Stay Alive 2019

Safe Drive Stay Alive 2019 is a road safety initiative to empower young drivers to make safer driving choices.

Date Published 14/11/2019


Rochdale psychologists deliver mental health talk at London conference

Two clinical psychologists from Rochdale delivered a mental health talk to hundreds of students in London during anti-bullying week (Monday 11 November – 15 November).

Date Published 14/11/2019

Black and white TVs still in use across Rochdale as BBC One in colour hits 50

As BBC One celebrates its 50th anniversary of colour TV this week, TV Licensing has revealed that 14 households across Rochdale are still watching TV programmes on black and white...

Date Published 14/11/2019


M&S officially starts work on new Rochdale Riverside store

Marks & Spencer has begun fitting out its new store in the Rochdale Riverside development.

Date Published 14/11/2019

GMCA one of 14 successful applicants for LGA Housing Advisers Programme

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which represents all 10 local authorities in the region, is one of 14 successful applicants for a national scheme to help councils...

Date Published 14/11/2019


Whitworth High’s attendance challenge leads to tasty treat

Almost 100 per cent attendance for the first half-term saw nearly 60 students from Whitworth Community High School tucking into bacon or sausage butties.

Date Published 14/11/2019

Safeguarding our water environment: Environment Agency launches consultation on future of rivers

The Environment Agency is inviting the public to share their views and ideas on the future of our water environment and rivers through its ‘Challenges and Choices’ consultation.

Date Published 14/11/2019


Knitted poppies grace Norden memorial gardens

Scores of crocheted and knitted poppies have been displayed in the Norden memorial gardens.

Date Published 13/11/2019

Lowerplace Primary School remember Rochdale’s fallen soldiers to commemorate Remembrance Day

Children in Year Six at Lowerplace Primary School have commemorated Remembrance Day by writing letters to some of Rochdale’s fallen soldiers.

Date Published 13/11/2019


Young people encouraged to join the adventure with the Duke of Edinburgh Award

If you're aged 14-24, you can build skills, confidence and fitness with a series of exciting challenges through the Duke of Edinburgh's (DofE) Award.

Date Published 13/11/2019

Former MP receives response from government about closure of Rochdale Personal Independence Payment assessment centre

The Minister for Disabled People, Heath and Work has responded to a letter from former MP Tony Lloyd regarding the closure of the Rochdale Personal Independence Payment (PIP)...

Date Published 13/11/2019


Businesses fear for jobs as plans to build 250 homes on industrial estate emerge

Business owners have been left fearing for their livelihoods after a bombshell letter revealed plans to sell off an industrial estate for up to 260 new homes.
Employers at...

Date Published 13/11/2019

Missing manhole cover closes one lane of eastbound M62

One lane of the M62 motorway eastbound between junctions 18 and 19 will be closed for several hours on Wednesday (13 November) because of a missing manhole cover.

Date Published 13/11/2019


New hair & beauty training hub opens at Hopwood Hall College

Rochdale’s hair stylist and owner of longstanding ‘Couzens’, Greg Couzens, opened the brand-new hair and beauty training centre at Hopwood Hall College on Monday (11 November)...

Date Published 13/11/2019

St Andrew's autumn fair raises over £1,000 for church funds

An autumn fair at St Andrew’s Church in Dearnley has raised over £1,000 for church funds.

Date Published 13/11/2019


Future Directions CIC have been nominated for a national care award

An Oldham-based social care provider for people with learning disabilities and complex needs, which offers support to adults across Rochdale, has made the finals of this year’s...

Date Published 13/11/2019

Spooky Halloween celebrations at Brimrod Community Primary School

Children at Brimrod Community Primary School celebrated Halloween in a variety of spookily-themed ways.

Date Published 13/11/2019


Ealees pond and meadow cleared and restored

Ealees Pond, part of Hollingworth Lake Country Park in Littleborough, has been restored following 12 months of hard work by a number of local organisations.

Date Published 13/11/2019

Mia Linnik-Holden and Andrei Toader named U19 Open Ballroom Champions

Middleton ballroom sensations Mia Linnik-Holden and Andrei Toader have danced their way to the top, after winning the U19 Dutch Open Ballroom Championship in Assen, the...

Date Published 12/11/2019


Drugs, alcohol abuse and mental-health charity promotes alcohol awareness week in Rochdale

Social enterprise Turning Point will be providing help and guidance to anyone concerned about their own drinking, or that of friends and family throughout Alcohol Awareness Week...

Date Published 12/11/2019

Buses ‘cherry picking’ stops and ‘stranding’ passengers

Bus drivers have been accused of ‘cherry picking stops’ and leaving passengers ‘stranded’ between northern and central parts of Greater Manchester.

Date Published 12/11/2019


Soldiers who died 75 or 80 years ago during World War Two

Volunteers at Littleborough History Centre have been researching the service personnel from the Pennine districts of Rochdale (Littleborough, Milnrow, Newhey, Smallbridge and...

Date Published 12/11/2019

Yellow weather warning for Thursday 14 November

A yellow weather warning for rain is in place across most of the UK, including Rochdale, all day on Thursday 14 November.

Date Published 12/11/2019


Channel Four films new series in Norden

Channel Four have been filming scenes for a new television series on Shelfield Lane in Norden.

Date Published 12/11/2019

Rochdale Business Awards 2019

The ninth annual Rochdale Business Awards were hosted at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday night (8 November 2019).

Date Published 11/11/2019


Whitworth turns out for Remembrance Sunday service

Whitworth residents’ young and old gathered to remember those lost and injured during times of conflict on Sunday 10 November.

Date Published 12/11/2019

Hamer children learn vital first aid skills

Hamer Community Primary School held their second Care Week from Monday 4 – Friday 8 November with the Mayor Billy Sheerin visiting on Friday for children to demonstrate the skills...

Date Published 12/11/2019


Bikers turn M60 motorway into giant poppy with Ring of Red ride of Remembrance

Thousands of bikers turned the M60 motorway into a ring of red on Remembrance Sunday (10 November).

Date Published 12/11/2019

Collection for Rochdale Foodbank at Sudden Tesco

The Tesco supermarket at Sudden will be holding a collection for Rochdale Foodbank between 21 and 23 November, as part of the annual Tesco Food Collection.

Date Published 12/11/2019


Reel Cinemas reveal plans for Rochdale Riverside development

Back in January it was announced that Reel Cinemas would be opening their 15th cinema in Rochdale’s £250m Riverside leisure development. 
The cinema represents the latest in...

Date Published 11/11/2019

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn

On a day when people across the UK and the world stop to remember those who have died in wars and conflicts, John Keogh, who served for almost 26 years in the Armed Forces,...

Date Published 10/11/2019


Schoolgirl Imogen O'Brien will have her festive scene of Birch Hill on thousands of Christmas cards

A clear Christmas Eve night depicting Birch Hill and a colourful Christmas tree as the unmistakable silhouette of Father Christmas and his reindeer swoop past has been chosen as a...

Date Published 11/11/2019

Pastures New appeal for help after seven horses escape

Local charity Pastures New are appealing for the public’s help with their veterinary bills after a recent incident at the farm.

Date Published 11/11/2019


Arrests as cars, cash and drugs seized in Rochdale

Two arrests have been made after cars, cash and drugs were seized in Rochdale.

Date Published 11/11/2019

Remembrance Sunday 2019 in Castleton

Hundreds of people graced the village green in Castleton for the annual Remembrance Sunday service on 10 November.

Date Published 11/11/2019


Remembrance Sunday 2019: Littleborough

Crowds gathered in Littleborough on Sunday (10 November) to pay their respects at the Remembrance Sunday service, honouring those who died serving their country.

Date Published 10/11/2019

Remembrance Sunday 2019: Rochdale

Thousands of people turned out to pay their respects at the Remembrance Sunday service at Rochdale Cenotaph on 10 November, honouring those who died serving their country.

Date Published 10/11/2019


Heywood Remembrance Sunday 2019

Thousands of people paid their respects to those who died serving their country at the Remembrance Sunday service in the Memorial Gardens in Heywood this morning (10 November).

Date Published 10/11/2019

Well prepared: gritters ready as temperatures drop

Teams at Rochdale Borough Council are ready to hit the road to tackle any ice, sleet, flooding and snow this winter. Gritting began last month and now eight gritters are on...

Date Published 11/11/2019


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