Main News

Deputy Mayor of Rochdale, Aasim Rashid getting his vaccination at Number One Riverside

58,000 people in the borough have received first Covid-19 vaccination

58,000 people in the Rochdale borough have now received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, as of Friday (26 February).

Date Published 26/02/2021

Phase two of the Covid-19 vaccination programme to be determined by age

The priority groups for the next phase of vaccinations will be in order of age, once all at-risk groups in Phase 1 have been offered at least one dose.

Date Published 26/02/2021

Bus services affected by Go North West strike

Go North West bus services will be affected by a drivers’ strike from Sunday (28 February).
Members of the Unite union employed by Go North West will walk out indefinitely from...

Date Published 26/02/2021

Northern introduces new system to allow almost instantaneous customer refunds

Train operator Northern is set to introduce a new system which will allow customers to receive refunds almost instantly.

Date Published 26/02/2021

Concerns for people in Rochdale's most deprived area as masterplan goes out to consultation

Concerns have been raised for people in a deprived part of Rochdale after a development ‘masterplan’ for the area went out to consultation.

Date Published 26/02/2021

Heywood man charged following Operation Foam warrant

A Heywood man has been charged as part of an investigation into the use of encrypted communication services.

Date Published 26/02/2021

Rochdale set to run this October: Discounted entry for Williams BMW Rochdale Half Marathon and 10K

Entries are open for this year’s Williams BMW Rochdale Half Marathon and 10K - and prices remain at discounted 2020 rates until 31 March.

Date Published 26/02/2021

2021 National census to take place next month

Next month households across the borough of Rochdale will be asked to take part in the census - the nationwide survey of housing and the population.

Date Published 25/02/2021

New single 'Sweet Talkin'' released by Ellysse Mason

‘Sweet Talkin’’, the latest release from local independent singer-songwriter Ellysse Mason, is available from tomorrow (Friday 26 February).

Date Published 25/02/2021

Successful first week for HMR Circle Dinner Drivers

The HMR Circle Dinner Drivers Project successfully delivered 41 fresh meals in its first week.

Date Published 25/02/2021

Mayor repeats calls to open up half-empty mass vaccination centre for transport workers and teachers

Bus and taxi drivers and teachers over the age of 50 should be given Covid jabs at the half-empty mass vaccination centre at the Etihad, say local leaders.

Date Published 25/02/2021

Network Rail reminds drivers to be alert at level crossings following 'too many incidents and near misses'

Network Rail is reminding drivers to be vigilant when travelling near level crossings as ‘there are still too many incidents and near misses every year’.

Date Published 25/02/2021

Seven arrested in Operation Foam dawn raids

Dawn raids see seven arrested as the investigation into criminal use of encrypted communication services continues.

Date Published 25/02/2021

Nightingale Hospital ‘ceasing operations’ by end of March

The Nightingale Hospital in Manchester is ‘ceasing operations’ by the end of March amid falling bed occupancy levels.
The £10m facility was built at Manchester Central Convention...

Date Published 25/02/2021

Man suffers serious injuries after car flips on roof

A man has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after a collision near Healey Surgery, Whitworth Road, on Thursday morning (25 February).

Date Published 25/02/2021

Bedsit plan for former pub refused on grounds it would offer ‘unacceptable standard of accommodation’

Plans to turn a former pub into bedsits have been refused on the grounds it would provide future tenants with an ‘unacceptable standard of accommodation’.

Date Published 24/02/2021

Dale distributes care packs to community warehouse

Rochdale AFC players Jimmy Ryan, Kwadwo Baah and Matty Done, kitman Jack Northover and Community Trust Manager Siobhan McElhinney have delivered 50 care packs to the Community...

Date Published 24/02/2021

Tribute paid in Parliament to late Rochdale manager Tony Collins

A tribute to the late Tony Collins, former Rochdale manager and player, was paid in Parliament on Tuesday (23 February).
Mr Collins, who became the first black manager in English...

Date Published 24/02/2021

Thieves steal Paul Ellison's power tools

Stihl power tools have been stolen from Man of Rochdale Paul Ellison’s van in Norden, during the early hours of Wednesday morning (24 February).

Date Published 24/02/2021

Chapel at Heywood Cemetery destroyed by fire

A chapel at Heywood Cemetery has been destroyed after a fire broke out during the early hours of Saturday (20 February).

Date Published 24/02/2021

David Allen is new CEO of Skylight Circus Arts

Rochdale-based charity Skylight Circus Arts has appointed David Allen as its new chief executive.
The new CEO, will be responsible for managing operations, freeing up the...

Date Published 24/02/2021

Concerns raised over funding of children’s services in Rochdale following ‘damning’ inspection report

Concerns have been raised over the funding of children’s services in Rochdale after a council-run home received a damning inspection report.

Date Published 24/02/2021

Man threatened with a firearm and assaulted with a hammer during burglary in Middleton

Police are appealing for information following a burglary in which a 65-year-old man was threatened with a firearm and assaulted with a hammer.
At around 6pm on Thursday 18...

Date Published 24/02/2021

Plans for a university in Rochdale to stop ‘brain drain' from the borough set to take vital step forward

Plans to establish a university in Rochdale to stop ‘brain drain’ from the borough could take a big step forward this week.
Around 80% of students at Rochdale Sixth Form College...

Date Published 23/02/2021

Lift engineer dies in "tragic accident" at Royal Oldham Hospital

An engineer has died in a “tragic accident” at the Royal Oldham Hospital on Monday (22 February).
David Jago, the hospital's chief officer, said the maintenance engineer...

Date Published 23/02/2021

Crown House Vets to cut hair for Oldham Cats

Two vets from Crown House Vets in Rochdale and Shaw will be cutting their hair to raise money for the Oldham Cats rescue centre.

Date Published 23/02/2021

Casualty with leg injury rescued at Watergrove Reservoir

The Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team rescued an injured person at Watergrove Reservoir on Friday afternoon (19 February).

Date Published 23/02/2021

Rochdale man sentenced to 12 months in prison for leaking private photographs

A Rochdale man has been sentenced to a year in prison after disclosing private photographs.

Date Published 23/02/2021

Borough's second successful vaccine drive at Wardleworth Community Centre

Following the success of a pop-up vaccine clinic at Castlemere Community Centre, over 200 people were vaccinated in a second drive at Wardleworth Community Centre on Thursday (18...

Date Published 23/02/2021

Roadworks, temporary local road closures and restrictions

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

Date Published 23/02/2021

Govt 'roadmap' out of lockdown to start with the reopening of schools for all pupils from 8 March

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has outlined the government's plan to lift England's lockdown in parliament today.

Date Published 22/02/2021

Man dies after falling from a building on Newgate

A man has died after falling from a building on Newgate yesterday (Sunday 21 February).

Date Published 22/02/2021

Rochdale's Reel Cinema awarded £115k from Government’s Culture Recovery Fund

Reel Cinema Rochdale has been awarded £115,385 by the British Film Institute (BFI) as part of the first round of funding from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund to support...

Date Published 22/02/2021

Care home residents to be allowed one regular visitor from 8 March

The government has announced that care home residents will be allowed one regular indoor visitor from 8 March, as part of the roadmap to ease lockdown restrictions.

Date Published 22/02/2021

Women of Whitworth first virtual festival proves success

The Women of Whitworth (WOW) Project held its first ever festival for families to attend virtually over the half term break.

Date Published 22/02/2021

New partnership seeks donations of unused computer equipment to help children with their education

The Rotary Club of Rochdale East has formed a partnership with the Watergrove Trust to provide computer equipment for children unable to access online education.

Date Published 22/02/2021

New book club launched for adults to ‘come together through reading’ and improve mental health

A brand-new online book club for adults has been launched for residents of the borough and beyond to come together through reading – with people throughout Greater Manchester also...

Date Published 21/02/2021

More than 10,000 local people have been involved in Covid-19 research

More than 10,000 patients, volunteers and NHS staff have taken part in crucial Covid-19 research at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group (NCA).

Date Published 21/02/2021

Local poster competition open to Rochdale residents aged 13–18 with top prizes of £50 Amazon vouchers

If you’re between the age of 13 and 18, you could win a £50 Amazon voucher with Healthwatch Rochdale’s poster competition to launch its upcoming youth service, Youthwatch.

Date Published 21/02/2021

Teenager co-ordinates donations from neighbourhood for Rochdale Foodbank

Through the many challenges of the pandemic and lockdown, one teenager has begun collecting donations for the Rochdale Foodbank from her local neighbourhood.

Date Published 21/02/2021

Getting help portal available for parents and carers

A new confidential high tech service has been set up by a joint team of local health and care staff to offer support to parents, carers, and children and young people who live in...

Date Published 21/02/2021

As lockdown domestic abuse continues, Crimestoppers reminds the public across the North West to speak up anonymously to help save lives

In the first three weeks of March 2020 in the UK, 14 women and two children were killed as a result of domestic abuse – this is the highest rate for 11 years, according to the...

Date Published 20/02/2021

Greater Manchester launches next phase of ambitious campaign aimed at ending all new cases of HIV

Real people from Greater Manchester who either live with HIV or are actively preventing it feature in a new video as part of the next phase of the PaSH Partnership’s ‘HIV: Let’s...

Date Published 20/02/2021

Hive22’s virtual “Run2Remember” for those killed in Manchester Arena bombing

A virtual run in memory of the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena bombing will take place this year.

Date Published 20/02/2021

Britain’s Got Talent star’s plea to ‘Be Kind’ and stop disability hate crime after five-year-old is target of online abuse

Five-year-old Christian Kilduff won the nation’s hearts when he and his big sister Jade placed second in last year’s Britain’s Got Talent with their fully inclusive choir, Sign...

Date Published 19/02/2021

Over £1k raised by local community to send Heywood postman on holiday

The Heywood community has raised over £1,000 to send its fundraising postman on holiday - when lockdown permits.

Date Published 20/02/2021

Green space given a second chance in Kirkholt

A green space in Kirkholt, Rochdale has been given a new lease of life, thanks to a collaboration between the Kirkholt Millions Partnership and Big Local Trust.

Date Published 20/02/2021

Further roving FAST Testing sites announced

Further roving sites for FAST testing are coming to community locations across the borough.

Date Published 20/02/2021

Man had to be rescued from tree after he got stuck 10 metres up trying to save his pet cat

The animal welfare charity was called to reports of a cat stuck up in a tree in Further Heights Road, in Rochdale, on Monday (15 February).

Date Published 19/02/2021

Two men jailed after man dies from carbon monoxide poisoning in Middleton

Two men have been jailed after a tenant, Joao Afonso died in his flat at Wood Street, Middleton, from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Both men were sentenced at Manchester Crown Court...

Date Published 19/02/2021

Hundreds call helpline for crime victims unhappy with GMP – but it will soon close

Hundreds of people have called a helpline for crime victims unhappy with how Greater Manchester Police has handled their cases.
The crime support line was established by mayor...

Date Published 19/02/2021

Man, 38, in 'serious but stable' condition after bus collision

A 38-year-old man has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after a collision on Bolton Road on Friday morning (19 February).

Date Published 19/02/2021

Link4Life adds home-schooling activities and mental health support to At Home portal

Link4Life, the Rochdale-based culture and leisure charity, has announced a series of new initiatives aimed at helping those in the local community to get through the third...

Date Published 19/02/2021

Police incident closes part of Bolton Road in both directions

Part of Bolton Road is closed in both directions due to a police incident (10.50am, Friday 19 February).

Transport for Greater Manchester has confirmed the road is closed in...

Date Published 19/02/2021

Key points from Andy Burnham’s press conference with latest update on Covid-19

Andy Burnham held his weekly press conference on Wednesday (17 February), sharing the latest updates on the coronavirus situation in Greater Manchester.

Date Published 19/02/2021

New digital employment opportunities to combat youth unemployment

A new Digital Customer Support programme has been launched in Manchester by the youth employment non-profit organisation, Generation UK.

Date Published 19/02/2021

Market traders assured there are no plans to ‘move the bulldozers in’ as council adopts new town centre masterplan

Heywood market traders have been assured the council has no plans to ‘move the bulldozers in’ under a new masterplan for the town centre.
The document, which will shortly go out...

Date Published 19/02/2021

Greater Manchester becomes first city-region to support ‘Right to Food’ campaign

Greater Manchester has become the first city-region to support a campaign which calls for the ‘Right to Food’ to become a legal requirement.

Date Published 19/02/2021

Milestone reached as over 40,000 residents receive first dose of Covid-19 vaccine

More than 40,000 people in the Rochdale borough have now received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, as of Thursday (18 February).

Date Published 18/02/2021

Children’s home run by Rochdale Council barred from taking on any more kids until it proves it can keep them safe

A ‘doss house’ children’s home run by Rochdale Council has been barred from taking on any more kids until it proves it can keep them safe.
The home – which cannot be named for...

Date Published 18/02/2021

Go North West bus drivers to strike indefinitely in pay dispute

Go North West bus drivers are planning to strike later this month in a dispute over pay and conditions.
Members of the Unite union employed by Go North West will walk out...

Date Published 18/02/2021

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