Main News

Baby girl from Heywood whose death is being investigated named as Felicity-May Harvey

The family of a two-week-old baby girl from Heywood whose death is being investigated by police has paid tribute to her.

The child, who has been formally identified as Felicity-May Harvey, sadly died in hospital on Monday 11 January.

Date Published 16/01/2021

Book club for those concerned about the environment

A new virtual book club with a focus on environmental issues has been launched.

Date Published 17/01/2021

Top tips in time for annual garden Big Garden Birdwatch event

This winter, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is sharing its top tips for identifying the birds that may visit your garden feeders or local green space as...

Date Published 17/01/2021

Historic fire station doors refitted at fire service museum, Fireground

One of the most noticeable changes in the restoration of the Maclure Road fire station in Rochdale is the re-installation of 1930s folding "engine-house" doors.

Date Published 17/01/2021

Local woman aims to combat loneliness in older people through 'Cycling Without Age'

A new initiative in the borough is aiming to end loneliness in older residents – by offering free bike rides to local nursing home residents on a specially adapted ‘trishaw’.

Date Published 17/01/2021

Concessionary pass holders encouraged not to travel to renew tram and train add-on

More than 100,000 concessionary pass holders in Greater Manchester whose tram and train add-on is due to expire are being encouraged not to travel to renew their pass.

Date Published 17/01/2021

Christmas trees collected by Springhill Hospice recycled for mulch on its grounds

The very first Springhill Hospice Christmas tree collection was a huge success – resulting in collected trees being chipped up for mulch at the hospice.

Date Published 16/01/2021

GMP continues to encourage online reporting

Greater Manchester Police is continuing to ask the public to report non-emergencies online, rather than calling 101, where possible.

Date Published 16/01/2021

A thousand pairs of socks go the distance after anonymous donation

Over 1,000 pairs of socks have been given to local community groups over the festive period.
Sacks of new socks were donated by an anonymous businessman to Councillor Faisal Rana...

Date Published 16/01/2021

Northern to introduce amended timetables in response to national lockdown

Northern, alongside the rest of the UK rail industry, is to introduce amended timetables from Monday (18 January) to continue to help those who need to travel get where they need...

Date Published 16/01/2021

Townhead Post Office to relocate

Townhead Post Office on Yorkshire Street is moving to larger premises in Rochdale town centre.
Relocating to 142 Yorkshire Street, the move from 120 Yorkshire Street sees the...

Date Published 16/01/2021

8,500 residents in top two priority groups vaccinated

So far, more than 8,500 people have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine - including around half of local care home residents. It is expected that all care home...

Date Published 15/01/2021

Shots fired at house in Rochdale

An investigation has been launched after shots were fired at a house in Rochdale.
Shortly after 6.30pm yesterday evening (Thursday 14 January 2021), officers were called to a...

Date Published 15/01/2021

Buses continue to operate for essential journeys

Following last week’s national lockdown announcement, local bus operators have confirmed most services are still running for essential journeys.

Date Published 15/01/2021

Lancashire Hospitality Co-operation's new Healthy Home School Dinners

Providing a hot and healthy dinner for your children will now be easier than ever this lockdown, with the launch of Healthy Home School Dinners by the Lancashire Hospitality...

Date Published 15/01/2021

Connect over a virtual cuppa on Brew Monday urges Rochdale, Oldham and District Samaritans

In a bid to beat the winter blues, Rochdale, Oldham and District Samaritans is encouraging the community to reach out to someone they care about to connect over a virtual cuppa...

Date Published 15/01/2021

GMP set to receive disproportionate amount of 2021/22 funding package

Despite being the second largest police force in England, Greater Manchester Police has been allocated a disproportionate amount of funding for 2021/22 from the government.

Date Published 15/01/2021

Healthy Relationship Workshops available to Rochdale women

In partnership with Rochdale Borough Council, charity Europia are offering free online workshops for EU national women living in the Rochdale borough.

Date Published 15/01/2021

North West Public Health regional director warns against complacency as Covid-19 cases rise

As the Covid-19 pandemic enters a new phase, Dr Andrew Furber, Regional Director of Public Health (North West), Public Health England, warns against complacency and directly...

Date Published 15/01/2021

Planning application submitted for a brand new four-lane indoor cricket centre in Rochdale

Planning permission is being sought for a new four-lane indoor cricket centre at Rochdale Sports Club.

Date Published 15/01/2021

Snow and ice forecast for Saturday

Expect more cold weather this Saturday (16 January) as the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice.

Date Published 15/01/2021

Dippy's visit to Rochdale shortlisted for Hearts for the Arts Award 2021

Dippy the Dinosaur’s visit to Rochdale has been shortlisted for a Hearts for the Arts Award for Best Arts Project.

Date Published 15/01/2021

Newhey girl raises thousands for children's hospital after busking on her birthday

A nine-year-old girl from Newhey has raised thousands of pounds for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital by busking on her birthday.

Date Published 14/01/2021

Fears community relations in Rochdale could be hit if ‘absolutely critical’ liaison post is cut

There are fears that community relations in Rochdale could be hit following a proposal to cut an ‘absolutely critical’ liaison post.

Date Published 14/01/2021

Man jailed for six years after filming himself sexually assaulting woman

A man who filmed himself sexually assaulting a woman has been jailed for six years.

Date Published 14/01/2021

This is where you can get a rapid Covid test in the borough from Monday

Rapid Covid-19 tests will be available to local residents at four sites across the borough from next week.

Date Published 14/01/2021

Former GP avoids jail after attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child

A former GP from Rochdale has avoided jail after being charged with an attempt to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Date Published 14/01/2021

GMP recovers over £5 million from companies using adult entertainment websites as part of international money laundering operation

Police have recovered more than £5 million from fraudulent companies who used adult entertainment websites as part of an international money laundering operation.

Date Published 14/01/2021

Roadworks, temporary local road closures and restrictions

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

Date Published 14/01/2021

2023 review launched on redrawing parliamentary constituencies

The independent Boundary Commission for England (BCE) has begun a new review of all parliamentary constituencies in England.

Date Published 14/01/2021

Murder enquiry launched after death of Heywood baby

Police have launched a murder inquiry after the death of a baby in Heywood.

Date Published 13/01/2021

Rochdale raised drag queen to feature on upcoming RuPaul’s Drag Race UK

Landing on BBC iPlayer at 7pm on Thursday (14 January), the series 2 contestants of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will include a drag queen born and bred in Rochdale.

Date Published 13/01/2021

A grand effort from local jeweller for Springhill Hospice

After being inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore’s efforts to raise funds for NHS Charities by walking 100 laps of his garden for his 100th birthday, John purchased a piece of...

Date Published 13/01/2021

UK launches Global Health Insurance Card

UK residents will now be able to apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to replace European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) when their current EHIC expires.

Date Published 13/01/2021

Deadline looming to secure primary school places

Parents and carers of children across the borough who are due to start primary school in September 2021 only have a few days left to apply for their child’s school place as...

Date Published 13/01/2021

Plunging temperatures and snow flurries prompt pet safety warning from vets

With freezing temperatures and icy conditions forecast in many parts of the country, pet owners are advised to take extra precautions to ensure dogs, cats and other small pets are...

Date Published 13/01/2021

Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum renamed ahead of Easter opening

The Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum has revealed it will rebrand with a new name when its new museum opens around Easter – ‘Fireground’.

Date Published 13/01/2021

Middleton dad living with brain tumour welcomes lockdown baby

A Middleton man living with a brain tumour is celebrating the arrival of a bouncing baby boy, after undergoing gruelling cancer treatment.

Date Published 13/01/2021

Dippy in Rochdale to hit the small screen once more

Dippy the dinosaur is continuing to make waves after leaving Rochdale, with his adventure in the borough set to feature in a Channel 5 documentary series airing this week.

Date Published 13/01/2021

Disability charity warns proposed adult care charges would come as blow to those hit hardest by pandemic

A disability charity has warned plans to introduce a raft of new adult care charges would come as a blow to those already hit hardest by the pandemic.

Date Published 12/01/2021

‘Mistake’ of allowing festive mixing combined with the new Covid-19 variant will have tragic consequences, says Rochdale’s director of public health

The ‘mistake’ of allowing festive mixing combined with a new coronavirus variant will have tragic consequences, says the director of public health for Rochdale, where cases have...

Date Published 12/01/2021

Middleton hikers rescued from Derbyshire moor after becoming lost looking for aircraft crash site

A group of walkers from Middleton were rescued by the Glossop Mountain Rescue Team on Saturday (9 January), after they became lost looking for an aircraft crash site in

Date Published 12/01/2021

New Greater Manchester Covid Vaccination Centre at Etihad Campus opens

The first patients to be vaccinated at the new Greater Manchester NHS Vaccination Centre have spoken of their “relief” to be getting the life-saving jab.

Date Published 12/01/2021

Public Health England issue winter advice following cold weather warnings this week

A yellow warning of snow and ice for North West England has again been issued by the Met Office, between 8am on Wednesday (13 January) and 9pm on Thursday (14 January).

Date Published 12/01/2021

Supermarket crackdown on wearing masks to shop

Supermarkets are clamping down on customers who refuse to wear face coverings as the coronavirus infection rate continues to increase.

Date Published 12/01/2021

Rochdale Foodbank asks "please hold onto your donations"

Steve Field, the Chair of Trustees at Rochdale Foodbank, is asking for your support – by holding onto your donations for the time being.

Date Published 12/01/2021

Rochdale walkers rescued from one of Yorkshire's highest mountains in treacherous conditions

Two weekend walkers from Rochdale had to be rescued from the summit of Ingleborough in North Yorkshire on Sunday evening (10 January), after local police turned numerous...

Date Published 12/01/2021

Leaders urge residents to have their say on the future of Greater Manchester’s buses

Local leaders are urging all residents and organisations across Greater Manchester to make sure their voices are heard on the future of the city-region’s buses as a major...

Date Published 11/01/2021

Extra Covid protections for rough sleepers and renters

Extra support to help protect rough sleepers and renters from the effects of Covid-19 was announced by the Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick last week (8 January).

Date Published 11/01/2021

Cat microchipping consultation launched

Compulsory microchipping for cats could be introduced as early as this year, helping to reunite thousands of cat owners with lost or stolen pets.

Date Published 11/01/2021

Smithy Bridge Primary School headteacher praised for "being shining star throughout pandemic"

The headteacher of Smithy Bridge has been praised for “being a shining star throughout the whole pandemic.”

Date Published 11/01/2021

Rochdale project celebrates second year having helped almost 60 residents break the cycle of offending behaviour

A Rochdale-based supported accommodation project recently celebrated its second anniversary having helped around 60 individuals overcome addiction in its first two years.

Date Published 11/01/2021

New joint director for Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale CCG

A new joint director of commissioning has been appointed at Rochdale Council and NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) as the current director...

Date Published 10/01/2021

Rotary Heywood 2020 offering donations to local charities and causes

Thanks to the generosity of Heywood residents, Rotary Heywood 2020 can offer donations to local charities and causes.

Date Published 10/01/2021

Army of Kindness spreads Christmas cheer at Eden House

The volunteer group Army of Kindness in partnership with Al-Khair Foundation spread Christmas cheer to those in need, with a special Christmas Day event at Eden House, Rochdale.

Date Published 10/01/2021

Santas tee off for Springhill Hospice

A round of golf by six Santa Clauses has raised over £270 for Springhill Hospice.
Gwen Smith, her siblings – Anne Rowlands, Carole Lomas, Susan Patton, Kay Ralphson – and...

Date Published 10/01/2021

Rochdale clinical trial site begins to administer new Covid-19 antibody treatment

A clinical trial site in Rochdale has begun to administer a new Covid-19 antibody treatment, developed by AstraZeneca, as part of a large scale study.

Date Published 10/01/2021

H&T Pawnbrokers donates to Petrus for Christmas

The Rochdale branch of H&T Pawnbrokers has donated goods to Petrus this Christmas.

Date Published 09/01/2021

Over £3 million recovered for fraud victims

Last year, the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Economic Crime Unit recovered over £3 million for victims of fraud.

Date Published 09/01/2021

Domestic abuse support is still available during latest coronavirus lockdown

Support is still available for those affected by domestic abuse, and those at risk of harm can still leave their homes under the latest coronavirus lockdown rules.

Date Published 09/01/2021

Rochdale store is Asda supermarket’s top donator

Asda Rochdale is the supermarket chain’s leading back of store donator in the country, giving almost 64,000 meals worth of food to those in the local community who need it most.

Date Published 09/01/2021

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