News

Featured

• Social prescribing helping Bury patients rebuild their lives

  Patients across Bury say social prescribing has played a vital role in improving their mental and physical health, as NHS leaders encourage more people to seek support through talking therapies and community based help.

• EXCLUSIVE first look inside the transformed Heywood Civic

  Roch Valley Radio has been given an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Heywood Civic ahead of the official launch, offering the first look at a landmark redevelopment that will see the venue reopen as a fully accessible cultural and community hub.

• More than 100 volunteers power Roch Valley Radio as World Radio Day 2026 is marked

  World Radio Day is today, 13 February 2026, and is a moment to celebrate the impact of broadcasting across the globe, it is also a chance to recognise the people behind the microphone who keep local radio alive every single week.

• The immersive tour of Rochdale, revealing hidden secrets

  Culture, music, religion and the history of the town centre Wetherspoons. Only Rochdale could weave tales of these things together into a compelling intertwing web.

• EXCLUSIVE: Labour lays out their strategy for By-election, as Candidate supports Free Breakfast Clubs

  Audio

  In an exclusive to Roch Valley Radio, we talk to the Labour Candidate for the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election, Angeliki Stogia and the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Philipson about the by-election, Breakfast Clubs being rolled out across the constituency and Labour's Chances in the By-election.

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Local News

• More road closures to hit Prestwich – but the end could be in sight

  Prestwich will be affected by another eight-week road closure on Fairfax Road, developers and the council have confirmed. 

• Police roll out new electric bikes to tackle crime in Rochdale’s narrow streets

  Officers in Rochdale have been equipped with seven electric bikes as part of a push to improve response times and increase visibility in areas where patrol cars cannot easily reach.

• "I want to earn trust back in Politics": Hannah Spencer talking about the upcoming By-Election

  The Green Party candidate, Hannah Spencer, has spoken to Roch Valley Radio about the By-Election and her ambitions if she was to be elected on the 26th February, saying the election will be decided by "a handful of votes".

• Council leader’s column: Why Middleton’s regeneration and this year’s budget matter for our borough

  When I became leader of the council in 2021, I set out my vision for the borough, key priorities and the services local residents want and expect the council to deliver.

• Cafe near Old Trafford fined more than £10,000 after rat infestation and allergen breach

  A cafe close to Old Trafford has been fined more than £10,000 after environmental health officers found evidence of rats and uncovered a serious allergen failure during separate inspections.

• Great Howarth School celebrates expansion with official reopening

  Great Howarth School in Rochdale has officially reopened following a major expansion and refurbishment, welcoming families, staff and community leaders to mark the occasion.

• Rochdale council to begin search for new chief executive

  Rochdale Council is set to launch a recruitment process for a new chief executive following the resignation of James Binks at the end of last year.

• Sophie's family launch fundraiser for urgent hip operation abroad

  A local woman left housebound and in daily pain is facing further delays to a long awaited hip replacement, prompting her family to launch a public fundraiser to pay for private surgery overseas.

• Tottington councillor Luis McBriar to step down over new politically neutral job

  Tottington ward councillor Luis McBriar has announced he will step down from Bury Council as he prepares to take up a new job that requires political neutrality.

• Drivers in Bury warned about five sets of roadworks

  Drivers in Bury are being warned to expect delays, with a main road leading from Ramsbottom to the town centre to be impacted by five sets of roadworks.

• Whitefield women’s-only gym helping community cohesion

  It’s an experience that will be familiar to many women. You’re at the gym, minding your own business, maybe belatedly trying to put some of those new year’s resolutions into action.

• Public consultation for Ramsbottom revamp

  Local residents are being asked to weigh in on how the council should revamp the public square around an iconic sculpture in Bury.

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Local Sports

• Rochdale Hornets beaten by Hunslet as Faraimo scores five at Crown Oil Arena

  Rochdale Hornets suffered their first league defeat of the 2026 Betfred Championship season as Hunslet ran in eight tries in a 42 to 6 win at the Crown Oil Arena.

• Rochdale extend unbeaten run with comfortable win over Woking

  Rochdale remain top of the Enterprise National League after a 3 to 0 home victory against Woking on Saturday, extending their unbeaten start to 2026.

• Bury cruise past Sporting Khalsa as Stepans and Touray record fifth straight win

  First half goals from Rustam Stepans and Mo Touray were enough to complete a comfortable victory for Bury over Sporting Khalsa at Gigg Lane.

• Managing director Andy Duff to step down at end of 2025 to 2026 season

  Rochdale AFC has confirmed that managing director Andy Duff will leave his role at the end of the current 2025 to 2026 campaign.

• Hornets fight back to maintain unbeaten start with win over Keighley

  Rochdale Hornets came from behind to secure a 24 to 10 victory over Keighley Cougars and preserve their 100 per cent start to the new Betfred Championship season.

• Bury Council approves £4.5 million investment in leisure centres

  Bury Council has approved £4.5 million of investment to improve its leisure centres in Ramsbottom and Bury town centre.

• Rochdale and York MPs back campaign for extra National League promotion place

  The MPs for Rochdale and York have joined forces to support a national campaign calling for two automatic promotion places from the National League, as they joked about which of their clubs will finish top this season.

• Anthony Johnson named Bury FC first team manager in statement move

  Anthony Johnson has been appointed as Bury Football Club’s new First Team Manager with immediate effect, marking what the club has described as a ‘clear statement of intent’ for its future.

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Lifestyle

• Whitefield women’s-only gym helping community cohesion

  It’s an experience that will be familiar to many women. You’re at the gym, minding your own business, maybe belatedly trying to put some of those new year’s resolutions into action.

• Beloved community and cafe to be broken up by Prestwich demolition

  It’s the end of the morning rush at You & Me cafe in Prestwich’s condemned Longfield Centre.

• Rochdale Culture Awards finalists revealed ahead of Town Hall ceremony

  Nineteen individuals, creatives and organisations have been shortlisted for this year’s Rochdale Culture Awards, with winners set to be announced at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 27 March.

• Heywood 1940s Day is at risk without urgent call for volunteers

  Organisers of Heywood 1940s Day have warned the popular event may not go ahead this year unless more volunteers come forward within the next five days.

• Social prescribing helping Bury patients rebuild their lives

  Patients across Bury say social prescribing has played a vital role in improving their mental and physical health, as NHS leaders encourage more people to seek support through talking therapies and community based help.

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Greater Manchester

• "I want to earn trust back in Politics": Hannah Spencer talking about the upcoming By-Election

  The Green Party candidate, Hannah Spencer, has spoken to Roch Valley Radio about the By-Election and her ambitions if she was to be elected on the 26th February, saying the election will be decided by "a handful of votes".

• Cafe near Old Trafford fined more than £10,000 after rat infestation and allergen breach

  A cafe close to Old Trafford has been fined more than £10,000 after environmental health officers found evidence of rats and uncovered a serious allergen failure during separate inspections.

• Gorton and Denton voters are ‘fed up’ with the by-election and so much more

  A biting wind howled through Haughton Green as anxious faces watched for an expected bus.

• Eleven arrested as Britain First march and counter protests take place in Manchester

  Eleven people were arrested during a day of protests in Manchester city centre on Saturday 21 February, as supporters of the far right group Britain First marched through the city and were met by counter demonstrators.

• Rochdale arrest among 23 held in major organised crime crackdown

  A man was arrested in Rochdale as part of a coordinated operation which saw 23 people detained during early morning warrants across Greater Manchester.

• Social prescribing helping Bury patients rebuild their lives

  Patients across Bury say social prescribing has played a vital role in improving their mental and physical health, as NHS leaders encourage more people to seek support through talking therapies and community based help.

• Greater Manchester Police arrest 23 in major organised crime crackdown

  More than 250 officers carried out 22 early morning warrants across Greater Manchester on Wednesday 18 February 2026, arresting 23 people suspected of links to a family run organised crime group.

• Business secretary warns Reform poses risk to Gorton and Denton high street ahead of by election

  The Business Secretary has warned that local firms in Gorton and Denton could be put at risk if Reform UK wins next week’s by election, as campaigning intensifies across the constituency.

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Local Entertainment

• Review: Operation Mincemeat turns wartime deception into a five star musical

  Just as the real Operation Mincemeat was a plan that shouldn’t have worked, the idea of turning it into a musical feels equally improbable.

• Rochdale Culture Awards finalists revealed ahead of Town Hall ceremony

  Nineteen individuals, creatives and organisations have been shortlisted for this year’s Rochdale Culture Awards, with winners set to be announced at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 27 March.

• Heywood 1940s Day is at risk without urgent call for volunteers

  Organisers of Heywood 1940s Day have warned the popular event may not go ahead this year unless more volunteers come forward within the next five days.

• EXCLUSIVE first look inside the transformed Heywood Civic

  Roch Valley Radio has been given an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Heywood Civic ahead of the official launch, offering the first look at a landmark redevelopment that will see the venue reopen as a fully accessible cultural and community hub.

• Crowdfunder launched to create mural honouring Stone Roses and Primal Scream legend Mani

  A community crowdfunder has been launched to create a large scale mural in Failsworth honouring Gary Mani Mounfield, the former bassist of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, while raising money for Maggie’s Centre in Manchester.

• More than 100 volunteers power Roch Valley Radio as World Radio Day 2026 is marked

  World Radio Day is today, 13 February 2026, and is a moment to celebrate the impact of broadcasting across the globe, it is also a chance to recognise the people behind the microphone who keep local radio alive every single week.

• Review: Single White Female, Manchester Opera House

  Single White Female is one of those films loads of people remember from the 90s, the kind of thriller you’d stick on with friends and end up shouting at the screen by the end.

• Review: Barnum wows Manchester with circus flair and stage magic

  Lee Mead shines as the master of spectacle in a fast-paced musical filled with daring tricks and old-fashioned showmanship.

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Elections

• "I want to earn trust back in Politics": Hannah Spencer talking about the upcoming By-Election

  The Green Party candidate, Hannah Spencer, has spoken to Roch Valley Radio about the By-Election and her ambitions if she was to be elected on the 26th February, saying the election will be decided by "a handful of votes".

• Matt Goodwin: “Hannah Spencer is reading off a script”.

  Audio

  Reform UK’s Gorton and Denton by-election candidate, Matt Goodwin, has accused his Green Party rival, Hannah Spencer, of “reading off a script” during the recent hustings, in an exclusive interview with Roch Valley Radio.

• Gorton and Denton voters are ‘fed up’ with the by-election and so much more

  A biting wind howled through Haughton Green as anxious faces watched for an expected bus.

• Bury’s young voters elect new Youth MP after strong turnout

  Thousands of young people across Bury have taken part in a borough wide vote to choose their new Member of Youth Parliament, with turnout exceeding 35 per cent of those eligible.

• Business secretary warns Reform poses risk to Gorton and Denton high street ahead of by election

  The Business Secretary has warned that local firms in Gorton and Denton could be put at risk if Reform UK wins next week’s by election, as campaigning intensifies across the constituency.

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UK

• Peter Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office

  Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

• 'Simply a miracle': Baby boy born from dead donor womb transplant in UK first

  A baby boy has become the first child in Britain to be born to a mother with a womb transplanted from a deceased donor.

• Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: Australia and New Zealand back plans to remove him from line of succession

  The governments of Australia and New Zealand have thrown their weight behind plans to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal line of succession.

• Queen meets Gisele Pelicot and praises rape survivor's 'extraordinary dignity'

  The Queen has met French rape survivor, Gisele Pelicot, and told her she was left "speechless" by the account of her ordeal in her new memoir.

• Children's home manager abused vulnerable boys and girls in 18 year 'regime of fear'

  A children's home manager sexually abused girls and boys in his care during an 18-year "regime of fear", a court has found.

• Tourette's campaigner 'deeply mortified' after racial slur at BAFTAs

  A Tourette's campaigner who yelled out a racial slur at the BAFTAs has spoken out about the incident, saying he is "deeply mortified".

• 'Staring down the barrel at higher costs': UK businesses face uncertain future over US tariffs

  UK businesses are facing uncertainty and higher costs as Donald Trump's new global tariff hike is set to take effect from Tuesday.

• Police investigating 'abhorrent' online racist abuse of top flight footballers

  An investigation has been launched after several football clubs reported online racial abuse of their players over the weekend.

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Entertainment

• Rob Reiner's son Nick pleads not guilty to murder of his parents

  Rob Reiner's son Nick has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of the actor-director and his wife Michele Singer Reiner.

• British rising star Robert Aramayo beats Timothee Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio to acting BAFTA - as One Battle After Another named best film

  British film newcomer Robert Aramayo has been named best actor at the BAFTAs - beating favourite Timothee Chalamet and other A-listers including Leonardo DiCaprio to win the prize.

• Robert Aramayo: The Hull actor who's taken the BAFTAs by storm

  It's not often an actor from Hull pips Hollywood actors to a top award, but Robert Aramayo has done just that.

• Tourette's campaigner 'deeply mortified' after racial slur at BAFTAs

  A Tourette's campaigner who yelled out a racial slur at the BAFTAs has spoken out about the incident, saying he is "deeply mortified".

• BAFTAs red carpet 2026: Best looks from the red carpet

  As well as the film prizes, red carpet fashion is also a huge part of any awards ceremony.

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Sport

• Tottenham: Relegation from Premier League a real possibility after north London derby thrashing by Arsenal

  'Shock of the century?' However you frame it - relegation out of the Premier League is now a very real possibility for Tottenham.

• Super League: St Helens hold on for 20-18 win over Leigh Leopards as Leeds Rhinos run riot in 46-14 victory over York Knights

  St Helens pulled off a narrow 20-18 victory over Leigh Leopards in round two of the Betfred Super League at the BrewDog Stadium.

• Claressa Shields dominates Franchon Crews-Dezurn again in Detroit to remain undisputed heavyweight champion

  Claressa Shields dominated Franchon Crews-Dezurn with a lopsided unanimous decision on Sunday night in Detroit, successfully defending her undisputed heavyweight championship.

• Gary Neville: Manchester United can finish third in Premier League table as Jamie Carragher says club are 'guaranteed Champions League football'

  Gary Neville says Manchester United have a real chance to finish third in the Premier League table this season after their unbeaten start to life under Michael Carrick continued.

• Gianluigi Donnarumma vs David Raya: Man City or Arsenal - who have the better goalkeeper in Premier League title race?

  In the last few weeks of the Premier League season, the importance of goalkeepers in the title race has been extremely visible.

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Strange

• Obama says aliens 'are real' - but he hasn't seen any

  Barack Obama has said aliens are "real" in an interview, before later taking to social media to clarify his comments.

• 'Britain's loneliest sheep', Fiona, gives birth for first time

  "Britain's loneliest sheep" has given birth for the first time.

• Fire-juggling unicyclist caught performing on crossing

  Police have caught a man juggling fire while riding a unicycle on a pedestrian crossing.

• Crotch enhancements: The latest controversy at the Winter Olympics

  Crotch enhancements. Banned helmets. Qualifying manipulation claims. And Russian hacking.

• Boxer loses hairpiece in the ring and blames mother's shampoo

  American boxer Jarrell Miller won his heavyweight bout in New York by a hair's breadth on Saturday - but lost his wig when the toupee started to came away.

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Videos

• Rob Reiner's son Nick pleads not guilty to murder of his parents

  Rob Reiner's son Nick has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of the actor-director and his wife Michele Singer Reiner.

• Police investigating 'abhorrent' online racist abuse of top flight footballers

  An investigation has been launched after several football clubs reported online racial abuse of their players over the weekend.

• 'Britain's loneliest sheep', Fiona, gives birth for first time

  "Britain's loneliest sheep" has given birth for the first time.

• Peter Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office

  Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

• Queen meets Gisele Pelicot and praises rape survivor's 'extraordinary dignity'

  The Queen has met French rape survivor, Gisele Pelicot, and told her she was left "speechless" by the account of her ordeal in her new memoir.

• Ukraine war has 'changed fundamentally', commander says, as trench fighting fuses with 21st century

  The war in Ukraine has become a grinding test of attrition, where movement on the map is measured in metres, not miles. In the frozen wastelands where this fight is being waged, it feels never-ending.

• Violence triggered by killing of notorious Mexican drug lord could hit the World Cup

  The Mexican authorities would've expected a violent backlash after the killing of El Mencho, one of the country's most powerful cartel bosses.

• Over 1,000 councillors sign Palestine solidarity pledge amid claims of 'political opportunism'

  More than a thousand local councillors have signed a pledge of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

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Politics

• Peter Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office

  Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

• Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: Australia and New Zealand back plans to remove him from line of succession

  The governments of Australia and New Zealand have thrown their weight behind plans to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal line of succession.

• Over 1,000 councillors sign Palestine solidarity pledge amid claims of 'political opportunism'

  More than a thousand local councillors have signed a pledge of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

• 'Staring down the barrel at higher costs': UK businesses face uncertain future over US tariffs

  UK businesses are facing uncertainty and higher costs as Donald Trump's new global tariff hike is set to take effect from Tuesday.

• UK has not agreed to let US strike Iran from British bases, Sky News understands

  The UK has not agreed to allow the US to launch air strikes against Iran from a British base on Diego Garcia and another in Gloucestershire, it is understood.

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Technology

• 'Simply a miracle': Baby boy born from dead donor womb transplant in UK first

  A baby boy has become the first child in Britain to be born to a mother with a womb transplanted from a deceased donor.

• Porn company handed record £1.3m fine by Ofcom over failures to age verify

  A porn company has just been handed the largest fine ever issued under the Online Safety Act.

• NASA says moon mission could be delayed after discovering rocket fault

  NASA may delay its mission to send astronauts to the moon for the first time in more than half a century after discovering a fault with its rocket.

• Medical tampon could detect early signs of ovarian cancer

  A new medical tampon may be able to detect the earliest signs of ovarian cancer, scientists have said.

• Trial into puberty blockers for children paused over 'wellbeing concerns'

  A clinical trial into puberty blockers has been paused after the medicines regulator raised "new concerns directly related to the wellbeing of children", the government said.

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World

• Violence triggered by killing of notorious Mexican drug lord could hit the World Cup

  The Mexican authorities would've expected a violent backlash after the killing of El Mencho, one of the country's most powerful cartel bosses.

• Ukraine war has 'changed fundamentally', commander says, as trench fighting fuses with 21st century

  The war in Ukraine has become a grinding test of attrition, where movement on the map is measured in metres, not miles. In the frozen wastelands where this fight is being waged, it feels never-ending.

• Briton among 19 dead in Nepal bus crash

  At least 19 people have been killed, including a British national, after a packed bus drove off a mountain road in Nepal.

• Gianluca Prestianni: Benfica player provisionally suspended by UEFA amid Vinicius Junior Champions League racism allegations

  Gianluca Prestianni has been provisionally suspended by UEFA for Benfica's Champions League game against Real Madrid on Wednesday following allegations he racially abused Vinicius Junior.

• Convictions of pro-democracy activists upheld in Hong Kong

  A court in Hong Kong has upheld the convictions and sentences of pro-democracy activists in the biggest case brought under a Beijing-imposed national security law.

• Mexican drug lord 'El Mencho' was killed after visit from 'romantic partner', say officials

  A visit from a "romantic partner" led to the capture and death of one of Mexico's most notorious drug lords, "El Mencho", Mexico's defence minister has said.

• As protests resume in Tehran, Iran's regime may be ready to strike a deal with Trump

  Student-led protests have taken place in Iran this weekend, coinciding with the start of the new university term and the 40th day of mourning for many of the thousands of people killed by security forces in early January.

• Palace unlikely to push back against calls to remove Andrew from line of succession

  Since Thursday, there's been no sign of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, but the noise around his arrest has not abated, especially over his position as eighth in line to the throne.

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Business

• 'Staring down the barrel at higher costs': UK businesses face uncertain future over US tariffs

  UK businesses are facing uncertainty and higher costs as Donald Trump's new global tariff hike is set to take effect from Tuesday.

• Mark Kleinman blog | See the latest stories from Sky News' City editor

• Trump bumps up global tariffs - creating more mess and uncertainty for the world

  So Trump and tariffs - what's going on? Let's start with the latest development and work backwards. 

• Cheapest day to travel has changed - and it could save you 18% on flights | Money newsletter

  More than 160,000 people have now signed up to our free Money newsletter, which brings the kind of content you enjoy in the award-winning Money blog directly to your inbox every Friday.

• Sky News gains rare access to Bank of England's gold vaults

  Take the Central Line into the middle of London and just before the train arrives at Bank station, something strange happens.

• About half of Trump's tariffs are now null and void - but his trade war is not over

  In one respect this decision is not altogether surprising.

• 'I design video games - here's what I think about angry fans'

  If you've ever spent your morning commute daydreaming about starting afresh with your career, this feature is for you. Each Monday, we speak to someone from a different profession to discover what it's really like. Today we speak to Alistair McFarlane, chief operating officer of game design company Facepunch Studios and the executive producer of survival game Rust...

• Record-breaking budget surplus as government's tax income rises

  More money than ever has been left over in the public finances due to more tax being paid, official figures show.

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Rochdale Council Leaders Column

• Council leader’s column: Why Middleton’s regeneration and this year’s budget matter for our borough

  When I became leader of the council in 2021, I set out my vision for the borough, key priorities and the services local residents want and expect the council to deliver.

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Rochdale Council Mayors Column

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