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.

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Local News

• OMD to play first ever Rochdale show at Town Hall Square this summer

  Synth pop pioneers Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark will perform their first ever live show in Rochdale this August at Town Hall Square.

• Road safety improvements under way in Kirkholt

  A series of road safety upgrades are being introduced in Kirkholt as part of wider investment into highways across the borough.

• Langley streets and park to be dedicated in memory of three former soldiers

  A dedication service will take place in Langley later this month to honour three soldiers with strong links to the Middleton community.

• Whitefield neighbours launch Bury’s second Right to Grow community growing project

  Residents in Whitefield have launched Bury’s second community food growing project under the Right to Grow initiative, transforming unused public land into a shared space for growing food.

• Suspected grenades found at unoccupied property on Manchester Road in Rochdale

  Police were called at around 2.40pm this afternoon after suspected grenades were discovered at an unoccupied property on Manchester Road in Rochdale.

• Bartender has alcohol license revoked due to drink driving

  A 24-year-old bartender has had his alcohol license revoked after he was caught drink-driving nearly three times over the legal limit. Dylan Lealand of St. Johns Gardens, Bury, the registered director of Ramsbottom cocktail bar No. 5 Rams, will no longer be allowed to sell alcohol.

• Radcliffe child sex offender jailed for life after abusing five children

  A man from Radcliffe has been jailed for life after being convicted of dozens of child sex offences against five children as young as seven.

• Conservatives select Emma Lee as candidate for Tottington by election

  The Conservative Party has selected Walshaw resident and business owner Emma Lee as its candidate for the Tottington by election on Thursday 2nd April. The party said protecting the local Green Belt and strengthening community representation would be central to her campaign.

• Bowlee car boot sale returns for the 2026 season

  Bowlee Car Boot Sale and Market will return to Bowlee Community Park on Sunday 5 April for the start of its 2026 season.

• Inside the major refurbishment transforming Tenpin Rochdale

  Tenpin Rochdale has a brand new look following the major refurbishment due completion on 13 March 2026, bringing new attractions and upgraded facilities to the town.

• Former Middleton pub could reopen as convenience store after closure

  A former pub in Boarshaw could be given a new lease of life as a convenience store after its owner applied for retrospective planning permission.

• Councillors raise concern over Riverside Housing sale of social homes in Middleton

  Senior councillors have voiced concern after properties owned by Riverside Housing in Langley were placed on the open market. They claim the disposals took place without prior engagement with Rochdale Borough Council.

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Local Sports

• Whitehaven score four first half tries to beat Rochdale Hornets 20 0

  Rochdale Hornets were beaten 20 0 by Whitehaven in Cumbria after four first half tries secured the home side’s first win of the Betfred Championship season.

• Shakers maintain perfect run with emphatic win in top-of-the-table clash

  In a Friday night top of the table clash Bury emerged victorious over Lower Breck. A storming second half saw the Shakers score three goal casting off their demons and beating the Merseyside club for the first time in Liverpool.

• 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.

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Lifestyle

• OMD to play first ever Rochdale show at Town Hall Square this summer

  Synth pop pioneers Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark will perform their first ever live show in Rochdale this August at Town Hall Square.

• Bowlee car boot sale returns for the 2026 season

  Bowlee Car Boot Sale and Market will return to Bowlee Community Park on Sunday 5 April for the start of its 2026 season.

• Littleborough Brass Band secures second place at North West regional championships

  Littleborough Brass Band has finished second in the Third Section at the North West Regional Brass Band Championships in Blackpool.

• Inside the major refurbishment transforming Tenpin Rochdale

  Tenpin Rochdale has a brand new look following the major refurbishment due completion on 13 March 2026, bringing new attractions and upgraded facilities to the town.

• Local performers to take centre stage at BBS on Tour 2.0 in Bury

  An evening of live music and performance will bring together visually impaired performers, volunteers and students in Bury this month. BBS on Tour 2.0 takes place at The Met on Market Street on 12 March at 7.30pm.

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Greater Manchester

• Bernard Manning’s World Famous Embassy Club set to be demolished for health centre

  The World Famous Embassy Club in Harpurhey is set to close down this month and be demolished, Manchester council says.

• Civil war erupts as Labour activists in Gorton and Denton say party is ‘not willing to change’

  Civil war has erupted within Labour as activists in Gorton and Denton accused the party of ‘not being willing to change’ during its by-election campaign. It comes as Labour suffered a bruising defeat in the race which saw it lose the seat to the Green Party despite having a 13,000-vote majority in the 2024 general election.

• Greater Manchester Police prepare for Brit Awards debut in Manchester

  Greater Manchester Police have confirmed a comprehensive policing operation is in place as the Brit Awards take place in Manchester for the first time. The ceremony will be held tonight at the Co Op Live arena.

• Hannah Spencer elected new MP for Gorton and Denton

  Hannah Spencer has been elected the new Green MP for the constituency of Gorton and Denton. Spencer succeeds former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne, who resigned on health grounds earlier this year.

• Lucy Powell appears to concede defeat in Gorton and Denton by-election

  Labour’s Deputy leader Lucy Powell has appeared to concede defeat in the Gorton and Denton by-election. 

• 🟥 LIVE: Updates from the Gorton and Denton by election count

  Voters in Gorton and Denton will decide their next Member of Parliament tonight, with the result expected in the early hours of Friday morning.

• Dancing to She’s Electric and waving banners from a bus, Labour make one final push to stop the unthinkable

  As ‘She’s Electric’ blared from an open top bus, Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell started dancing to gee her up activists one final time. It’s the Labour Party’s last day of campaigning ahead of the Gorton and Denton by-election, and the mood has been surprisingly jolly.

• REVIEW: Sequins, sass and survival as Priscilla struts into Manchester

  The 30th anniversary tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert has arrived at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, bringing disco anthems, striking costumes and a story rooted in love and resilience to the city until 28 February 2026.

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Local Entertainment

• OMD to play first ever Rochdale show at Town Hall Square this summer

  Synth pop pioneers Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark will perform their first ever live show in Rochdale this August at Town Hall Square.

• Inside the major refurbishment transforming Tenpin Rochdale

  Tenpin Rochdale has a brand new look following the major refurbishment due completion on 13 March 2026, bringing new attractions and upgraded facilities to the town.

• Local performers to take centre stage at BBS on Tour 2.0 in Bury

  An evening of live music and performance will bring together visually impaired performers, volunteers and students in Bury this month. BBS on Tour 2.0 takes place at The Met on Market Street on 12 March at 7.30pm.

• REVIEW: Sequins, sass and survival as Priscilla struts into Manchester

  The 30th anniversary tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert has arrived at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, bringing disco anthems, striking costumes and a story rooted in love and resilience to the city until 28 February 2026.

• 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.

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Elections

• Conservatives select Emma Lee as candidate for Tottington by election

  The Conservative Party has selected Walshaw resident and business owner Emma Lee as its candidate for the Tottington by election on Thursday 2nd April. The party said protecting the local Green Belt and strengthening community representation would be central to her campaign.

• Civil war erupts as Labour activists in Gorton and Denton say party is ‘not willing to change’

  Civil war has erupted within Labour as activists in Gorton and Denton accused the party of ‘not being willing to change’ during its by-election campaign. It comes as Labour suffered a bruising defeat in the race which saw it lose the seat to the Green Party despite having a 13,000-vote majority in the 2024 general election.

• Together for Bury selects Greg Keeley as Tottington by election candidate

  Together for Bury has confirmed that former councillor Greg Keeley will stand for the party in the forthcoming Tottington by election.

• Hannah Spencer elected new MP for Gorton and Denton

  Hannah Spencer has been elected the new Green MP for the constituency of Gorton and Denton. Spencer succeeds former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne, who resigned on health grounds earlier this year.

• Lucy Powell appears to concede defeat in Gorton and Denton by-election

  Labour’s Deputy leader Lucy Powell has appeared to concede defeat in the Gorton and Denton by-election. 

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UK

• UK to impose 'unprecedented' visa ban in asylum crackdown

  The government will halt visa routes for nationals from four countries who the home secretary says have "abused" the UK's generosity.

• Iran war leaves forecast for low UK inflation not worth the paper it was written on

  The rise in gas prices over the past 48 hours is without precedent.

• Three men arrested on suspicion of spying for China, Met Police say

  Three men have been arrested on suspicion of spying for China, the Metropolitan Police have said.

• Police anti organised crime operation 'locks down' Anfield area of Liverpool

  Police say a huge operation is underway to "lock down" an area of Anfield in Liverpool as part of a "relentless" offensive targeting criminals.

• UK weather: Cloud of Saharan dust to bring vibrant sunsets and hazy skies

  A cloud of Saharan dust is expected to produce spectacular hazy sunsets and coat cars and other outdoor surfaces across the UK, forecasters have said.

• China used UK Border Force officer for 'shadow policing operations', court told

  China used a Border Force officer to carry out "shadow policing operations" in the UK including spying on dissidents and forcing entry to a suspected fraudster's flat, a court has heard.

• Ex-England footballer Andy Carroll pleads not guilty to breaching court order against ex-wife

  Former England footballer Andy Carroll has pleaded not guilty to breaching a non-molestation order against his ex-wife.

• UK will deploy HMS Dragon in Cyprus, Sir Keir Starmer confirms

  Britain will deploy HMS Dragon and helicopters with anti-drone capabilities in Cyprus, Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed.

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Entertainment

• Rapper Ghetts jailed for killing student in hit-and-run

  Rapper Ghetts has been jailed for 12 years after killing a Nepalese student in a hit-and-run collision.

• BAFTAs host Alan Cumming addresses 'trauma triggering' broadcast

  BAFTAs host Alan Cumming has spoken out about the controversy surrounding the broadcast of the film awards, describing it as a "trauma triggering shitshow".

• The Actor Awards fashion: All the best looks from the red carpet

  Celebrating a brand-new name, The Actor Awards - formerly the SAGs - welcomed a host of stars to the red carpet in LA on Sunday night.

• Actor Awards: Sinners shakes up Oscars race as Jessie Buckley remains undefeated

  Sinners triumphed at this year's Actor Awards, with the vampire horror winning best ensemble and best actor for Michael B Jordan.

• Brits 2026: Olivia Dean dominates awards, winning album of the year

  Olivia Dean has dominated this year's Brit Awards, winning album of the year, artist of the year, best pop act and song of the year.

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Sport

• F1 2026: Predictions from Sky Sports F1 team for Australian GP podium, world champions, race winners, driver surprises

  Is this bookies' favourite George Russell's year? Can McLaren see off competitive rivals for a constructors' title hat-trick? Will more drivers win a race than just the four in 2025?

• Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins and Newcastle's Nick Pope suffering poor form but James Garner stars for Everton

• Lewis Hamilton: Ferrari driver says 'no holding back' for 20th Formula 1 season as he targets 2026 success

  Lewis Hamilton has promised "no holding back" as he embarks on his 20th season of Formula 1 "still standing, still hungry, still focused on the dream".

• Tottenham Hotspur: Igor Tudor's damning assessment of Spurs analysed after dismal defeat to Fulham

  In his first press conference as Tottenham Hotspur manager, Igor Tudor said he was 100-per-cent confident that Spurs would avoid relegation. Ten days later, the mood has changed. 

• VAR slammed as Leeds and Bournemouth fume over being denied penalties with key decisions criticised

  "What was VAR doing? It can't be a clearer penalty."

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Strange

• Police officer sacked and banned from profession for using WFH trick

  A police sergeant has been sacked for using a picture frame to weigh down her laptop keys and give the false impression she was working from home.

• The energy habits that cause the most family arguments

  On a day when energy bills are making headlines, we thought we'd share new research on the energy habits that lead to the most household arguments.

• 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.

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Videos

• This war has massive implications for the world economy

  There is nowhere else on the planet with quite as concentrated a supply of quite so much energy as the Arabian Gulf.

• UK bills can not escape the forces of Iran war

  The economic impacts of the Iran war are already being felt in global markets and could raise energy prices and wider consumer bills in the UK before long.

• Greens overtake Labour in sensational poll

  The Green Party has leapfrogged Labour into second place in a sensational poll by YouGov for Sky News.

• Trump's furious response to Anthropic is as much about power as it is about AI safety

  In the most clear and consequential policy move on AI safety yet, the Trump administration has announced it will blacklist a leading AI lab over its refusal to allow unfettered access to its technology for military purposes.

• Iran made a mistake targeting civilians in Middle East, says former CIA director

  Iran has made a "big mistake" by not just attacking US bases and assets in the Gulf states, but also targeting civilians in the region, the former director of the CIA has told Sky News.

• BAFTAs host Alan Cumming addresses 'trauma triggering' broadcast

  BAFTAs host Alan Cumming has spoken out about the controversy surrounding the broadcast of the film awards, describing it as a "trauma triggering shitshow".

• AI willing to 'go nuclear' in wargames, study finds - amid 'stand-off' between Pentagon and leading AI lab

  As the deadline looms for a leading AI lab to hand over its tech to the US military, a study has appeared suggesting AI models are more than willing to go nuclear in wargames.

• AI could be giving US lethal edge in Iran war - but there are dangers

  Forget science fiction. The age of AI in war is here.

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Politics

• UK to impose 'unprecedented' visa ban in asylum crackdown

  The government will halt visa routes for nationals from four countries who the home secretary says have "abused" the UK's generosity.

• Iran war leaves forecast for low UK inflation not worth the paper it was written on

  The rise in gas prices over the past 48 hours is without precedent.

• UK will deploy HMS Dragon in Cyprus, Sir Keir Starmer confirms

  Britain will deploy HMS Dragon and helicopters with anti-drone capabilities in Cyprus, Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed.

• UK prepares for war lasting months

  ?Listen to Politics at Sam and Anne's on your podcast app?

• Greens overtake Labour in sensational poll

  The Green Party has leapfrogged Labour into second place in a sensational poll by YouGov for Sky News.

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Technology

• AI could be giving US lethal edge in Iran war - but there are dangers

  Forget science fiction. The age of AI in war is here.

• Do you want to ban kids from social media? The government is asking

  The government wants to know if you want to ban young people from social media.

• Trump's furious response to Anthropic is as much about power as it is about AI safety

  In the most clear and consequential policy move on AI safety yet, the Trump administration has announced it will blacklist a leading AI lab over its refusal to allow unfettered access to its technology for military purposes.

• AI willing to 'go nuclear' in wargames, study finds - amid 'stand-off' between Pentagon and leading AI lab

  As the deadline looms for a leading AI lab to hand over its tech to the US military, a study has appeared suggesting AI models are more than willing to go nuclear in wargames.

• Collagen supplements 'may boost skin health' but they're not an 'anti-wrinkle quick fix', study suggests

  Collagen supplements should not be seen as a "quick fix" for wrinkles, experts have said, but they do have "legitimate" benefits.

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World

• Have America and Israel just started a forever war with Iran?

  ?Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim on your podcast app?

• Iran made a mistake targeting civilians in Middle East, says former CIA director

  Iran has made a "big mistake" by not just attacking US bases and assets in the Gulf states, but also targeting civilians in the region, the former director of the CIA has told Sky News.

• AI could be giving US lethal edge in Iran war - but there are dangers

  Forget science fiction. The age of AI in war is here.

• UK will deploy HMS Dragon in Cyprus, Sir Keir Starmer confirms

  Britain will deploy HMS Dragon and helicopters with anti-drone capabilities in Cyprus, Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed.

• Iran war: The US is burning through ammo. Its enemies will be taking notice

  America's allies in the Middle East are reportedly begging Donald Trump for a swift end to the conflict.

• Iran war: What has been hit so far - and the military assets in play

  The US and Israel have carried out strikes on Iran for a fourth day after launching an operation which killed its supreme leader.

• Stranded Britons in Middle East - what you need to know as charter flights announced

  The UK government has announced its first charter flights for British nationals stranded in the Middle East as the US-Israeli attack on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory strikes enter their fifth day.

• US joins Ecuador in operations against 'narcoterrorists'

  The US has joined forces in Ecuador in operations against "narcoterrorists" responsible for alleged illegal drug trafficking.

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Business

• Iran war leaves forecast for low UK inflation not worth the paper it was written on

  The rise in gas prices over the past 48 hours is without precedent.

• UK bills cannot escape the forces of Iran war

  The economic impacts of the Iran war are already being felt in global markets, and could raise energy prices and wider consumer bills in the UK before long.

• 'Our house is worth £550,000 - what are pros and cons of equity release?' | Money newsletter

  More than 165,000 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.

• TV chef on Jamie Oliver cookbooks and the thing he wishes customers would stop doing

  On the first Wednesday of every month, we interview top chefs from around the UK, hearing about their cheap food hacks, views on the industry and more.

• UK growth forecast downgraded and unemployment will peak this year, chancellor reveals

  The UK's economic forecast has been downgraded for 2026 but will then improve - and unemployment will peak this year, the chancellor has revealed.

• This war has massive implications for the world economy

  There is nowhere else on the planet with quite as concentrated a supply of quite so much energy as the Arabian Gulf.

• Mark Kleinman blog | UK banking giants warn of chaos over Lammy plan to raid law firm coffers

• Ferry scandal fall-out sees Ardrossan harbour buy-up and new contracts for beleaguered shipyard

  The after-effects of a debacle that has seen taxpayers pay hundreds of millions for a pair of ferries at nearly four times the original budget, are continuing with the harbour that was too small to fit the ships set to be taken into public ownership.

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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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