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

• Three-way fight goes to the wire in Gorton & Denton

  As polling day draws closer, the contest in Gorton & Denton appears to be a tight three-way race. Polling by Opinium Research, released on Tuesday evening, shows the Greens and Labour with a narrow lead, both sitting on 28%, with Reform just a point behind on 27%. Some will have already cast their vote through postal voting, but many will be heading to one of the 45 polling stations that are in the constituency.

• Bury councillor Glyn Marsden defects to Reform UK

  A serving Bury councillor has defected to Reform UK, becoming the party’s second representative on the local authority.

• Teachers begin strike action at St Cuthbert’s High School over safety and staffing concerns

  Members of NASUWT at St Cuthbert’s RC High School in Rochdale have begun nine days of strike action in a dispute over staffing levels, safety and working conditions.

• ‘Dangerous predator’ from Rochdale jailed for abusing children

  A 23 year old Rochdale man has been sentenced to 13 years and six months in prison after admitting a series of sexual offences against children.

• 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.

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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

• 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.

• 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.

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Greater Manchester

• 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.

• "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.

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Local Entertainment

• 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.

• 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.

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Elections

• Three-way fight goes to the wire in Gorton & Denton

  As polling day draws closer, the contest in Gorton & Denton appears to be a tight three-way race. Polling by Opinium Research, released on Tuesday evening, shows the Greens and Labour with a narrow lead, both sitting on 28%, with Reform just a point behind on 27%. Some will have already cast their vote through postal voting, but many will be heading to one of the 45 polling stations that are in the constituency.

• Bury councillor Glyn Marsden defects to Reform UK

  A serving Bury councillor has defected to Reform UK, becoming the party’s second representative on the local authority.

• "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.

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UK

• UK records hottest day of the year so far

  The UK has recorded its highest temperature of the year so far - and its hottest February day since 2019.

• Stepdad jailed for killing partner's five-month-old baby after argument with his ex-girlfriend

  A stepdad has been jailed for life for shaking his partner's baby to death after flying into a rage while arguing with a previous ex-girlfriend.

• BBC investigating 'serious mistake' after racial slur shouted during BAFTAs broadcast

  The BBC says it is carrying out a "fast-tracked" investigation after failing to edit out a racial slur, shouted by a Tourette's campaigner, from its BAFTAs broadcast on Sunday.

• Sir Keir Starmer 'concerned' after man with axe arrested at mosque

  Sir Keir Starmer has expressed concern after a man with an axe in a bag was arrested at a mosque in Manchester.

• First migrants reach UK after crossing Channel in two weeks

  Migrants have crossed the English Channel and reached the UK for the first time in two weeks.

• Stranger who stabbed girl, 9, in the heart as she played outside mum's shop jailed for life

  A man who stabbed a nine-year-old girl outside her mother's embroidery shop has been jailed for a minimum of 25 years.

• Sir Keir Starmer hints at changing student loans system

  Sir Keir Starmer has said the government is to look at ways of making the student loans system "fairer".

• Former gamekeeper David Campbell found guilty of shotgun murder of ex-colleague Brian Low

  A former head gamekeeper has been found guilty of the shotgun murder of an ex-colleague.

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Entertainment

• BBC investigating 'serious mistake' after racial slur shouted during BAFTAs broadcast

  The BBC says it is carrying out a "fast-tracked" investigation after failing to edit out a racial slur, shouted by a Tourette's campaigner, from its BAFTAs broadcast on Sunday.

• Battle for Warner Bros heats up as Paramount's best and final offer submitted

  Paramount Skydance has offered even more money for Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), adding pressure on the media giant to accept a bid it has so far rejected.

• 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.

• Government confirms broadcast‑style regulation for Netflix, Disney+ and more

  The UK's biggest video-on-demand services will have to follow the same rules on content and accessibility as traditional broadcasters, under new legislation being implemented.

• 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.

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Sport

• Home advantage is on the wane in the Premier League – Between the Lines

  Turning your ground into a fortress has long been considered crucial but is playing at home really the advantage it once was?

• T20 World Cup: England's Harry Brook thrives at No 3 as Brendon McCullum 'mastermind' move pays off

  Many of Brendon McCullum's decisions were panned as England tumbled to a largely self-inflicted 4-1 Ashes defeat this winter - but his latest call reaped rewards.

• Fabio Wardley to offer Tyson Fury a shot at his WBO world heavyweight championship if he retains against Daniel Dubois

  Fabio Wardley has called for a heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury before the end of the year, as long as he makes a successful defence of the WBO world championship against Daniel Dubois.

• Super League in Las Vegas 2026: Hull KR's Elliot Minchella ready to back up 'statement' World Club challenge win

  Hull KR captain Elliot Minchella has had a week to remember but now knows he has to get back down to earth despite being in Las Vegas when they take on Leeds Rhinos on Saturday at the Allegiant Stadium.

• Gianluca Prestianni: Benfica fail in appeal to overturn provisional suspension by UEFA after allegedly racially abusing Vinicius Junior

  Gianluca Prestianni will definitely be unavailable for Benfica's Champions League tie at Real Madrid on Wednesday after UEFA dismissed the Portuguese club's appeal against his provisional suspension.

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Strange

• 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.

• Crotch enhancements: The latest controversy at the Winter Olympics

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

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Videos

• Mandelson's lawyers say his arrest due to 'baseless' flight risk claim

  Peter Mandelson's lawyers have said claims he was arrested because he was a flight risk are "baseless".

• Some of Putin's most potent weapons are hiding in plain sight - in the English Channel

  In the English Channel, less than two hours by fishing boat from Dover, some of the most potent weapons in Russia's war on Ukraine are hiding in plain sight.

• Scrubbing away its fly-tipping capital of England title, where locals are 'embarrassed' to live

  It's hard to believe the London Borough of Brent was once covered in even more rubbish than it is now. 

• Stranger who stabbed girl, 9, in the heart as she played outside mum's shop jailed for life

  A man who stabbed a nine-year-old girl outside her mother's embroidery shop has been jailed for a minimum of 25 years.

• Energy price cap to fall in April but threat of war hangs over outlook

  This week has seen the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

• Trump's plan for Iran isn't working - he has three options

  As the world awaits possible US military action against Iran, has Donald Trump boxed himself into a corner with only himself to blame?

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

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

• Searches concluded at Andrew's former residence - as MPs back release of files relating to his trade envoy appointment

  Searches at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former Windsor residence in relation to an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office have concluded, police have said. 

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Politics

• Sir Keir Starmer 'concerned' after man with axe arrested at mosque

  Sir Keir Starmer has expressed concern after a man with an axe in a bag was arrested at a mosque in Manchester.

• Sir Keir Starmer hints at changing student loans system

  Sir Keir Starmer has said the government is to look at ways of making the student loans system "fairer".

• First migrants reach UK after crossing Channel in two weeks

  Migrants have crossed the English Channel and reached the UK for the first time in two weeks.

• Searches concluded at Andrew's former residence - as MPs back release of files relating to his trade envoy appointment

  Searches at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former Windsor residence in relation to an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office have concluded, police have said. 

• Mandelson's lawyers say his arrest due to 'baseless' flight risk claim

  Peter Mandelson's lawyers have said claims he was arrested because he was a flight risk are "baseless".

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Technology

• AI is developing so fast it is becoming hard to measure, experts say

  Some days it can seem as if the whole of the tech world is hanging on the latest update to one graph.

• Scrubbing away its fly-tipping capital of England title, where locals are 'embarrassed' to live

  It's hard to believe the London Borough of Brent was once covered in even more rubbish than it is now. 

• Reddit fined more than £14m over children's privacy failures

  Reddit has been fined more than £14m by the Information Commissioner's Office for failing to keep children safe.

• '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.

• Police still using AI tool despite inaccurate evidence in Israeli football fan ban

  At least 21 police forces across England are still using Copilot AI despite West Midlands Police (WMP) blocking Microsoft's tool after inaccurate evidence formed a decision to ban Israeli football fans, Sky News can reveal.

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World

• Some of Putin's most potent weapons are hiding in plain sight - in the English Channel

  In the English Channel, less than two hours by fishing boat from Dover, some of the most potent weapons in Russia's war on Ukraine are hiding in plain sight.

• Inside the Mexican villa where feared drug lord 'El Mencho' spent final hours

  The notorious Mexican drug lord "El Mencho" spent his final hours in a luxury villa with spacious rooms and manicured gardens - before being killed in an operation to capture him.

• 'We decided to stand up to a bully,' says Ukrainian who swapped Wall Street for the frontline

  A medic who gave up a promising Wall Street career to serve on the frontlines in Ukraine has told Sky News it was the "easiest decision she ever made".

• AI is developing so fast it is becoming hard to measure, experts say

  Some days it can seem as if the whole of the tech world is hanging on the latest update to one graph.

• Trump's plan for Iran isn't working - he has three options

  As the world awaits possible US military action against Iran, has Donald Trump boxed himself into a corner with only himself to blame?

• World Cup fans visiting Mexico face 'no risk' after cartel violence, says president

  Mexico's president has insisted there is "no risk" to fans coming to the country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after the killing of a cartel boss sparked days of violence.

• 'Not a Palestinian in sight': Inside Gaza after the ceasefire

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

• Switzerland bar fire victims to receive one-off payment

  Switzerland said it would make a one-off payment of 50,000 Swiss francs (£47,755) to severely injured survivors and bereaved families of the New Year bar fire in Crans-Montana.

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Business

• Energy price cap to fall in April but threat of war hangs over outlook

  This week has seen the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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

• On the trail of Putin's 'shadow fleet' defying sanctions in the English Channel

  In the English Channel, less than two hours by fishing boat from Dover, some of the most potent weapons in Russia's war on Ukraine are hiding in plain sight.

• Battle for Warner Bros heats up as Paramount's best and final offer submitted

  Paramount Skydance has offered even more money for Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), adding pressure on the media giant to accept a bid it has so far rejected.

• Government confirms broadcast‑style regulation for Netflix, Disney+ and more

  The UK's biggest video-on-demand services will have to follow the same rules on content and accessibility as traditional broadcasters, under new legislation being implemented.

• 'Staring down the barrel at higher costs': UK exporters rue US tariff chaos

  UK businesses are facing uncertainty and higher costs as Donald Trump's new global tariff shift takes effect.

• Cheapest day of week 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.

• Reddit fined more than £14m over children's privacy failures

  Reddit has been fined more than £14m by the Information Commissioner's Office for failing to keep children safe.

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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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