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.

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Local News

• New Littleborough family hub planned as work on £2.9m project progresses

  An old primary school in Littleborough will be revamped in a £2.9m project to convert it into a family hub. This will provide a dedicated resource for young people, offer health checks and cater for general community use for families in the Rochdalian town.

• Row erupts over claims Tottington Facebook group removed posts about by election candidate

  A Bury councillor has accused administrators of a large local Facebook group of removing posts about a by election candidate while allowing other political content to remain.

• Councillors raise concerns over strike dispute at St Cuthbert’s High School in Rochdale

  Two Rochdale councillors have written to a Catholic academy trust raising concerns about an ongoing strike at St Cuthbert’s High School. They say the dispute is affecting pupils, families and the wider community.

• Rochdale MP calls on Travelodge to strengthen hotel security after guest assaulted in room

  Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has criticised the Travelodge hotel chain after a woman was assaulted in her room while she slept. He is among more than 100 MPs seeking answers from the company after the attacker was given a key card to her room.

• What is really happening at the former soap star’s home in Heywood

  The former home of a Coronation Street legend has become the epicentre of a planning furore in Heywood.

• Green Party selects Tottington resident Chloe King as candidate for Bury by election

  The Green Party has selected Tottington resident Chloe King to stand as its candidate in the upcoming Tottington ward by election in Bury.

• Bury pub The Blue Bell unveils £400,000 refurbishment with new fireplaces and expanded space

  A well known Bury pub has reopened following a £400000 refurbishment that introduces three fireplaces, an upgraded kitchen and a redesigned indoor and outdoor layout.

• New McDonald’s drive-thru refused on health grounds

  A new McDonald’s drive-thru for Rochdale has been rejected due to the potential impact on public health.

• Rochdale home buyers invited to explore new homes at Silver Hill Manor event

  House hunters in Rochdale are being invited to attend a spring home buyers event at the Silver Hill Manor development on Saturday 14 March.

• Charity in Bury appeals for help after Henry Hoover stolen from community project

  A charity in Bury has appealed for help after a Henry Hoover used in its community work was stolen from its premises.

• Candidates confirmed for Tottington by election

  Five candidates have been confirmed for the Tottington by election which will take place on Thursday 2nd April.

• Reform UK selects George Martin as candidate for Tottington by election

  Reform UK Bury has selected George Martin to stand in the Tottington ward by election next month. The party said he was chosen after reviewing several applicants.

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Local Sports

• Sheffield Eagles score eight tries to defeat Rochdale Hornets in Championship clash

  Rochdale Hornets suffered a 44 to 20 defeat against Sheffield Eagles as the visitors maintained their unbeaten start to the Betfred Championship season. The South Yorkshire side ran in eight tries in an entertaining contest.

• Bury’s unbeaten run ends with 2–0 home defeat to Vauxhall Motors

  Bury’s long unbeaten run came to a sudden and underwhelming end defeated 2-0 at home to playoff chasing Vauxhall Motors.

• 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.

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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.

• Prestwich Library to relocate to Phoenix Centre during regeneration works

  Prestwich Library will temporarily move to the Phoenix Centre while demolition work begins at the Longfield Centre as part of the wider regeneration of Prestwich Village.

• 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.

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Greater Manchester

• Green MP Hannah Spencer delivers maiden speech in Parliament during International Women’s Day debate

  Green Party MP Hannah Spencer has delivered her first speech in the House of Commons, reflecting on her journey from training as a plumber to representing her community in Parliament.

• Oldham manufacturer accelerates shift to automated production with regional support

  An Oldham manufacturer is expanding its use of robotics and digital systems as part of a major transformation aimed at boosting productivity and opening new markets.

• Greater Manchester businesses invited to join June trade mission to Shenzhen and Hong Kong

  Businesses across Greater Manchester are being invited to join an official trade mission to Shenzhen and Hong Kong this summer aimed at building new international partnerships.

• 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. 

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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.

• Cancer choir calls for new members as rehearsals resume in Bolton

  A Bolton choir for people affected by cancer is inviting new singers to join as it begins rehearsals for the new year.

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Elections

• Green Party selects Tottington resident Chloe King as candidate for Bury by election

  The Green Party has selected Tottington resident Chloe King to stand as its candidate in the upcoming Tottington ward by election in Bury.

• 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.

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UK

• Mother who held woman captive as a slave for 25 years jailed

  A mother who held a woman captive as a slave inside her "squalid" home for 25 years has been sentenced to 13 years.

• Murder charge after death of County Durham bailiff attacked at work

  A man has been charged with the murder of a court bailiff while he was at work.

• Teenage girl shot in legs in 'targeted attack' in Liverpool

  A 17-year-old girl has been shot in the legs in a "targeted attack" in Liverpool, police said.

• Prince William turns down Kate's coffee - because it wasn't decaf

  The Princess of Wales showed off her barista skills during a visit to London Borough Market - but her husband was not as impressed.

• Ian Huntley to get 'minimalist cremation' with taxpayers contributing up to £3k'

  The prison service will pay for a 'minimalist' cremation to dispose of Ian Huntley's body, as part of an arrangement with his mother as next of kin.

• Starmer risks misleading Commons claims if Mandelson story doesn't match files, warns Harman

  Sir Keir Starmer will face accusations he misled the Commons over his appointment of Peter Mandelson if there is not "absolute consistency" between what he told MPs and government files, Harriet Harman has said.

• Therapist who sexually assaulted patient 'as part of treatment' jailed for 11 years

  A therapist who claimed that the sexual assaults he inflicted on a patient were part of her treatment has been jailed for 11 years.

• Police to use Thames to separate protesters at Al Quds protest

  Police will use the River Thames to separate protesters and counter-protesters at the Al Quds Day rally in central London on Sunday.

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Entertainment

• Oscars fashion: A look back at iconic looks that broke the rules

  The Oscars celebrate the craft and creative excellence behind the best movies of the year – but the red carpet ahead of the ceremony is quite a different matter.

• Judges uphold decision to drop terrorism case against Kneecap member

  Kneecap rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh will not face a new terror trial after judges at the High Court rejected a Crown Prosecution Service appeal against the decision to throw out the case.

• British theatre is beating Broadway - but still has one massive problem

  Theatre is enjoying a renaissance across the UK, welcoming more people to live events than ever before, but over a third of organisations say they still expect to operate at a deficit this year.

• Woman charged with attempted murder of Rihanna

  A woman has been charged with the attempted murder of Rihanna.

• BBC 'profoundly regrets' BAFTAs incident, says director general Tim Davie

  The BBC regrets its "serious mistake" during the BAFTAs broadcast, the corporation's outgoing director general Tim Davie has said.

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Sport

• Champions League: How did none of six Premier League teams in last 16 come away with first-leg wins?

  English clubs were riding high in Europe heading into this week's last-16 showdowns, so what has gone wrong after a chastening few days that have seen no team claim a first-leg win?

• Bukayo Saka struggled before Noni Madueke's introduction against Bayer Leverkusen so what's behind the Arsenal forward's dip this season?

  It is highly unusual to see Bukayo Saka's number come up as early as the 60th minute, especially in a game in which Arsenal need a goal. And yet it came as little surprise against Bayer Leverkusen. Their captain on the night had struggled.

• England players under central contracts temporarily banned from speaking to the media for their counties by ECB

  The ECB will temporarily prevent centrally contracted England players from speaking to the media for their counties and discussing the Ashes.

• Rangers condemn Ibrox clashes after Celtic's Scottish Cup quarter-finals win but warn everyone must be prepared to be scrutinised

  Rangers warn everyone "must be prepared" to face "proper scrutiny" over the on-pitch clashes at Ibrox after Celtic beat them in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

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Strange

• Masked fan unplugs VAR monitor during German football match

  A masked fan unplugged a VAR monitor during ‌a German second division football match.

• Elon Gust and Dame Judi Drench among storm names sent to Met Office

  Elon Gust and Dame Judi Drench are among the names that have been submitted to the Met Office for UK storms.

• 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.

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Videos

• BBC 'profoundly regrets' BAFTAs incident, says director general Tim Davie

  The BBC regrets its "serious mistake" during the BAFTAs broadcast, the corporation's outgoing director general Tim Davie has said.

• How AI can identify breast cancer 'better' than a doctor but there's a catch

  Google's AI can identify breast cancer better than a human doctor, and potentially save the stretched NHS a huge amount of time and effort, a new study shows.

• US Navy to escort oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz, treasury secretary tells Sky News

  The US treasury secretary has told Sky News that the US Navy will be escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

• Midget subs and kamikaze drone boats - how Iran can block the Strait of Hormuz

  The fear of mines laid by submarines, kamikaze drone boats and GPS jamming have effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.

• Under-13s to be allowed on WhatsApp with parental consent

  WhatsApp, the messaging service run by Meta, is going to allow under-13s on its platform, as long as they have parental consent.

• Biggest ever release of oil reserves to ease war supply disruption

  A record release of strategic oil reserves has been agreed in a bid to help offset supply disruption since the Middle East conflict began.

• Oil rebounds above $100 as market counts cost of attacks on energy

  Iran's targeting of Middle East energy has driven oil prices back above the $100 a barrel level again, with market experts expressing increased alarm over the prospects for long term damage to the industry.

• Tech giants warned to protect children online as Ofcom hands down deadline

  Tech companies have been warned to protect young people online after MPs voted down a blanket social media ban for under-16s.

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Politics

• Starmer risks misleading Commons claims if Mandelson story doesn't match files, warns Harman

  Sir Keir Starmer will face accusations he misled the Commons over his appointment of Peter Mandelson if there is not "absolute consistency" between what he told MPs and government files, Harriet Harman has said.

• Mandelson files: It's difficult to see how Starmer can put this right

  In the end, the first drop of the Mandelson files contained neither a smoking gun nor bombshell revelation.

• MPs launch investigation into student loans system

  A committee of MPs is launching an inquiry into the student loan system and whether it's fair for graduates

• Abstentions spell trouble ahead on juries

  Majorities of over 100 sound pretty healthy. But those numbers do not tell the whole story.

• Labour MP says her rape case took 1,088 days to reach court

  Labour MP Charlotte Nichols has told the House of Commons that it took 1,088 days after she was raped for her case to reach court.

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Technology

• Tech giants warned to protect children online as Ofcom hands down deadline

  Tech companies have been warned to protect young people online after MPs voted down a blanket social media ban for under-16s.

• Under-13s to be allowed on WhatsApp with parental consent

  WhatsApp, the messaging service run by Meta, is going to allow under-13s on its platform, as long as they have parental consent.

• How AI can identify breast cancer 'better' than a doctor but there's a catch

  Google's AI can identify breast cancer better than a human doctor, and potentially save the stretched NHS a huge amount of time and effort, a new study shows.

• PlayStation gamers could receive £2bn compensation if lawsuit succeeds

  PlayStation gamers could be owed £2bn in compensation, according to a lawsuit launched on Tuesday.

• MPs vote down social media ban for under-16s

  MPs have voted against a proposal to ban under-16s from using social media.

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World

• Midget subs and kamikaze drone boats - how Iran can block the Strait of Hormuz

  The fear of mines laid by submarines, kamikaze drone boats and GPS jamming have effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.

• Iran is still standing and doubling down on non-military pressure

  Iran's new supreme leader has tried to turn the page on this conflict - but his demands are unlikely to be listened to.

• Putin's 'hidden hand' likely helping Iran against Trump, UK defence secretary says

  Vladimir Putin's "hidden hand" is likely helping Iran respond to Donald Trump's war, the UK defence secretary has said, as it emerged that Iranian-linked drones hit a base in Iraq where some British troops are located.

• What we know about the deadly Iran school strike

  Evidence is growing that outdated US intelligence was "likely" to blame for the attack on a school in southern Iran which killed more than 170 people, most of them children.

• Kim Jong Un and teenage daughter fire guns as North Korea debuts new weapon

  Kim Jong Un has been photographed firing guns with his teenage daughter as part of a drive by the dictator to modernise North Korea's military.

• Sudan shows how the nature of war is changing - and it's a death trap for civilians

  A drone is circling in the skies above Zaki Ramadan when he takes my call. As a humanitarian worker in Sudan's southeastern Blue Nile state, he is helplessly watching aid dwindle and civilians be killed by the meteoric rise in drone strikes.

• Biggest ever release of oil reserves to ease war supply disruption

  A record release of strategic oil reserves has been agreed in a bid to help offset supply disruption since the Middle East conflict began.

• Noma chef steps down over workplace bullying and abuse allegations

  The head chef of world-renowned restaurant Noma has been forced to step down over allegations of bullying and abuse.

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Business

• Oil rebounds above $100 as market counts cost of attacks on energy

  Iran's targeting of Middle East energy has driven oil prices back above the $100 a barrel level again, with market experts expressing increased alarm over the prospects for long term damage to the industry.

• Mark Kleinman blog | Warrington Council-backed Redwood Bank in talks about Tandem sale

• British fragrance entrepreneur Jo Malone facing legal action over use of her own name

  British fragrance entrepreneur Jo Malone is facing legal action over the use of her own name by cosmetics giant Estee Lauder Companies.

• John Lewis Partnership hands out first annual bonus in four years

  The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) has announced its first annual bonus since 2022 following further progress in its post pandemic turnaround .

• MPs launch investigation into student loans system

  A committee of MPs is launching an inquiry into the student loan system and whether it's fair for graduates

• Tech giants warned to protect children online as Ofcom hands down deadline

  Tech companies have been warned to protect young people online after MPs voted down a blanket social media ban for under-16s.

• Extraordinary IEA announcement not enough to bring down oil price

  The International Energy Agency (IEA), the developed nation body founded in the 1970s to deal with oil crises precisely like the one we're now facing, has announced something extraordinary.

• Biggest ever release of oil reserves to ease war supply disruption

  A record release of strategic oil reserves has been agreed in a bid to help offset supply disruption since the Middle East conflict began.

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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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