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Featured

• 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

• Hopwood Hall College celebrates apprentices and employers at annual awards

  Hopwood Hall College shone the spotlight on up-and-coming talent as it held its annual Apprenticeships Awards.

• Cadets at 85th anniversary of Air Cadet Force

  Cadets from Whitworth were honoured to be chosen to represent their squadron at the Greater Manchester parade to mark the 85th Anniversary of the Air Training Corps.

• Bury mini-market shut down after £40,000 haul of illicit goods

  A convenience store in Bury town centre has been ordered to close for two months after repeated breaches of consumer protection laws, including selling illegal tobacco, counterfeit goods and dangerous vaping products.

• Rochdale Infirmary rated Good across all services following unannounced inspection

  Rochdale Infirmary has been rated ‘Good’ in all areas by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an unannounced inspection.

• Rochdale-brewed Signo ale served at Parliament’s Strangers’ Bar

  A specially brewed ale celebrating Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture has been tapped in the House of Commons.

• Teen with weapon charged after pram-walking mum hurt in e-bike smash

  A 19-year-old man has appeared in court charged with several offences following a road traffic incident in Middleton.

• Mill Gate hails record fundraising success as shoppers raise nearly £90,000 for local causes

  A Bury shopping centre has celebrated its most successful year of fundraising to date, raising more than £89,000 for local charities in 2025.

• Heywood student wins RAF cadet award for leadership and STEM dedication

  A Year 11 student at Newhouse Academy in Heywood has received a top regional award from the RAF Air Cadets in recognition of her exceptional commitment, leadership, and passion for science and aviation.

• Children’s Gardening Club aims to sow lifelong love of nature across Greater Manchester

• Bin workers injured in suspected road rage attack on Middleton street

  Three Rochdale Council bin workers were injured during a violent confrontation while on their collection round in East Middleton, with at least one requiring hospital treatment.

• Bury and Bolton theatre school earns national recognition for work with young people

  A theatre school based in Greater Manchester has been named a Trinity Champion Centre just two years after opening, in recognition of its outstanding contribution to performing arts education and community inclusion.

• New retirement living village plan tabled

  A new retirement village could soon be built in Rochdale. The development would see 49 apartments and 18 bungalows erected in the Bamford area of the borough.

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Local Sports

• 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.

• Rochdale Hornets suffer record defeat as Wigan Warriors run in 15-try rout

  A spirited Rochdale Hornets side were comprehensively beaten 83-0 by World Club Champions Wigan Warriors in the third round of the Betfred Challenge Cup, in front of the club’s biggest home crowd in over two decades.

• Dale edge past Carlisle to make it six wins in a row

  Rochdale AFC held onto top spot in the Enterprise National League with a narrow 1-0 home win over Carlisle United on Saturday afternoon.

• Rochdale voices add momentum to growing call for fairer National League promotion

  Calls from Rochdale and across Parliament to reform promotion from the National League have gathered pace after the English Football League chair said the current system is indefensible.

• Rochdale power back to first place after dominant display against Boreham Wood

  Rochdale went back top of the National League after an emphatic 4-1 win over Boreham Wood at the Crown Oil Arena.

• Rochdale RUFC pull clear of relegation rivals with commanding win over Manchester RFC

  Rochdale RUFC boosted their survival hopes with a 35–19 victory at home to Manchester RFC in a high-stakes North West League One clash on Saturday 31 January.

• Hornets fight back to beat Workington and stay unbeaten

  Late tries from Boyd and Nixon seal hard-earned win for Rochdale Hornets in home opener

• Ramsbottom United surrender two-goal cushion in dramatic 4–4 draw against Isle of Man

  Ramsbottom United hit back after two early Isle of Man strikes only to let a two goal lead slip late on.

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Lifestyle

• Rochdale-brewed Signo ale served at Parliament’s Strangers’ Bar

  A specially brewed ale celebrating Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture has been tapped in the House of Commons.

• Children’s Gardening Club aims to sow lifelong love of nature across Greater Manchester

• Bury and Bolton theatre school earns national recognition for work with young people

  A theatre school based in Greater Manchester has been named a Trinity Champion Centre just two years after opening, in recognition of its outstanding contribution to performing arts education and community inclusion.

• Ramsbottom pool to close for urgent repairs from 23 February

  The swimming pool at Ramsbottom Pool and Fitness Centre will shut for up to four weeks later this month to allow essential repairs to window lintels, the council has announced.

• Half term family fun at Rochdale Town Hall promises packed week of free activities

  Families across Rochdale are being invited to enjoy a lively schedule of free and low-cost events at Rochdale Town Hall during the upcoming February half term.

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Greater Manchester

• Hopwood Hall College celebrates apprentices and employers at annual awards

  Hopwood Hall College shone the spotlight on up-and-coming talent as it held its annual Apprenticeships Awards.

• Children’s Gardening Club aims to sow lifelong love of nature across Greater Manchester

• Sadiq Khan campaigns in Gorton and Denton as Labour pushes unity message

  London mayor Sadiq Khan has joined Labour activists in Gorton and Denton as campaigning continues ahead of the local by-election, describing the contest as a choice between hope and fear.

• Family pay tribute to ‘most humble, kind man’ killed in aircraft crash

  The family of a man who died in a light aircraft crash in Littleborough have paid tribute to him as investigations into the incident continue.

• Police called as men ‘shoot the heads off’ Canada geese close to public footpath

  Police were called to land close to a reservoir after reports that geese were being shot close to a public footpath.

• United Utilities is offering over 100 apprenticeships across the North West in its largest recruitment drive to date.

  More than 100 apprenticeship places are now open for applications at United Utilities, spanning a wide range of roles from operations and engineering to digital and environmental work.

• Therme Manchester launches youth art competition to transform construction site into outdoor gallery

  A new art competition aimed at young people across Greater Manchester has been launched by Therme Manchester, with winning entries set to be displayed on a large-scale public gallery surrounding its TraffordCity site.

• Jeff Goldblum to play Manchester on first ever UK tour with The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra

  Jeff Goldblum will bring his signature jazz stylings to Manchester for the first time this June as part of his debut UK tour with The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra.

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Local Entertainment

• 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.

• Bury and Bolton theatre school earns national recognition for work with young people

  A theatre school based in Greater Manchester has been named a Trinity Champion Centre just two years after opening, in recognition of its outstanding contribution to performing arts education and community inclusion.

• Saturday roundup as we Sing Hosanna first and then SKA later at Ramsbottom’s Come Together Festival

  Ramsbottom stayed lively into Saturday night, 7 February, as the volunteer run Ramsbottom Come Together Festival continued a full day of activity into the night.

• Ramsbottom Come Together Festival in full swing this weekend

  This weekend is the Ramsbottom Come Together Festival, a free community arts festival spanning across 12 venues.

• Jeff Goldblum to play Manchester on first ever UK tour with The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra

  Jeff Goldblum will bring his signature jazz stylings to Manchester for the first time this June as part of his debut UK tour with The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra.

• 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.

• Library hits the right note with ukulele loan launch in Middleton

  Dozens gather for musical morning as library scheme puts instruments in the hands of residents.

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Elections

• Sadiq Khan campaigns in Gorton and Denton as Labour pushes unity message

  London mayor Sadiq Khan has joined Labour activists in Gorton and Denton as campaigning continues ahead of the local by-election, describing the contest as a choice between hope and fear.

• Printing error blamed for missing imprint on Reform UK by election leaflets

  A printing company has accepted full responsibility for the removal of a legally required imprint from election leaflets distributed on behalf of Reform UK during the Gorton and Denton by election, saying the mistake occurred during its own production process.

• 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.

• Workers Party of Britain will not stand a candidate in Gorton and Denton

  The Workers Party of Britain will not stand a candidate in the upcoming Gorton and Denton By-Election, after George Galloway said he would be on the ballot if Andy Burnham stood.

• Rejoin EU Party confirms candidate for Gorton and Denton by election

  The Rejoin EU Party has announced it will contest the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by election with executive committee member Joseph O’Meachair selected as its candidate.

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UK

• Manchester United call themselves 'inclusive and welcoming' club day after co-owner says UK 'colonised' by immigrants

  Manchester United have said they "pride" themselves "on being an inclusive and welcoming club" hours after the club's co-owner described the UK as being "colonised" by immigrants.

• Teenager sentenced for murder of 12-year-old Leo Ross has been named

  A teenage boy who murdered 12-year-old Leo Ross in a random knife attack in a Birmingham park has been named.

• England football manager Thomas Tuchel extends contract to 2028 Euros

  England head coach Thomas Tuchel will lead the team through the 2028 Euros after signing a two-year contract extension.

• Former Strictly star who took his own life, Robin Windsor, was 'vulnerable to rejection'

  A former Strictly Come Dancing star who took his own life in 2024 was "vulnerable to rejection both emotionally and professionally", an inquest jury has concluded.

• Wife 'can't remember' if husband had grievances with his alleged murder victim, court hears

  The wife of a murder suspect blew a kiss at her husband in the dock before telling a court she 'couldn't remember' if there were any grievances between her partner and his alleged victim.

• Daily Mail takeover of Telegraph faces competition probe

  The planned £500m sale of the Telegraph titles to the owner of the Daily Mail is facing an inquiry over competition concerns, the government has announced.

• 'Our children were sitting ducks': Parents demand change as ex-nursery worker gets jail for sex abuse

  They still see his face.

• Boy, 13, charged with attempted murder after double stabbing at Kingsbury High School in London

  A 13-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder after two pupils were stabbed at a London school.

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Entertainment

• Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni appear in court together for first time in legal showdown

  Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have attended court together for the first time since their acrimonious It Ends With Us legal battle began more than a year ago.

• Katie Holmes pays tribute to Dawson's Creek co-star James Van Der Beek

  Katie Holmes has paid tribute to her Dawson's Creek co-star James Van Der Beek, remembering his "bravery" and "selflessness", and their "adventures of a unique youth".

• Former Strictly star who took his own life, Robin Windsor, was 'vulnerable to rejection'

  A former Strictly Come Dancing star who took his own life in 2024 was "vulnerable to rejection both emotionally and professionally", an inquest jury has concluded.

• Sky to bring Disney+, Netflix, Hayu and HBO Max together under one subscription

  Sky has announced "world first" plans to bring together several streaming platforms as part a single TV subscription.

• Prince William's first tour of Saudi Arabia ends with nature reserve visit

  The Prince of Wales has visited a nature reserve on the final day of his first tour of Saudi Arabia to learn about a programme reintroducing endangered species.

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Sport

• Nottingham Forest: Vitor Pereira agrees to replace Sean Dyche as new head coach at the City Ground

  Vitor Pereira has agreed to become the next Nottingham Forest head coach.

• F1 Bahrain testing: Charles Leclerc tops Lando Norris as Ferrari and McLaren impress while Red Bull and Mercedes suffer technical issues

  Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris at the top of the timesheet on the second day of Formula 1's pre-season test in Bahrain as their rivals Mercedes and Red Bull suffered technical issues.

• Liverpool's corner threat transformed as changes pay off for Virgil van Dijk's winning goal against Sunderland

  Arne Slot welcomed Liverpool's set-piece efficiency in their 1-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. "Usually we concede one, but tonight we could score and that's the difference for us in this game," he said in his press conference.

• Super League 2026: Storylines to follow with Hull KR on top, Paul Rowley and Sam Burgess under the microscope and three new teams

  Coaching changes, new squads, stars on show and up-and-comers with a point to prove. The Super League 2026 season is about to begin and, with it, storylines take shape.

• Nottingham Forest: A detailed look at the club's season to forget

  This season was supposed to be the one Nottingham Forest become entrenched in the European positions. Instead, they’re in a relegation scrap and are moving on to their fourth coach.

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Strange

• '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.

• Climber Alex Honnold scales Taipei 101 skyscraper without ropes

  American climber Alex Honnold ascended one of the world's tallest buildings on Sunday without a rope or protective equipment. 

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Videos

• Manchester United call themselves 'inclusive and welcoming' club day after co-owner says UK 'colonised' by immigrants

  Manchester United have said they "pride" themselves "on being an inclusive and welcoming club" hours after the club's co-owner described the UK as being "colonised" by immigrants.

• 'Tipping point' reached in creation of brain chips to help 'unlock' minds of people with paralysis

  Decades after the first demonstration of brain computer interfaces, we have reached a "tipping point" in creating the first reliable devices that can read our thoughts, according to the man who pioneered the technology.

• 'Our children were sitting ducks': Parents demand change as ex-nursery worker gets jail for sex abuse

  They still see his face.

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

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

• Beth Rigby: The constant challenges I face raising my kids

  You know me best as Sky News's political editor, but I am also a mum to two teenagers aged 13 and 16.

• Economy grows by worse-than-expected 0.1% in final quarter of 2025

  Early official figures are doing nothing to dispel concerns the economy remains stuck in the doldrums.

• Fire-juggling unicyclist caught performing on crossing

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

• Teenager sentenced for murder of 12-year-old Leo Ross has been named

  A teenage boy who murdered 12-year-old Leo Ross in a random knife attack in a Birmingham park has been named.

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Politics

• Manchester United call themselves 'inclusive and welcoming' club day after co-owner says UK 'colonised' by immigrants

  Manchester United have said they "pride" themselves "on being an inclusive and welcoming club" hours after the club's co-owner described the UK as being "colonised" by immigrants.

• Beth Rigby: The constant challenges I face keeping my kids safe in the new Wild West

  You know me best as Sky News's political editor, but I am also a mum to two teenagers aged 13 and 16.

• EU is 'the biggest prize', Reeves says - as Labour seek closer ties

  Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the government is eyeing "further alignment" with the EU - and that it's a "political argument we can win".

• Mandelson would have had 'thorough' vetting process before US ambassador role, says ex-MI6 boss

  Lord Mandelson would have been subject to a "thorough" and "intimate" vetting process before he was appointed UK ambassador to the US, a former head of MI6 has said.

• Starmer's ex-comms chief should lose peerage over links to paedophile, says Labour chair

  Sir Keir Starmer's ex-communications chief should be stripped of his peerage over his ties to a paedophile councillor, Labour's chairwoman has said.

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Technology

• 'Tipping point' reached in creation of brain chips to help 'unlock' minds of people with paralysis

  Decades after the first demonstration of brain computer interfaces, we have reached a "tipping point" in creating the first reliable devices that can read our thoughts, according to the man who pioneered the technology.

• Instagram use can be 'problematic' but not addictive, says app's chief

  The head of Instagram has told a court he does not believe people can get clinically addicted to social media. 

• Beavers released at two sites in Somerset to help 'restore nature'

  Half a dozen beavers have been legally released at two sites in Somerset in a bid to restore a river and wetland. 

• Instagram and YouTube 'engineer addiction' in young people, landmark trial hears

  Instagram and YouTube have been accused of "engineer[ing] addiction in children's brains", in the opening statements of a landmark social media trial taking place in LA.

• Instagram, TikTok and Facebook posts by users promoting weight-loss jabs banned as 'ads' for the first time

  Social media users have been warned they risk breaking the law by promoting weight-loss jabs, after posts by members of the public endorsing the injections were banned by the advertising regulator for the first time.

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World

• Ukrainian Olympian banned from competing over helmet honouring war dead

  A Ukrainian skeleton racer has been banned from competing at the Winter Olympics after he insisted on wearing a helmet depicting athletes killed since Russia's invasion.

• An era-defining election for Bangladesh, where Gen Z toppled an autocrat

  After years of authoritarian rule, there is hope that this election in Bangladesh will put the country on a path to democracy.

• Bangladesh votes in first general election since bloody ousting of Sheikh Hasina

  Bangladesh will go to the polls for the first time since its government collapsed in 2024 during a bloody crackdown on protesters.

• Kim Jong Un set to name daughter as next leader of North Korea, spy agency says

  A teenage girl will become the next leader of North Korea, with Kim Jong Un set to confirm his daughter as successor, spy chiefs believe.

• Call to make NATO 'more European' - as key figure misses alliance summit

  Pete Hegseth, the US Secretary of War, is "missing a good party" by choosing to skip a meeting of his fellow NATO defence ministers in Brussels, one ally has said.

• Dozens dead and thousands displaced in Madagascar by 167mph cyclone

  Dozens of people have been killed and thousands displaced after a cyclone hit Madagascar with gusts of up to 167mph.

• Police release call from boy, 13, who swam for hours to save his family stranded at sea

  Authorities have released the audio of an emergency call made by a 13-year-old boy who swam for hours to save his family after they were swept out to sea.

• People expect shootings in the US, but not Canada

  There was something about the way the premier of British Columbia, David Eby, struggled to his words in front of the cameras that said a lot about how Canadians view the school shooting in a small town called Tumbler Ridge.

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Business

• NatWest hands out £500m bonus pot after shedding shackles of state ownership

  NatWest Group will disclose on Friday that it awarded bonuses of nearly £500m last year, as it returned to full private ownership 17 years after it was rescued by taxpayers.

• Economy grows by worse-than-expected 0.1% in final quarter of 2025

  Early official figures are doing nothing to dispel concerns the economy remains stuck in the doldrums.

• Instagram use can be 'problematic' but not addictive, says app's chief

  The head of Instagram has told a court he does not believe people can get clinically addicted to social media. 

• Daily Mail takeover of Telegraph faces competition probe

  The planned £500m sale of the Telegraph titles to the owner of the Daily Mail is facing an inquiry over competition concerns, the government has announced.

• Who is Sir Jim Ratcliffe? The billionaire co-owner of Manchester United facing backlash over immigration comments

  Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the co-owner of Manchester United and one of the UK's richest men, has sparked controversy over comments he made about immigration in an interview with Sky News. 

• The pension contribution trick most Britons don't know about | Money newsletter

  More than 145,000 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.

• Holiday tax could make holidays 'unaffordable' for many, campaigners say

  A holiday tax in England would put an extra £100 or more on the cost of a fortnight's stay, according to industry bosses.

• EU is 'the biggest prize', Reeves says - as Labour seek closer ties

  Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the government is eyeing "further alignment" with the EU - and that it's a "political argument we can win".

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Rochdale Council Leaders Column

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Rochdale Council Mayors Column

• Mayor praises Rochdale firms and community spirit in New Year column

  This is my first column of 2026, so I would like to start by wishing everyone a happy and prosperous New Year.

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