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.

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Local News

• 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.

• Prestwich Prep to close down

  A private pre-school in Prestwich has announced its shock closure, leaving parents with just three weeks to find an alternative.

• New padel club approved for Rochdale

  The padel craze will officially expand in Rochdale following approval of new courts. Rochdale Padel Club has been granted permission by the council to build six new padel courts on the grounds of the cricket club.

• Schools across the borough celebrate World Book Day with costumes and reading events

  Pupils across the Rochdale borough dressed as favourite story characters as schools marked World Book Day this week, with themed activities designed to encourage reading for pleasure.

• Police appeal for witnesses after 19 year old shot in Rochdale street

  Police are appealing for witnesses after a 19 year old man was shot in the leg in Rochdale on Thursday afternoon.

• Man taken to hospital after reported shooting in Rochdale street

  A 19 year old man has been taken to hospital with suspected life changing injuries to his leg, as police are responding to reports of a shooting on Beswicke Royds Street in Rochdale this afternoon.

• 🟥 LIVE: Reports of serious incident in Rochdale amid major emergency service presence

  Emergency services are at the scene of a reported serious incident in Rochdale this afternoon.

• 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.

• More than 90 percent of Bury pupils offered first choice secondary school for September

  More than nine in ten children in Bury have been offered a place at their first choice secondary school for September 2026, according to newly released placement figures.

• Greater Manchester schools add green playground spaces to help manage rainwater

  Schools across Greater Manchester are transforming hard playground surfaces with nature based drainage features designed to reduce flooding and support wildlife.

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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.

• 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

• 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. 

• 🟥 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.

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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

• Russian intelligence suspected after Birmingham targeted in 'self-igniting parcel' attacks

  Russian intelligence is suspected of being behind several "self-igniting" parcel fires around Europe, including one in Birmingham.

• Foreign Office was told by UK ambassador in Israel an attack on Iran was highly likely weeks ago

  The UK's ambassador to Israel alerted London weeks in advance that an attack on Iran by US and Israeli forces was highly likely, a former diplomat at the embassy has revealed.

• Leak from UK security meeting on Trump's war request branded 'utterly destructive'

  Leaking details from a National Security Council (NSC) meeting is "utterly dysfunctional and destructive", Harriet Harman has said.

• Four arrested on suspicion of spying on Jewish community for Iran, Met Police says

  Four men suspected of carrying out surveillance on the Jewish community have been arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran, the Metropolitan Police has said.

• Drug dealer admits killing vulnerable former chef who slept beside dogs

  A drug dealer has admitted beating a vulnerable former chef to death after allegedly forcing him to sleep beside dogs.

• Man who killed his ex-partner's sister and her three children in house fire jailed for life

  A man who killed his ex-partner's sister and her three children in a house fire has been sentenced to life in prison.

• Three women questioned over sex trafficking in Mohamed al Fayed investigation

  Three women have been interviewed under caution by the Metropolitan Police over suspicions of enabling Mohamed al Fayed's abuse.

• The water companies using bailiffs to collect customer debt more than 6,000 times a year

  Some water companies are instructing bailiffs as they try to recover customers' debt more than 6,000 times in a single year, new data reveals.

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Entertainment

• 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.

• Britney Spears seen driving 'erratically' before arrest, say police

  Britney Spears was spotted driving "erratically" before her arrest on suspicion of operating her vehicle under the influence, police say.

• Sky News wins best news channel at Royal Television Society Awards

  Sky News has won news channel of the year and Yousra Elbagir has been named television journalist of the year at the Royal Television Society (RTS) Awards.

• 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".

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Sport

• Ramadan booing: Leeds attempt to explain 'disappointing and unexpected' response from crowd during Manchester City defeat

  Leeds have condemned the "unexpected and disappointing" booing from fans during a scheduled pause for players to break their Ramadan fast in last weekend's defeat to Man City - but set out a number of "mitigating circumstances" in their defence.

• UK Open 2026: Luke Littler demolishes Damon Heta to get defence up and running as Michael van Gerwen battles past Nathan Aspinall

  Luke Littler put in a 10-3 demolition of Damon Heta as he got his UK Open defence up and running in Minehead as Michael van Gerwen beat Nathan Aspinall in the fourth round.

• Tottenham fighting relegation: Igor Tudor has made a disaster start to Spurs reign - so where do the club turn next?

  Tottenham's Premier League survival hopes look more desperate by the week. Their chances of relegation now stand at 16.1 per cent after Igor Tudor's disaster start has landed them just one point above the drop zone, without a domestic win in 2026.

• Emma Raducanu dominates Anastasia Zakharova in straight sets to kickstart campaign at Indian Wells

  Emma Raducanu blazed past Anastasia Zakharova to win her first game at Indian Wells.

• Super League: Catalans Dragons beat Leigh Leopards 22-16 for vital win as Warrington Wolves hold off York Knights

  Toby Sexton kicked Catalans Dragons to a much-needed Super League win as the Leigh Leopards' new season woes continued at Leigh Sports Village.

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Strange

• 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.

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

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

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Videos

• Trump's solutions to Iranian shipping threat leave insurance sector unimpressed

  Donald Trump's offer of US-backed insurance and naval escorts for shipping travelling through the Strait of Hormuz has not prevented maritime premiums soaring as underwriters scramble to reassess the risks to oil, gas and cargo vessels.

• Russian intelligence suspected after Birmingham targeted in 'self-igniting parcel' attacks

  Russian intelligence is suspected of being behind several "self-igniting" parcel fires around Europe, including one in Birmingham.

• The global economy's worst nightmare is here and the consequences could be scary

  For years, geopolitical analysts warned us that among the scariest of all scenarios for the world economy was the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

• Who's been killed, who's in charge of Iran now - and who could be its new leader?

  A week of attacks on Iran and the killing of its supreme leader and senior commanders have plunged Iran into crisis - who's in charge now and who could take his place?

• Man who killed his ex-partner's sister and her three children in a house fire jailed for life

  A man who killed his ex-partner's sister and her three children in a house fire has been sentenced to life in prison.

• Four arrested on suspicion of spying on Jewish community for Iran, Met Police says

  Four men suspected of carrying out surveillance on the Jewish community have been arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran, the Metropolitan Police has said.

• Indonesia to ban 'high risk' social media for under-16s

  Indonesia has become the latest and most populous country to say it will ban social media for under-16s.

• Leak from UK security meeting on Trump's war request branded 'utterly destructive'

  Leaking details from a National Security Council (NSC) meeting is "utterly dysfunctional and destructive", Harriet Harman has said.

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Politics

• Leak from UK security meeting on Trump's war request branded 'utterly destructive'

  Leaking details from a National Security Council (NSC) meeting is "utterly dysfunctional and destructive", Harriet Harman has said.

• Has Starmer got it right over his Iran war response? 

  ?Tap here to listen to Electoral Dysfunction on your podcast app ?

• Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood defends plans to deport asylum seeker children

  Shabana Mahmood has defended her plans for forced deportation of children under her new asylum rules. 

• John Prescott's son joins Greens

  The son of Labour's former deputy prime minister John Prescott has joined the Green Party, Sky News can reveal.

• Labour MP Joani Reid suspended after husband arrested on suspicion of spying for China

  Labour MP Joani Reid has been suspended from the party while an internal investigation takes place after her husband was arrested on suspicion of spying for China.

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Technology

• Indonesia to ban 'high risk' social media for under-16s

  Indonesia has become the latest and most populous country to say it will ban social media for under-16s.

• The water companies using bailiffs to collect customer debt more than 6,000 times a year

  Some water companies are instructing bailiffs as they try to recover customers' debt more than 6,000 times in a single year, new data reveals.

• Stopping weight loss jabs can lead to rapid weight regain in one year, study suggests

  People on obesity jabs will regain the majority of the weight they lose within a year of stopping the drugs, a new study suggests.

• 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.

• Major VPN network to block 'despised and despicable' child sexual abuse material

  A major VPN service is becoming one of the first to block websites known for hosting child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

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World

• Boos and boycotts as Russian flag returns to sporting stage at Winter Paralympics

  The Russian flag has returned to the global sporting stage, appearing at the Winter Paralympics for the first time in over a decade.

• Why is HMS Dragon taking so long to get to Cyprus?

  ? Listen to This Is Why on your podcast app ?

• Inside bombed-out Beirut - where Hezbollah makes the rules

  Beirut's southern suburbs have been subjected to waves of airstrikes by the Israeli military, but it has been virtually impossible to document the damage they cause. 

• 'We've taught toddlers to take cover': Living in Dubai as Iran attacks

  There are three types of people in Dubai right now: those off to play padel, those rushing to the Omani border, and those waiting for house prices to drop.

• Women and children among hundreds abducted by Islamic militants in Nigeria, officials say

  More than 300 people, including women and children, have been abducted by Islamic militants who attacked a town in northeastern Nigeria, officials have said.

• The battle-hardened Kurdish fighters ready to put boots on ground in Iran - and inspire an uprising

  The spotlight is once again on the Kurds in the Middle East.

• Ukraine peace talks could be postponed for 'a while' due to Iran war

  Ukraine has raised the prospect of postponing future peace talks aimed at ending its four-year-old war with Russia, because of the Iran conflict.

• The global economy's worst nightmare is here and the consequences could be scary

  For years, geopolitical analysts warned us that among the scariest of all scenarios for the world economy was the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

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Business

• The global economy's worst nightmare is here and the consequences could be scary

  For years, geopolitical analysts warned us that among the scariest of all scenarios for the world economy was the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

• German media giant Axel Springer to buy Telegraph Media Group in £575m deal

  German media giant Axel Springer is to buy Telegraph Media Group in a £575m deal that will see the Daily and Sunday Telegraph print titles and their online business come under overseas ownership.

• The water companies using bailiffs to collect customer debt more than 6,000 times a year

  Some water companies are instructing bailiffs as they try to recover customers' debt more than 6,000 times in a single year, new data reveals.

• Mark Kleinman blog | Staycation giant Park Holidays put in departure lounge by American owner

• Diesel at 16-month high in UK as Iran war drives oil prices up further

  UK average diesel costs have hit a 16-month high, less than a week after war gripped the Middle East and sent oil costs rocketing.

• £22m fine for South East Water over repeated supply failures

  South East Water is to be fined £22m for repeated supply failures, watchdog Ofwat has said.

• £8bn private dentistry industry to be investigated after 'significant' price hikes

• Why it's 'feasible' your home could be hacked - and two ways it can happen

  With increasing improvements in technology, our homes - and the appliances that fill them - are becoming smarter and smarter.

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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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