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

• 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.

• Tottington councillor Luis McBriar to step down over new politically neutral job

  Tottington ward councillor Luis McBriar has announced he will step down from Bury Council as he prepares to take up a new job that requires political neutrality.

• Drivers in Bury warned about five sets of roadworks

  Drivers in Bury are being warned to expect delays, with a main road leading from Ramsbottom to the town centre to be impacted by five sets of roadworks.

• 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.

• Public consultation for Ramsbottom revamp

  Local residents are being asked to weigh in on how the council should revamp the public square around an iconic sculpture in Bury.

• 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.

• Langley community projects completed through ward capital funding

  A series of community improvements have been completed in Langley following investment from Rochdale Borough Council’s 3.5 million pound Ward Capital Fund.

• 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.

• Three arrested after 10kg of drugs with a value of £150k seized during Rochdale vehicle stop

  Three people have been arrested and more than £150,000 worth of drugs seized after officers stopped a vehicle on Bolton Road in Rochdale.

• 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.

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Local Sports

• 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.

• 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.

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Lifestyle

• 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.

• 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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Greater Manchester

• 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.

• Business secretary warns Reform poses risk to Gorton and Denton high street ahead of by election

  The Business Secretary has warned that local firms in Gorton and Denton could be put at risk if Reform UK wins next week’s by election, as campaigning intensifies across the constituency.

• EXCLUSIVE: Silenced mother’s own FOI reveals nearly £11 million paid out for maternity harm at hospital where she says she was assaulted during childbirth

  FOI reveals shocking payouts for Maternity harm at North Manchester General Hospital.

• 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.

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Local Entertainment

• 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.

• 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.

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Elections

• Matt Goodwin: “Hannah Spencer is reading off a script”.

  Audio

• 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.

• Bury’s young voters elect new Youth MP after strong turnout

  Thousands of young people across Bury have taken part in a borough wide vote to choose their new Member of Youth Parliament, with turnout exceeding 35 per cent of those eligible.

• Business secretary warns Reform poses risk to Gorton and Denton high street ahead of by election

  The Business Secretary has warned that local firms in Gorton and Denton could be put at risk if Reform UK wins next week’s by election, as campaigning intensifies across the constituency.

• New youth parliament members elected to represent Rochdale borough

  Two young people have been elected to represent the borough of Rochdale as the latest Members of UK Youth Parliament following a borough wide vote.

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UK

• Tributes paid to two young 'best friends' found dead in Welsh mountain range

  Tributes have been paid to two young hikers found dead in the Eryri mountain range (Snowdonia).

• Jubilant Team GB return home after record-breaking Winter Olympics

  Team GB's athletes have returned home to a rapturous welcome after their most successful Winter Olympics ever.

• Suspected rapist accidentally set free and leaves UK before trial

  A suspected rapist was accidentally set free from prison and managed to leave the country before he is due to stand trial, it has been revealed.

• The pressure is building on government to reform student loan repayments

  It's a debate that's gaining momentum, and ministers could score some political points among millions of graduates in England if they choose to reform the student loans system.

• Cheapest day 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.

• 'I design video games - here's what I think about angry fans'

  If you've ever spent your morning commute daydreaming about starting afresh with your career, this feature is for you. Each Monday, we speak to someone from a different profession to discover what it's really like. Today we speak to Alistair McFarlane, chief operating officer of game design company Facepunch Studios and the executive producer of survival game Rust...

• Freestyle skier Zoe Atkin wins bronze in record-equalling medal haul for Team GB at Winter Olympics

  Freestyle skier Zoe Atkin has won a bronze medal in the women's halfpipe final at the Winter Olympics in Italy.

• Call for 'treason' probe into Andrew's Epstein links - as searches at ex-duke's former home continue

  Searches of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former home are expected to continue on Monday - as a Conservative former security minister called for a "treason" probe into Andrew's links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

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Entertainment

• 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.

• BAFTAs red carpet 2026: All the fashion from British and Hollywood stars

  As well as the film prizes, red carpet fashion is also a huge part of any awards ceremony.

• BAFTA Film Awards 2026: The full list of winning films and stars

  Here are all the nominees and winners of this year's BAFTA Film Awards.

• Eric Dane: Fundraiser for family of late Grey's Anatomy actor surpasses £200,000

  A fundraiser has secured more than $275,000 (£200,000) for the family of the late Grey's Anatomy actor Eric Dane, who died on Thursday at the age of 53.

• Abbey Road is opening its doors for a rave: 'There's something about this place - hopefully we don't ruin it'

  "You will receive a text message after this call. Just follow the instructions...."

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Sport

• Tottenham: Relegation from Premier League a real possibility after north London derby thrashing by Arsenal

  'Shock of the century?' However you frame it - relegation out of the Premier League is now a very real possibility for Tottenham.

• Super League: St Helens hold on for 20-18 win over Leigh Leopards as Leeds Rhinos run riot in 46-14 victory over York Knights

  St Helens pulled off a narrow 20-18 victory over Leigh Leopards in round two of the Betfred Super League at the BrewDog Stadium.

• Claressa Shields dominates Franchon Crews-Dezurn again in Detroit to remain undisputed heavyweight champion

  Claressa Shields dominated Franchon Crews-Dezurn with a lopsided unanimous decision on Sunday night in Detroit, successfully defending her undisputed heavyweight championship.

• Erling Haaland proving more than just a goalscorer as Man City battle to get closer to Arsenal in Premier League title race

  Erling Haaland sank to the floor at full time, bereft of energy. Fittingly it was Rodri who helped him up, another titan of what could come to be acknowledged as a title-defining victory over Newcastle. Haaland had given everything for the Manchester City cause.

• Dominik Szoboszlai is Liverpool's best player but his physicality also highlights what Arne Slot's side are missing

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Strange

• 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.

• 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.

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Videos

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

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

• Ukraine war has 'changed fundamentally', commander says, as trench fighting fuses with 21st century

  The war in Ukraine has become a grinding test of attrition, where movement on the map is measured in metres, not miles. In the frozen wastelands where this fight is being waged, it feels never-ending.

• Armed man shot and killed after entering perimeter of Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence

  A man has been shot dead by Secret Service agents after trying to unlawfully enter Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, authorities in the US have said.

• Over 1,000 councillors sign Palestine solidarity pledge amid claims of 'political opportunism'

  More than a thousand local councillors have signed a pledge of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

• NASA says moon mission could be delayed after discovering rocket fault

  NASA may delay its mission to send astronauts to the moon for the first time in more than half a century after discovering a fault with its rocket.

• Trump bumps up global tariffs - creating more mess and uncertainty for the world

  So Trump and tariffs - what's going on? Let's start with the latest development and work backwards. 

• 'She started to forget, little by little': Virtual reality offers escape to Gaza's children

  In a small office space in Gaza City, a child stands still, wearing a virtual reality headset.

• Fire-juggling unicyclist caught performing on crossing

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

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Politics

• Over 1,000 councillors sign Palestine solidarity pledge amid claims of 'political opportunism'

  More than a thousand local councillors have signed a pledge of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

• UK has not agreed to let US strike Iran from British bases, Sky News understands

  The UK has not agreed to allow the US to launch air strikes against Iran from a British base on Diego Garcia and another in Gloucestershire, it is understood.

• Record-breaking budget surplus as government's tax income rises

  More money than ever has been left over in the public finances due to more tax being paid, official figures show.

• The pressure is building on government to reform student loan repayments

  It's a debate that's gaining momentum, and ministers could score some political points among millions of graduates in England if they choose to reform the student loans system.

• Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: Is anyone truly above the law?

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

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Technology

• NASA says moon mission could be delayed after discovering rocket fault

  NASA may delay its mission to send astronauts to the moon for the first time in more than half a century after discovering a fault with its rocket.

• Medical tampon could detect early signs of ovarian cancer

  A new medical tampon may be able to detect the earliest signs of ovarian cancer, scientists have said.

• Trial into puberty blockers for children paused over 'wellbeing concerns'

  A clinical trial into puberty blockers has been paused after the medicines regulator raised "new concerns directly related to the wellbeing of children", the government said.

• Battle of the wind farms: Can the 'blockers' beat the government?

  "An ineffective form of renewable energy… carpet-bombing the countryside… irreversible damage."

• NASA says moon mission could blast off next month

  NASA is planning to send astronauts to the moon next month for the first time in more than half a century. 

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World

• Ukraine war has 'changed fundamentally', commander says, as trench fighting fuses with 21st century

  The war in Ukraine has become a grinding test of attrition, where movement on the map is measured in metres, not miles. In the frozen wastelands where this fight is being waged, it feels never-ending.

• Briton among 19 killed in Nepal bus crash

  At least 19 people have been killed, including a British national, after a packed bus drove off a mountain road in Nepal.

• Convictions of pro-democracy activists upheld in Hong Kong

  A court in Hong Kong has upheld the convictions and sentences of pro-democracy activists in the biggest case brought under a Beijing-imposed national security law.

• Who is 'El Mencho', his cartel and why does his death matter? 

  One of Mexico's most notorious drug lords "El Mencho" was killed in a military operation on Sunday in Tapalpa, sparking widespread retaliatory violence.

• As protests resume in Tehran, Iran's regime may be ready to strike a deal with Trump

  Student-led protests have taken place in Iran this weekend, coinciding with the start of the new university term and the 40th day of mourning for many of the thousands of people killed by security forces in early January.

• How have four years of war changed Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin?

  Throughout 1,460 days of the Ukraine war, two figures have remained central.

• What is fentanyl? The drug Donald Trump is waging war on

  The Trump administration has highlighted tackling substance abuse as one of its priorities, promising to "respond to a crisis of this scale with the attention it deserves".

• Trump sending 'great hospital boat' to Greenland to 'take care of the sick'

  Donald Trump has said he is sending a "great hospital boat" to Greenland, the semi-autonomous Danish territory he wants to acquire.

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Business

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

• Trump bumps up global tariffs - creating more mess and uncertainty for the world

  So Trump and tariffs - what's going on? Let's start with the latest development and work backwards. 

• Cheapest day 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.

• Sky News gains rare access to Bank of England's gold vaults

  Take the Central Line into the middle of London and just before the train arrives at Bank station, something strange happens.

• About half of Trump's tariffs are now null and void - but his trade war is not over

  In one respect this decision is not altogether surprising.

• 'I design video games - here's what I think about angry fans'

  If you've ever spent your morning commute daydreaming about starting afresh with your career, this feature is for you. Each Monday, we speak to someone from a different profession to discover what it's really like. Today we speak to Alistair McFarlane, chief operating officer of game design company Facepunch Studios and the executive producer of survival game Rust...

• Record-breaking budget surplus as government's tax income rises

  More money than ever has been left over in the public finances due to more tax being paid, official figures show.

• FA reminds Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe of responsibilities after immigration comments

  The Football Association has spoken to Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to remind him of his responsibilities as a participant in English football, Sky News understands.

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Rochdale Council Leaders Column

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