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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

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

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

• ‘Dangerous predator’ from Rochdale jailed for abusing children

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

• More road closures to hit Prestwich – but the end could be in sight

  Prestwich will be affected by another eight-week road closure on Fairfax Road, developers and the council have confirmed. 

• Police roll out new electric bikes to tackle crime in Rochdale’s narrow streets

  Officers in Rochdale have been equipped with seven electric bikes as part of a push to improve response times and increase visibility in areas where patrol cars cannot easily reach.

• "I want to earn trust back in Politics": Hannah Spencer talking about the upcoming By-Election

  The Green Party candidate, Hannah Spencer, has spoken to Roch Valley Radio about the By-Election and her ambitions if she was to be elected on the 26th February, saying the election will be decided by "a handful of votes".

• Council leader’s column: Why Middleton’s regeneration and this year’s budget matter for our borough

  When I became leader of the council in 2021, I set out my vision for the borough, key priorities and the services local residents want and expect the council to deliver.

• Cafe near Old Trafford fined more than £10,000 after rat infestation and allergen breach

  A cafe close to Old Trafford has been fined more than £10,000 after environmental health officers found evidence of rats and uncovered a serious allergen failure during separate inspections.

• Great Howarth School celebrates expansion with official reopening

  Great Howarth School in Rochdale has officially reopened following a major expansion and refurbishment, welcoming families, staff and community leaders to mark the occasion.

• Rochdale council to begin search for new chief executive

  Rochdale Council is set to launch a recruitment process for a new chief executive following the resignation of James Binks at the end of last year.

• Sophie's family launch fundraiser for urgent hip operation abroad

  A local woman left housebound and in daily pain is facing further delays to a long awaited hip replacement, prompting her family to launch a public fundraiser to pay for private surgery overseas.

• 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.

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Local Sports

• Rochdale Hornets beaten by Hunslet as Faraimo scores five at Crown Oil Arena

  Rochdale Hornets suffered their first league defeat of the 2026 Betfred Championship season as Hunslet ran in eight tries in a 42 to 6 win at the Crown Oil Arena.

• Rochdale extend unbeaten run with comfortable win over Woking

  Rochdale remain top of the Enterprise National League after a 3 to 0 home victory against Woking on Saturday, extending their unbeaten start to 2026.

• Bury cruise past Sporting Khalsa as Stepans and Touray record fifth straight win

  First half goals from Rustam Stepans and Mo Touray were enough to complete a comfortable victory for Bury over Sporting Khalsa at Gigg Lane.

• Managing director Andy Duff to step down at end of 2025 to 2026 season

  Rochdale AFC has confirmed that managing director Andy Duff will leave his role at the end of the current 2025 to 2026 campaign.

• Hornets fight back to maintain unbeaten start with win over Keighley

  Rochdale Hornets came from behind to secure a 24 to 10 victory over Keighley Cougars and preserve their 100 per cent start to the new Betfred Championship season.

• Bury Council approves £4.5 million investment in leisure centres

  Bury Council has approved £4.5 million of investment to improve its leisure centres in Ramsbottom and Bury town centre.

• Rochdale and York MPs back campaign for extra National League promotion place

  The MPs for Rochdale and York have joined forces to support a national campaign calling for two automatic promotion places from the National League, as they joked about which of their clubs will finish top this season.

• Anthony Johnson named Bury FC first team manager in statement move

  Anthony Johnson has been appointed as Bury Football Club’s new First Team Manager with immediate effect, marking what the club has described as a ‘clear statement of intent’ for its future.

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Lifestyle

• REVIEW: Sequins, sass and survival as Priscilla struts into Manchester

  The 30th anniversary tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert has arrived at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, bringing disco anthems, striking costumes and a story rooted in love and resilience to the city until 28 February 2026.

• Whitefield women’s-only gym helping community cohesion

  It’s an experience that will be familiar to many women. You’re at the gym, minding your own business, maybe belatedly trying to put some of those new year’s resolutions into action.

• Beloved community and cafe to be broken up by Prestwich demolition

  It’s the end of the morning rush at You & Me cafe in Prestwich’s condemned Longfield Centre.

• Rochdale Culture Awards finalists revealed ahead of Town Hall ceremony

  Nineteen individuals, creatives and organisations have been shortlisted for this year’s Rochdale Culture Awards, with winners set to be announced at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 27 March.

• Heywood 1940s Day is at risk without urgent call for volunteers

  Organisers of Heywood 1940s Day have warned the popular event may not go ahead this year unless more volunteers come forward within the next five days.

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Greater Manchester

• REVIEW: Sequins, sass and survival as Priscilla struts into Manchester

  The 30th anniversary tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert has arrived at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, bringing disco anthems, striking costumes and a story rooted in love and resilience to the city until 28 February 2026.

• "I want to earn trust back in Politics": Hannah Spencer talking about the upcoming By-Election

  The Green Party candidate, Hannah Spencer, has spoken to Roch Valley Radio about the By-Election and her ambitions if she was to be elected on the 26th February, saying the election will be decided by "a handful of votes".

• Cafe near Old Trafford fined more than £10,000 after rat infestation and allergen breach

  A cafe close to Old Trafford has been fined more than £10,000 after environmental health officers found evidence of rats and uncovered a serious allergen failure during separate inspections.

• Gorton and Denton voters are ‘fed up’ with the by-election and so much more

  A biting wind howled through Haughton Green as anxious faces watched for an expected bus.

• Eleven arrested as Britain First march and counter protests take place in Manchester

  Eleven people were arrested during a day of protests in Manchester city centre on Saturday 21 February, as supporters of the far right group Britain First marched through the city and were met by counter demonstrators.

• Rochdale arrest among 23 held in major organised crime crackdown

  A man was arrested in Rochdale as part of a coordinated operation which saw 23 people detained during early morning warrants across Greater Manchester.

• Social prescribing helping Bury patients rebuild their lives

  Patients across Bury say social prescribing has played a vital role in improving their mental and physical health, as NHS leaders encourage more people to seek support through talking therapies and community based help.

• Greater Manchester Police arrest 23 in major organised crime crackdown

  More than 250 officers carried out 22 early morning warrants across Greater Manchester on Wednesday 18 February 2026, arresting 23 people suspected of links to a family run organised crime group.

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Local Entertainment

• REVIEW: Sequins, sass and survival as Priscilla struts into Manchester

  The 30th anniversary tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert has arrived at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, bringing disco anthems, striking costumes and a story rooted in love and resilience to the city until 28 February 2026.

• Review: Operation Mincemeat turns wartime deception into a five star musical

  Just as the real Operation Mincemeat was a plan that shouldn’t have worked, the idea of turning it into a musical feels equally improbable.

• Rochdale Culture Awards finalists revealed ahead of Town Hall ceremony

  Nineteen individuals, creatives and organisations have been shortlisted for this year’s Rochdale Culture Awards, with winners set to be announced at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 27 March.

• Heywood 1940s Day is at risk without urgent call for volunteers

  Organisers of Heywood 1940s Day have warned the popular event may not go ahead this year unless more volunteers come forward within the next five days.

• EXCLUSIVE first look inside the transformed Heywood Civic

  Roch Valley Radio has been given an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Heywood Civic ahead of the official launch, offering the first look at a landmark redevelopment that will see the venue reopen as a fully accessible cultural and community hub.

• Crowdfunder launched to create mural honouring Stone Roses and Primal Scream legend Mani

  A community crowdfunder has been launched to create a large scale mural in Failsworth honouring Gary Mani Mounfield, the former bassist of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, while raising money for Maggie’s Centre in Manchester.

• More than 100 volunteers power Roch Valley Radio as World Radio Day 2026 is marked

  World Radio Day is today, 13 February 2026, and is a moment to celebrate the impact of broadcasting across the globe, it is also a chance to recognise the people behind the microphone who keep local radio alive every single week.

• Review: Single White Female, Manchester Opera House

  Single White Female is one of those films loads of people remember from the 90s, the kind of thriller you’d stick on with friends and end up shouting at the screen by the end.

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Elections

• "I want to earn trust back in Politics": Hannah Spencer talking about the upcoming By-Election

  The Green Party candidate, Hannah Spencer, has spoken to Roch Valley Radio about the By-Election and her ambitions if she was to be elected on the 26th February, saying the election will be decided by "a handful of votes".

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

  Audio

  Reform UK’s Gorton and Denton by-election candidate, Matt Goodwin, has accused his Green Party rival, Hannah Spencer, of “reading off a script” during the recent hustings, in an exclusive interview with Roch Valley Radio.

• Gorton and Denton voters are ‘fed up’ with the by-election and so much more

  A biting wind howled through Haughton Green as anxious faces watched for an expected bus.

• 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.

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UK

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

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

• Welcome to the fly-tipping capital of England, where locals are 'embarrassed' to live

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

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

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

• Best and worst NHS trusts for cancer treatment revealed

  Almost all NHS trusts are missing a major cancer target - with some of the worst performers seeing only about half of patients on time, data shows.

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

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

• Police failed to arrest Nottingham triple killer on warrant months before attacks, inquiry hears

  Police failed to execute a warrant to arrest a violent schizophrenic before he went on to kill three people in Nottingham, an inquiry has heard.

• European leaders came together in solidarity on Ukraine war fourth anniversary - but peace seems a long way off

  Watching President Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska in the centre of Kyiv lead a minute's silence to honour the tens of thousands of soldiers who have died on the fourth anniversary of the Ukraine war was a sobering moment. 

• What is misconduct in public office?

  Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson were both arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office - but what is the offence?

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Entertainment

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

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

• BBC says second racist slur was edited out of ceremony, as filmmaker quits as BAFTA judge

  The BBC has confirmed that a second racist slur was edited out of the BAFTA ceremony broadcast, but admitted the first was missed and "aired in error".

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

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

• Rob Reiner's son Nick pleads not guilty to murder of his parents

  Rob Reiner's son Nick has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of the actor-director and his wife Michele Singer Reiner.

• British rising star Robert Aramayo beats Timothee Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio to acting BAFTA - as One Battle After Another named best film

  British film newcomer Robert Aramayo has been named best actor at the BAFTAs - beating favourite Timothee Chalamet and other A-listers including Leonardo DiCaprio to win the prize.

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Sport

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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

• Russian invasion of Ukraine shares 'similarities' with run-up to Second World War, armed forces minister says

  Russia's invasion of Ukraine and wider threats to the UK and its allies share "a lot of similarities" with the three-year run-up to the Second World War, the armed forces minister has said.

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

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

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

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

• Mandelson's 'vile' Epstein emails make me 'angry', Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper says

  Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has said Lord Mandelson's emails to Jeffrey Epstein were vile and make her angry.

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

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

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

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

• 'Simply a miracle': Baby boy born from dead donor womb transplant in UK first

  A baby boy has become the first child in Britain to be born to a mother with a womb transplanted from a deceased donor.

• Rob Reiner's son Nick pleads not guilty to murder of his parents

  Rob Reiner's son Nick has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of the actor-director and his wife Michele Singer Reiner.

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Politics

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

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

• Mandelson's 'vile' Epstein emails make me 'angry', Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper says

  Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has said Lord Mandelson's emails to Jeffrey Epstein were vile and make her angry.

• European leaders came together in solidarity on Ukraine war fourth anniversary - but peace seems a long way off

  Watching President Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska in the centre of Kyiv lead a minute's silence to honour the tens of thousands of soldiers who have died on the fourth anniversary of the Ukraine war was a sobering moment. 

• Magistrates and judges to use more AI, says Lammy - as jury trials reduced

  Justice Secretary David Lammy wants to see more AI-assisted magistrates as he doubles down on his plans to reduce the number of jury trials.

• Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: Australia and New Zealand back plans to remove him from line of succession

  The governments of Australia and New Zealand have thrown their weight behind plans to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal line of succession.

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Technology

• Welcome to the fly-tipping capital of England, where locals are 'embarrassed' to live

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

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

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

• 'Simply a miracle': Baby boy born from dead donor womb transplant in UK first

  A baby boy has become the first child in Britain to be born to a mother with a womb transplanted from a deceased donor.

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

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

• Porn company handed record £1.3m fine by Ofcom over failures to age verify

  A porn company has just been handed the largest fine ever issued under the Online Safety Act.

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World

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Call for investigation into virus that killed 72 tigers in Thailand

  The deaths of 72 tigers in two tourist parks in Thailand were caused by a virus that should not be a public health concern, officials have said.

• Violence triggered by killing of notorious Mexican drug lord could hit the World Cup

  The Mexican authorities would've expected a violent backlash after the killing of El Mencho, one of the country's most powerful cartel bosses.

• British cousins charged with attempted murder over Venice Valentine's Day stabbing

  Two British cousins have been arrested and charged with attempted murder over a stabbing on Valentine's Day in Venice.

• European leaders came together in solidarity on Ukraine war fourth anniversary - but peace seems a long way off

  Watching President Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska in the centre of Kyiv lead a minute's silence to honour the tens of thousands of soldiers who have died on the fourth anniversary of the Ukraine war was a sobering moment. 

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Business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• 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.

• Money problem: The broadband compensation rule that means reader is owed £2,000

  Our Money team helps a reader every week with their consumer issue or financial dispute...

• 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.

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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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