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East Lancashire Railway welcomes its first female steam locomotive driver

The East Lancashire Railway has its first female steam locomotive driver after Steph Elwood successfully completed her driving assessments.

Local News

Wildlife mural created in Middleton as part of Kenya arts exchange

Artists from Rochdale and Kenya have created a 15-metre-high wildlife mural on Brook House in Middleton town centre.
Littleborough and Wardle brass bands prepare for national finals

Littleborough Brass Band and Wardle Community Band have performed their National Finals test pieces at a concert in Dearnley ahead of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.
Barratt Homes donates 32 Roald Dahl books to Bury school

Pupils at Springside Primary School in Bury have received 32 Roald Dahl books from Barratt Homes.
East Lancashire Railway to introduce BSL interpreter on Santa Specials

The East Lancashire Railway will provide a British Sign Language interpreter on selected Santa Special trains for the first time this year.
Thousands set for Bury BID 10K as running festival returns

Thousands of runners are expected to take part in the Bury Running Festival when it returns on Sunday 20 September.
Local pair to run 412 miles in nine days for childhood cancer charity

An Oldham man and Whitworth man are teaming up and preparing to run 412 miles across Britain in nine days to raise money for a childhood cancer charity.
Festival of Remembrance to be held at Rochdale Town Hall

A Festival of Remembrance will be held at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 16 October to honour members of the Armed Forces community.
Man charged with firearm and driving offences after Heywood police pursuit

A man has been charged with firearm and driving offences following a police pursuit in Heywood.
Man arrested after tents found at Old Middleton Cemetery

The councillors also said the tents were slashed overnight and police are investigating.
Rochdale Council approves £15 million cost of living support package

Around £15 million will be spent on cost of living support for Rochdale borough residents over the next three years.
Littleborough cyclists raise £131,812 after 900-mile Arctic challenge

Three men from Littleborough have raised £131,812 after cycling 900 miles from Oslo to the Arctic Circle.
71-year-old man with dementia found near Piethorne Reservoir after search

A 71-year-old man with dementia was found cold and confused after a search involving police, mountain rescue volunteers and search dogs near Piethorne Reservoir in Newhey.

Local Sports

Rochdale Masters men and women represent club together at National Masters Festival

Rochdale Masters’ men’s and women’s teams represented the club together at the National Masters Rugby League Festival for the first time on Saturday.

Lifestyle

East Lancashire Railway to introduce BSL interpreter on Santa Specials

The East Lancashire Railway will provide a British Sign Language interpreter on selected Santa Special trains for the first time this year.
Thousands set for Bury BID 10K as running festival returns

Thousands of runners are expected to take part in the Bury Running Festival when it returns on Sunday 20 September.
Middleton woman launches Manchester's first Alternative Fashion Week

A Middleton woman is launching a six-day alternative fashion week featuring designers, artists and performers at venues across Manchester.
East Lancashire Railway welcomes its first female steam locomotive driver

The East Lancashire Railway has its first female steam locomotive driver after Steph Elwood successfully completed her driving assessments.
Town of Culture year brings in at least £5.5m for Rochdale

Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture raked in more than £5.5m for the local economy, according to council data.

Greater Manchester

Middleton woman launches Manchester's first Alternative Fashion Week

A Middleton woman is launching a six-day alternative fashion week featuring designers, artists and performers at venues across Manchester.
Two men arrested on suspicion of murder after man dies following balcony fall in Salford

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man died in hospital following a fall from a balcony at an address on Liverpool Street, Salford.
Social care worker honoured after saving life of injured police officer

A deputy team manager from a Rochdale-based care organisation has been commended for saving the life of a police officer who was seriously injured while on duty.
M60 closed near Prestwich after multi-vehicle crash saw two rushed to hospital

Traffic halted and delays expected following collision between junctions 16 and 17
M66 traffic stopped southbound due to ongoing Police incident

Traffic was stopped this evening on the M66 southbound between the A56 and Junction 1.
🚒 LIVE: We join Greater Manchester fire crews in Rochdale tonight for a ride-along

Live updates during the evening as we embed with GMFRS for a behind-the-scenes look at frontline fire service work during one of the busiest times of the year.
🟥 RECAP: Glaston-BURY live updates, photos, interviews and more

Thousands of music lovers descended on Bury during Bank Holiday Monday, 25 August 2025, for Glaston-Bury, the annual one day music festival in aid of Bury Hospice and other local causes. Since it began in 2008, the event has raised over £300,000 and has become one of the town’s biggest highlights of the year.
RECAP: Parklife 2025 Day Two - updates, photos & travel news

Day One at Parklife 2025 is done, and what a day it was. Over 50,000 people packed into Heaton Park for a massive Saturday, with sets from FLO, Rudimental and a huge headline performance by 50 Cent.

Local Entertainment

Littleborough and Wardle brass bands prepare for national finals

Littleborough Brass Band and Wardle Community Band have performed their National Finals test pieces at a concert in Dearnley ahead of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.
East Lancashire Railway to introduce BSL interpreter on Santa Specials

The East Lancashire Railway will provide a British Sign Language interpreter on selected Santa Special trains for the first time this year.
Nadine Coyle pulls out of Manchester Pride performance with B*Witched stepping in

Nadine Coyle has pulled out of her Manchester Village Pride performance tonight after problems with her voice.
East Lancashire Railway launches Christmas card competition for children

East Lancashire Railway has launched a Christmas card competition with four tickets for its Santa Specials among the prizes.
Cancer choir calls for new members as rehearsals resume in Bolton

A Bolton choir for people affected by cancer is inviting new singers to join as it begins rehearsals for the new year.
🟥 RECAP: Glaston-BURY live updates, photos, interviews and more

Thousands of music lovers descended on Bury during Bank Holiday Monday, 25 August 2025, for Glaston-Bury, the annual one day music festival in aid of Bury Hospice and other local causes. Since it began in 2008, the event has raised over £300,000 and has become one of the town’s biggest highlights of the year.
RECAP: Parklife 2025 Day Two - updates, photos & travel news

Day One at Parklife 2025 is done, and what a day it was. Over 50,000 people packed into Heaton Park for a massive Saturday, with sets from FLO, Rudimental and a huge headline performance by 50 Cent.
RECAP : Parklife 2025 Day One - updates, photos & travel news

Tens of thousands of music fans are pouring into Parklife, as the day one of the festival gets underway.

Elections

Residents urged to check voter registration details

Residents are being asked to check their electoral registration details ahead of local elections in May 2027.
Phil Eckersley pledges to support Greater Manchester’s boroughs ahead of Mayoral Election

The Conservative candidate for Mayor of Greater Manchester, Phil Eckersley, has pledged more support to the boroughs of the region in an interview with Roch Valley Radio.
Tottington by-election Results

Voters across Tottington, Walshaw and Affetside went to the polls today, Thursday 2nd April, to elect a new representative to Bury Council following the resignation of former councillor Luis McBriar.

Entertainment

Support artists pull out of Ed Sheeran tour over Macklemore's departure

All of the artists scheduled to support Ed Sheeran on his upcoming tour have pulled out in protest after US rapper Macklemore was removed as his opener over his comments about Palestine.
Prosecutors in Rob Reiner murder case won't seek death penalty

Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty for Rob Reiner's son Nick, who is accused of murdering the late film director and his wife in Los Angeles last year.
The Emmys 2026: All the winners in the main categories

Welsh star Matthew Rhys has made Emmy history by winning two best lead actor awards at the same ceremony.
Emmy Awards 2026: All the fashion from this year's 'red' carpet

Nominees and celebrity guests hit the red carpet in style at this year's Emmy Awards.
Oasis announce huge tour including gigs at Knebworth - here's how to get tickets

After days of teasing, Oasis have finally put an end to the speculation - announcing another huge tour for 2027 following the success of their comeback last year.

More from Entertainment

Business

No need for new laws on AI, says Nvidia boss

The CEO of Nvidia has said there is no need to introduce regulations in the AI sector, following widespread concerns over safety.
State pension likely to rise by 3.9% after key data released - but most will be taxed

Your state pension will likely rise by 3.9% next year, according to provisional data published on Tuesday morning by the Office for National Statistics.
Shoppers hunting value as grocery price inflation ticks up

Grocery price inflation has ticked up from 2024 lows amid fears rising energy prices and poor harvests will place further upwards pressure on the cost of living this winter.
Pubs and shops can now accept digital ID for alcohol purchases in England and Wales

Pubs and shops can now accept digital ID as proof of age when selling alcohol.
Chemify targets 'hyperscaler' status with £20m state funding package

A University of Glasgow spinout which uses robots and AI to discover new medicines is targeting "hyperscaler" status after landing a state funding package worth tens of millions of pounds.
UK banks kick off fundraising in bid to create new payments giant

Britain’s biggest banks will this week embark on a process to raise tens of millions of pounds to fund the development of a new payments infrastructure vehicle that could ultimately evolve into a domestic alternative to Mastercard and Visa.
Scotland's pubs and restaurants 'losing business because of boom in weight-loss drugs', report says

Pubs and restaurants in Scotland are said to be taking a hit in business as a result of the boom in weight-loss drugs, a new report found.
Online furniture retailer Dusk puts £300m London float on shelf

Dusk, the homeware products retailer, has shelved plans for a £300m London flotation that would have seen it join the ranks of Britain's listed companies later this year.