Local News

Supporters gathered in their hundreds in Pleasington on Boxing Day for the historic Holcombe Hunt, as debate over the future legality of trail hunting continues.

Prestwich has long been considered a pretty desirable place to live.

Dozens of volunteers gave up their Christmas Day to serve hot meals and friendly company at Bury Parish Church Hall, as part of a long-running effort to support people in need over the festive period.

A couple whose ‘extraordinary commitment’ to being foster carers has transformed dozens of children’s lives are to be awarded Bury’s highest honour. Keith and Helen Atkinson, from Walmersley, are to be given the ‘freedom of the borough’ in early 2026 after looking after 31 children, mainly teenagers, since 1994.

A ‘mindless attack’ has left a community centre in Oldham with more than £10,000 of damage just before Christmas. Holts Community Centre, on Near Birches Parade in the Holts housing estate, was last week targeted by vandals.

Just over 18 months ago, the future of Rochdale AFC looked bleak, with the club facing an uncertain existence after years of instability both on and off the pitch.

Residents are being reminded that bin collections will follow a revised schedule over Christmas and New Year, with garden waste services paused and most other collection days temporarily moved.

A ten year old pupil from a Middleton primary special school has seen her festive artwork turned into an official Christmas card used by the borough council.

Heywood Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society and its youth section Heykids have been recognised with a total of 19 nominations at the National Operatic and Dramatic Association District 7 awards.

Greater Manchester Police made 671 arrests across the force area during the Festive Friday weekend, marking an increase of almost 15 percent compared with the same period last year.

SPORTING superstars who are excelling in cricket and gymnastics have had their photographs added to their school’s Hall of Fame.

A new post box allowing residents to leave letters and cards for people who have died has been installed at Bury Cemetery, following requests from members of the local community.

Eight cyclists dressed as Santas have raised more than £700 for Petrus after completing a 19 mile fundraising ride around Rochdale.

A Rochdale based community charity has marked the end of the year by delivering Christmas hampers to residents in supported housing, continuing its weekly work supporting people facing hardship.

Three men have been convicted following a major counter terrorism investigation into a planned antisemitic attack targeting Jewish communities in Greater Manchester.

Hundreds gathered at Rochdale Town Hall to celebrate local success stories at the 12th annual Rochdale Business Awards.

Workers at a Rochdale manufacturing site will walk out again in January after union leaders accused management of unfair dismissal, unlawful strike-breaking, and refusing to negotiate.

A major upgrade to Peine Square in Heywood town centre has been completed, delivering new performance spaces, greenery and public seating as part of a £1 million investment.

Two members of staff from a Rochdale-based social care provider have received national recognition for their work enriching the lives of people with learning disabilities and autism.

A £4.5 million scheme to improve water quality in Castleton has begun, with United Utilities aiming to reduce pollution in Trub Brook and the River Irk.

Rochdale will host a major public art installation this winter, as the town’s streets become the stage for a free, after-dark audio-visual experience led by local voices.

The UK economy is at a ‘delicate crossroads’ as 2025 draws to a close, according to Steven Mason, a senior insolvency practitioner at Inquesta.

A report has raised fresh concerns about safety, staffing and deteriorating facilities at HMP Buckley Hall, a category C men’s prison near Rochdale.

A festive card featuring the Grinch has been pulled from Sainsbury’s stores after concerns it mocked transgender identities.

It has been rumoured for over two decades, but deafening calls for a relief road just won’t quieten down for a town at traffic breaking point.

A specialist police team based in Rochdale has been recognised for its unwavering efforts to protect children from serious harm, with more than 300 arrests made in the past year.

When people picture Father Christmas, most see a jolly, bearded man in a red suit trimmed with white fur. But that iconic outfit has a more complex origin than many realise, and for centuries, he wore green.

A man has pleaded guilty to sending an ‘online threat’ to Simon Danczuk a former MP for Rochdale.

Changes to opening times over the Christmas and New Year holidays mean most non-critical Rochdale Borough Council services will not be available from 4pm on Wednesday 24 December until Friday 2 January.

Synth-pop pioneers to return to their roots with all-star line-up as part of Greater Manchester Town of Culture.

As 2025 draws to a close, I want to offer a few reflections on my first seven months as Mayor of Rochdale.

The planned expansion of a mosque in the heart of Rochdale will go ahead.

Community food pantries across Rochdale are helping hundreds of residents cut their shopping bills while also offering vital emotional and financial support.

A 78-year-old woman has died following a collision with a van in a supermarket car park in Oldham.

Debbie Rush, best known for her role as Anna Windass in Coronation Street, has confirmed the death of her son William Rush at the age of 31.

Two men have been arrested following early morning police raids at homes and a business in Royton and Middleton as part of an investigation into a suspected organised crime group distributing class A drugs across the Oldham area.

Julie Murphy’s appointment as interim chief executive of Rochdale Council has sparked internal questioning within the Rochdale Labour Group raising concerns over a reported five-week delay in escalating serious allegations linked to her department.

Blocks of flats to be built at former care home site

A new 90-home estate on a former school site is to be named Scholar’s Park.

A revitalised town square, civic centre and newly improved shopfronts are all in store for Heywood, once a multi-million-pound scheme gets the green light. The Rochdalian town is on its way to receiving a £20m boost, with the Pride in Place plan now submitted to the government by the Heywood Town Board.

Documents seen by Roch Valley Radio confirm that Rochdale Council will be asked to approve Julie Murphy’s appointment as interim chief executive, following the suspension of James Binks.

It’s a tradition bringing smiles, joy and cheer to hundreds of families in the run up to Christmas. But the volunteers behind Radcliffe Rotary Santa Sleigh run say they have been forced to endure ‘rude or inappropriate comments about their efforts’.

Residents warned to be prepared as river levels rise in wake of persistent rainfall.

Bury Football Club has confirmed that Michael Jolley has been relieved of his duties as first team manager by mutual consent just days after taking up the role.

On Saturday 6th December, I spent a couple of hours at Roch Valley Radio with Tim, Dave and Dean.

Eleven young people from across Rochdale have been selected to represent the borough, and the UK, at the World Scout Jamboree 2027 in Gdańsk, Poland.

Eight officers and two staff under investigation over inappropriate contact with sex workers as Greater Manchester Police steps up efforts to root out those unfit to serve.

Proposed changes include lowering the maximum discount from 85% to 80% and reducing the number of income bands, as the council seeks to balance its budget amidst ongoing cuts to government funding.

Ramsbottom’s Theatre Royal has launched its first ever live music event, welcoming Manchester swing artist Dominic Halpin and the Honey B’s to a packed and appreciative audience.

Dozens of dogs and puppies have been rescued and rehomed following a Greater Manchester Police (GMP) investigation into suspected illegal puppy breeding and sales in Bury.

A man has been arrested after officers uncovered a large-scale cannabis farm in the centre of Heywood, with a potential street value of £1 million.

Following a costly spell of mid-season maintenance brought on by unplayable conditions resembling a mud bath, Rochdale AFC’s pitch is now undergoing full renovation.

Doctors warn that unvaccinated children could endanger grandparents and vulnerable relatives during festive family gatherings

A teenage racing driver from Rochdale has claimed his first motorsport championship in cars, finishing a standout season by lifting the Clubman Class A title in the 2025 Supersport Endurance Cup.

A mill complex recently hit by a major fire has been put up for sale. A huge blaze broke out at Pioneer Mill in Radcliffe on September 27, leaving a firefighter seriously injured and several businesses in ruins.

A 23-year-old pub worker from Alkrington has taken the next step towards her dream of running her own pub, graduating from a pioneering training scheme at the very venue that shares her surname.

Striking new canopy structures have been installed over the outdoor market at Bury Market, marking a key milestone in the site’s £33 million redevelopment.

A man has been charged with multiple sexual offences against two 14-year-old girls following an incident at a flat in Bolton.

THREE bands played in a charity concert and helped to raise more than £700 towards a camp for 100 children in Uganda in Summer 2026.

Work to secure the future of Grade II* listed Hopwood Hall in Middleton has reached a milestone with the completion of major roof repairs

An acclaimed photojournalism exhibition commemorating 25 years since the NATO-led KFOR mission in Kosova is coming to Rochdale next month.

Following months of delays and disagreements, the national inquiry into grooming gangs is moving forward.

A prominent former pub and nightclub building is up for sale for £725,000.

It was the ‘special medal’ which lured Tony Collier to go through hell and back again.

Two men have been jailed for a total of 58 years for the systematic sexual abuse of five teenage girls in Bury between 1996 and 1999.

A Rochdale-based water treatment specialist is among a select group of Greater Manchester firms heading to Bosch’s hydrogen headquarters in Germany to tackle barriers to clean energy.

Families across Oldham, Rochdale and all OL postcodes can now take advantage of Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice’s Christmas tree recycling service, as the charity expands its reach for 2026.

Animal charity urges caution as nearly half of UK pet owners plan gifts for their pets.

A Greater Manchester MP has condemned a Rochdale-based company in Parliament for trying to reduce workers’ pay just before Christmas using controversial employment tactics.

A new chapter in inclusive outdoor activities has begun at Hollingworth Lake with the official launch of the ‘Pennine Queen’ a fully wheelchair-accessible Wheelyboat now available for community use.

A long-standing part of Rochdale's rugby scene is getting a new lease of life, as Rochdale Mayfield ARLFC prepares to convert its old canteen into a modern community café.

A vibrant cast delivers festive joy in this year’s pantomime at Middleton Arena.

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.

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.

Thousands packed into Heywood for the town's annual 1940s Day on Saturday 21 June, transforming the area into a tribute to wartime Britain.

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.

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

The sister of murdered soldier Lee Rigby is preparing to run two major fundraising events this autumn, twelve years after his death at the hands of extremists.

The following statement is attributable to Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry:

Bury Business Improvement District have begun hosting the Knife Angel in partnership with Bury Council and GMP and several organisations and partners.

An old empty mill is to be transformed into much-needed housing for people with mental health issues.

The National Poppy Appeal has been launched in Bury today (Thursday 26 October) as we remember the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives and livelihoods during past and current conflicts.

On Tuesday 19 September 2023, Greater Manchester Police were called to reports of a burglary on Brandlesholme Road, Bury.

Asian Community Radio Station in Moorgate, Bury Sparks Controversy with Anti-LGBT Education Signs

The charitable organisation known as the LGBTQI+ Forum in Bury, has issued a statement.

On Tuesday 29 August 2023 at around 11:55pm, officers were called to reports of a man who had been attacked with a knife on Haworth Walk in Radcliffe, Bury.

Housing association Onward Homes and construction firm John Southworth will be working in partnership on a new development of 30 affordable homes in Whitefield, Bury.