RECAP: Police cordon in place at The Rock after Barclays Bank smashed up by activists

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• Bee Network bus changes to boost services in Bury and Rochdale

  New and improved bus services are set to be introduced across Bury and Rochdale as part of a wider upgrade to the Bee Network later this year.

• Gabrielle to headline Rochdale Feel Good Festival 2026 with Ash and Starsailor

  Rochdale Feel Good Festival has announced its main stage headliners for summer 2026, with Gabrielle set to perform in the town centre.

• Two men arrested after Rochdale shooting as police continue investigation

  Two men have been arrested following a shooting in Rochdale earlier this month. Officers say enquiries are ongoing and patrols have been increased in the area.

• Rochdale council invests £900000 to expand children’s homes for young people with complex needs

  Rochdale Borough Council has approved £900000 to create four new solo children’s homes in the borough. The move aims to help more cared for children and young people live closer to home.

• Community Iftar brings Rochdale organisations and residents together at Unity House

  A community Iftar in Rochdale brought together residents, civic leaders and local organisations to mark the holy month of Ramadan and share the breaking of the fast.

• Tony Walsh to host Rochdale poetry event celebrating town’s cultural year

  Performance poet Tony Walsh will host an afternoon of live poetry in Rochdale as part of the town’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture. The event will take place at Number One Riverside on Saturday 21 March and will also launch two poetry anthologies created by local writers.

• Rochdale theatre company tours schools programme tackling child criminal exploitation

  A Rochdale production company is touring a theatre programme designed to help primary school pupils recognise the signs of grooming and child criminal exploitation.

• All seven dogs recovered after van theft

  The final dog taken when a dog walker’s van was stolen in Oldham has now been found, bringing the total number of recovered animals to seven. Police said the dogs were abandoned after the vehicle was taken from Medlock Road in Failsworth.

• Creative messages for mums go on display at The Rock for Mother’s Day

  More than 100 people entered a Mother’s Day competition at The Rock Shopping and Leisure Centre, with ten winners seeing their messages displayed on floral themed boards in the centre.

• Rochdale Music Stories presents Kenion Street at Heywood Civic

  Manchester is known by many for its historically renowned music scene; however, the scenes and sounds of Madchester, Oasis and the likes commonly overshadow the notable influence of surrounding towns within Greater Manchester. Rochdale, Greater Manchester Town of Culture for 2026, is one of those towns whose musical influence is understated and a lot of the time, unknown.

• Six-bed HMO approved despite local anger

  A six-bed HMO in Royton has been given the greenlight by councillors, despite ‘anger and upset’ in the local community. Property owner Footlong (UK) Ltd can extend a house at 3 Kevin Avenue to create a six-person house of multiple occupation.

• Councillor Ashley Dearnley looks back on his 44 years of service

  Rochdale’s longest serving councillor is due to step aside in May after 44 years in the job. Coun Ashley Dearnley’s cheeky smile has been a constant in the council chamber since 1982, when he was elected at the age of 21.