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Local News

• Fire crews tackle commercial building fire on Rooley Moor Road in Rochdale

  Firefighters spent over three hours at the scene of a commercial building fire on Rooley Moor Road in Rochdale on Thursday evening.

• Man arrested after three seriously injured in Middleton assault

  A man has been arrested following a violent incident in Middleton that left three people seriously injured in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

• Murder investigation launched after man stabbed to death in Bury

  A man in his 20s has died following a stabbing at a residential address in Bury on New Year’s Eve. Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

• United Utilities urges residents to protect pipes ahead of freezing weekend

  Residents and businesses across Rochdale and Greater Manchester are being urged to protect their water pipes as temperatures are forecast to plunge this weekend, raising the risk of bursts and flooding.

• Bolton Mountain Rescue Team pays tribute to long serving volunteer Geoff Seddon

  Bolton Mountain Rescue Team has announced the death of veteran volunteer Geoff Seddon, saying the team is devastated following what it described as a short but brutal battle with cancer.

• Three floors of iconic town centre building could be turned into flats

  Three floors of an iconic building at the heart of Bury’s nightlife ‘strip’ could be turned into flats. Developers plan to renovate the upper levels of the former Silver Chambers at 8 to 12 Silver Street into nine apartments.

• Community walking group 'Mayfield Movers' set to start in 2026 to promote active living

  A new community walking initiative called Mayfield Movers is set to launch in 2026, with the goal of improving physical health, reducing isolation, and strengthening community ties across the borough.

• My 5 years at Westminster were dominated by Brexit paralysis

  After five years in Westminster, Liz McInnes is finding joy in getting stuck into her role as a local councillor.

• 2025 was the year Roch Valley Radio became your newsroom

  When Rochdale Online closed its doors earlier this year, Roch Valley Radio stepped up to ensure the stories from the boroughs we serve didn’t go untold.

• Hopwood Hall College Principal among North West recipients of OBE in King's Honours List

  The Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Hopwood Hall College has been named in the King’s New Year Honours List, recognising her long-standing contribution to education in Rochdale and across Greater Manchester.

• Radcliffe commentator Clive Tyldesley honoured with OBE in New Year list

  Veteran football broadcaster Clive Tyldesley, who grew up in Radcliffe, has been awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting and charity in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026.

• Rochdale Lioness Keira Walsh awarded MBE in New Year Honours

  Rochdale-born footballer Keira Walsh has been named in the King’s New Year Honours list, receiving an MBE for her services to the sport.

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Greater Manchester

• Hopwood Hall College Principal among North West recipients of OBE in King's Honours List

  The Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Hopwood Hall College has been named in the King’s New Year Honours List, recognising her long-standing contribution to education in Rochdale and across Greater Manchester.

• Bolton paedophile 'inappropriately' restrained before prison death report finds

  A paedophile from Bolton who died in custody was “wrongly” handcuffed despite being unable to walk unaided, a prison watchdog has found.

• Crime falls and justice rises as GMP pledges safer 2026 for Greater Manchester

  Greater Manchester Police has reported a drop of 10,000 crimes in the past year, alongside a sharp rise in solved cases, as the force sets its sights on delivering a safer 2026.

• Flying Scotsman to return to East Lancashire Railway in 2026

  One of Britain’s most iconic steam locomotives is making a highly anticipated return to the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) next summer, with the Flying Scotsman confirmed for a special run of events in June 2026.

• Teletubbies, traffic cones and blind mice take over Edgworth in charity race

  Teletubbies, blind mice, and Top Gun pilots brought festive chaos to the streets of Edgworth on Sunday as the village’s annual charity three-legged race returned, raising thousands for Cancer Research UK.

• Greater Manchester Police make 671 arrests during Festive Friday weekend

  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.

• Three men convicted after foiled antisemitic terror plot in Greater Manchester

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

• Child Protection Investigation Unit praised for relentless work safeguarding children in Rochdale

  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.

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Local Entertainment

• 2025 was the year Roch Valley Radio became your newsroom

  When Rochdale Online closed its doors earlier this year, Roch Valley Radio stepped up to ensure the stories from the boroughs we serve didn’t go untold.

• Your Trust celebrates record 1.6 million engagements across Rochdale borough

  More than 1.6 million people took part in Your Trust’s community programmes last year, marking a record high for the Rochdale-based charity.

• Flying Scotsman to return to East Lancashire Railway in 2026

  One of Britain’s most iconic steam locomotives is making a highly anticipated return to the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) next summer, with the Flying Scotsman confirmed for a special run of events in June 2026.

• Teletubbies, traffic cones and blind mice take over Edgworth in charity race

  Teletubbies, blind mice, and Top Gun pilots brought festive chaos to the streets of Edgworth on Sunday as the village’s annual charity three-legged race returned, raising thousands for Cancer Research UK.

• Heywood AODS and Heykids secure 19 nominations at NODA District 7 awards

  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.

• Peine Square transformed in £1m Heywood regeneration project

  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.

• Rochdale to be transformed by immersive nighttime storytelling experience

  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.

• OMD to headline major music event at Rochdale Town Hall Square in 2026

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

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Local Sports

• Radcliffe commentator Clive Tyldesley honoured with OBE in New Year list

  Veteran football broadcaster Clive Tyldesley, who grew up in Radcliffe, has been awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting and charity in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026.

• Stepans and Graham strike as Shakers seal Boxing Day victory

  Goals either side of halftime from Rustam Stepans and Leo Graham saw Bury run out 2-0 winners over Clitheroe on Boxing Day despite being reduced to ten men late on.

• From survival to belief as Rochdale AFC look ahead to 2026

  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.

• Young sporting stars honoured in school Hall of Fame

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

• Bury FC part company with Michael Jolley days after managerial appointment following backlash

  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.

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UK

• UK weather: Snow warnings upgraded to amber for some areas as country sees wintry start to the year

  Forecasters have upgraded snow weather warnings from yellow to amber in some parts of the UK.

• Police officer pays tribute to his wife and two children who died in house fire

  A police officer who lost his wife and two children in a house fire on Boxing Day has paid tribute to his family as "three of the greatest humans to ever grace our presence".

• Michael Gove reveals regret over Boris Johnson leadership bid

  Michael Gove has expressed regret about his decision to blow up Boris Johnson's leadership bid after the Brexit referendum, which saw him accused of "backstabbing".

• Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ban: West Midlands Police 'knew of antisemitism warning from Jewish groups'

  West Midlands Police told a safety planning meeting that Jewish groups warned excluding Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from an Aston Villa match "could be perceived as antisemitic" - weeks before telling MPs the Jewish community backed the ban, according to documents obtained by Sky News.

• Man charged on suspicion of twice trespassing on grounds of Kensington Palace

  A man has been charged with twice gaining access to the grounds of Kensington Palace.

• Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca leaves club after 18 months in charge

  Chelsea have announced their head coach Enzo Maresca has left his role after 18 months in charge at Stamford Bridge.

• Nigel Farage vows to go 'double or quits' with £5m local elections spending blitz

  Nigel Farage has vowed to go "double or quits" on May's local elections with a spending blitz of £5m.

• Children from struggling families to be vaccinated at home - as immunisation rates drop

  Children from struggling families will be able to be vaccinated at home across parts of England in a new government pilot scheme.

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Entertainment

• Trailer released for King Charles documentary on harmony with nature

  A trailer has been released for a landmark documentary on King Charles' lifelong effort to bring nature and humanity into harmony.

• New Year Honours: Idris Elba, Torvill and Dean, and Lionesses among those recognised

  Idris Elba, ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, as well as England's victorious women's football and rugby teams, are among 1,157 people recognised in the New Year Honours list.

• Isiah Whitlock Jr., actor who starred in The Wire, dies aged 71

  Isiah Whitlock Jr., who was best known for his role on The Wire, has died aged 71.

• Brigitte Bardot: The bombshell and style icon who walked away from fame and glamour

  Brigitte Bardot was the sultry film siren who helped ignite a sexual revolution, a woman whose cultural significance extended beyond her acting career.

• Bayeux Tapestry: Priceless artefact to be insured for £800m

  The Bayeux Tapestry will be insured for around £800m when it comes to the UK next year.

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Sport

• Louis Rees-Zammit: Wales international commits to Bristol Bears by signing long-term deal

  Wales back Louis Rees-Zammit has signed a long-term deal with Bristol, having joined the Bears for the 2025-26 season after ending his 18-month spell in the NFL.

• Justin Hood: English player makes history with record-breaking World Darts Championship win over Josh Rock as Jonny Clayton avoids upset

  Justin Hood produced one of the greatest performances at the World Darts Championship by hitting 11 consecutive doubles without missing on his way to a 4-0 win over Josh Rock in the last 16.

• World Darts Championship: Luke Humphries reaches quarter-finals as Gary Anderson thrashes Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace

  Luke Humphries set up a quarter-final showdown with Gian van Veen at the World Darts Championship after beating Kevin Doets, as Gary Anderson thrashed Michael van Gerwen at the Alexandra Palace.

• Anthony Joshua: British boxer and former world champion discharged from hospital after fatal car crash in Nigeria

  Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital less than three days after a car crash in Nigeria that killed two of his close friends.

• Liverpool show creativity problem against Leeds as Rodri impresses on Man City return at Sunderland - Premier League hits and misses

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Strange

• Drunk raccoon behind liquor store rampage suspected of other 'break-ins'

  A raccoon that passed out drunk after running amok in a Virginia liquor store is suspected of two other "break-ins".

• Stolen Fabergé pendant passed to police - quite literally

  A Fabergé pendant has been recovered - after police spent six days closely monitoring the man accused of swallowing it.

• Spirit animal: Raccoon gets drunk as a skunk in a booze store - and sleeps off hangover in the toilet

  A raccoon has gotten as drunk as a skunk.

• Is Die Hard a Christmas film? The public have spoken - and you might not like the result

  It's a debate that's torn families apart for years - with selection boxes thrown in rage, and stony silences around the dinner table.

• Oxford Dictionary publisher reveals Word of the Year 2025 - do you know it?

  Don't get too upset, but 'rage bait' has been named by Oxford University Press as this year's Word of the Year, beating other online terms.

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Videos

• 2025 on track to be UK's warmest year on record, says Met Office

  The UK could be set to have had its warmest year on record, according to forecasters.

• 'Like a horror movie': Around 40 dead and 115 injured in Swiss ski resort bar fire

  About 40 people were killed and 115 injured in a blaze in at a New Year's Eve Party at an upmarket Swiss ski resort, with the disaster likened to scenes from a horror film.

• What we know about deadly New Year's fire at Swiss ski resort

  A fierce blaze that broke out in a Swiss ski resort during New Year's Eve celebrations has killed about 40 people and injured 115, police said on Thursday afternoon.

• New Year Honours: Idris Elba, Torvill and Dean, and Lionesses among those recognised

  Idris Elba, ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, as well as England's victorious women's football and rugby teams, are among 1,157 people recognised in the New Year Honours list.

• From bone damage to solar radiation - inside the lab trying to protect the astronauts of the future

  Space is an alien environment for humans.

• Annual energy bill to fall by more than £100 in April as government removes policy costs

  Annual energy bills are set to fall by £138 in April due to government changes, trusted forecasters have said.

• Why Trump administration is so annoyed with Europe's online rules

  The row between Europe and Washington about what you can do online just ramped up.

• Sir Keir Starmer promises that 'change' will finally arrive in 2026 in New Year's message

  Sir Keir Starmer is promising that the change he pledged to deliver in the 2024 election will finally arrive in 2026.

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Politics

• Migrant small boat Channel crossings in 2025 are second highest ever

  A total of 41,472 migrants arrived in the UK in 2025 after crossing the Channel on a small boat - the second-highest annual figure on record.

• Migrant crossing figures for 2025 'politically toxic' for PM

  The government's woken up to quite the new year hangover with the publication of 2025's small boat data - which reveals the number of migrants crossing the Channel increased by more than 4,500 people compared to 2024.

• Nigel Farage vows to go 'double or quits' with £5m local elections spending blitz

  Nigel Farage has vowed to go "double or quits" on May's local elections with a spending blitz of £5m.

• Children from struggling families to be vaccinated at home - as immunisation rates drop

  Children from struggling families will be able to be vaccinated at home across parts of England in a new government pilot scheme.

• Sir Keir Starmer promises that 'change' will finally arrive in 2026 in New Year's message

  Sir Keir Starmer is promising that the change he pledged to deliver in the 2024 election will finally arrive in 2026.

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Technology

• Trailer released for King Charles documentary on harmony with nature

  A trailer has been released for a landmark documentary on King Charles' lifelong effort to bring nature and humanity into harmony.

• From bone damage to solar radiation - inside the lab trying to protect the astronauts of the future

  Space is an alien environment for humans.

• Why Trump administration is so annoyed with Europe's online rules

  The row between Europe and Washington about what you can do online just ramped up.

• 2025 on track to be UK's warmest year on record, says Met Office

  The UK could be set to have had its warmest year on record, according to forecasters.

• Jail for burglars who used Grindr dating app to dupe victims

  Two burglars who used the Grindr dating app to trick victims into letting them into their homes have been jailed.

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World

• 'Like a horror movie': Around 40 dead and 115 injured in Swiss ski resort bar fire

  About 40 people were killed and 115 injured in a blaze in at a New Year's Eve Party at an upmarket Swiss ski resort, with the disaster likened to scenes from a horror film.

• What we know about deadly New Year's fire at Swiss ski resort

  A fierce blaze that broke out in a Swiss ski resort during New Year's Eve celebrations has killed about 40 people and injured 115, police said on Thursday afternoon.

• Witness saw people 'walking on top of others' as they tried to escape fire in packed Switzerland bar

  A man who witnessed a bar fire in Switzerland has told Sky News he saw patrons walking over people as they tried to escape the packed venue.

• Several people killed in Iran as cost-of-living protests turn deadly

  The largest protests in Iran in three years reached a deadly climax overnight into Thursday, with several people killed, Iranian media and a rights group have reported.

• Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York City mayor ahead of public ceremony

  New York's new mayor Zohran Mamdani has made history and been inaugurated in a disused subway station.

• Why there's no escape from Delhi's biggest killer

  "The air is absolutely poison, in the last two years we've not had even one single good a day in spite of the monsoon rain," says Bhavreen Kandhari, an activist spearheading a public movement on clean air.

• Anthony Joshua pays respects to friends killed in road crash

  Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital days after a car crash in Nigeria that killed two of his close friends.

• Finland police seize vessel suspected of damaging Baltic Sea cable

  Finnish police have seized a cargo vessel suspected of damaging an undersea cable.

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Business

• Private hospitals giant Spire sets deadline for suitors

  Britain's biggest private hospital operator has handed prospective suitors a deadline to pursue a takeover of the company amid shareholder pressure on it to explore a sale.

• Revolution Bars owner plots swift sale as cash crisis deepens

  The London-listed company behind the Revolution bars chain has set a deadline for bids next week after warning shareholders that they face being wiped out as part of a deal.

• FTSE 100 has best year since 2009 - outperforming US and European rivals

  The UK's flagship stock index has had its best year since 2009 after a series of record-breaking days.

• Annual energy bill to fall by more than £100 in April as government removes policy costs

  Annual energy bills are set to fall by £138 in April due to government changes, trusted forecasters have said.

• Octopus Energy lines up sale of stake in $10bn software arm Kraken

  Octopus Energy Group is on the brink of selling a big stake in its software arm, Kraken Technologies, at a valuation that will cement its status as one of Britain's biggest private companies.

• UK pension funds eye stake in £4.5bn holiday giant Center Parcs

  Some of Britain's biggest public sector pension schemes are in talks to take a stake in Center Parcs as its Canadian owner finalises a recapitalisation of the holiday parks giant.

• High street banking giants vie for £2.5bn wealth manager Evelyn 

  Two of Britain’s biggest high street banks are embroiled in a £2.5bn takeover battle for Evelyn Partners, the wealth management group.

• The UK's worst Christmas gifts: Rotten fruit, used pyjamas and a Spurs book for a Chelsea fan

  It wouldn't be Christmas without at least one gift so misguided we question whether our loved ones know us at all.

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Rochdale Council Leaders Column

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Rochdale Council Mayors Column

• A year of listening, learning and lifting others up

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

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