Community News

ROCHDALE’S INDOOR MARKET OPENS ITS DOORS

Rochdale’s brand new indoor market has now opened its doors to the public. The Rochdale Market Foodhall and Café is now operating from the former Santander building on The Butts, following a £750,000 transformation spearheaded by the council and Rochale Development Agency (RDA).

The new market boasts a traditional butcher’s, a bakery and a greengrocer, as well as a café on the first floor which surrounds the building’s newly-constructed atrium.

Stephen Bamford, who currently owns and manages Cryer’s butchers in Littleborough, has opened his latest venture, Rochdale’s Choice Family Butchers, within the market and is raring to go.

He said: “The indoor market looks great and being close to a greengrocer’s and bakery is ideal, as it’s your classic market offer. Traditional butchers like ours are becoming very popular now because people know that if they buy from us, all their meat is locally-sourced and good quality.”

And the owners of brand new café, Montague’s, are hoping to bring a taste of the Northern Quarter to their unit on the first floor with breakfast offerings like waffles with maple syrup and fruit compote and avocado on toast, as well as homemade cakes, freshly made sandwiches, soup and speciality pastries.

Owners Debra McGinty and Anna Barber will be sourcing their ingredients from other stalls within the market to celebrate the borough’s cooperative tradition. Debra, from Heywood, said:

“I’ve always really believed in Rochdale town centre and our new unit is beautiful, particularly with its panoramic views over the River Roch and Rochdale Town Hall. The area around the newly reopened river is really blossoming and turning into a mini Northern Quarter, with new bars and restaurants, like the Medicine Tap and the Wellington. I think our offer here will really add to this mix”.

The indoor market will operate alongside the outdoor market next to the re-opened river. The indoor market will be open Monday to Saturday, from 9am and 5pm, while the outdoor market is open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9am and 5pm.

Councillor Allen Brett, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “A high-quality market is a crucial part of any successful town centre and I know our new market will play a major role in our redeveloped town centre, which is in the middle of a £400m transformation programme.

“I’m proud to welcome such high-quality businesses into our brand new indoor market and am particularly pleased to hear that they are all existing Rochdale businesses, which are expanding and in many cases, creating new jobs. The new market will perfectly complement our new shopping and leisure development, Rochdale Riverside, and I’m confident it will go down very well with our residents and visitors.”

ROCHDALE FIREFIGHTER RUNS IN MEMORY OF MANCHESTER ATTACK VICTIMS

A firefighter from Rochdale has taken on a gruelling charity challenge - running 22 10K races in memory of the 22 victims of last year’s tragic Manchester Arena attack.

Aaron Parmar was a police officer at the arena on the night of the attack and witnessed the physical and emotional devastation caused. Since moving to the fire service, he’s decided to show his support for the victims by running 220 kilometres (137 miles), which began with the Williams BMW Rochdale 10K in his hometown.

Aaron commented: “Coming from Rochdale, I wanted the first 10K to be in my hometown. I am raising money for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund which is managed by the British Red Cross who did a fantastic job in supporting the victims and their families during that harrowing time and who continue to support them today”.

Aaron has raised over £3000 so far. You can sponsor him via his Just Giving Page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/aaronleegmfrs

ROCHDALE’S SINGING JEWELLER DONATES TO SAVE SAMANTHA APPEAL

Rochdale’s singing jeweller John Swinden has donated a cheque for £1,000 to the Save Samantha Appeal to match funds raised at an afternoon tea.

Mr Swinden donated the cheque for £1,043 on behalf of the Liberty Masonic Lodge Rochdale to Gwen Tyler from the Save Samantha Appeal.

A wonderful afternoon of musical entertainment and afternoon tea took place at Littleborough Cricket Club in October, featuring performances by Mr Swinden, Wardle Junior Blast, Natalia Jacques and Sing! Littleborough.

Adding to the funds raised on the day, the Save Samantha Appeal has now benefited from an additional £2,446 towards Samantha Smith’s next lifesaving operation.

Samantha recently revealed that she is once again fighting for her life after three extensive surgeries did not have the success rate anticipated.

Approximately £52,500 has been donated towards Samantha’s next lifesaving operations so far, which are not available in the UK and will cost over £100,000.

LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR OVER THE MOON TO LAUNCH IN NORDEN

An exciting new business, Moonglade Holistic Therapies, has launched in the heart of Norden, aimed at helping village residents de-stress, rejuvenate and ease those aches and pains. Therapist, Sarah Devereux offers Reflexology, Reiki & Seikem, Facial Rejuvenation Massage, Hopi Ear Candles and Indian Head Massage, from her new base at The Salon on Edenfield Road.

Sarah commented: “I’m super excited to be offering Holistic Therapies at The Salon in my local village. I’m enjoying meeting new customers, along with my regular clients. The girls at the salon have made me feel extremely welcome and have supported me from the start. I feel very lucky to be doing something I love as a career”.

Sarah added: “The rigors and strains of modern living can wreak havoc on the body and the skin. Regular reflexology and holistic treatments deliver therapeutic and feel-good benefits to restore harmony to the mind, body and soul. When you feel good on the inside the results are visible on the outside.”

Call 01706 861000 or email moongladeholistic@hotmail.com to find out more about holistic therapies or to book an appointment.

ICONIC TOWN CENTRE STORE RELOCATES TO NORDEN

After almost 60 years in the town centre, one of Rochdale’s best known independent shops, Denis Hope, have now closed their Drake Street store and re-opened in Norden village, as HOPE.

The move, headed by Oliver Hope, Denis’ grandson, is already proving a massive hit with existing customers and the locals of Norden village.

Oliver said: “This is the start of an exciting new future in Norden. We feel new customers will be surprised as to how much choice we have, not only on formal tailoring, which we are famous for locally, but the casual side of things too.”

The store offers well known labels such as Barbour and Ted Baker, as well as one of the biggest Hugo Boss ranges outside of Manchester. Their fantastic suit section includes bespoke and made-to-measure services.

The store takes the stress out of shopping, even offering a glass of prosecco, a beer or a cup of tea or coffee while customers browse at their leisure. Oliver commented: “We aim to make it a great environment to shop with the same levels of customer service as started by Denis when we opened. Joining our sister store in Norden also means that couples can now enjoy shopping together. We’re not necessarily the only place you shop, we just want to be your favourite place to shop!”.

OVER 1,000 TAKE TO THE ROAD FOR TOWN’S BIG RACES

Hundreds of runners from across the country descended on Rochdale for the annual Williams BMW Rochdale Half Marathon, 10K and Fun Run.

The event, now in its fourth year, saw its highest number of entrants with over 1,300 runners registered. They were encouraged every step of the way by hundreds of spectators lining the scenic, traffic-free routes.

The races began at Rochdale Town Hall, taking in the town and some of the borough’s best countryside scenes. All runs ended with a final sprint back to the finish line at the town hall, where they were met by hundreds of cheering spectators and a lively atmosphere.

The half marathon was won by Benjamin Coop from Bury Athletics Club for the second year in a row. The first female was Carly Needham from Rochdale Harriers. The 10K was won by Thomas Griffiths from St Helens Sutton Athletics Club, while the first female runner was Kirsty Sharp of Glossopdale Harriers. Louis Wakefield, (aged 14) from Macclesfield, won the 1 mile fun run. Full results are available at www.rochdale.gov.uk/run

Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for culture, health and wellbeing, who took part in the fun run, said: “I know how much training and hard work has gone in for those running and it was great to see this event continue to attract runners from the North West, across the UK and beyond, we even had an entrant fly over from France. Each year the reputation of this event grows, the weather was perfect with spectators providing much needed encouragement... The event was made possible by the support of many local people, businesses and groups.”

THOUSANDS FALL SILENT TO REMEMBER FALLEN HEROES

Thousands gathered across the borough for Remembrance Day Services to honour the nation’s war heroes, commemorating 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Representatives from the Navy, Army and Royal Air Force joined veterans and civic dignitaries for parades and services in Rochdale town centre, Heywood, Littleborough, Middleton, Norden, Milnrow and Wardle. The crew of HMS Middleton also paraded in Middleton and provided a guard of honour at the memorial.

Barely a sound was heard as the Last Post was played and residents gathered for the services, impeccably observing silences at 11am, and at 2:30pm in Wardle. Each included Lawrence Binyon’s 1914 poem

For The Fallen: “They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn; At the going down of the sun and in the morning; We will remember them.”

After the service in Rochdale there was a range of family entertainment to mark the 100 year milestone.

The Mayor, Councillor Mohammed Zaman said: “It’s a special year with this being the 100 year anniversary, although remembrance is about everyone who gave up their lives over many decades. I was proud to represent the borough at the services and once again we saw huge turnouts right across the borough.”