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Page 2 November 2026 AD SALES 01204 478812 No part of this publication may be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2026. This newspaper is published monthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate, Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. Tel. 01204 478812 EDITOR: Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com ADVERTISING : JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk CLASSIFIEDS : Teresa Bond 01204 478812 teresa@independentnewspapers.co.uk CONTACT US TO ADVERTISE IN THE INDEPENDENT CONTACT OUR TEAM ON 01204 478812 T E TISE I INDEPENDENT TEAM ON 01204 478812 THE Atom Valley Innovation District (AVID) in Rochdale has celebrated a sig- nificant milestone with the practical completion of its first major development. The Sustainable Mate- rials & Manufacturing Centre (SMMC) has been built at Kingsway Busi- ness Park. It sits on the 25-acre site earmarked for advanced materials and manufacturing in Roch- dale, bringing together businesses, researchers, investors and innovation partners in one location. AVID aims to provide THE countdown to Christmas will get underway in Rochdale with the return of the spectacular Ignite Fire Festival. The event will trans- form the square and gardens around Roch- dale Town Hall, includ- ing the new pathways and parkland on Broad- field Slopes. The free night-time event will open over three evenings from Friday November 20 to Sunday, November 22, from 5pm – 8pm, delivering a mag- ical trail of fire, lights and sound. Organisers are prom- ising this year will be the best yet with new dazzling trails and attractions. Immersive night-time trail, ‘BODY,’ will take centre stage. It will bring visitors on a jour- ney through six zones of the human body using fire, light, sound and special effects. The multi-sensory experience is the most ambitious fire and light installation yet frommul- ti-award-winning outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank, and Ignite will be its North West premiere, after having previously travelled over the globe, from Ireland to Canada. There will also be a Fire Garden providing extra sparkle, illuminat- ing slopes and gardens behind the town hall with intricate hand- crafted fire sculptures and pyrotechnics. Back again for 2026 is ‘DrumMachine’ – the 20 strong drumming collec- tive who will be bringing their dance floor grooves and stomping tunes to the event. Also returning are ‘Fireflies,’ as part of the Culture Co-op pro- gramme with Rochdale’s Skylight Circus Arts and live fire shows by interac- tive arts group Travelling Light Circus, alongside residents trained up especially for the festival Celebrating the Slopes revival Lighting up the festive season Popular event: The Ignite Fire Festival attracts big crowds to the town Atom Valley powers ahead Completion: The Sustainable Materials & Manufacturing Centre (photo credit: RDA) performing mesmerising fire spinning feats. There will also be flame cooked hot food served each night, mulled wine and other seasonal drinks. On Sunday, November 22 Father Christmas and his special guests, includ- ing the mayor of Roch- dale Faisal Rana, will officially switch-on the lights at 5.30pm in front of the town hall after the traditional countdown, whilst Ignite Fire Festi- val continues until 8pm. Bev Ayre, senior pro- ducer at Walk the Plank, is delighted to be return- ing to Rochdale. She said: “The Body is unlike any- thing we’ve brought to Ignite before. An immer- sive fire and light experi- ence that combines art, science and creativity to help people discover the incredible human body in a fun and engaging way. “Set against the stunning backdrop of Rochdale Town Hall Square and gardens, it promises to be one of our most exciting attractions yet. Even if you’ve visited Ignite before, this year’s festival will feel com- pletely new.” Christmas lights switch-on events will also take place in Hey- wood and Middleton on Saturday, November 14 and in Littleborough on Saturday, November 28. THE people who helped bring Rochdale’s historic Broadfield Park Slopes back to life were celebrated at a special event at the town hall. The event arranged by Polly Brant, Cultural Engagement officer, brought together volun- teers, partners and people who have been involved in the project to recognise what has been achieved and, importantly, the contribu- tion local people have made along the way. Guests watched a series of films created by Rochdale filmmaker Jack Grindrod and Breaking Bar- riers, capturing the people, stories, heritage and community involve- ment behind the transformation. The evening also featured poetry readings fromAlende Amisi, a poet who grew up in Rochdale and was a young poet in residence during its Town of Culture year. Passionate about the town and its heritage, Alende brought a per- sonal perspective to an evening which was as much about Roch- dale’s people as its history. A special thank you was also given to the volunteers who have supported the project, giving their time to archaeological digs, activities and events and helping uncover and share the history of this important part of the town. The work has also restored the historic Packer Spout Fountain, created a new accessible pathway, improved landscaping, lighting and CCTV, and introduced new herit- age interpretation. The lower lawn has also been terraced, creating a natural amphitheatre and new space for activities and events. Archaeology and community participation have been a major part of the project. Excavations have uncovered the footings of Charles Kershaw’s 19th century Central Corn Mill, cobbled trackways and the former public weigh station, alongside finds including ceramics, clay smoking pipes, animal bones and glass bottles. Four archaeological digs have taken place, with the wider pro- gramme involving schoolchildren, students, volunteers and mem- bers of the public. It has included 28 work placement students, 12 archaeological volunteers and a two-year schools programme involving 715 pupils. an environment where organisations can inno- vate, grow and commer- cialise new technologies, strengthening Greater Manchester’s position as a leading centre for advanced materials and manufacturing. The SMMC is set to become a nationally sig- nificant gateway driving the development of the advanced materials and manufacturing cluster in the region. The next phase will see workmove from construc- tion towards specialist fit-out ahead of bringing the centre into operation next year. Completion of the build- ing represents a major milestone for years of partnership working between Rochdale Coun- cil, Rochdale Development Agency (RDA), Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), The University of Manches- ter and wider innova- tion partners. Rochdale MP Paul Waugh said: “AtomValley ● Continued from page one ON THE RECORD Talent show: Artists stood outside Kenion Street studio. Between 1977-2001 Rochdale was home to both Suite Sixteen and Cargo Studios on Ken- ion Street, where trail- blazing artists including OMD, The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Joy Div ision , Inspi ra l Carpets, Autechre, A Certain Ratio, The Fall and many others recorded some of their most memorable work. You can listen to the album ‘Kenion Street’ on streaming platforms or pick up a vinyl copy at Rocks Off on Drake Street in Rochdale and other good record stores. Rochdale Music Sto- ries is a collaboration between Voltalab Sound Studios, Stockport Music Story and RDA, funded by Arts Council Eng- land, Rochdale Council and RDA. could bring up to 20,000 skilled jobs to our part of Greater Manchester. For too long, growth has been concentrated in the south of the country and the centre of Manchester. This is about making sure Rochdale is once again at the heart of Britain’s manufacturing future.” Mayor of Greater Man- chester Bev Craig said: “Atom Valley is an excit- ing opportunity and key to our plans to bring good growth to every postcode in Greater Manchester. “The completion of the SMMC building is a major milestone for what will become a nation- ally significant hub for innovation. “We’re providing space for businesses and connecting them with investment, world-class research, facilities and support within the wider Atom Valley Innova- tion District. “In practice, that means more opportuni- ties for our businesses to grow, attracting new investment to this part of Greater Manchester, and more high-value jobs for our residents.” Recording: PoolEra perform Electricity by OMD (Photo credit: Rochdale Council)