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Page 2 November 2025 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 2025. 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 Building for the future ● Cont from page one been empty for years into a thriving new neigh- bourhood which will be built to the highest envi- ronmental standards.” The development is part of the council’s rail corridor strategy, which aims to regenerate the areas around Rochdale’s five railway stations with new homes on brown- field sites. It’s also part of the wider regeneration of the area around the railway station, which involves the creation of a new public square and 33 new apartments on a brownfield site on the corner of Maclure Road and Station Road, with construction set to start early next year. Station Gardens is being delivered by Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) on behalf of Rochdale Council, with Willmott Dixon acting as main contractor. Michael Poole-Suth- erland, director for the North West at Willmott Dixon, said: “We share Rochdale Council and RDA’s passion for ensur- ing Station Gardens leaves a lasting legacy in this community. “As part of this, we will create employment opportunities for local people who have been long-term unemployed and will be engaging with both T-Level and apprentice students at Hopwood Hall Col- lege, Rochdale Sixth Form and Hollingworth High School, offering 180 weeks of training throughout the project.” A NEW crossing point has been unveiled one one of the busiest roads in Rochdale. It is part of a wider programme of safety improve- ments to encourage safer travel across the townships of the borough. The crossing, funded by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), has been created in Halifax Road, Smithy Bridge, a multi-lane 40mph road which has thousands of vehicles travelling along it each day. Located not far from Spring Mill Walk, it is close to key local facilities, like Kentmere Academy and Nursery, Hurstead Residential Home and Small- bridge library. A Rochdale Council spokesperson said: “Previously, this busy stretch of road had no crossing facilities, with anyone trying to cross the road having to use an unwelcoming old subway. “The crossing is one of a number of new road safety facilities recently installed across the borough, with new ones already in operation in Shawclough Road, in St Mary’s Gate, Rochdale town centre, Oldham Road, Middleton and Howard Street, Rochdale.” Councillor Shah Wazir, the council’s cabinet mem- ber for highways, said: “Busy roads, particularly those with higher speed limits, can serve as a barrier to people getting out and about, so it’s vital that we remove these to help people enjoy our outdoor spaces, stay active and reduce isolation. “It’s important that our borough is accessible to all, including the many people who travel around on foot, on bikes or wheelchairs, because the roads are for everyone. “With at least three schools in close proximity, along with two large residential neighbourhoods, a crossing in this area is particularly beneficial.” MORE than 300 can- nabis plants were seized by police in an operation in the Roch- dale area. A large ‘cannabis farm’ with more than 200 plants was discovered across two buildings in early morning raids at an address on King’s Road in Turf Hill on Thursday October 23. Police say there were no occupants at the address and the electricity had also been bypassed. A second raid on Essex Street in the Milkstone and Deeplish area, uncovered 100 plants. THE redevelopment of Touchstones Roch- dale, the borough’s major arts and her- itage venue is moving forward at pace. Work on site com- menced last year to transform the much- loved Grade II-listed building into a crea- tive and cultural hub with new flexible per- formance and studio spaces, meeting rooms, education facilities and improved galleries. Two new classrooms, a quiet space and kitchen will provide a welcoming environ- ment for children and adult learning on the ground floor. The building’s ornate features are being pre- served, with high ceil- ings and large windows giving the light and bright areas more of a sense of space. There will be a dig- ital recording studio for podcast and music recordings, alongside digital co-working space. A ‘messy studio’ – complete with a pot- tery room including a kiln – will be used for education classes. Another studio space on the ground floor has been designed with flex- ibility inmind, enabling it to be used for meet- ings, conferences and workshops, in a wide range of formats. A re-modelling of the reception area will cre- ate a much more wel- coming environment, alongside the build- ing’s original tiled floor undergoing restoration, and grand staircase. Crossing point’s safety boost Cannabis farms uncovered TOUCHSTONES REVAMP GATHERS PACE Progressing: Working on Touchstones, the renovation of the former Women’s Library and the 130-seat studio performance space (Photo credit: Rochdale Council) SPECIAL REPORT The former Women’s Library – used as a museum until the build- ing closed for renovation – is set to become an inno- vative new dining and collections space, with a sleek terrazzo tiled floor alongside beautifully stained oak in the servery and on walls. The hall will feature artwork designed by local people, reflecting the bor- ough’s heritage and cul- ture with the community even developing menus. Outside there will be a terrace with seating, alongside a community co-designed garden where herbs, plants and crops will be grown. Initial wiring for light- ing and sound has been installed in the 130-seat studio performance space. With retractable seating, the versatile space will be the home of Touchstones Live – a pro- gramme of drama, dance, theatre, comedy, contem- porary performance and family shows, as well as being available for private hire, touring productions and schools. On the lower floor there is upgraded office space which will be used for hot desking, together with meeting rooms and improved spaces for the museum collections to be safely stored, alongside a large artwork stor- age area. Upstairs there will be improved gallery spaces, providing better condi- tions for artwork and a much lighter, brighter experience for visitors. A first phase of addi- tional repairs to the roof is well underway, includ- ing re-slating, together with upgrading of the insulation, renewal of flashings and soakers, improvements to the gut- tering, new lightning pro- tection and replacement of dormer windows. Improvements to the building’s accessibility and sustainability are also taking place. A small multi-faith quiet room and new lift have already been installed, alongside new toilets. Estelle Rowe, chief executive of Your Trust, the organisation that will be responsible for running the building when it re-opens, said: “Touchstones Rochdale is a well-loved building over many decades but is being restored and re-purposed for the future. “We have a duty to look after buildings like this as well as make them useful and accessible to all for future generations, and I think something special is going on here.” Set to be completed in 2027, the project is funded by the Cultural Develop- ment Fund and Rochdale Council as part of an £8.5million investment into arts and culture across the borough. Touchstones Roch- dale also became one of Arts Council England’s ‘National Portfolio Organ- isations’ for the first time in 2023. Improvements to first- floor galleries are being made with funding from The Wolfson Foundation, whilst the dining area is made possible by a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant, thanks to National Lottery players. The Touchstones Roch- dale project forms a key part of the establishment of a creative district in Rochdale town centre. Two men were arrested on suspicion of producing cannabis and abstract- ing electricity. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police’s Rochdale North Neighbourhood Team, said: “The large amount of cannabis seized was nearly ready to be har- vested and would have soon been sold across Rochdale to vulnera- ble people. “We encourage resi- dents and members of the public to report any suspicious activity which may indicate similar crimes taking place.” To report any incident, contact us on 101 or report via the Live chat function on our website. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anon- ymously on 0800 555 111. Plants: Part of the haul discovered by police (Photo credit: GMP)